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Mahathir Mohamad is a national leader who successfully propelled Malaysia towards rapid socioeconomic development. However, during his second tenure as Prime Minister, political instability, economic challenges, and weaknesses in implementing promised policies occurred. Therefore, this study aims to assess Mahathir Mohamad's leadership value from the perspective of students at Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) during his two tenures as Malaysia's Prime Minister. This study uses a quantitative approach through a survey instrument randomly distributed to 377 UPSI students. The study's findings indicate that the title "Father of Modernization" is fitting for Mahathir Mohamad's leadership values, which significantly contributed to the country's and society's socioeconomic development. Although most UPSI students doubted Mahathir Mohamad's selection as the 7th Prime Minister, they did not deny that his leadership was pivotal in determining Pakatan Harapan's (PH) victory in the 14th General Election. The analysis also shows that his extensive knowledge and experience have made him a globally renowned leader. Overall, this study concludes that there is a change in UPSI students' acceptance of Mahathir Mohamad's leadership values. Student acceptance was high during his tenure as the 4th Prime Minister. However, acceptance was moderate when he became the 7th Prime Minister. This change is due to the maturity of society in evaluating national politics, alongside the weaknesses in his administration during his 7th tenure as Prime Minister. The study's implications provide a clear picture of the changes in public political perceptions towards Mahathir's leadership and the need to develop better strategies for the country's future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mastocytosis is a rare disorder due to the abnormal proliferation of clonal mast cells. Mast cells exist in most tissues, mature in situ from hematopoietic stem cells and develop unique characteristics of local effector cells. It manifests as two main categories: cutaneous mastocytosis and systemic mastocytosis (SM). Patients presenting with SM-acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) often have the worst outcome. Here we present a patient with the simultaneous diagnosis of SM associated with t (8;21) (q22;q22) acute myeloid leukaemia,M2 subtype in theFrench-American-British (FAB) classification, carrying a population ofimmature mast cell precursors. Initially, she was diagnosed with AML with t (8;21) (q22;q22) and was started on induction chemotherapy. Subsequent trephine biopsy evaluation post-induction chemotherapy showed no increase in blast cells. However, abnormal mast cells were seen distributed throughout the marrow spaces, which expressed mast cell tryptase, CD117 and CD68. She was then diagnosed as SM associated with t(8;21) (q22;q22) AML. Unfortunately, she succumbed to death due to severe neutropenic sepsis postinduction chemotherapy. By sharing the knowledge, hopefully it will help the clinicians as the diagnosis of SM is difficult to establish because the associated malignancy may obscure the morphological features of SM. However, a reduction in blast cell percentage at the time of a post-induction marrow evaluation helps in diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The current review focuses on the factors influencing parental acceptance and the dentists' role in facilitating dental treatment acceptance under general anaesthesia (GA). Materials and methods: The search was conducted on several databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar search engine, and Cochrane Library on articles published from June 1993 to June 2023. A mixed research method was adopted for the current review, which implies that studies with both qualitative and quantitative methodologies were included. Results: The findings revealed several factors influencing parental acceptance towards dental treatment under GA. One of these factors was parental beliefs and attitudes that have been linked to a higher possibility of acceptance. Moreover, the income and education levels of parents revealed that parents with a higher education level were more likely to accept the adoption of GA for their children's dental treatment. Dentists' roles in promoting parental acceptance towards dental treatment under GA is important in ensuring that the parent received accurate information concerning the dental treatment procedure, its benefits, and related risks. Providing parents with this information will help them make well-informed decisions on the treatment procedure. Conclusion: Dentists should include parents in the decision-making process, explain key details concerning the treatment procedure and allow them to contribute to selecting the best dental treatment option for their children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, which causes acquired immune deficiency syndrome, is a significant public health problem. HIV infection through blood transfusion remains at the top of any other risk exposure because blood carries a much higher level of HIV than other routes of infection. The aim of this study was to describe the seroprevalence of HIV infection from 2010 to 2019 among donors screened at the transfusion medicine unit in Northeastern Malaysia. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on voluntary blood donors at the Transfusion Medicine Unit, Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia, from January 2011 to December 2019. Data such as age, gender, marital status, frequency of donations, and serological results were obtained from the computer system of the blood bank and analyzed. Results: A total of 98,874 individuals donated blood and were screened for HIV infections. Only 29 donors were positive for HIV. Therefore, the overall seroprevalence of HIV infection in blood donors was only 0.03% in the nine consecutive years. The trend of HIV infection among our donors decreased initially but increased again from 2014 to 2019. Conclusion: The prevalence in Northeastern Malaysia province was low compared with previous studies conducted in other regions worldwide. The application of standard operating procedures, with updated equipment, and planning for the use of molecular methods are necessary for the blood transfusion service to monitor transfusiontransmitted infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Inpatient hyperglycaemia is common and associated with poor outcomes such as increased mortality and prolonged hospital stay. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of inpatient hyperglycaemia and glycaemic control in Putrajaya Hospital, Malaysia. Secondary objectives were to compare the length of stay (LOS), 30-day readmission rate, and death between controlled and uncontrolled glycaemic groups. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between 1 July and 31 December 2019 among patients in medical wards who had a blood glucose (BG) level of > 7.8 mmol/L and stayed in the wards for ≥ 24 h. We retrieved information on demographics, diabetes history and BG profiles. The definition of controlled glycaemic status is when ≥ 80% of BG readings were between 4.0 mmol/L and 10.0 mmol/L during the hospital stay. Results: The prevalence of inpatient hyperglycaemia was 55.2%. There were 841 patients who met the eligibility criteria; their mean age was 60 (13.8) years old. Most (79.4%) of the patients were Malay and 53.9% were male. There were 452 (53.7%) patients in the uncontrolled group. They were younger and admitted with more kidney complications compared to those in the controlled group. The median LOS for both groups was 3 (2) days. The uncontrolled group showed a higher percentage of readmission within 30 days (7.5% versus 4.6 %) and death during admission (3.3% versus 1.6 %) (P = 0.100 and P = 0.082). Conclusion: The prevalence of inpatient hyperglycaemia was high. More than half of them had uncontrolled BG. Both groups had a similar average length of stay. The 30-day readmission rate and death during admission were higher in the uncontrolled group, although statistically not significant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ectopic pregnancies within previous cesarean section scars are rare but potentially life-threatening complications. Diagnosis can be challenging, particularly in primary care settings, where the focus is often on routine primary care services. We present a case report of a patient who initially presented to a primary care clinic with non-specific symptoms of ectopic pregnancy and was referred to a tertiary center for incomplete miscarriage. It was found to be a viable ectopic pregnancy within a cesarean scar. This case highlights the importance of keeping an open mind in patients with a history of cesarean section and uterine manipulation procedures such as manually evacuating a retained placenta. It emphasizes prompt diagnosis and referral to a specialized healthcare facility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conversations regarding fate are not a recent development, they have been deliberated upon since the era of Prophet Muḥammad PBUH. However, the philosophy of fate in today’s world has been mixed with the secular and liberalshaped values and ideas that are the challenge of thought born of Western civilization. The understanding of the concept of destiny has been influenced by various ideologies of thought and culture, especially from Western philosophy. One of them is the philosophy of fatalism which talks about the fate and destiny of the individual. The understanding of destiny for Muslims is crucial since it is a component related to the Islamic Creed (Aqidah) and part of the pillars of faith. Therefore, this article’s objective is to identify the distinctions between the fatalism and destiny ideologies by Abū Ḥāmid Muḥammad b. Muḥammad al-Ghazālī (w. 505 H). This article uses a qualitative design by analyzing the content of al-Qur’ān thematically based on themes, as well as documents and writings of Western studies. However, the results of the study showed that the Qur’ān documents the debate surrounding the ideology of fatalism and that there are distinctions between fatalism’s ideology and Islam’s view of destiny. This article’s implication is to present a thorough comprehension of both philosophies to prevent misconceptions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sediment microbial fuel cells (SMFCs) generate bioelectricity from benthic sediments and thus providing both bioelectricity generation and sediment remediation. However, the high internal resistance of the cathode leads to a low power output, which requires research on cathode treatment. In this study, we explored the influence of light irradiation on bioelectricity production and nutrient removal in the SMFC system. The microcosm experiment of the SMFC system was designed with artificial illumination of 500 lux (light-SMFC) and compared with dark conditions of 15 lux (dark-SMFC), which showed that the current increases during photoperiods. The study reveals that light-illuminated SMFC consistently produced the highest voltage, with the highest voltage (553 mV) being 1.3 times higher than the dark-SMFC (440 mV). The polarization curves show a significant reduction in internal cathodic resistance under light condition, resulting in increased voltage generation. The light-SMFC exhibits the highest maximum power density of 35.93 mW/m2, surpassing the dark SMFC of 31.13 mW/m2. It was found that light illumination in the SMFC system increases oxygen availability in the cathodic region, which supports the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) process. At the same time, the high bioelectricity output contributes to the highest sediment remediation by greatly reducing the chemical oxygen demand (COD) and phosphate (PO 4 –P) concentrations. The study highlights the potential of light illumination in mitigating cathodic limitation to improve SMFC performance and nutrient removal. [Display omitted] • Continuous illumination of benthic sediment significantly improves overall SMFC performance. • Light exposure greatly reduces cathodic internal resistance in SMFC by facilitating ORR process. • Bottom light-induced in SMFCs significantly increase DO, ORP and bioelectricity generation. • Bottom light-induced in SMFC supports the reduction of COD and PO4–P concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Bottom cathode of SMFC-C1 leads to an apparent overshoot phenomenon. • Partially exposed cathode to the air effectively reduces concentration loss. • High pH differences between anodic and cathodic regions improve SMFC performance. • Wicking air cathode minimizes SMFC internal resistance due to large electrode spacing. Sediment microbial fuel cells (SMFC) are a potential alternative for benthic sediment remediation in bioelectricity generation. The cathodic oxygen reduction rate is an important limiting factor in SMFC. This study aims to evaluate the effects of submerged and floating cathodes on bioelectricity generation and benthic nutrient removal in SMFC. Based on the generated current density, SMFC with a wick-air cathode, 10 cm from the top sediment surface and partially submerged in water and exposed to air (SMFC-CW) was found to be superior to those with bottom cathode, 1 cm from the top sediment surface (SMFC-C1), a middle cathode, 5 cm from the top sediment surface (SMFC-C5), and a floating cathode, 10 cm from the top sediment surface and placed under the overlying surface water (SMFC-C10). In the polarization test, SMFC-CW contributed to the lowest concentration loss with a maximum current density of 236.4 mA/m2. The overshoot phenomenon in SMFC-C1 is not a good indicator of the SMFC system, despite the generation of a high maximum power density. This study has shown that a large pH difference between the anodic and cathodic regions in SMFC-CW is important for bioelectricity generation as it was observed that the internal resistance of SMFCs changes. SMFC-CW showed the largest reduction in phosphate concentration, from 0.61 mg/L to 0.14 mg/L. These results provide a simple strategy for sustainable bioelectricity generation in SMFC systems while remediating benthic sediments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Provide an overview of NMG as a cyber-physical system and power balance methods. • Comprehensive review of hierarchical EMS for NMG and bidirectional PX scenarios. • Discuss the future hierarchical EMS trends for NMGs. A networked microgrid (NMG) is a novel cyber-physical system that provides power to urban and rural communities. The benefits of NMG that coupled with hierarchical energy management system (EMS) include increased renewable energy utilization, reliability, system efficiency, and flexibility in inter-microgrid (MG) power exchange (PX). Nevertheless, achieving secure and optimal NMG operation would require hierarchical EMS strategies that can manage uncertainties such as renewable generation fluctuations, load variation, energy prices, and flexible bidirectional PX. This paper outlines the NMG concept and various power balance methods. Subsequently, a comprehensive review of hierarchical EMS designs for NMG is presented. Four NMG models are introduced, and a comparison of various EMS strategies based on objectives, constraints, and optimization methods is also elaborated. Additionally, this paper addresses flexible bidirectional power flow between multiple MGs and the utility grid (UG) within three PX scenarios (MG-to-MG, MG-to-UG, and UG-to-MG). The advantages and challenges of hierarchical EMS for NMG with bidirectional power flow are also discussed considering grid stability, economic viability, and environmental impact. Finally, future research directions for enhancing the NMG model for optimal inter-MG PX are established. It highlights the efficient hierarchical EMS strategies and optimization algorithms for more reliable, affordable, and sustainable NMG operation. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global seaport network efficiency can be measured using the Liner Shipping Connectivity Index (LSCI) with Gross Domestic Product. This paper utilizes k-means and hierarchical strategies by leveraging the results obtained from Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and Fuzzy Data Envelopment Analysis (FDEA) to cluster 133 countries based on their seaport network efficiency scores. Previous studies have explored hkmeans clustering for traffic, maritime transportation management, swarm optimization, vessel trajectory prediction, vessels behaviours, vehicular ad hoc network etc. However, there remains a notable absence of clustering research specifically addressing the efficiency of global seaport networks. This research proposed hkmeans as the best strategy for the seaport network efficiency clustering where our four newly founded clusters; low connectivity (LC), medium connectivity (MC), high connectivity (HC) and very high connectivity (VHC) are new applications in the field. Using the hkmeans algorithm, 24 countries have been clustered under LC, 47 countries under MC, 40 countries under HC and 22 countries under VHC. With and without a fuzzy dataset distribution, this demonstrates that the hkmeans clustering is consistent and practical to form grouping of general data types. The findings of this research can be useful for researchers, authorities, practitioners and investors in guiding their future analysis, decision and policy makings involving data grouping and prediction especially in the maritime economy and transportation industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Keropok lekor is a fish-based snack and traditional food originating from the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia, especially in Terengganu. This study was conducted to identify the ingredients and packaging used in the manufacturing of keropok lekor by entrepreneurs in Selangor. This study is a qualitative study that requires in-depth interviews. The Nutritionist Pro application was used to determine the nutrients in keropok lekor. The sampling method for this study is purposive sampling and involves five keropok lekor operators around Selangor. The ingredients used in making keropok lekor are salt, fish filling (fringescale sardine), baking powder, monosodium glutamate (MSG), margarine, and sweet potato flour. Through this study, it was found that the main source of sodium in keropok lekor is salt. For keropok lekor packaging, all keropok lekor operators use the same packaging method, which is vacuum packaging. In addition, the majority of keropok lekor operators (80%) have been introduced to Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP). The results of the study show that the average sodium content in keropok lekor is 372.11mg/100g and is categorized as medium-level sodium. Although the majority of keropok lekor operators have been introduced to MAP packaging, further research needs to be conducted to find out whether keropok lekor operators have renewed their packaging methods or vice versa. In conclusion, based on the findings, the content of sodium in the manufacturing of keropok lekor in Selangor is still under control. The results of this study can be used to help the government monitor the sodium content found in keropok lekor around Selangor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cadmium selenide (CdSe) quantum dots (QDs) with different size, 2.5 and 3.2 nm, were successfully deposited on mesoporous titanium dioxide (TiO2) (Degussa-P25) nanostructures by electrophoretic deposition method (EPD) at the applied voltage 100 V for 120 s deposition time. In this study, the morphology of CdSe films deposited by EPD and the performance of the film when assembled into a solar cell were investigated. From the field emission scanning electron microscopy cross-section, the thickness of the CdSe nanoparticles with size 2.5 nm films were 3.4 and 3.0 μ m for CdSe 3.2 nm nanoparticles film. The structure of 2.5 nm is denser than compare of 3.2 nm CdSe nanoparticles. From UV visible spectroscopy, the band gap calculated for 2.5 nm CdSe nanoparticles is 2.28 eV and for 3.2 nm is 2.12 eV. Photovoltaic characterization was performed under an illumination of 100 mW cm−2. A photovoltaic conversion efficiency of 1.81% was obtained for 2.5 nm CdSe and 2.1% was obtained for 3.2 nm CdSe nanoparticles. This result shows that the photovoltaic efficiency is dependent on CdSe nanoparticle size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Dietary patterns (DP) and its relationship with academic performance especially among schoolchildren have received significant attention in nutritional epidemiology studies. The objective of this cross-sectional study was to determine the determinants of academic success among Malay teenagers in Terengganu, Malaysia. Methods: Habitual dietary intakes were obtained using a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire, anthropometry data were measured by trained researchers and information on academic performance were gathered from the school registrar’s office. The method of reduced rank regression was employed in order to determine the dietary patterns (DPs) and multivariable linear regression models were employed to examine the relationships between DP and academic performance. Results: Of the 375 study participants, half of the sample were female (50.1%), with 61.9% having a normal BMI. The main DP identified in this study was “high sugar, high sodium and high saturated fatty acid (SFA)”. The models showed that there were significant inverse associations between the DP with Science marks (β=-1.87; 95%CI:-0.39,-3.36; p=0.013) and the combination of Mathematics and Science marks (β=-3.49; 95%CI:-0.45,6.52; p=0.024). Findings showed that a ‘high sugar, sodium and SFA’ DP could negatively impact the academic performance of adolescents, particularly in STEM-related subjects. Conclusion: These could serve as a basis for developing nutritional education among adolescents to enhance academic performance for a better future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates how consumer perceptions affect decision-making in the purchase of Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs), providing a detailed analysis of the factors driving consumer behavior in this emerging market. Using a mixedmethods approach, this study conducted surveys and interviews with NFT purchasers to capture a comprehensive view of their decision-making processes. Our findings reveal that factors such as perceived value, trust in blockchain technology, and the influence of community engagement significantly impact purchasing intentions. These insights contribute to the existing literature by delineating specific consumer behaviors and motivations in the NFT space, highlighting the importance of community trust and perceived technological robustness. Additionally, the study offers practical implications for businesses in the NFT sector, suggesting that establishing strong, credible relationships within the NFT community, and staying abreast of technological advancements are pivotal strategies for maintaining a competitive advantage. By integrating with NFT communities and leaders, businesses can glean trends and collaborative opportunities, fostering innovation, and market leadership in the dynamic NFT landscape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Healthcare workers play a crucial role in supporting COVID-19 vaccination as they are the most trusted source of information to the public population. Assessing the healthcare workers' hesitancy towards COVID-19 vaccination is pertinent, however, there are limited validated tools to measure their hesitancy on COVID-19 vaccines. This study aims to adapt and validate the first COVID-19 hesitancy scale among healthcare workers in Malaysia. Materials and methods: This study adapted and translated the Vaccine Hesitancy Scale (VHS) developed by the WHO SAGE Working Group. The scale underwent a sequential validation process, including back-back translation, content, face, and construct validity for Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). The reliability was tested using internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha composite reliability (CR) and average variance extracted (AVE)). Results: The data for EFA and CFA were completed by a separate sample of 125 and 300 HCWs, respectively. The EFA analysis of the C19-VHS-M scale was unidimensional with 10 items. A further CFA analysis revealed a uniform set of nine items with acceptable goodness fit indices (comparative fit index = 0.997, Tucker-Lewis index = 0.995, incremental fit index = 0.997, chi-squared/degree of freedom = 1.352, and root mean square error of approximation = 0.034). The Cronbach's alpha, CR and AVE results were 0.953, 0.95 and 0.70, respectively. Conclusions: The questionnaire was valid and reliable for use in the Malay language. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION: In every country, an adequate and reliable blood supply can be assured by a stable base of regular, voluntary, and unpaid blood donors. However, with the strike of COVID-19 around the world, fewer donors have come forward to donate blood since the government's movement control order. Therefore, to ensure the blood supply is always sufficient, this study discussed the Malaysians' motivation and intention to donate blood during the COVID-19. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The structural focus group discussion was conducted among nine informants. The informants are classified into four groups, which are non, first-time, regular, and lapsed (repeated/occasional) blood donors. RESULTS: It indicated that the regular and lapsed group of blood donors were motivated by the satisfaction of donating blood. Meanwhile, first-time donors are motivated to donate blood because of extrinsic rewards. However, the donors attested that the movement control order restricted their movement to go to the blood transfusion center. On the other hand, the non-donor group admitted that they do intend to donate blood. Still, several factors such as work commitment, location, and fear of being infected by COVID-19, hold them from doing so. CONCLUSIONS: These findings will serve as insights for future blood donation disruption remediation, especially during unexpected situations, as well as the success of the Malaysian blood campaign. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The ideal pain control approach is typically viewed as titration of analgesia for pain reduction and periodic pain evaluation. However, this method takes time and is not always possible in the crowded Emergency Department. Therefore, an alternative way to improve pain care in the Emergency Department is needed to avoid this unpleasant sensation in the patients. The best solution to tackle this situation is using Patient Controlled Analgesia (PCA), in the form of a PCA pump. Study objectives: This systematic review and meta-analysis was designated to evaluate the efficacy of PCA morphine in treating acute pain at Emergency Department. Methods: We searched databases Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Medline, and Google Scholar up to February 2022 and identified randomized controlled trials with English language only that compare PCA morphine to IV morphine in treating patients presenting with acute pain at Emergency Department. Results: Eight trials were included in our review, comprising 1490 participants. We compared PCA morphine vs. IV morphine. There were no differences in the pain score between PCA and IV morphine (standard mean difference [SMD] = -0.20, p = 0.25). Further subgroup analyses (origin of the pain, time of assessment and the durations) showed no difference except for the dosages as the PCA morphine reduced the pain compared to IV morphine in low and high dosages but only two studies were involved. However, the analysis showed PCA morphine increased patient satisfaction and reduced the number of patients who required additional analgesia compared to IV morphine (MD 0.12, P < 0.001), (MD 0.47, P < 0.001) respectively. Data obtained in this review pertaining to adverse effects such as nausea, vomiting, pruritus, and drowsiness is limited since not all the trials reported the events. Conclusions: PCA morphine do appear to have a beneficial effect on the outcome of patient satisfaction and the number of patients who required additional analgesia. However, further studies targeting a larger sample size is required to increase the certainty of the evidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Studies have reported that the phytochemical content of Mulberry (Morus alba Linn.) is influenced by the area where it grows. On the other hand, the study of the bioactivity and toxicity of mulberry leaves from Brunei Darussalam still needs to be completed. In particular, the investigation regarding the safe dose for Mulberry's application from Brunei Darussalam has yet to be studied. Hence, toxicity information must be considered even though the community has used it for generations. Aim: This study investigated Morus alba ethanolic leaf extract (MAE) to observe the acute toxicity in mice. Methods: In particular, this study utilized 12 female Institute of Cancer Research mice, 8 weeks old, divided into 2 groups: the control group and the MAE group (2,000 mg/kg single dose). Physiology, hematology, biochemistry, and histology were analyzed during the study. Results: The examination result indicated no mortality and behavioral changes throughout the testing period. However, the mice developed mild anemia and leukopenia, followed by decreased numbers of neutrophils, lymphocytes, and monocytes. In addition, the mice developed a mild hepatocellular injury, indicated by significant (p < 0.05) elevations of both alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST). The histopathological findings of the liver were also consistent with the increment of ALT and AST, indicating mild hepatocellular necrosis through the eosinophilic cytoplasm and pyknosis (p > 0.05). Conclusion: It was evident that a single oral administration of MAE was not lethal for mice (LD50, which was higher than 2,000 mg/kg). However, the administration of high doses of MAE must be carefully considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, feature selection research has quickly advanced to keep up with the age of developing expert systems. This is because the applications of these systems sometimes need massive datasets. Researchers who have an interest in creating novel feature selection methods or enhancing existing technologies have grown their interest in this topic. The current version of binary PSO (BPSO) is not developed as well as continuous PSO and does not follow the main principles of the standard PSO algorithm. Unlike the continuous version of the PSO, in BPSO, particle position is restricted to the Hamming space. Thus, there is no risk of swarm divergence, but the problem of premature convergence of the swarm arises. This paper presents an enhanced particle swarm optimization employed for feature selection to tackle the limitations of the current version of binary BPSO. Its primary quality is the application of a position update mechanism to appropriately select optimal features. The position update mechanism is designed to avoid the premature convergence issue suffered by BPSO, by determining the probability of the particles switching positions using position values rather than velocity. Two variant methods for determining the probability of changing the position of a particle element were introduced. These result in the two variants of enhanced binary particle swarm optimization (EBPSO) for feature selection, called EBPSO1 and EBPSO2. Several experiments were performed to analyze the effectiveness of the proposed method and compare it with state-of-the-art feature selection methods based on eighteen frequently used benchmark datasets. The experimental findings demonstrated that the proposed approach generated the most accurate classification in contrast to the alternative feature selection approach on most of the datasets. As a result, it can be inferred based on the outcomes obtained that this proposed approach performs significantly superior to the other state-of-the-art feature selection approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Path planning is a crucial element of mobile robotics applications, attracting considerable interest from academics. This paper presents a path-planning approach that utilises the Enhanced Firefly Algorithm (EFA), a new meta-heuristic technique. The Enhanced Firefly Algorithm (FA) differs from the ordinary FA by incorporating a linear reduction in the α parameter. This modification successfully resolves the constraints of the normal FA. The research involves experiments on three separate maps, using the regular FA and the suggested Enhanced FA in 20 different runs for each map. The evaluation criteria encompass the algorithms' ability to move from the initial location to the final position without experiencing any collisions. The assessment of path quality relies on elements such as the distance of the path and the algorithms' ability to converge and discover optimum solutions. The results demonstrate significant improvements made by the Enhanced FA, with a 10.270% increase in the shortest collision-free path for Map 1, a 0.371% increase for Map 2, and a 0.163% increase for Map 3, compared to the regular FA. This work highlights the effectiveness of the Enhanced Firefly Algorithm in optimising path planning for mobile robotics applications, providing potential improvements in navigation efficiency and collision avoidance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: In Malaysia, there is a lack of data on the prevalence of occupational stress among port terminal workers. The study’s goal was to find out how common and risky occupational stress was for those who worked at the port terminal. Methods: Designing a cross sectional structure was done at the port terminal. In order to determine the prevalence of occupational stress, the Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ) assesses four factors: social support, job uncertainty, psychological job demands, and decision latitude. Results: A remarkable 68.8 percent of workers reported experiencing some form of work-related stress, indicating a high level of occupational stress in the workplace. The age factor has shown a significant association with work-related stress among the sociodemographic factors (p-value =0.038). Social support (p-value =0.01), task (p-value =0.00), exposure (p-value =0.02), skilled work (p-value = 0.04), and organizational culture (p-value =0.00), and company culture were all found to be significantly linked to the risk of occupational stress. Conclusion: This study sheds light on the alarming prevalence of occupational stress among Malaysian port terminal employees. The identified factors, including age, social support, task-related aspects, exposure levels, specialized work involvement, and organizational culture, play crucial roles in defining the risk of occupational stress in this context. These results not only contribute to the current understanding of the issue, but also provide important insights for future research and interventions aimed at addressing and mitigating occupational stress among port workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most of the developed and developing countries around the world are delving into the implementation of demand response (DR) strategies in demand side management (DSM) to meet the needs of their own power industry and customers. Some major segments of demand response strategies are, customer segmentation, demand/price forecasting to design customer-oriented dynamic tariff that influences the customer engagement in those strategies. One of the crucial factors that influence customer engagement in those strategies is the input variables or attributes selected to conduct precise customer segmentation, which leads to precise and more accurate demand/price forecasting to design customer-centric dynamic tariff. Most of the existing literature focused on either one of those segments but a collective review on all these segments, particularly focusing on the methods and market attributes, is yet to be conducted. This study reviews the recent existing literature on customer segmentation, demand/price forecasting, customer engagement strategies for dynamic tariff design in power industry to map out the appropriate methods for respective input attributes from the electricity market. For this purpose, the input attributes in the electricity market have been divided into six broad categories and for each attribute category, appropriate methods have been illustrated through a proposed framework based on existing literature. [Display omitted] • Market attributes influencing customer-centric dynamic tariff design processes. • Divide the attributes in six categories. • A framework to suggest appropriate methods for each attribute category. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the effect of Co 3 O 4 nanoparticle concentration on the optical and magnetic properties of boro-tellurite glass produced through the melt-quench technique. XRD pattern verified the amorphous nature of prepared glasses. The Raman analysis indicates that tellurium and boron play a role in the network of produced glasses, which includes TeO 3 , TeO 4 , BO 3 , BO 4 , and hydroxyl B–OH structural groups. The UV–VIS–NIR spectra reveal seven peaks centered at 508, 591, 660, 1245, and 1479 nm including two SPR bands located at 460 and 720 nm. The emission spectra of Co ions exhibit two prominent peaks centered at 683 nm and 817 nm assigned to 4T 1 (4P)→4A 2 (4F) and 4T 1 (4P)→4T 2 (4F) of Co2+ ions in tetrahedral coordination. EPR spectra indicated three major g -factor values in the ranges of 3.82–3.98, 2.95–3.08, and 2.15–2.40, corresponding to the Co2+ ions of octahedral, high-spin, and low-spin at the tetrahedral site, respectively. The optical absorption studies have shown that the Co3+ ions occupancy takes precedence over the Co2+ occupancy as the concentration of Co 3 O 4 NPs is raised which is supported by quenched luminescence and weakening of EPR signal intensity (I PP). • A boro-tellurite glass system by controlling the cobalt oxide NPs contents is obtained. • Absorption peaks reveal some different changes that are related to cobalt ions including SPR bands. • Quenching phenomenon in luminescence appears due to the presence of a paramagnetic atom (Co ions). • Magnetic properties of investigated glasses has been studied by EPR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Hydrophobic deep eutectic solvents (HDESs) comprising menthol paired with with fatty acids were studied. • HDESs exhibited both anionic and cationic behavior, as revealed by σ-potential and σ-profile. • DES 4 (menthol:decanoic acid at molar ratio of 1:5) demonstrated high bactericidal activity. • Synergistic effect observed between DES 4 and tetracycline holds promise for antimicrobial therapy. Microbial infection is a hazardous and challenging clinical problem that has attracted considerable attention recently, primarily owing to the noticeable rise in antimicrobial resistance. To address the medical requirements to encounter this dilemma, we present hydrophobic deep eutectic solvents (HDESs) that combine experimental research and computational prediction; conductor-like screening model for real solvents (COSMO-RS). Menthol-based HDESs were successfully obtained when mixed with fatty acids, and their thermal profiles were analyzed. The HDES systems and their synergistic effects demonstrated potent antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, with DES 4 (menthol:decanoic acid) exhibiting the highest bactericidal activity at a molar ratio of 1:5. The interaction between the HDESs and bacterial cell wall structural compounds was confirmed by field-emission scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The results revealed a favorable concurrence between the projected and empirical outcomes, indicating that DES 4 exhibited bacteriostatic properties and could be a viable substitute for managing bacterial infections of diverse origins. In addition, the synergistic effect of DES 4 and tetracycline showed promising potential. The successful integration of experimental and computational approaches in this study also sets a precedent for the rational design of future antimicrobial agents and opens new avenues for tackling other clinical challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Relapse acute leukemia is defined as the reappearance of more than 5% blast in the bone marrow. In most instances, blast expresses the specific lineage (myeloid or lymphoid), similar to a diagnosis. However, it rarely converts to a different lineage, either myeloid shifting to lymphoid or vice versa, during relapse. Thus, it is labelled as switching lineage acute leukemia, after excluding the criteria for mixed phenotypic acute leukemia, which can be a challenge to diagnose. We describe a 24-year-old gentleman with a known case of acute myeloid leukemia associated with systemic mastocytosis (SM); eight months later and after two complete cycles of chemotherapy, relapse occurred with a switched lineage to B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The laboratory investigation approaches and the challenges in the diagnosis are also discussed in this case report. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The demand for highly sensitive radiation dosimeters is increasing. Recent research underscores the effectiveness of MgSO 4 :Dy 2 O 3 –B 2 O 3 and MgSO 4 :Dy 2 O 3 –B 2 O 3 :ZnO as new thermoluminescence dosimeters (TLDs) in comparison to the commercial TLD-100. Two series of glass ceramics, [(MgSO 4) 86 (Dy 2 O 3) 14 ] x [B 2 O 3 ] 1-x with x = 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5 and [MgSO 4 -Dy 2 O 3 –B 2 O 3 ] 0 · 2 [ZnO] x with x = 0.05, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2, were successfully prepared using the melt quenching technique. The synthesized samples were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and differential thermal analysis (DTA). The XRD pattern confirmed the transparent ceramic nature of the samples, while DTA revealed their thermal stability. FTIR analysis identified the expected composition and vibrational bonds. Upon irradiation, the samples MSDB0.2 and MSDBZ0.05 exhibited the highest sensitivity and dose response, with TLD readings of 1278.84 nC and 3262.63 nC, respectively, compared to the TLD-100 reading of 213.45 nC. This enhanced sensitivity is attributed to MgSO 4 :Dy 2 O 3 and ZnO, which facilitate charge carrier movement and effective trapping and release of charges in borate glass ceramics. The increase in sensitivity indicates improved accuracy, highlighting the potential of these materials as high performance radiation dosimeters for environmental and medical applications. • A novel high sensitivity transparent glass ceramic system: MgSO 4 :Dy 2 O 3 –B 2 O 3 and MgSO 4 :Dy 2 O 3 –B 2 O 3 :ZnO as new thermoluminescence dosimeters (TLDs) compared to the commercial TLD-100. • In TLD readings, the samples coded MSDB0.2 and MSDBZ0.05 exhibited the highest sensitivity and dose response, with TLD readings of 1278.84 and 3262.63 nC, respectively, compared to the TLD-100 reading of 213.45 nC. • Investigation of FT-IR spectroscopy and thermal properties. • Investigation of TLD properties, including dose response, sensitivity, minimum detectable dose, thermal and optical fading, and reproducibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work proposes a fiber bending sensor based on the Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI) constructed using a side-polished multimode fiber (MMF) with bending direction recognition. The sensor is fabricated by directly fusing a section of side-polished MMF sandwiched between two no-core fibers (NCFs) to an input and output single-mode fibers (SMFs). As the applied curvature varies from 0 m−1 to 1.64 m−1, the transmission spectra of the sensor exhibit distinct and linear wavelength shift in opposite directions. The maximum sensitivity observed in 0° and 180° bending is 3.252 nm/m−1 and −1.146 nm/m−1, respectively. The maximum temperature sensitivity is 0.0621 nm/°C and this effect can be compensated by using the sensitivity matrix. The advantages of the proposed sensor include its ability to accurately quantify the direction and magnitude of bending, temperature crosstalk elimination, and cost-effectiveness. These features make the sensor highly desirable for a wide range of practical directional bending applications, such as medical wearable devices for human joint range of motion monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this present study, characteristics and structure-function relationship of an organophosphate-degrading enzyme from Bacillus sp. S3wahi were described. S3wahi metallohydrolase, designated as S3wahi-MH (probable metallohydrolase YqjP), featured the conserved αβ/βα metallo-β-lactamase-fold (MBL-fold) domain and a zinc bimetal at its catalytic site. The metal binding site of S3wahi-MH also preserves the H-X-H-X-D-H motif, consisting of specific amino acids at Zn1 (Asp69, His70, Asp182, and His230) and Zn2 (His65, His67, and His137). The multifunctionality of S3wahi-MH was demonstrated through a steady-state kinetic study, revealing its highest binding affinity (K M) and catalytic efficiency (k cat /K M) for OP compound, paraoxon, with values of 8.09 × 10−6 M and 4.94 × 105 M−1 s−1, respectively. Using OP compound, paraoxon, as S3wahi-MH native substrate, S3wahi-MH exhibited remarkable stability over a broad temperature range, 20 °C – 60 °C and a broad pH tolerance, pH 6–10. Corresponded to S3wahi-MH thermal stability characterization, the estimated melting temperature (T m) was found to be 72.12 °C. S3wahi-MH was also characterized with optimum catalytic activity at 30 °C and pH 8. Additionally, the activity of purified S3wahi-MH was greatly enhanced in the presence of 1 mM and 5 mM of manganese (Mn2+), showing relative activities of 1323.68 % and 2073.68 %, respectively. The activity of S3wahi-MH was also enhanced in the presence of DMSO and DMF, showing relative activities of 270.37 % and 307.41 %, respectively. The purified S3wahi-MH retained >60 % residual activity after exposure to non-ionic Tween series surfactants. Nevertheless, the catalytic activity of S3wahi-MH was severely impacted by the treatment of SDS, even at low concentrations. Considering its enzymatic properties and promiscuity, S3wahi-MH emerges as a promising candidate as a bioremediation tool in wide industrial applications, including agriculture industry. • S3wahi-MH is shown to be a broad-spectrum OPH as a potential efficient agent for the decontamination of OP compounds. • S3wahi-MH exhibited remarkable stability over a broad temperature range, (20 °C – 60 °C) and pH tolerance (pH 6 –10). • S3wahi-MH has a broad catalytic landscape, including its affinity towards organophosphate and β-lactam compounds. • S3wahi-MH is a prospect in simplifying pesticide management in agricultural settings and the wastewater industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The method of three-dimensional surface area analyses of developing teeth apices using CBCT shows promising results for age assessment. • A three-dimensional model of the tooth allows the visualization of the dynamic process of root formation and creates a more accurate representation of the surface area of the root apex. • The contribution of sex and ethnicity to the age estimation formula may vary among different types of teeth. Three-dimensional surface area analyses of developing root apices for age estimation in children and young adults have shown promising results. The current study aimed to apply this three-dimensional method to develop a regression model for estimating age in Malaysian children aged 7 to 14 using developing maxillary second premolars. A training sample of 155 cone-beam computed tomography scans (83 Malays and 72 Chinese) was analysed, and the formula was subsequently validated on an independent sample of 92 cone-beam computed tomography scans (45 Malays and 47 Chinese). The results showed a strong correlation (r = 94 %) between the chronological age as a dependent variable and the predictor variables, including root surface area of the apex, sex, ethnicity, and root development status (open/closed apices). For this model, the predictor variables accounted for 88.4 % of the variation in age except sex and ethnicity. A mean absolute error value of 0.42 indicated that this model can be reliably used for Malaysian children. In conclusion, this study recognises the method of three-dimensional surface area analyses as a valuable tool for age estimation in forensic and clinical practice. Further studies are highly recommended to assess its effectiveness across different demographic groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]