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AbstractDespite an increase in FDI inflows to Malaysia in 2021, FDI performance has generally weakened in the past decade. The trend highlighted the importance of understanding the barriers that hinder FDI in Malaysia. Using the latest Enterprise Surveys (2019) data from 930 firms, this study explores the key barriers to FDI in Malaysia and, more importantly, identifies whether there is a difference across the manufacturing and services sectors in Malaysia. The results of the Bayesian logistic regression indicate that access to finance is generally the key barrier to FDI in Malaysia, although this varies significantly across sectors. Specifically, the manufacturing sector faces challenges related to access to finance as the main barrier to FDI. Conversely, political instability appears to be the main barrier to FDI in the services sector. These findings emphasise the importance of a robust investment climate characterised by stable institutions and diverse financing options for foreign investors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The brine shrimp Artemia are tiny crustaceans that inhabit saltwater habitats such as salt pans, coastal lagoons, and salt lakes. Also known as extremophiles, they thrive in extreme conditions including desiccation and high salinity, and are used as model organisms in scientific research across multiple disciplines, particularly in studies involving host-microbe interactions, microbiology and ecology, genetics, and environmental toxicity testing. Their sensitivity to changes in environmental conditions makes them valuable indicators of ecosystem health. Additionally, Artemia is used in aquaculture research due to its high nutritional value and importance as live prey for marine fish and crustacean larviculture. This review delves into the distinct advantages and various features contributing to its status as a valuable model organism. Several case studies were highlighted, which elaborate on the important roles played by stress proteins within Artemia, unveiling their potential as crucial components in stress mitigation, especially under extreme salinities, anoxia, and temperatures. The review underscores the significance of leveraging stress proteins, particularly in the aquaculture sector. By tapping into the mechanisms of how stress proteins function, novel strategies and tools can be developed to effectively counteract the challenges posed by the dynamically changing conditions of stress. This synthesis of knowledge not only enhances our understanding of stress resistance in Artemia but also opens avenues for practical applications in abiotic and biotic stress tolerance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Aim Methods Results Conclusion Fabry disease is a rare X‐linked multisystem disease, with progressive proteinuric kidney disease contributing significantly to morbidity and mortality of these patients. Evidence shows that sodium‐glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2Is) can reduce proteinuria and slow progression to end‐stage kidney disease in both diabetic and non‐diabetic kidney disease.Evaluate the effects of SGLT2I on kidney function and albuminuria in patients with Fabry disease.Single‐centre real‐world case series reviewing electronic medical records of patients with Fabry disease who initiated therapy with dapagliflozin or empagliflozin (n = 11). Changes in urine albumin–creatinine ratio (uACR) and creatinine before and after treatment with SGLT2I were analysed using Wilcoxon signed‐rank test. Two‐tailed P‐values <0.05 were considered significant.Eleven patients were followed for up to 19 months after commencement of SGLT2I. An overall significant reduction in albuminuria (P = 0.05) was seen with SGLT2I use in the Fabry cohort. Median uACR before SGLT2I was 76 mg/mmol (interquartile range (IQR) 47–141) and after SGLT2I was 39 mg/mmol (IQR 18–95) (P = 0.05). All patients with uACR >100 mg/mmol had reduction in albuminuria over the study period. SGLT2Is were well tolerated overall, with only one case resulting in cessation of treatment due to adverse effects.These results suggest SGLT2Is can significantly reduce albuminuria in a portion of patients with Fabry‐related kidney disease and offer additional treatment for Fabry nephropathy. Given the nature of the study design and small case numbers, further long‐term controlled studies are required to evaluate the long‐term efficacy of this medication class in both cardiac and renal outcomes in Fabry disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractStandard self-supervised clustering algorithms transform input data via embedding models that are trained to fit the data and then cluster the embedded vectors. Despite its flexibility, a data driven embedding model may not be applicable when the raw data are unavailable due to privacy or security concerns, and it cannot be adapted to the increasingly common framework of transfer learning. We previously proposed a Merge & Expand (ME) framework for clustering images using a fixed embedding model. In this study, we have substantially modified our ME framework and conducted a series of experimental analysis to explore the relationship between the geometry of a fixed embedding space and the underlying cluster structure. We demonstrate that the clustering outcomes are robust against varying hyperparameter values. We assessed the heterogeneity of predicted labels in each region, revealing that it is a strong indicator of the quality of clustering outcomes. We further exploited the heterogeneity information to modify the ME framework, improving clustering accuracy by introducing a second embedding. Moreover, we provide intuitive explanations for sources of confusion in merged seed regions. Comparisons with numerous other clustering methods on five datasets indicate that our ME framework performs competitively despite employing a fixed embedding, a simple CNN architecture, and a common loss function. Thus, our ME framework enables users to better understand the relationship between the geometry of the embedding space and the underlying cluster structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rare-earth-nanomaterials (RE-NMs) have surged to the forefront of cutting-edge research, captivating scientists and engineers alike with their unprecedented potential and transformative applications with the primary sources for these materials being monazite (lanthanide concentrate) used to produce Rare Earth Oxides (REOs). RE-NMs are nanomaterials derived from the 17 Rare Earth Elements (REEs), encompassing the 15 lanthanides (∼La, Ce, Nd, Ho, Pr, Eu, Tm, Sm, Yb, Er, Lu, Gd, Tb, Pm , and Dy), Sc and Y are employed in advanced technologies for their unique nanoscale properties in applications such as electronics, magnets and catalysts. Rare earth elements are classified into three distinct categories: light rare earth elements (LREE), medium rare earth elements (MREE), and heavy rare earth elements (HREE). These elements are prized for their unique electronic configurations, metal radii and atomic numbers, which endow them with extraordinary structural, electronic, chemical bonding, optical and electrical properties. Throughout the ages, there has been a tremendous and cross-disciplinary fascination with these exceptional materials, exploring their myriad applications from active doping and co-doping to tri-doping and innovative composites, all driven by the quest for groundbreaking solutions in energy conversion and storage towards a more sustainable world. This critical review provides a broad overview of recent progress in the design and development of rare-earth-based nanomaterials. It addresses: (1) the discovery and sources of rare-earth-based nanomaterials, (2) methods for synthesizing RE-NMs and fabricating RE-NM thin films and (3) the exploration of RE-NMs in applications including solar cells, electrochemical devices and supercapacitors, along with their diverse applications across multiple fields. To conclude, this review summarizes current advancements and offers stimulating perspectives on the challenges and future research directions in the realm of RE-NMs. This review aims to open new research pathways for developing recycling methods and cutting-edge renewable energy nanomaterials (RE-NMs) from residue waste. Utilizing these materials in renewable energy applications could minimize environmental impact and pave the way for innovative uses of photocatalysts, solar cells and supercapacitors contributing to sustainable energy solutions in the future. [Display omitted] • Exploiting RE-NMs shows promise for modifying and treating nanomaterials. • Studying RE-NMs impact on structural, optical and electronic properties. • RE-NMs enhance solar cells, electrochemical reactions and improve supercapacitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study sought to construct a superstructure aimed at determining a optimal hydrogen supply chain based on both economic and environmental criteria, with a focus on utilizing potential biomass waste for hydrogen synthesis. To evaluate the mathematical model, four case studies were devised. Case 1 identified natural gas steam methane reforming as the preferred hydrogen production method due to its lowest overall cost of USD $51.96 million per year and an annual production of 1.90 × 108 kg of H 2. In contrast, Case 2 favored a combination of empty fruit bunch (EFB) steam gasification and coal gasification technologies, which resulted in lower CO 2 -equivalent emissions of 926.88 × 106 kg CO 2-eq per kg of H 2 produced annually. Case 3 constituted a multi-objective scenario assessing both economic and environmental performances, while Case 4 served as a sensitivity analysis, assigning higher environmental weightage to identify sustainable pathways required toward net zero carbon emissions by 2050. In Case 3, steam gasification of palm kernel shell and empty fruit bunch, along with coal gasification were identified as the optimal hydrogen synthesis pathways, targeting a total cost of $ 309.31 million and emitting 938.50 × 106 kg CO 2-eq emission per kg of H 2 produced annually. In Case 4, an annual total cost of $ 316.86 million was recorded, with 936.45 x 10 6 kg CO 2-eq emitted per kg of H 2 produced. These findings underscore the importance of balancing economic considerations with environmental sustainability in hydrogen pathway selection. • Multi-objective optimisation identifies optimal hydrogen pathways in Malaysia. • Combination of steam gasification and coal gasification reduces CO 2 emissions. • Life cycle assessment confirms steam gasification as a viable renewable pathway. • Integration of economic and environmental for hydrogen pathway selection is vital. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractThis study aims to numerically analyze the thermal-hydraulic performances and total entropy generation of mono-nanofluid and hybrid nanofluid in microchannel heat sinks (MCHS) with fins for laminar flow regime. Besides, the performance evaluation plots (PEPs) are plotted to explore the possibilities of energy saving for mono-nanofluid and hybrid nanofluid flow in MCHS with different fin configurations. The two-phase model is adopted to model the flow of nanofluid in the MCHS. The fin height, fin number, and nanoparticles loading are varied to investigate their effect on the heat transfer, flow characteristic, and entropy generation in the MCHS. It is discovered that 1.0% Al2O3–Cu hybrid nanofluid gives the least total entropy generation if compared to water and Al2O3 mono-nanofluid owing to the significant heat transfer enhancement it offered. The MCHS with 5 fins and a fin height of 0.8 mm configuration is found to be the optimal design for heat removal in this study. Moreover, the plotted PEPs show that the use of Al2O3–Cu hybrid nanofluid and Al2O3 nanofluid (with the concentration range of 0.1%–1.0%) in the MCHS can save energy at either constant pressure drop or flow rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Newcastle disease virus (NDV) is an avian orthoavulavirus I that causes high morbidity and mortality in birds, depending on the pathotype of the virus. Several clinical studies have shown that NDV is a promising oncolytic virus for cancer therapies, yet its application to clinics is restricted due to the pathogenicity of this virus in poultry. Hence, it is important to produce a recombinant NDV (rNDV) with reduced virulence to make it a fit candidate as an oncolytic virus. In this study, we aimed to produce a rNDV with a truncated ant-igenome via reverse genetics to render it non-replicating (nr). The genes responsible for replication were removed from the NDV genome. The rescued nr-NDV was verified, propagated, and purified from tissue culture medium. The virus failed to propagate in embryonated eggs, confirming its non-replicating property. The virus retained its oncolytic activities similar to that of the replicating rAF-GFP as observed in a cell viability assay when a breast cancer cell line, MCF-7, was treated with the virus. In conclusion, this study has successfully generated a system to produce a non-replicating NDV which can be used as a viral vector for heterologous protein delivery, as a safer alternative compared to the virulent strains as an oncolytic virus. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: Development of nr-NDV. Reverse transfection was applied for the recovery of nr-NDV. Propagation of nr-NDV was done by sub-passaging transfected BSR T7/5 cells. Safety profile was done to prove that the nr-NDV is non-replicating. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Guidelines recommend Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT) as the most effective treatment for menopausal symptoms. However, a local study found that the usage of MHT among menopausal women was low (8.1%), with one of the main reasons being it is not recommended by doctors. Therefore, the objectives of this study are to determine the prevalence of offering MHT in treating symptomatic menopausal women among primary care doctors (PCDs) and its associated factors. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved PCDs from the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, the Federal Territory of Putrajaya and the state of Selangor. All PCDs provided services in government primary care clinics from the three states were invited through the doctor in charge of each clinic. An online survey links was provided for the participants to the self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire included PCDs' demographics, their menopause management practices, attitudes towards MHT, perceived barriers in offering MHT, knowledge of related guidelines and received training on menopause management. The outcome variable was offering MHT which defined as either prescription of MHT or referral to hospital for MHT initiation. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the factors associated with offering MHT. Results: The response rate was 42.9% (559/1301). Of those who participated in the study, 77.8% of PCDs were female and 89.1% were medical officer. Although 66.9% of the participants reported offering MHT to their patients, the actual prescription rate was low (0.9%). Most PCDs (66%) would refer the patients to hospitals. 87.1% of PCDs (487/559) reported that MHT was not available in their clinic. In the past 12 months, 83% of PCDs had not received any related training. Female PCDs (AOR:2.5, CI: 1.51–4.13, p<0.001), perceiving MHT as preference treatment for menopause symptom (AOR:3.6, CI: 2.13–6.19, p < 0.001), having likelihood to recommend MHT to family and friends (AOR:3.0, CI: 1.87–4.83, p < 0.001), and receiving training on menopause management (AOR:2.7, CI: 1.30–5.56, p = 0.008) were the positive predictor of offering MHT. The negative predictors in offering MHT were no-experience in prescribing MHT (AOR: 0.4, CI: 0.15–0.87, p = 0.024) and lack of information regarding MHT for the patient (AOR: 0.4, CI:0.20–0.67, p < 0.001). Conclusion: The study revealed a low rate of MHT prescription among PCDs, with many relying on referrals to hospitals for managing menopausal symptoms. The findings underscore the need for strategies that includes fulfilling professional training gaps, improving MHT availability, and improving information dissemination for patient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study investigated the effect of polyphenol-rich Strobilanthes crispus extract (SCE) fortification at various concentrations on yogurt. Proximate data revealed that the moisture, carbohydrate, and protein content decreased as the SCE concentration increased while fat and ash content remained unaffected. A significant decrease in pH, color (L*, a*, b*), and viscosity was noticed across all SCE-fortified yogurts. With an increasing concentration of SCE, a concomitant increment in the total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant activity of yogurts was observed albeit statistically insignificant. A weak, positive correlation was found between TPC and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity. The starter culture (L. bulgaricus and S. thermophilus) remained viable above log 7 CFU/mL for fortified concentrations. The consumer acceptance of SCE-fortified yogurt and the control was similar. Overall, this study suggested that SCE could serve as a potential functional ingredient in yogurt and fortification of SCE at 20% is deemed optimal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Singapore has established six Integrated Construction and Prefabrication Hubs with the goal of meeting ambitious productivity targets and building a resilient precast supply chain by 2024. These factories are equipped with high levels of mechanization and automation. However, they are currently operating far below their designed capacity due to a storage bottleneck. In land-scarce Singapore, finding large spaces for precast storage is a challenge. One possible solution is to implement a just-in-time approach. To achieve this, a systematic approach is required to plan, monitor, and control the entire supply chain effectively, utilizing various strategies, methods, and tools. This paper aims to conduct a comprehensive literature review in related areas, believing that knowledge transfer is a faster way to develop solutions to new problems. The main idea of the proposed solution is to implement an integrated supply chain system model with a central decision-maker. It is recommended that the factories take a more active role in decision-making. Establishing this integrated system relies on trust and information sharing, which can be facilitated by cutting-edge digital technologies. The results of this paper will provide valuable insights for future research aimed at completely solving this issue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rehabilitation professionals prescribe patients with suitable powered mobility aids (PMAs) based on patient characteristics, e.g., age and mobility. However, there is paucity of literature examining patient characteristics associated with PMA types in Asian contexts. This research aims to study (i) characteristics of Singapore PMA users and (ii) correlations between characteristics and two PMA types – motorised wheelchairs and powered scooters. It is hypothesised that patients' age, mobility status and medical conditions have correlations with PMA types. A cross-sectional, retrospective study design was used to investigate characteristics of patients (age ≥ 21 years) at Tan Tock Seng Hospital Occupational Therapy Seating Clinic between 2017 and 2019. Comparisons of proportions of motorised wheelchair users versus powered scooter users based on characteristics were analysed using Chi-square test. Subsequently, statistically significant patient characteristics were selected for a multiple logistic regression. Among 352 patients, 21% and 79% were prescribed motorised wheelchairs and powered scooters, respectively. Patients aged 61–90 years were twice those aged 21–60 years. Males were double of females. Patients of (i) an older age, (ii) more ambulant, (iii) independent in transfers and (iv) in activities of daily living (ADLs), were more likely powered scooter users. Conversely, patients of (i) a younger age, (ii) less ambulant, (iii) require assistance in transfers and (iv) in ADLs were more likely motorised wheelchair users. Patients' gender and caregiver status showed no statistically significant correlations with PMA types. Rehabilitation professionals could consider patients' age, mobility status, transfer status and ADL status when prescribing PMA for Asian populations. Guide rehabilitation professionals in making clinical decisions on the type of powered mobility aid (PMA) to prescribe based on patients' characteristics. Aid in the development of future guidelines for rehabilitation professionals in prescription of PMAs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present research encompasses the utilization of TiO 2 nano particles with enrichment of H 2 (10 lpm) with Chlorella Emersonii Methyl Ester (CEME) on an agricultural-based CRDI engine. CEME20 (20% chlorella emersonii methyl ester blended with 80% mineral diesel) is employed for the tests. The nanoparticle concentration is limited to 50 ppm which has been considered according to O 2 concentration in biodiesel. Experimentation revealed that, with hydrogen gas and TiO 2 nanoparticles, the BTE and BSFC were improved significantly. At full load conditions, BTE is enlarged by 7.3%. In addition, there is a simultaneous decrease in HC and CO emissions (by about 36.3 and 40.9% respectively) for algal biofuel blends, while NO x emissions increased by 27.3% with respect to mineral diesel. 5.1% and 6.5% increase in combustion characteristics (79.8 bar combustion pressure and 89.2 J/°CA heat release rate)were observed for the CEME/H 2 /TiO 2 blend which could be attributed to effective combustion of hydrogen and catalytic combustion activity provided by TiO 2 nano additives. CEME/H 2 /TiO 2 blend recorded maximum Mass Fraction burnt (MFB) (74.7%) as well as lowered PSD (Particle size Diameter) profile (34.8 nm @ 0.29 E+08 dN/dlogDp (#/cm3)) at full engine load condition indicating the presence of H 2 and nano additives which has influence over the combustion. • Novel idea of Combined influence of H 2 &TiO 2 nano additives in algae biofuel. • Hydrogen gas is inducted at 5 lpm along with 50 ppm TiO 2 nanoparticles. • Surge in BTE (6.95%) & BSFC (6.23%) were resulted with lowered HC and CO emission. • With H 2 and TiO 2 addition, combustion characteristics were significantly enhanced. • Lowered PSD and improved Mass Fraction Burnt (MFB) for CEME/H 2 /TiO 2s. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research addresses the challenges of emission reduction and fuel consumption in engines by investigating modifications in fuel properties using graphene oxide (GO) nanoparticles and diethyl ether as oxygenated additives. Characterization tests were conducted to determine the size, energy, and content of graphene and oxygen molecules in synthesized GO nanoparticles. Pongamia Pinnata Oil Methyl Ester (POME) was prepared through a transesterification process and blended with diesel to obtain a B20 blend. This POME (B20) was further mixed with GO nanoparticles at 40, 80, and 100 mg L-1 concentrations and supplemented with 3 vol% of diethyl ether. The blending process involved stirring, bath sonication, and probe sonication. A Common Rail Direct Injection diesel engine was employed with a toroidal combustion chamber and a 7-hole fuel injector nozzle. The engine maintained a steady speed of 1800 rpm, an injection timing set at 23ºbTDC, and a fixed compression ratio of 18.5 while operating under five different loads. At maximum loading conditions, the addition of 100 ppm GO nanoparticles and 5 vol% of Diethyl ether resulted in a 19.7% enhancement in Brake Thermal Efficiency (BTE) and a 10.71% reduction in Brake Specific Fuel Consumption. Furthermore, there was a significant reduction observed in CO, HC, and smoke emissions by 47.9%, 70.3%, and 23.8%, respectively. The addition of these fuel additives increased combustion characteristics such as Heat Release Rate, Cumulative Heat Release Rate, peak pressure, and in-cylinder pressure, while concurrently decreasing the Ignition Delay period and Exhaust Gas Temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low frequency noise control is difficult due to the large wavelength. Acoustic metamaterials (AMs) bring a new sight for low frequency noise control because they can control low frequency wave with subwavelength structures. Since plate type structures are widely used in engineering, the plate type AM structures with different types of resonators are studied by both experiments and numeric simulations. The measured sound transmission loss (STL) curves of the samples show that there are several peak points appearing in the low frequency range. It is found from the numerical simulations that sound wave cannot transmit the plate at these points. The certain locally resonant modes of the resonators lead to good sound insulation properties of the plate type structures. By combing different types of resonators together, enhancement of STL in wide frequency ranges can be achieved. The results in this paper provide good guidance for noise control in engineering applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women globally and can be classified according to various histological subtypes. Current treatment strategies are typically based on the cancer stage and molecular subtypes. This article aims to address the knowledge gap in the understanding of rare breast cancer. A retrospective study was conducted on 4393 breast cancer patients diagnosed from 1992 to 2012, focusing on five rare subtypes: mucinous, invasive lobular, papillary, mixed invasive and lobular, and pure tubular/cribriform carcinomas. Our analysis, supplemented by a literature review, compared patient characteristics, disease characteristics, and survival outcomes of rare breast cancer patients with invasive carcinoma (not otherwise specified (NOS)). Comparative analysis revealed no significant difference in overall survival rates between these rare cancers and the more common invasive carcinoma (NOS). However, mucinous, papillary, and tubular/cribriform carcinomas demonstrated better disease-specific survival. These subtypes presented with similar characteristics such as early detection, less nodal involvement, more hormonal receptor positivity, and less human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) positivity. To conclude, our study demonstrated the diversity in the characteristics and prognosis of rare breast cancer histotypes. Future research should be carried out to investigate histotype-specific management and targeted therapies, given their distinct behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low recycling rates coupled with increased production have resulted in an alarming rapid accumulation of a widely used plastic material, polyethylene terephthalate (PET). With the buildup of plastics in our environment, there is an urgent need for more sustainable solutions to process them. Biological methods such as enzyme-catalyzed PET recycling or bioprocessing are potential solutions to this problem. Actinobacteria, known for producing enzymes involved in the degradation of complex organic molecules, are of particular interest due to their potential to produce enzymes that may assimilate plastics. This work expands on the discovery and characterization of new PET-degrading enzymes from the Microbispora, Nonomuraea, and Micromonospora genera. Within the Micromonospora genus, we analyzed enzymes from the polyesteraselipase-cutinase family with ~60% similarity to leaf-branch compost cutinase (LCC), in which one of the enzymes was found to be capable of breaking down PET and bis(2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate (BHET) at 45°C-50°C. Moreover, we were able to enhance the enzyme's depolymerization rate through further engineering, resulting in a two-fold increase in activity. IMPORTANCE Mismanagement of PET plastic waste significantly threatens human and environmental health. Together with the relentless increase in plastic production, plastic pollution is an issue of rising concern. In response to this challenge, scientists are investigating eco-friendly approaches, such as bioprocessing and microbial factories, to sustainably manage the growing quantity of plastic waste in our ecosystem. Industrial applicability of enzymes capable of degrading PET is limited by numerous factors, including their scarcity in nature. The objective of this study is to enhance our understanding of this group of enzymes by identifying and characterizing novel enzymes that can facilitate the breakdown of PET waste. This data will expand the enzymatic repertoire and provide valuable insights into the prerequisites for successful PET degradation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mediated through hierarchical domestic institutions and a global system of jurisprudence that tends to view older jurisdictions as more authentic or authoritative legal sources, the language of common law is seldom explored through a world Englishes lens, but Malaysian law has opened up possibilities for indigenised and pluricentric common law by its use of Malay alongside English. While some studies have examined bilingualism in Malaysian public courtrooms, few have looked into the less accessible spaces of law office practice. This study investigates bilingual legal practice through the experiences of law students undertaking professional internships at various institutions nationwide. Although some sectors lean toward one language more than the other, most students reported intense and dynamic patterns of bilingualism. The findings offer scope for research specifically into Malaysian legal English from a language contact perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The on-the-job collaborative discourse of teachers is said to offer promising insights into the implicit processes of teacher learning and socialisation (Lefstein et al. 2020). Building on existing theory and research, this article examines diagnostic frame disputes in teachers' discussions that involve the negotiation of contradictions between external expectations and teachers' own frames of reference. This phenomenon is illustrated using two purposively-sampled vignettes, drawn from video data generated in two Malaysian secondary schools in 2019. In both vignettes, teachers work to reconcile the discrepancies between how student learning problems are framed by external accountability measures, as well as how the teachers interpret those problems locally, leading to disputes about how to frame those problems. The analysis presents an empirical illustration of how teachers negotiate situated meaning, shedding light on how they interpret and respond to accountability pressures on their practice. Implications for policy and practice are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

About 5% of chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients experienced treatment failure with direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatment. The global data on the practice and treatment outcomes of Sofosbuvir/Velpatasvir/Voxilaprevir (SOF/VEL/VOX) in DAA-experienced CHC patients remains sparse. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy and safety of SOF/VEL/VOX as a salvage treatment in DAA-experienced CHC patients. We searched five electronic databases from inception to 31 January 2023. The study outcomes were SVR12 and treatment-related adverse effects, with subgroup analysis performed based on genotype, cirrhosis, HCC, prior SOF/VEL exposure, and region. We identified and analyzed data from 24 studies (2877 DAA-experienced CHC patients); 17.2% had prior SOF/VEL exposure, 25% received ribavirin with SOF/VEL/VOX, and 42% had pre-treatment resistance-associated substitution (RAS) testing performed. Eastern Mediterranean had a higher pooled SVR12 than the America and Europe regions (p < 0.05). Predictors of SOF/VEL/VOX failure were genotype 3, active HCC, baseline cirrhosis, and prior SOF/VEL. Baseline RAS mutation and ribavirin supplementation were not associated with higher SVR12. Treatment discontinuation because of drug-related adverse events was uncommon (10 studies, 0.2%). In summary, SOF/VEL/VOX is efficacious and safe for retreatment in DAA-experienced CHC patients, even with RAS mutation. Our findings support SOF/VEL/VOX as a first-line rescue treatment for DAA-experienced CHC patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the milling process of palm oil, the degree of palm fruit ripeness is a critical factor that affects the quality and quantity of the oil. As the palm fruit matures, its chlorophyll level decreases, and since chlorophyll in oil has undesirable effects on hydrogenation, bleachability, and oxidative degradation, it's important to monitor the chlorophyll content in palm oil during the milling process. This study investigated the use of light-induced chlorophyll fluorescence (LICF) for non-invasive and real-time monitoring of chlorophyll content in diluted crude palm oil (DCO) located at the dilution and oil classification point in palm oil mill. An LICF probe was installed at the secondary pipe connected to main DCO pipeline, and the system communicates with a computer located in a separate control room via a Wi-Fi connection. Continuous measurements were recorded with an integration time of 500 ms, averaging of 10, and a time interval of 1 min between each recording during the oil mill's operation. All data were stored on the computer and in the cloud. We collected 60 DCO samples and sent them to the laboratory for American Oil Chemists' Society (AOCS) measurement to compare with the LICF signal. The LICF method achieved a correlation coefficient of 0.88 with the AOCS measurements, and it also provided a direct, quantitative, and unbiased assessment of the fruit ripeness in the mill. By incorporating Internet of Things (IoT) sensors and cloud storage, this LICF system enables remote and real-time access to data for chemometrics analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• We propose interpolative centroid contrastive learning (ICCL). • We evaluate ICCL on three long-tailed classification benchmarks. • ICCL improves tail-class representations. [Display omitted] In vision domain, large-scale natural datasets typically exhibit long-tailed distribution which has large class imbalance between head and tail classes. This distribution poses difficulty in learning good representations for tail classes. Recent developments have shown good long-tailed model can be learnt by decoupling the training into representation learning and classifier balancing. However, these works pay insufficient consideration on the long-tailed effect on representation learning. In this work, we propose interpolative centroid contrastive learning (ICCL) to improve long-tailed representation learning. ICCL interpolates two images from a class-agnostic sampler and a class-aware sampler, and trains the model such that the representation of the interpolative image can be used to retrieve the centroids for both source classes. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach on multiple long-tailed image classification benchmarks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Measurable residual disease (MRD) assessment in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) has an established role in disease prognostication, particularly in guiding decisions for hematopoietic cell transplantation in first remission. Serial MRD assessment is now routinely recommended in the evaluation of treatment response and monitoring in AML by the European LeukemiaNet. The key question remains, however, if MRD in AML is clinically actionable or "does MRD merely portend fate"? With a series of new drug approvals since 2017, we now have more targeted and less toxic therapeutic options for the potential application of MRD-directed therapy. Recent approval of NPM1 MRD as a regulatory endpoint is also foreseen to drastically transform the clinical trial landscape such as biomarker-driven adaptive design. In this article, we will review (1) the emerging molecular MRD markers (such as non-DTA mutations, IDH1/2, and FLT3-ITD); (2) the impact of novel therapeutics on MRD endpoints; and (3) how MRD might be used as a predictive biomarker to guide therapy in AML beyond its prognostic role, which is the focus of two large collaborative trials: AMLM26 INTERCEPT (ACTRN12621000439842) and MyeloMATCH (NCT05564390). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Calciprotein particles (CPP) are colloidal aggregates of calcium phosphate and the mineral-binding protein fetuin-A, and are potential mediators of cardiovascular disease in chronic kidney disease (CKD). Emerging evidence suggests non-calcium-containing phosphate binders may reduce serum CPP in patients with kidney failure who require dialysis; however, it is unclear whether similar interventions are effective in patients with earlier stages of CKD. Methods The IMpact of Phosphate Reduction On Vascular End-points in CKD (IMPROVE-CKD) was a multi-centre, placebo-controlled, randomized trial of lanthanum carbonate on cardiovascular markers in 278 participants with stage 3b/4 CKD. In this pre-specified exploratory analysis, primary (CPP-I) and secondary CPP (CPP-II) were measured in a sub-cohort of participants over 96 weeks. Treatment groups were compared using linear mixed-effects models and the relationship between serum CPP and pulse wave velocity (PWV) and abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) was examined. Results A total of 253 participants had CPP data for baseline and at least one follow-up timepoint and were included in this analysis. The mean age was 62.4 ± 12.6 years, 32.0% were female and the mean estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was 26.6 ± 8.3 mL/min/1.73 m2. Baseline median serum CPP-I was 14.9 × 104 particles/mL [interquartile range (IQR) 4.6–49.3] and median CPP-II was 3.3 × 103 particles/mL (IQR 1.4–5.4). There was no significant difference between treatment groups at 96 weeks in CPP-I [22.8% (95% confidence interval −39.2, 36.4), P = 0.65] or CPP-II [−18.3% (95% confidence interval −40.0, 11.2), P = 0.20] compared with a placebo. Serum CPP were not correlated with baseline PWV or AAC, or with the progression of either marker. Conclusions Lanthanum carbonate was not associated with a reduction of CPP at 96 weeks when compared with a placebo in a CKD cohort. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review provides a comprehensive overview of ultrasonic wave propagation, with a primary focus on high-power ultrasound systems where cavitation bubbles are likely to occur. The review is structured to guide readers through the historical development of cavitation models, from early works such as the Rayleigh-Plesset equation to more advanced numerical approaches. It explores the dynamics of cavitation bubbles, their physical effects, and the key factors influencing bubble formation, growth, and collapse. In addition to bubble-induced cavitation, the review addresses nonlinear wave propagation in the absence of bubbles, highlighting phenomena such as harmonic generation and shock wave formation. A detailed discussion on the numerical modelling of ultrasonic systems follows, covering linear and nonlinear approaches, boundary conditions, and the challenges of accurately simulating cavitating systems. The review concludes with an analysis of recent developments, emerging trends, and future directions in computational modelling for ultrasonic applications. By presenting a structured overview of both the theoretical and practical aspects of ultrasonic wave propagation, this work aims to provide a foundation for future research and design improvements in sonochemical and acoustic systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Linear Helmholtz and CP models show differences in pressure predictions. • Best pressure fields achieved by placing glove formers above transducers. • Higher bubble densities enhance pressure zones but introduce complexities. • Simulation offers guidelines for designing ultrasonic cleaning systems. Ultrasonic cleaning is an effective industrial method that enhances cleaning efficiency by reducing the time and chemicals needed. In the glove manufacturing sector, ultrasound accelerates cleaning, even without harsh chemicals. This study optimises ultrasonic cleaning systems specifically for ceramic glove formers through cavitation, which occurs when acoustic pressure exceeds Blake's threshold. The research compares two acoustic models: Linear Helmholtz and Commander and Prosperetti (CP), to simulate and enhance acoustic pressure fields in ultrasonic tanks. Finite Element Method (FEM) simulations using COMSOL Multiphysics assessed various factors, such as tank dimensions, transducer placements, and attenuation coefficients, on system performance. Results showed that the CP model provides a more accurate representation of acoustic pressure distribution by incorporating bubble dynamics and sound wave attenuation, while the Linear Helmholtz model tends to overestimate pressures. Simulations indicated that placing glove formers directly above transducers optimises pressure fields in the CP model, while the Helmholtz model preferred positioning them between transducers. Energy efficiency evaluations revealed approximately 58.33 W of energy required per glove former, achieving a power density of 7.41 W L⁻¹. This research highlights the importance of balancing acoustic pressure and energy efficiency for effective ultrasonic cleaning systems in industrial applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The amount of HbH has been shown to correlate with the size of the I ATRX i clone.[6] In the Oxford ATMDS Registry, one patient demonstrated an I ATRX i clone size of 35% and 1.5% at two different time-points, corresponding to 25% and <1% HbH-containing cells by supravital staining respectively. Keywords: genetic analysis; myeloid leukaemia; red blood cell disorders; somatic mutation; thalassaemia EN genetic analysis myeloid leukaemia red blood cell disorders somatic mutation thalassaemia e13 e16 4 12/22/22 20230101 NES 230101 Acquired -thalassaemia is a rare disorder that can arise in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome ( -thalassaemia myelodysplastic syndrome, ATMDS).[1] In contrast to I cis- i acting variants of the -gene cluster in inherited thalassaemia, ATMDS is caused by somatic variants in the X-linked I ATRX i gene that encodes a I trans- i acting chromatin-associated protein.[[2]] Consistent with this, germline I ATRX i variants cause the inherited ATR-X syndrome characterised by severe mental retardation and mild -thalassaemia in males.[[4]] Despite advances in understanding ATRX protein function, the exact mechanism of -globin gene repression is unknown, and several clinical observations remain unresolved: (1) the haematologic phenotype for a given variant is more severe in ATMDS compared to ATR-X syndrome, (2) the proportion of HbH can fluctuate with time, and (3) the -thalassaemia often resolves after leukaemic transformation. Acquired somatic ATRX mutations in myelodysplastic syndrome associated with alpha thalassemia (ATMDS) convey a more severe hematologic phenotype than germline ATRX mutations. [Extracted from the article]

CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) are essential to maintain immunological tolerance and have been shown to promote liver allograft tolerance in both rodents and humans. Low-dose IL-2 (LDIL-2) can expand human endogenous circulating Tregs in vivo , but its role in suppressing antigen-specific responses and promoting Treg trafficking to the sites of inflammation is unknown. Likewise, whether LDIL-2 facilitates the induction of allograft tolerance has not been investigated in humans. We conducted a clinical trial in stable liver transplant recipients 2–6 years post-transplant to determine the capacity of LDIL-2 to suppress allospecific immune responses and allow for the complete discontinuation of maintenance immunosuppression (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02949492). One month after LDIL-2 was initiated, those exhibiting at least a 2-fold increase in circulating Tregs gradually discontinued immunosuppression over a 4-month period while continuing LDIL-2 for a total treatment duration of 6 months. All participants achieved a marked and sustained increase in circulating Tregs. However, this was not associated with the preferential expansion of donor-reactive Tregs and did not promote the accumulation of intrahepatic Tregs. Furthermore, LDIL-2 induced a marked IFNγ-orchestrated transcriptional response in the liver even before immunosuppression weaning was initiated. The trial was terminated after the first 6 participants failed to reach the primary endpoint owing to rejection requiring reinstitution of immunosuppression. The expansion of circulating Tregs in response to LDIL-2 is not sufficient to control alloimmunity and to promote liver allograft tolerance, due, at least in part, to off-target effects that increase liver immunogenicity. Our trial provides unique insight into the mechanisms of action of immunomodulatory therapies such as LDIL-2 and their limitations in promoting alloantigen-specific effects and immunological tolerance. The study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02949492). The administration of low-dose IL-2 is an effective way of increasing the number of circulating regulatory T cells (Tregs), an immunosuppressive lymphocyte subset that is key for the establishment of immunological tolerance, but its use to promote allograft tolerance in the setting of clinical liver transplantation had not been explored before. In liver transplant recipients on tacrolimus monotherapy, low-dose IL-2 effectively expanded circulating Tregs but did not increase the number of Tregs with donor specificity, nor did it promote their trafficking to the transplanted liver. Low-dose IL-2 did not facilitate the discontinuation of tacrolimus and elicited, as an off-target effect, an IFNγ-orchestrated inflammatory response in the liver that resembled T cell-mediated rejection. These results, supporting an unexpected role for IL-2 in regulating the immunogenicity of the liver, highlight the need to carefully evaluate systemic immunoregulatory strategies with investigations that are not restricted to the blood compartment and involve target tissues such as the liver. [Display omitted] • We aimed to determine the capacity of low-dose IL-2 to promote allograft tolerance in individuals on tacrolimus monotherapy. • Low-dose IL-2 expanded circulating Tregs but did not increase donor-specific Tregs or promote their trafficking to the liver. • Treatment elicited an IFNγ-orchestrated inflammatory response in the liver with accumulation of lympho-monocytic cells in sinusoidal areas. • Low-dose IL-2 was not conducive to liver allograft tolerance and may have increased the risk of T-cell-mediated rejection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sexual disinhibition in dementia is a distressing and embarrassing behaviour. Currently, there are no guideline‐directed management aims to address this behaviour in patients with dementia. This case report highlights a combined non‐pharmacological and pharmacological approach for managing dementia in a patient who showed marked sexual disinhibition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Innovative practices in mathematics pedagogy at all levels of schooling are needed to better prepare our students to thrive amidst the demands of living in the 21st century, given that in many jurisdictions mathematics performance has been flat and students' attitude toward mathematics has dipped. Beyond cognitive knowledge and skills, and beyond affective factors, the motivational aspect (and values in particular) is just as important too. Drawing on some recent relevant research findings, this paper presents what values associated with effective mathematics learning and with positive mathematical wellbeing look like. The need for teachers to be more aware and more confident of their values espousal is emphasized. Research on the JEDI approach to values learning is presented. Recent research on teacher strategies at orchestrating values alignment in their mathematics classroom is also reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: To determine the downstream utilisation of Computed Tomography Coronary Angiography (CTCA) in a single Australian tertiary centre. Methods: A single‐centre retrospective study analysed 1460 patients undergoing CTCA between 1st January 2015 to 31st December 2018 at a tertiary hospital in Victoria, Australia, with a catchment area of 500,000 people. The coronary stenosis grading, plaque characteristics and coronary calcium score were identified. The downstream impact was assessed by measuring the number of stress echocardiograms, myocardial perfusion scans (MPS), invasive coronary angiograms and subsequent revascularisations. Results: The number of CTCA's performed steadily increased from 59 in 2015 to 395, 461 and 545 in 2016, 2017 and 2018 respectively. Seven hundred and fifty‐seven (52%) were females, and 703 (48%) males with 724 (50%) normal CTCA studies. The number of downstream stress echocardiogram performed each year was 2, 60, 46 and 16, respectively, accompanied by MPS numbers of 0, 21, 29, and 18. There were 9, 37, 57 and 64 invasive coronary angiograms with 1, 13, 19 and 22 corresponding revascularisations. Despite small increases in absolute numbers of patients presenting with chest pain (from 2678 in 2015 to 3660 in 2018), there was a significant increase in downstream further testing from 11 in 2015 to 98 in 2018. Conclusion: The use of CTCA expansion has resulted in an increase in downstream testing. Therefore, resource planning with regards to CTCA expansion will have to account for increased rates of functional testing, invasive angiography and revascularisation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper established a novel ensemble deep learning method for the identification of the geological condition encountered during tunnel boring machine (TBM) operation. By integrating multiple MobileNet base models with information fusion through the Dempster-Shafer theory (DST), the proposed method is able to provide reliable identification of the geological condition based on the images of the excavated mucks on TBM's conveyor belt. Shapley additive explanations (SHAP) analysis is further presented for model interpretation and understanding of the key features in the images. A case study using data collected from Singapore's Circle Line 6 tunnel construction projects is conducted to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method. The results indicate that (1) The proposed method detects the encountered geological condition with high accuracy; (2) EMNet outperforms all the base MobileNet models; (3) SHAP analysis demonstrates that surface texture could be the key feature that assists the model for the classification. The developed method contributes to the state of knowledge in proposing a novel ensemble method for reliable image identification and the state of practice in proposing a useful tool to identify the encountered geological condition automatically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Protein gelation can provide texture in plant-based foods and can be influenced by many factors, including protein extraction method and salt addition. However, the protein gelation mechanism is still not well understood for plant proteins, especially for isolates obtained using commercial protein extraction processes. Therefore, the structural changes that legume sources such as yellow pea, faba bean, and soybeans undergo during the gelation process to understand the differences in their gelation mechanisms was investigated herein by using small-angle neutron scattering. Among these protein sources, the commercial extraction method was found to play a major part in the gelation pathway. Intensive protein extraction methods involving isoelectric precipitation led to lower protein solubility (∼1–38% w/w), larger insoluble protein particle sizes (60–100 μm), and a gelation pathway that is dependent on the changes of the insoluble protein particles. In contrast, extraction using ultrafiltration instead of precipitation resulted in higher protein solubility (∼18–88% w/w) and smaller insoluble protein particle sizes (40–70 μm), and the structural changes observed during gelation involved the structural changes of both soluble proteins and insoluble proteins. SEM imaging also showed different gel networks, with fractal networks formed by insoluble proteins (for sources with low solubility) or more homogenous networks formed by the interactions between the soluble proteins (for sources with high solubility). Despite the differences observed in the gelation network and the protein solubility, the gelation strength exhibited by protein sources at low protein solubility were similar to the ones by protein sources at high protein solubility, demonstrating the potential of fractal gel networks in providing texture. [Display omitted] • Protein structural changes are dependent on solvent pH and salt content. • Different gel network structures can exhibit similar gel strengths. • Less soluble protein sources form gel networks with insoluble protein particles. • More soluble protein sources form a homogeneous network around insoluble particles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Human visual processing has biased sensitivities to gratings in various orientations. • Adults are usually least sensitive to oblique gratings (Oblique Effect). • Children are usually least sensitive to horizontal gratings (Horizontal Effect). • The horizontal effect is still present after four months with normal maturation. • Poor visual development may produce alternative patterns of meridional anisotropies. It is important to understand the development of meridional anisotropies in neurotypical children since those with poor visual development, such as amblyopia, can have different patterns of meridional anisotropies. While the oblique effect is usually observed in adults, neurotypical children who have normal 20/20 visual acuity tend to demonstrate a horizontal effect electrophysiologically. In this longitudinal study, orientation-specific visual evoked potentials (osVEPs) and psychophysical grating acuity were used to investigate the changes in the meridional anisotropies in children aged 3.8 to 9.2 years over two visits averaging four months apart. While it was hypothesized that the electrophysiological horizontal effect may shift towards an oblique effect, it was found that the electrophysiological horizontal effect persisted to be present in response to the suprathreshold moderate contrast 4 cycles-per-degree grating stimuli. Psychophysical grating acuity, however, demonstrated an oblique effect when assessed binocularly. In addition, a significant effect of visit, representing an increase in the average age over this period, was observed in the average osVEP C3 amplitudes (4.5 μV) and psychophysical grating acuity (0.28 octaves or approximately 1-line on the logMAR chart). These findings are relevant when evaluating amblyopia treatments and interventions, as it confirms the necessity to take into account of the effect of normal maturation and learning effects when evaluating young children. Special attention should also be given to children with early-onset myopia and high astigmatism even when their visual acuity is 20/20 as the electrophysiological findings are suggestive of poor visual development, which warrants further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Lung cancer remains a leading cause of cancer-related death, with an annual global mortality rate of 18.4%. Despite advances in diagnostic and therapeutic technologies, non–small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) continues to be characterized by a poor prognosis. This may be associated with the enrichment of cancer stem cells (CSCs) and the development of chemoresistance—a double-edged challenge that continues to impede the improvement of long-term outcomes. Metabolic reprogramming is a new hallmark of cancer. Sterol regulatory element-binding proteins (SREBPs) play crucial regulatory roles in the synthesis and uptake of cholesterol, fatty acids, and phospholipids. Recent evidence has demonstrated that SREBP-1 is upregulated in several cancer types. However, its role in lung cancer remains unclear. Objective: This study investigated the role of SREBP-1 in NSCLC biology, progression, and therapeutic response and explored the therapeutic exploitability of SREBP-1 and SREBP-1-dependent oncometabolic signaling and miRNA epigenetic regulation. Methods: We analyzed SREBP-1 levels and biological functions in clinical samples and the human NSCLC cell lines H441 and A549 through shRNA-based knock down of SREBP function, cisplatin-resistant clone generation, immunohistochemical staining of clinical samples, and cell viability, sphere-formation, Western blot, and quantitative PCR assays. We conducted in-silico analysis of miRNA expression in NSCLC samples by using the Gene Expression Omnibus (GSE102286) database. Results: We demonstrated that SREBP-1 and SCAP are highly expressed in NSCLC and are positively correlated with the aggressive phenotypes of NSCLC cells. In addition, downregulation of the expression of tumor-suppressing hsa-miR-497-5p, which predictively targets SREBP-1, was observed. We also demonstrated that SREBP-1/SCAP/FASN lipogenic signaling plays a key role in CSCs-like and chemoresistant NSCLC phenotypes, especially because the fatostatin or shRNA targeting of SREBP-1 significantly suppressed the viability, cisplatin resistance, and cancer stemness of NSCLC cells and because treatment induced the expression of hsa-miR-497. Conclusion: Targeting the SREBP-1/hsa-miR-497 signaling axis is a potentially effective anticancer therapeutic strategy for NSCLC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, mass finishing processes have attracted renewed interests due to their feasibility on complex and rough additively manufactured components. In mass finishing, media sliding velocity (V) is a key parameter that directly influences material removal rate from a component. Experimental measurements of V are crucial in validating simulation models and improving fundamental process understanding. Thus far, measurement attempts have been conducted externally — with the image acquisition system located outside of the mass finishing bowl. In this work, a submersible media tracker is developed for internal V measurements within a stream finishing bowl. The velocity estimation results from two data post-processing methods are compared: (i) manual frame-by-frame tracking and (ii) particle image velocimetry (PIV). It is shown that with an appropriate evaluation frame rate, internal measurements could reliably estimate local media velocities at various locations within the stream finishing bowl. Media sliding velocities are most sensitive to changes in relative media approach angle in stream finishing. The velocity measurement results aid in fundamental process understanding and are useful in validating process simulation models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the relationship between prosocial messages, the degree of presence induced from different message types and the heightening effect of moral identity. A total of 96 students were pre-tested with a moral identity scale and assigned to three experiment groups and one control group. Each of the experiment groups was exposed to a series of prosocial messages designed with different message characteristics daily. After 9 days the participants were subjected to moral identity and presence measures. Overall, presence design is key to heightening moral identity. Prosocial messages heightened moral identity symbolization significantly in two of the experiment groups and as expected, no significant changes occurred in the control group. Picture with text (PT) and narrative text (NT) prosocial messages heightened moral identity symbolization more than short text (ST) prosocial messages. Perceived presence mediates the relation between the pre-moral identity symbolization and post-moral symbolization but not moral internalization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plasma approaches metastability with respect to its calcium and phosphate content, with only minor perturbations in ionic activity needed to sustain crystal growth once nucleated. Physiologically, calcium and phosphate are intermittently absorbed from the diet each day, yet plasma concentrations of these ions deviate minimally post-prandially. This implies the existence of a blood-borne mineral buffer system to sequester calcium phosphates and minimise the risk of deposition in the soft tissues. Calciprotein particles (CPP), endogenous mineral-protein colloids containing the plasma protein fetuin-A, may fulfill this function but definitive evidence linking dietary mineral loading with their formation is lacking. Here we demonstrate that CPP are formed as a normal physiological response to feeding in healthy adults and that this occurs despite minimal change in conventional serum mineral markers. Further, in individuals with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), in whom mineral handling is impaired, we show that both fasting and post-prandial levels of CPP precursors are markedly augmented and strongly inversely correlated with kidney function. This study highlights the important, but often neglected, contribution of colloidal biochemistry to mineral homeostasis and provides novel insight into the dysregulation of mineral metabolism in CKD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] The synthesis of Janus nanosheets using κ-carrageenan (κ-Ca) as a green template endows a greener and more straightforward method compared to traditional approaches of using wax template. We hypothesize that the hydrogen bonding interaction between κ-Ca and graphene oxide (GO) allows partial masking of GO's single facet, paving the way for the asymmetric modification of the exposed surface. GO is first encapsulated within the porous hydrogel matrix formed by κ-Ca to isolate one of the facets. The exposed surface was then selectively hydrophobized to produce an amphiphilic asymmetrically modified graphene oxide (AMGO). The properties of AMGO synthesized under different κ-Ca/GO ratios were studied. The κ-Ca/GO interactions and the properties of GO and AMGO were investigated and characterized. AMGO was successfully produced with a yield of 90.37 % under optimized synthesis conditions. The separation of κ-Ca and AMGO was conducted without organic solvents, and the κ-Ca could be subsequently recovered. Furthermore, the porous hydrogel matrix formed by κ-Ca and GO exhibited excellent shape-retaining properties with high thermal tolerance of up to 50 °C. Given these benefits, this newly developed method endows sustainability and open the possibility of formulating more flexible material synthesis protocols. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Indigenous Australians are disproportionately affected by end stage kidney disease. Despite this, they face significant delays being assessed and waitlisted for kidney transplant. Aims: To examine the kidney transplant waitlisting process in our region, to compare the workup process between Indigenous Australians and non‐Indigenous patients, and identify major sources of delay. Methods: We analysed the records of all patients being treated by our service who were on the kidney transplant waitlist between January 2017 and June 2018. Between‐group differences were used to compare the time between commencement of dialysis and completion of each component of assessment. Patients who had more than 1 year between commencement of dialysis and waitlisting were further analysed for major sources of delay. Results: Twenty‐five patients were included (20 Indigenous Australians and 5 non‐Indigenous). The median time to waitlisting for transplant after commencing dialysis was significantly longer in the Indigenous group (1215 vs 264 days, P = 0.032). Indigenous Australian patients waited longer before commencing the transplant assessment process and before completing dental assessment, tissue typing and review by the transplant nephrologist and surgeon. Five patients (two Indigenous Australians, three non‐Indigenous) were waitlisted within 1 year of commencing dialysis. Among the remaining 20 patients, cardiac and systems issues were the two most common major sources of delay. Conclusion: Indigenous Australian patients face significant delays accessing the kidney transplant waitlist. Cardiac assessment and systems issues are prominent sources of delay and efforts to address these areas may help to improve equity of access to kidney transplantation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Failure of a public–private partnership (PPP) contract could cause heavy losses to sponsors. However, the current machine learning models neglect misclassification costs when predicting PPP contract failure. This research adopts an example-dependent cost-sensitive (ECS) method by customizing the existing algorithms in python libraries. The model treats the opportunity cost and equity loss as the potential cost of misclassifying a successful and failed project, respectively. It is simpler to implement and can identify failed contracts more easily. Profit-oriented and accuracy-oriented metrics, such as cost-savings and F1 score, are used to evaluate the model. A cost-savings of 0.452, representing $863.83 million dollars, is achieved for the test set. This study highlights that the most precise models are not necessarily the most cost-effective. The results can support sponsors in selecting the appropriate models to forecast the outcome of a PPP contract from a financial perspective, contributing to accurate decision-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chlorinated compounds such as sphingolipid-based organochlorine compounds are precursors for the formation of 3-monochlororopanediol (3-MCPD) esters in palm oil. This study evaluates the effects of several factors within the palm oil supply chain on the levels of sphingolipid-based organochlorine, which in turn may influence the formation of 3-MCPD esters during refining. These factors include application of inorganic chlorinated fertiliser in the oil palm plantation, bruising and degradation of oil palm fruits after harvest, recycling of steriliser condensate as water for dilution of crude oil during oil palm milling, water washing of palm oil and different refining conditions. It was observed that bruised and degraded oil palm fruits showed higher content of sphingolipid-based organochlorine than control. In addition, recycling steriliser condensate during milling resulted in elevated content of sphingolipid-based organochlorine in palm oil. However, the content of sphingolipid-based organochlorine compounds was reduced by neutralisation, degumming and bleaching steps during refining. Although water washing of crude palm oils (CPO) prior to refining did not reduce the content of sphingolipid-based organochlorine, it did reduce the formation of 3-MCPD esters through the removal of water-soluble chlorinated compounds. It was found that the use of inorganic chlorinated fertiliser in plantations did not increase the content of chlorinated compounds in oil palm fruits and extracted oil, and hence chlorinated fertiliser does not seem to play a role in the formation of 3-MCPD esters in palm oil. Overall, this study concluded that lack of freshness and damage to the fruits during transport to mills, combined with water and oil recycling in mills are the major contributors of chlorinated precursor for 3-MCPD esters formation in palm oil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the integration of nanotechnology and Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) machine learning algorithms to enhance the understanding and optimization of fuel spray dynamics in compression ignition (CI) engines with varying bowl geometries. The incorporation of nanotechnology, through the addition of nanoparticles to conventional fuels, improves fuel atomization, combustion efficiency, and emission control. Simultaneously, LSTM models are employed to analyze and predict the complex spray behavior under diverse operational and geometric conditions. Key parameters, including spray penetration, droplet size distribution, and evaporation rates, are modeled and validated against experimental data. The findings reveal that nanoparticle-enhanced fuels, coupled with LSTM-based predictive analytics, lead to superior combustion performance and lower pollutant formation. This interdisciplinary approach provides a robust framework for designing next-generation CI engines with improved efficiency and sustainability. Diesel engine performance and emissions were found to be influenced by variations in combustion chamber geometry, underwent validation through simulation using Diesel-RK. Re-entrant bowl profile in quaternary blend is found to exhibit 31.3% higher BTE and 8.65% lowered BSFC than the conventional HCC bowl at full load condition. Emission wise, re-entrant bowl induced 90.16% lowered CO, 59.95% lowered HC and 15.48% lowered smoke owing to improved spray penetration and faster burning of soot precursors. However, the NOx emissions of DBOPN-TRCC were found to be higher. The simulation outcomes, derived from Diesel-RK, were subsequently compared with empirical data obtained from real-world experiments. These experiments were systematically carried out under identical operating conditions, employing different piston bowl geometries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Health-Significant Quality of Life Measure (Health-SigQOLM) provides a generic and dynamic assessment of Health-related quality of life (HRQOL). This study aims to assess the HRQOL among healthy and non-healthy participants with varying chronic diseases. Results: Comparisons between healthy and non-healthy participants revealed statistically significant differences (p < 0.001) in the mean overall HRQOL score as well as across all its nine domains. Therefore, the Health-SigQOLM, along with its nine domains, is demonstrated to have adequate sensitivity in distinguishing between healthy and non-healthy study participants. This had supported the evidence that the Health-SigQOLM is a reliable and valid scale for measuring both generic and dynamic HRQOL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To investigate the approach taken by clinicians involved in the diagnosis and management of individuals with Differences of Sex Development (DSD), particularly with regard to genomic testing, and identify perceived gaps/strengths/barriers in current practice. Design and Methods: An anonymous online survey was developed, with questions exploring demographics, perceptions of genomic testing, availability of genetics services and opinions on the role and utility of genomic testing in DSD. All responses were anonymous. Clinicians involved in the diagnosis and management of individuals with DSD were recruited from relevant societies and departments across Australia and New Zealand. Results: 79 eligible clinicians commenced the survey, with 63 completing it and 16 providing a partial response. The perceived benefit of having a genetic diagnosis for DSD was almost unanimous (97%). Almost half (48%) of respondents reported barriers in genomic testing. 81% of respondents reported they order genomic tests currently. Approaches to genomic testing when faced with four different clinical scenarios varied across respondents. Clinicians perceived genomic testing to be underutilised (median 36 on sliding scale from 0 to 100). Conclusions: Despite 97% of respondents reporting benefit of a genetic diagnosis for individuals with DSD, this was not reflected throughout the survey with regard to clinical implementation. When faced with clinical scenarios, the recommendations for genomic testing from respondents was much lower, indicating the discrepancy between perception and clinical practice. Genomic testing in the context of DSD is seen as both beneficial and desired, yet there are multiple barriers impacting its integration into standard clinical care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]