University of Brawijaya

Incorporating environmental protections in bilateral and regional trade agreements is crucial for fostering sustainable economic development. Early trade agreements focused on economic liberalization, whereas contemporary frameworks increasingly integrate environmental obligations to tackle climate change, resource depletion, and ecological degradation. This paper examines the development of environmental provisions in trade agreements, enforcement mechanisms, and optimal practices for sustainability-oriented trade policy. Prominent case studies such as the CPTPP, EU-Mercosur, and ACFTA, underscore both achievements and obstacles in the execution of environmental requirements. Moreover, market incentives like carbon pricing, border tax adjustments, and green subsidies are essential for harmonizing economic and environmental goals. The research offers policy suggestions for enhancing environmental protections, assuring adherence, and promoting international collaboration. The incorporation of comprehensive sustainability measures in trade agreements will be essential for attaining enduring environmental and economic resilience.

Rice, the staple food for more than half of the world’s population, is predominantly consumed in polished form, which lacks essential micronutrients and contributes to hidden hunger. This review examines biofortification and functional rice development as sustainable methods to improve the nutritional and health-enhancing attributes of rice. Evidence from conventional breeding, genetic engineering, agricultural practices, and microbiological interventions is consolidated, focusing on the biofortification of iron, zinc, and vitamin A. Functional rice enriched with anthocyanins, resistant starch, proteins, and prebiotic or probiotic traits is also discussed, alongside nutrient bioavailability and the influence of processing methods such as fermentation, germination, and parboiling. Findings indicate that biofortified rice can helps mitigate micronutrient deficiencies, while functional rice provides additional advantages for the management of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and gastrointestinal health. Nonetheless, challenges persist, particularly in nutrient absorption, regulatory approval, and consumer acceptance. Current evidence is restricted by insufficient biomarkers, contradictory findings in zinc studies, and an absence of long-term intervention trials, underscoring the need for further research and socio-economic integration.

Cluster analysis is a method for grouping objects based on characteristic similarities. The K-medoids algorithm, an extension of K-means, offers superior robustness against outliers by utilizing representative objects (medoids). This study analyzes transaction data from Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison’s B2B directorate Malang branch for the second semester of 2024. The objective is to segment B2B customers to assist the directorate in formulating targeted business strategies. Using K-medoids with Gower distance, 81 companies were categorized into five clusters: High-Tech Aggressive Potential (18 companies) with the highest purchasing power and active digitalization; Churn Potential (13 companies) at risk of service termination; High-IT Potential (25 companies) focusing on IT digitalization; Stable Potential (9 companies) showing consistent purchasing behavior; and Low-Tech Moderate Potential (16 companies) with moderate demand for complex technology. These findings enable the B2B directorate to implement data-driven strategies, such as personalized retention programs and tailored technological offerings. This segmentation provides a strategic foundation for optimizing customer relationship management and resource allocation.

Introduction: Pulsed radiofrequency is widely utilized as a minimally invasive neuromodulation technique for managing chronic neuropathic pain, including cervical radicular pain and occipital neuralgia. While pulsed radiofrequency is generally celebrated for its robust safety profile and absence of thermal tissue destruction, unexpected autonomic complications remain poorly characterized in the literature. Case presentation: A 41-year-old female with a six-month history of chronic cervical root syndrome (C3-C6) and refractory occipital neuralgia presented for interventional pain management. Following a comprehensive clinical and radiological evaluation, the patient underwent fluoroscopy-guided pulsed radiofrequency of the bilateral C3 and C4 dorsal root ganglia and the greater and lesser occipital nerves. The procedure was technically successful and uneventful. However, approximately 24 hours post-procedure, the patient experienced a sudden, profound episode of vasovagal syncope, characterized by acute hypotension, bradycardia, and a precipitous drop in consciousness (Glasgow Coma Scale: E3V3M6). Immediate resuscitation, including intravenous fluid boluses and continuous hemodynamic monitoring, led to a full neurological recovery. At follow-up, the patient reported significant attenuation of both radicular and occipital pain scores. Conclusion: This report documents a rare and severe episode of delayed vasovagal syncope following upper cervical and occipital pulsed radiofrequency neuromodulation. The temporal association suggests a complex neuro-autonomic reflex, potentially mediated by the trigeminocervical complex and sudden withdrawal of chronic sympathetic tone. Clinicians performing cervical pulsed radiofrequency must remain vigilant regarding delayed autonomic dysregulation, necessitating extended postoperative observation protocols in susceptible individuals.

This study evaluated tarap (Artocarpus odoratissimus) flour as a novel ingredient in wheat-based composite flours for food applications. Replacing 5–20% of wheat flour with tarap flour increased mineral and dietary fibre contents while slightly reducing protein and moisture. Functionally, higher tarap levels produced lighter blends with lower hydration and aeration capacity but strong swelling and thickening behaviour and reduced cooking energy requirements. These properties make the composite flours suitable for products such as biscuits, crackers and extruded snacks, while lower substitution levels remain applicable for general bakery formulations. The pronounced thickening behaviour may be related to the starch characteristics of tarap flour. This work provides new functional insight into the use of an underutilised tropical fruit flour in wheat-based composites and highlights its potential as a sustainable, value-added ingredient for diversified food systems.