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Introduction: Skin barrier dysfunction is an important component of atopic dermatitis (AD) pathophysiology. Topical corticosteroids (TCSs) are the mainstay therapy, but steroid phobia is emerging due to potential side effects. We aimed to determine the short-term effect of clobetasone butyrate on patients with AD. Methods: This investigator-blinded, randomised, moisturiser-controlled study evaluated patients with stable mild-to-moderate AD. Clobetasone butyrate ointment plus aqueous cream (Aq) or Aq alone was applied on randomised sites twice daily for 6 weeks. The itch score, modified Eczema Area and Severity Index (M-EASI) and epidermal biophysical parameters were assessed at baseline and 1 h, 3 h, 2 weeks and 6 weeks after application. Results: Sixteen patients, among whom 14 (87.5%) were women and two (12.5%) were men, participated in the study. There were no significant differences in pH, transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and hydration between TCS + Aq and Aq from 1 h to 6 weeks. A non-significant trend of pH increment was observed with TCS + Aq from baseline to 6 weeks. TEWL and hydration improved at 6 weeks for both treatment arms. The difference in TEWL from baseline was significant with Aq (P=0.01). The M-EASI at 6 weeks was comparable between the two arms. TCS + Aq improved itch and erythema better than Aq (P=0.02). No cutaneous adverse effects were observed at both sites. Conclusion: Short-term application of clobetasone butyrate with Aq is safe with no significant changes in epidermal biophysical parameters while controlling the symptoms and signs of eczema faster than Aq alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The isothermal oxidation of two types of Ni-based alloy, alloys 800H and HR-120 was investigated in this study. The alloy underwent an isothermal oxidation test at 950 °C for 150 hours of exposure. Oxdised alloys were tested using oxidation kinetics methods, phase analysis using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and oxide morphology using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques. Oxidation kinetics were determined based on the weight change per surface area of the oxidised alloy over a 30-hour interval. As a result, both alloys displayed a pattern of weight gain as the exposure period increased. Both alloys have followed a parabolic rate law, indicating a controlled kinetics of oxide scale diffusion. XRD analysis showed that the main Cr-containing oxide has formed on the surface of the alloy with the addition of Ti oxide for the 800H alloy and Nb oxide for the HR-120 alloy due to the different alloying element content of the two alloys. Oxide surface morphology records the uniform oxide scale that forms on the surface of the alloy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The traditional method of chalk and talk in a classroom setting is continuously being integrated with Web 2.0 to enhance learning for 21st century students. This study is an action research project that aims to investigate challenges in preparing practicum reports and to evaluate the Dotstorming web tool's suitability to enhance practicum report writing. Utilising multiple methods to collect data such as online feedback, Dotstorming participation analysis, and instructors' reflection, this study investigates the processes by which students develop their collaborative learning to improve their practicum report writing. The project comprised three main phases. In the first phase, a survey was conducted with 14 practicum students from the Bachelor of Event Management (BEM) program at Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) to identify the issues they encountered while preparing their practicum report. Following this, in the second to fourth phase, three intervention cycles using Dotstorming were established to improve students' collaborative learning and report writing. The last phase involved an overall reflection of this digital tool for practicum report writing. The findings reveal students' positive feedback regarding the benefits of Dotstorming in assisting with practicum report writing, including help in generating and brainstorming ideas. The results of this study demonstrate the value of Dotstorming in promoting collaborative activities and its positive influence on students' learning outcomes. Outcomes from this study can help decision-makers, researchers, and academicians to understand the potential of using the Dotstorming tool in promoting knowledge sharing and critical thinking in students' knowledge construction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective The administration of local anesthesia in intraperitoneal space as part of the multi-modal analgesic regimen has shown to be effective in reducing postoperative pain. Recent studies demonstrated that intraperitoneal lidocaine may provide analgesic effects. Primary objective was to determine the impact of intraperitoneal lidocaine on postoperative pain scores at rest. Design We carried out a systematic review and meta-analysis according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). Methods Databases of MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CENTRAL were searched from their inception date until May 2023. Randomized clinical trials (RCT) comparing intraperitoneal lidocaine and placebo in adults undergoing surgery were included. Results Our systematic review included 24 RCTs (n = 1824). The intraperitoneal lidocaine group was significantly associated with lower postoperative pain scores at rest (MD, −0.87, 95% CI, −1.04 to −0.69) and at movement (MD, −0.50, 95% CI, −0.93 to −0.08) among adult patients after surgery. Its administration also significantly decreased morphine consumption (MD, −6.42 mg, 95% CI, −11.56 to −1.27) and lowered the incidence of needing analgesia (OR, 0.22, 95% CI, 0.14 to 0.35). Intraperitoneal lidocaine statistically reduced time to resume regular diet (MD, 0.16 days; 95% CI, −0.31 to −0.01) and lowered postoperative incidence of nausea and vomiting (OR, 0.54, 95% CI, 0.39 to 0.75). Conclusions In this review, our findings should be interpreted with caution. Future studies are warranted to determine the optimal dose of administering intraperitoneal lidocaine among adult patients undergoing surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Word problems in mathematics require reasoning skills and the ability to visualize the relationship between mathematics and language. This study aimed to analyze the correlation between vocabulary mastery, reasoning ability, and the ability to solve mathematical word problems. The research focused on students at the Islamic elementary school level who are just starting to learn mathematical problem-solving. The sample consisted of 100 students from two public Islamic elementary schools and five private Islamic elementary schools. Data were collected through tests for each variable, and the research hypothesis was tested using simple correlation and multiple correlations with Minitab Pearson Correlation software. This study found that the three variables were significantly correlated. This suggests that vocabulary mastery and reasoning ability are crucial in optimizing the ability to solve story-counting problems. To enhance these variables, teachers are encouraged to develop innovative and creative teaching methods that focus on developing and practicing math vocabulary from an early age. By improving students' vocabulary mastery and reasoning ability, teachers can enhance their problem-solving performance and ultimately improve their mathematics skills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Fluoroscopic guided procedures are a mainstay for interventional radiology (IR) procedures. Practice is needed for the novice to interpret fluoroscopic images and simultaneously perform the procedure hands-on as well as control the foot pedal to screen. We describe the development of a training simulation model which simulates the human kidney, ureter, and bladder. Methods: Stereolithography (SLA) 3D print technology using SLA resin and Anycubic SLA printer were employed. A plastic tubing was used to connect the 3D printed kidney and bladder as the ureter. This simulation model permits fluoroscopic guided filling of "pelvicalyceal system" with contrast as well as ureteric stenting, guidewire, and drainage catheter manipulation. Effectiveness of the model to attain skills for nephrostomy exchange and ureteric stenting was obtained via questionnaire from trainees prior to and after utilizing the model. Results: The 3D printing simulation model of the kidney, ureter, and bladder system enables trainees to perform nephrostomy exchange, nephrostogram, and antegrade stenting. Participants felt more confident to perform the procedures as they were more familiar with the procedure. Besides that, participants felt their wire and catheter manipulation skills have improved after using the simulation model. Conclusions: Neph-ex simulation model is safe and effective for hands-on training in improving proficiency of fluoroscopy-guided nephrostomy exchange and antegrade ureteric stenting. Advances in knowledge: As of our knowledge, there are no commercially available simulation models for fluoroscopic guided nephrostomy exchange and ureteric stent deployment. No article on nephrostomy exchange simulation model has been published before. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Fluoroscopic guided procedures are a mainstay for interventional radiology (IR) procedures. Practice is needed for the novice to interpret fluoroscopic images and simultaneously perform the procedure hands-on as well as control the foot pedal to screen. We describe the development of a training simulation model which simulates the human kidney, ureter, and bladder. Methods: Stereolithography (SLA) 3D print technology using SLA resin and Anycubic SLA printer were employed. A plastic tubing was used to connect the 3D printed kidney and bladder as the ureter. This simulation model permits fluoroscopic guided filling of "pelvicalyceal system" with contrast as well as ureteric stenting, guidewire, and drainage catheter manipulation. Effectiveness of the model to attain skills for nephrostomy exchange and ureteric stenting was obtained via questionnaire from trainees prior to and after utilizing the model. Results: The 3D printing simulation model of the kidney, ureter, and bladder system enables trainees to perform nephrostomy exchange, nephrostogram, and antegrade stenting. Participants felt more confident to perform the procedures as they were more familiar with the procedure. Besides that, participants felt their wire and catheter manipulation skills have improved after using the simulation model. Conclusions: Neph-ex simulation model is safe and effective for hands-on training in improving proficiency of fluoroscopy-guided nephrostomy exchange and antegrade ureteric stenting. Advances in knowledge: As of our knowledge, there are no commercially available simulation models for fluoroscopic guided nephrostomy exchange and ureteric stent deployment. No article on nephrostomy exchange simulation model has been published before. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Motivated by the widespread applications of nanofluids, a nanofluid model is proposed which focuses on uniform magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) boundary layer flow over a non-linear stretching sheet, incorporating the Casson model for blood-based nanofluid while accounting for viscous and Ohmic dissipation effects under the cases of Constant Surface Temperature (CST) and Prescribed Surface Temperature (PST). The study employs a two-phase model for the nanofluid, coupled with thermophoresis and Brownian motion, to analyze the effects of key fluid parameters such as thermophoresis, Brownian motion, slip velocity, Schmidt number, Eckert number, magnetic parameter, and non-linear stretching parameter on the velocity, concentration, and temperature profiles of the nanofluid. The proposed model is novel as it simultaneously considers the impact of thermophoresis and Brownian motion, along with Ohmic and viscous dissipation effects, in both CST and PST scenarios for blood-based Casson nanofluid. The numerical technique built into MATLAB's bvp4c module is utilized to solve the governing system of coupled differential equations, revealing that the concentration of nanoparticles decreases with increasing thermophoresis and Brownian motion parameters while the temperature of the nanofluid increases. Additionally, a higher Eckert number is found to reduce the nanofluid temperature. A comparative analysis between CST and PST scenarios is also undertaken, which highlights the significant influence of these factors on the fluid's characteristics. The findings have potential applications in biomedical processes to enhance fluid velocity and heat transfer rates, ultimately improving patient outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogen or syngas, valued for its clean and high-energy properties, stands as a promising solution to future energy shortages by converting CO2 and CH4 waste into renewable syngas through a reaction known as methane bi-reforming. Hence, the purpose of this current research is to examine the effectiveness of Cu/MnO2 catalyst in methane bi-reforming (MBR) using response surface methodology (RSM). The synthesis of the 15%Cu/MnO2 catalyst was accomplished using the ultrasonic impregnation method, followed by a comprehensive analysis and characterization of the catalyst using CO2-TPD, BET, H2-TPR, TPO, and XRD evaluation. The effect of reaction parameters was investigated using RSM analysis, including temperature, CO2/CH4 ratio, and gas hourly space velocity (GHSV) (700–900 °C, 0.2–1.0, and 16–36 L g cat−1 h−1, respectively). According to the analysis of variance and three-dimensional response surface plots, it was determined that CH4 conversion and H2 yield were largely influenced by temperature, whereas CO2 conversion and CO yield could be manipulated through CO2/CH4 feed ratio. Meanwhile, the GHSV appeared to have a significant influence on the H2/CO ratio and CH4 conversion. From the experimental data, it was found that the 15%Cu/MnO2 catalyst performed best under specified optimal conditions of 800 °C, a CO2/CH4 ratio of 0.6, and a GHSV of 26 L g cat−1 h−1. These optimal conditions resulted in the maximum conversion of CH4 (54.67%), CO2 conversion (47.52%), H2 yield (43.81%), CO yield (36.29%), and H2/CO ratio (1.384). Despite the inevitability of carbon formation resulting from the breakdown of CH4 and CO at high temperatures, the examination of the spent catalysts under optimal conditions yielded a smaller quantity of carbon of approximately 28.27% in comparison to the suboptimal conditions with 55.37%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research investigates the post-internship phase for cadets at the Sekolah Tinggi Ilmu Pelayaran Jakarta with a focus on curriculum effectiveness, vocational training impact, language proficiency challenges, technology integration preferences, and the intricate influence of geographical diversity. Results reveal the integrative curriculum's success in transitioning theoretical knowledge to practical application, emphasizing the critical role of vocational training. Language proficiency nuances and a desire for balanced technology integration emerge, while geographical diversity affects cultural adaptation. Implications include refining maritime education, fostering inclusivity, and aligning educational practices with industry demands. Recognizing limitations, the study advocates for broader institutional research and targeted language proficiency investigations in future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Framework materials such as zeolites and mesoporous silicas are commonly used for many applications, especially catalysis and separation. Here zeolite-mesoporous silica composite catalysts (employing zeolite Y, ZSM-5, KIT-6, SBA-15 and MCM-41 mesoporous silica) were prepared (with different weight percent of zeolite Y and ZSM-5) and assessed for catalytic cracking (using n-heptane, as the model compound at 550 °C) with the aim to improve the selectivity/yield of light olefins of ethylene and propylene from n-heptane. Physicochemical properties of the parent zeolites and the prepared composites were characterized comprehensively using several techniques including X-ray diffraction, nitrogen physisorption, scanning electron microscopy, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, pulsed-field gradient nuclear magnetic resonance and thermogravimetric analysis. Catalytic cracking results showed that the ZY/ZSM-5/KIT-6 composite (20:20:60 wt %) achieved a high n-heptane conversion of 85% with approximately 6% selectivity to ethylene/propylene. In contrast, the ZY/ZSM-5/SBA-15 composite achieved a higher conversion of 95% and an ethylene/propylene ratio of 8%, indicating a more efficient process in terms of both conversion and selectivity. Magnetic resonance relaxation analysis of the ZY/ZSM-5/KIT-6 (20:20:60) catalyst confirmed a micro-mesoporous environment that influences n-heptane diffusion and mass transfer. As zeolite Y and ZSM-5 have micropores, n-heptane can move and undergo hydrogen transfer reactions, whereas KIT-6 has mesopores that facilitate n-heptane’s accessibility to the active sites of zeolite Y and ZSM-5. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Early diagnosis of Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID) increases survival outcomes and quality of life while significantly minimizing healthcare burden and costs. Despite growing evidence supporting the benefits and cost-effectiveness of SCID detection through newborn screening (NBS), it has yet to be implemented in Malaysia. This study aims to explore experts’ opinions on the current status, challenges, and crucial strategies needed for the successful implementation of SCID NBS. Methodology: A guided, structured interview was employed to explore opinions on the current status, barriers, and strategies for implementing SCID NBS in Malaysia. All 13 invited experts participated in this study, indicating complete participation from the entire Malaysian immunology fraternity (consisting of eight clinical immunologists and five immunopathologists). Key findings: Several initiatives are ongoing to establish SCID NBS in Malaysia. Hindrances such as low immunologist-to-patient ratio, unequal placements of immunologists throughout Malaysia, society’s low disease awareness, national health prioritization, lack of stakeholder engagement, and inadequacy of local study/data were highlighted. Pilot research on SCID NBS, advocacy workshops, and promotion materials are among the ongoing activities outlined in the blueprint, paving the way for this nationwide NBS program to be achievable in the near future. Conclusion: This article provides recommendations to policymakers in mandating SCID NBS. Strategies by key stakeholders are underway, particularly in advocacy programs and efforts to increase awareness among clinicians and the public. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In 2008–2010, Malaysia experienced a nationwide chikungunya virus (CHIKV) outbreak caused by the Indian Ocean lineage E1-226V (valine) variant, adapted to Aedes albopictus. In 2017–2022, transition to an E1-226A (alanine) variant occurred. Ae. albopictus prevails in rural areas, where most cases occurred during the E1-226V outbreak, while Ae. aegypti dominates urban areas. The shift in circulating CHIKV variants from E1-226V to E1-226A (2009–2022) was hypothesized to result in a transition from rural to urban CHIKV distribution, driven by differences in Ae. aegypti vector competence for the two variants. This study aimed to: (1) map the spatiotemporal spread of CHIKV cases in Malaysia between 2009–2022; and (2) compare replication of E1-226A and E1-226V variants in the midguts and head/thoraxes of Ae. aegypti. Methodology/Principal findings: Spatiotemporal analysis of national notified CHIKV case addresses was performed. Between 2009–2022, 12,446 CHIKV cases were reported, with peaks in 2009 and 2020, and a significant shift from predominantly rural cases in 2009–2011 (85.1% rural), to urban areas in 2017–2022 (86.1% urban; p<0.0001). Two Ae. aegypti strains, field-collected MC1 and laboratory Kuala Lumpur (KL) strains, were fed infectious blood containing constructed CHIKV clones, pCMV-p2020A (E1-226A) and pCMV-p2020V (E1-226V) to measure CHIKV replication by real-time PCR and/or virus titration. The pCMV-p2020A clone replicated better in Ae. aegypti cell line Aag2 and showed higher replication, infection and dissemination efficiency in both Ae. aegypti strains, compared to pCMV-p2020V. Conclusions/Significance: This study revealed that a change in circulating CHIKV variants can be associated with changes in vector competence and outbreak epidemiology. Continued genomic surveillance of arboviruses is important. Author summary: Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) causes fever, rash and joint pain in humans. CHIKV is spread by bites of infected Aedes (Ae.) aegypti and Ae. albopictus mosquitoes. In 2008–2010, CHIKV with an E1-226V mutation became highly adapted to Ae. albopictus and caused global outbreaks. In Malaysia, these major outbreaks occurred mainly in rural areas where this mosquito is most common. We found that a resurgence of CHIKV in 2017–2022 was associated with a different variant with an E1-226A mutation, which had a greater ability to replicate in the Ae. aegypti mosquito than the previous E1-226V variant. This mosquito is found mainly in urban areas, and by looking at geographical locations of reported CHIKV cases, we found that the case distribution had also shifted from rural to predominantly urban areas in 2017–2022. Genetic surveillance of CHIKV and other mosquito-borne viruses is important to identify genetic changes that may affect virus ability to infect different vectors, and disease numbers and distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wire electrical discharge machining (WEDM) is utilized to cut sophisticated curves or shapes that would be challenging to cut using traditional techniques. The challenge lies in simultaneously optimizing multiple conflicting objectives, such as maximizing material removal rate (MRR) while minimizing surface roughness (SR) and kerf width, to achieve high-quality machining results. This study addresses this challenge by introducing a multi-objective optimization approach using the Taguchi method and the Design of Experiments (DOE) to optimize WEDM parameters. The WEDM model AQ327L cut a workpiece material from stainless steel AISI 304 using a 0.25-mm brass wire electrode diameter. The variable input parameters were a pulse on time (Ton), a pulse of time (Toff), and a peak current (IP). The average of means analysis (ANOM), analysis of variance (ANOVA), and single-to-noise (S/N) ratio were used to determine the effect of WEDM parameters on the responses. The multi-objectives optimization introduced the ideal setting parameters were a combination of 11.33 μs Ton, 24 μs Toff, and 11 A IP. ANOVA and ANOM demonstrated that the Ton followed by IP are the most influential factors in the MRR and kerf width. In contrast, the Ton followed by the Toff are the most influential factors in SR. Finally, the findings demonstrated that the multi-objective optimization by the Taguchi approach could increase the quality of the WEDM process of AISI 304. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arterial thrombosis is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide with no effective bioassay for clinical prediction. As a symbolic feature of arterial thrombosis, severe stenosis in the blood vessel creates a high-shear, high-gradient flow environment that facilitates platelet aggregation towards vessel occlusion. Here, we present a thrombus profiling assay that monitors the multi-dimensional attributes of thrombi forming in such biomechanical conditions. Using this assay, we demonstrate that different receptor–ligand interactions contribute distinctively to the composition and activation status of the thrombus. Our investigation into hypertensive and older individuals reveals intensified biomechanical thrombogenesis and multi-dimensional thrombus profile abnormalities, endorsing the diagnostic potential of the assay. Furthermore, we identify the hyperactivity of GPIbα-integrin αIIbβ3 mechanosensing axis as a molecular mechanism that contributes to hypertension-associated arterial thrombosis. By studying drug-disease interactions and inter-individual variability, our work reveals a need for personalized anti-thrombotic drug selection that accommodates each patient's pathological profile. Arterial thrombosis is a leading cause of death and disability with no clinical bioassay for prediction. Here, the authors develop an assay that monitors the multi-dimensional attributes of thrombi forming in its physiologically mimicking rheological condition to predict arterial thrombotic risks [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Limited attention has been given to the implementation of the experience economy in tourism villages. This research aims to bridge this gap by evaluating the practical applications of the experience economy in the management of tourism destinations, specifically within the framework of Edelweiss Park in the Wonokitri Tourism Village. This study adopts qualitative methodologies, utilizing interviews and on-site observations. The investigation was carried out at Edelweiss Park in Wonokitri village, where discussions were held with both stakeholders involved in the park’s management and its visitors. In total, six individuals were interviewed to glean insights into the implementation of experience economy practices within Edelweiss Park. Edelweiss Park offers a unique cultivation tourism experience where visitors actively engage in cultivating edelweiss flowers. The hands-on learning and expert guidance enhance the overall enjoyment and satisfaction of the experience. Edelweiss Park stands out as a conservation-based destination that successfully combines tourism with responsible practices, making it a remarkable model for preserving edelweiss flowers while providing visitors with an enjoyable and rewarding visit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Early diagnosis of Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID) increases survival outcomes and quality of life while significantly minimizing healthcare burden and costs. Despite growing evidence supporting the benefits and cost-effectiveness of SCID detection through newborn screening (NBS), it has yet to be implemented in Malaysia. This study aims to explore experts' opinions on the current status, challenges, and crucial strategies needed for the successful implementation of SCID NBS. Methodology: A guided, structured interview was employed to explore opinions on the current status, barriers, and strategies for implementing SCID NBS in Malaysia. All 13 invited experts participated in this study, indicating complete participation from the entire Malaysian immunology fraternity (consisting of eight clinical immunologists and five immunopathologists). Key findings: Several initiatives are ongoing to establish SCID NBS in Malaysia. Hindrances such as low immunologist-to-patient ratio, unequal placements of immunologists throughout Malaysia, society's low disease awareness, national health prioritization, lack of stakeholder engagement, and inadequacy of local study/data were highlighted. Pilot research on SCID NBS, advocacy workshops, and promotion materials are among the ongoing activities outlined in the blueprint, paving the way for this nationwide NBS program to be achievable in the near future. Conclusion: This article provides recommendations to policymakers in mandating SCID NBS. Strategies by key stakeholders are underway, particularly in advocacy programs and efforts to increase awareness among clinicians and the public. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Improved perioperative care has enhanced survival in children with congenital gastrointestinal conditions and abdominal wall defects (AWD). However, epidemiological and surgical outcomes in developing nations are still scarce. Our aim was to assess the burden and mortality of common congenital gastrointestinal anomalies and AWD in Malaysia, and their influencing factors. Methods: Using the Global PaedSurg study protocol with permission, we performed a prospective cohort study on children presenting for the first time between October 2021 and April 2022 with these conditions: Esophageal atresia (EA), congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH), intestinal atresia, gastroschisis, exomphalos, anorectal malformation (ARM) and Hirschsprung's disease. We compared mortality and 30-day outcome data across different geographical regions in Malaysia. Results: There were 228 patients with 242 study conditions (EA n = 28, CDH n = 36, intestinal atresia n = 49, gastroschisis n = 12, exomphalos n = 8, ARM n = 77, Hirschsprung's disease n = 32). Our mortality rate was 8.8%; 60% of these were CDH patients. Factors significantly associated with mortality were CDH diagnosis, central venous access requirement, higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score, blood transfusion and ventilation requirement. Conclusion: Diagnosis of CDH is the most important predictor for sepsis on arrival and mortality, therefore measures should be taken for early recognition and aggressive management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Boiler tube leaks significantly reduce the operational availability of power units, yet their early detection and prediction have not been fully realised in the industry. This paper introduces a novel approach employing deep feedforward neural networks for early detection of boiler tube leaks in pulverised coal-fired boilers. Early detection enhances repair planning, minimising downtime and production losses. It also improves monitoring and control of boiler tube failures, thereby optimising power plant operations and revenue. Diverse deep neural network models were developed and rigorously tested by leveraging 9 years of operational data (2012-2020). Exhaustive hyper-parameter optimisation, involving seven parameters, substantially improved predictive accuracy. By achieving training and testing accuracies of 82.8% to 99.3%, the study assessed their ability to detect boiler tube leaks over the same 9-year span, providing insights into leak detection capabilities. The models notably predicted all 12 identified tube leak events, averaging a 14-day lead time before boiler shutdown. In addition to leak prediction, a leak detection matrix was devised to analyse residual behaviour and reduce the likelihood of false alarms. However, the models' predictive performance was observed to be limited to the following year, with satisfactory results for 2021 only. Incorporating the 2021 data into retraining significantly improved the predictions for 2022. The study concludes that while the models demonstrate robust short-term prediction capabilities, they require continuous retraining to maintain accuracy and relevance. This ongoing refinement is essential for keeping the models up-to-date and reliable in predicting future boiler tube leaks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding spoken language is crucial for conversational agents, with intent detection and slot filling being the primary tasks in natural language understanding (NLU). Enhancing the NLU tasks can lead to an accurate and efficient virtual assistant thereby reducing the need for human intervention and expanding their applicability in other domains. Traditionally, these tasks have been addressed individually, but recent studies have highlighted their interconnection, suggesting better results when solved together. Recent advances in natural language processing have shown that pretrained word embeddings can enhance text representation and improve the generalization capabilities of models. However, the challenge of poor generalization in joint learning models for intent detection and slot filling remains due to limited annotated datasets. Additionally, traditional models face difficulties in capturing both the semantic and syntactic nuances of language, which are vital for accurate intent detection and slot filling. This study proposes a hybridized text representation method using a multichannel convolutional neural network with three embedding channels: non-contextual embeddings for semantic information, part-of-speech (POS) tag embeddings for syntactic features, and contextual embeddings for deeper contextual understanding. Specifically, we utilized word2vec for non-contextual embeddings, one-hot vectors for POS tags, and bidirectional encoder representations from transformers (BERT) for contextual embeddings. These embeddings are processed through a convolutional layer and a shared bidirectional long short-term memory (BiLSTM) network, followed by two softmax functions for intent detection and slot filling. Experiments on the air travel information system (ATIS) and SNIPS datasets demonstrated that our model significantly outperformed the baseline models, achieving an intent accuracy of 97.90% and slot filling F1-score of 98.86% on the ATIS dataset, and an intent accuracy of 98.88% and slot filling F1-score of 97.07% on the SNIPS dataset. These results highlight the effectiveness of our proposed approach in advancing dialogue systems, and paving the way for more accurate and efficient natural language understanding in real-world applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obesity is defined as excessive fat accumulation and abnormal accumulation of adipose tissue in the human body that poses health risks. The causes of obesity are multifactorial and include environmental and individual factors. Several factors that cause obesity include genetic, behavioral and environmental factors. Obesity causes various problems in various fields, including health, employment, demographics, economics and family. The problem of obesity has a significant impact on public health. Therefore, understanding and predicting the level of obesity risk is important in efforts to prevent and treat obesity risk. Data on eating habits, physical activity, and other factors associated with obesity levels in certain populations can provide an important basis for understanding obesity risk. This research clusters the risk of obesity to find hidden patterns in the data. The stages in this research consist of pre-processing, clustering, and analysis. The clustering methods used are K-means and DBSCAN. In clustering using the K-means method with a parameter value of k = 2, results are obtained with the same pattern as clustering using the DBSCAN method with a parameter value of epsilon = 1.4 and a minimum sample = 5. In clustering using the K-means method with a parameter value of k = 4, Four clusters were formed which had different patterns. The clustering results obtained in this research can be used as an effort to prevent and treat the risk of obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pulp with high brightness can only be obtained if the lignin content in the unbleached pulp can be optimally removed. For this reason, enzyme and bleaching chemicals must be able to reach the cellulose-hemicellulose-lignin (CHL) structure in the Lignin Carbohydrate Complex (LCC) to peel the lignin molecule. Most research uses enzymes and bleaching chemicals without considering how they reach the CHL structure. This research deeply considered the penetration of enzymes and bleaching chemicals into the CHL structure through the pores in each fiber wall. The molecular sizes of enzymes and bleaching chemicals that must diffuse into the fiber structure and the molecular sizes of fiber pores that allow them to penetrate to reach the CHL structure are also considered. All these results are used to evaluate the normative results of the ECF bleaching of Eucalyptus Camaldulensis and Acacia Mangium Pulp. The results indicated that pore size significantly affected the achievement of a higher brightness of Eucalyptus Camaldulensis Pulp than Acacia Mangium Pulp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research assesses the feasibility of utilizing alternative energy sources for electric vehicle (EV) charging facilities in four cities representing provinces in Indonesia. The analysis employed HOMER Pro software to optimize PV and wind turbine systems to develop the most efficient hybrid system. This PV-wind hybrid system is considered more environmentally friendly than conventional systems due to its reduced fossil fuel use and increased renewable energy. The data interpretation results indicate that the optimal model for developing the Hybrid PV-Wind system is the best choice and operates effectively in Yogyakarta, with a wind contribution of 32.33% and solar energy accounting for 9.99%. This benefit is mainly attributable to Yogyakarta's favorable geographical and climatic conditions for realizing optimal wind power and solar radiation potential. Out of the four cities studied, the hybrid PV-wind system in Yogyakarta was the most effective regarding renewable energy contribution and financial viability. The hybrid PV-Wind system indeed has a high initial capital requirement. However, operational and maintenance costs are more favorable in the long run than separately installed systems (wind-only or solar-only). This contributes to the long-term efficiency goals in operational costs. Yogyakarta reported the highest Internal Rate of Return (IRR) and Return on Investment (ROI), which signifies a reasonable prospect of higher and faster returns on investment. Moreover, the most remarkable annual energy output was recorded in Yogyakarta, which registered a total production of 987,155 kWh per year and the least LCOE at IDR 1,245/kWh. Nonetheless, the contribution of renewable energy sources in this scheme is still quite limited, around 27% to 42% of the total annual energy requirements. Hence, there still exists a need to buy energy from the conventional grid for the complete requirements of EV charging stations. Oehler et al. highlight the need to deploy renewable energy-based systems in EV charging stations' operation for sustainability and efficiency. In addition, the results of this study also reinforce the urgency of the transition towards a more widespread utilization of renewable energy in the transport sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The national long-term development strategy includes the development of tourism as a core component. This program is supported by the issuance of special regulations Letter No. 17 of 2016 addressed to the Mayor of Banda Aceh on the Introduction of Halal Tourism. The current research aims to analyze and examine the policies of the Banda Aceh City Government in organizing Halal Tourism and providing supporting facilities and infrastructure for it. The method used is qualitatively descriptive. Both primary and secondary data sources are employed. Data were obtained through interviews, observation, and documentation. Based on the results of the research and findings in the field, it was found that the Banda Aceh City Government's policy in organizing Halal Tourism in Banda Aceh City is considered to be good and its implementation is also good because of the high community support while carrying out the policy. However, improvements in facilities and infrastructure are still needed to perfect the introduction of Halal tourism in Banda Aceh City. The findings show that t the implementation of halal tourism policies in the City of Banda Aceh is supported by a large number of people who ensure that the City of Banda Aceh becomes a city that adheres to Islamic law and participates in supporting and advancing halal tourism in the city. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Holistic Approach in Lowering and Tracking Chronic Kidney Disease (HALT-CKD) is a nationwide programme that was introduced in 2017 to combat CKD in Singapore. This study aims to evaluate outcomes of the HALT-CKD programme and identify factors influencing disease progression among early CKD patients. Method: We conducted a retrospective cohort study involving adult patients aged 21 to 80 with CKD stages G1-G3A, recruited from 5 Singapore polyclinics between 2017 and 2018. The primary outcome--time to progression to advanced CKD (G3B-G5)--was tracked until March 2023, based on patients' last known serum creatinine levels. Descriptive statistics and Cox regression were used. Patients who followed up with other institutions, were deceased or defaulted without developing (or experiencing) the outcome were censored. Results: We studied 3800 patients (mean age: 61.9 years) for a median of 4.7 years. Among them, 12.6% developed advanced CKD despite statistically significant improvements in HbA1c, blood pressure and albuminuria levels. Increasing age, female sex, clinic, baseline creatinine, diastolic blood pressure and HbA1c significantly shortened time to CKD progression. Macro-albuminuria at baseline (hazard ratio [HR] 1.77, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.19-2.61) and at analysis (HR 2.22, 95% CI 1.55-3.19) significantly accelerated advanced CKD progression. Patients who had their angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEi)/angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) dose reduced or discontinued progressed to advanced CKD earlier (HR 1.92, 95% CI 1.50-2.45). Counselling and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor (SGLT2i) use did not significantly delay CKD progression. Conclusion: Maintaining optimal ACEi/ARB dosage is essential to delay CKD progression. Premature cessation or reduction of this dosage should be discouraged. Further research on counselling and SGLT2i use in early CKD is needed to address the growing burden of CKD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is no known artificial breeding method for depik fish Rasbora tawarensis. Sperm extender and the dilution ratio are crucial factors in the artificial breeding of fish. The current study aimed to assess the effect of several common fish sperm extenders and its dilution ratio on sperm characteristics and fertilization of depik fish eggs. Two series of experiments were performed to find the best extender and its dilution ratio. In the first experiment, five types of extenders were tested: Ringer's solution, physiological solution, coconut water, sugarcane water, and roomie water. The second experiment studied four dilution levels of sperm and extender (v/v): 1:20, 1:30, 1:40, and 1:50. Every treatment was conducted in four replicates and the experiments were conducted consequently so that the findings in the first experiment were applied in the second. The first experiment showed that Ringer's is the best extender for depik sperm with sperm motility, fertilization and hatching rates of 71.00%, 69.30%, and 53.66%, respectively; and the second experiment revealed that Ringer's at dilution ratio 1:40 gave higher sperm motility, fertilization, and hatching rates of 74.66, 70.33, and 59.00%, respectively. In conclusion, Ringer's solution was the most favorable extender for sperm which yielded best fertilization results at 1:40 dilution ratio (sperm:extender, v/v) in depik fish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this research is to explore and apply the use of wavelet transformation for the segmentation of digital images, utilizing MATLAB version R2010B. The study aims to analyze how wavelet transform can be used to enhance the accuracy and effectiveness of image segmentation, which is a critical process in image processing and computer vision. The research contributes to the field of digital image processing by demonstrating the application of wavelets transformation for segmenting digital images. In this study, the study provides insights into how wavelets can be utilized to improve the detection of image features, especially in identifying image features more accurately. The experimental results show that only the Canny operator's edge detection method has the best edge detector in detecting the edges of objects in wavelet images. The technique of determining the threshold value (thresholding) can be carried out in two ways, namely, automatic method and technique carried out by trial and error. Finally, improving automatic thresholding techniques using AI-driven algorithms to reduce the reliance on trial-and-error methods could provide more consistent results in varied application areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives: We developed a multistage Plasmodium falciparum vaccine using a heterologous prime-boost immunization strategy. This involved priming with a highly attenuated, replication-competent vaccinia virus strain LC16m8Δ (m8Δ) and boosting with adeno-associated virus type 1 (AAV1). This approach demonstrated 100% efficacy in both protection and transmission-blocking in a murine model. In this study, we compared our LC16m8∆/AAV1 vaccine, which harbors a gene encoding Pfs25-PfCSP fusion protein, to RTS,S/AS01 (RTS,S) in terms of immune responses, protective efficacy, and transmission-blocking activity (TBA) in murine models. Methods: Mice were immunized following prime-boost vaccine regimens m8∆/AAV1 or RTS,S and challenged with transgenic Plasmodium berghei parasites. Immune responses were assessed via ELISA, and TB efficacy was evaluated using direct feeding assays. Results: m8∆/AAV1 provided complete protection (100%) in BALB/c mice and moderate (40%) protection in C57BL/6 mice, similar to RTS,S. Unlike RTS,S's narrow focus (repeat region), m8∆/AAV1 triggered antibodies for all PfCSP regions (N-terminus, repeat, and C-terminus) with balanced Th1/Th2 ratios. Regarding transmission blockade, serum from m8∆/AAV1-vaccinated BALB/c mice achieved substantial transmission-reducing activity (TRA = 83.02%) and TB activity (TBA = 38.98%)—attributes not observed with RTS,S. Furthermore, m8∆/AAV1 demonstrated durable TB efficacy (94.31% TRA and 63.79% TBA) 100 days post-immunization. Conclusions: These results highlight m8∆/AAV1′s dual action in preventing sporozoite invasion and onward transmission, a significant advantage over RTS,S. Consequently, m8∆/AAV1 represents an alternative and a promising vaccine candidate that can enhance malaria control and elimination strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION: Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) patients need to be risk stratify as guidelines have shown that patients with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <35% could be prevented from sudden cardiac death (SCD) by insertion of prophylactic implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD). Thus we conducted a retrospective single tertiary centre study to evaluate the used of electrocardiogram (ECG) risk score model in identifying the individuals who at higher risk of SCD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 356 heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) patients treated at University Malaya Medical Centre between January 2017 and December 2021 were enrolled into this study. The patients' demographics, types of heart failure, medications, and ECG parameters data were collected. The study outcomes were survivor or death in and the cause of death were subdivided into SCD or non-sudden cardiac death (non-SCD). RESULTS: A total of 156 study patients were survivor whereas another 120 had SCD and 70 had non-SCD. There were six ECG parameters that remained significant in the final model, namely the bundle branch block (BBB), abnormal P waves, QRS duration, QTc duration, TpTe interval and PR interval. The significant ECG parameters were combined into a risk score to enumerate prediction ability towards SCD. From our ECG risk score model, subject with =2 ECG abnormalities had more than 3-fold increased risk for SCD (HR 3.739, 95% CI 1.703-8.211, P 0.001) and the risk proportionately increased with increasing ECG abnormalities. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggested that the cumulative ECG risk score model was independently associated with SCD and particularly effective for LVEF <40% where risk stratification model remained scarce. So, we would like to propose for a prospective study to further evaluate our study outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modeling a high-speed flying vehicle is imperative to ensure the success of vehicle development missions. Moreover, adherence to research protocols mandates a stepwise approach to testing the vehicle model, encompassing simulation trials using software-in-the-loop simulation (SILS), hardware-in-the-loop simulation (HILS), as well as diverse ground and environmental tests prior to flight testing. This study entailed a collaborative effort between MATLAB/Simulink and LabVIEW to seamlessly integrate the model developed in MATLAB/Simulink into LabVIEW for the implementation of model predictive control (MPC) strategy, aimed at trajectory correction (TC) missions for the vehicle. This MPC strategy was directly applied to the onboard flight control system (OBFCS) of the vehicle. Simulation results indicate the successful control of roll and pitch conditions by OBFCS in both SILS and HILS, ensuring the maintenance of flight conditions in accordance with predicted trajectories despite the presence of simulated disturbances. Notably, the simulation demonstrates the independence or absence of interference between each simultaneous MPC control for roll and pitch adjustments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Aerobic exercise plays an influential role in improving mental health. Aerobics, as a form of efficient aerobic exercise, is suitable for various individuals and promotes the mental health of college students. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to explore whether aerobic exercise has a positive effect on the mental health and Body Mass Index (BMI) of obese college students. Methods: Sixty obese college students with a BMI ≥ 28 were selected and divided into two groups. Each group consisted of 30 students, 15 boys and 15 girls. The experimental group received aerobic exercise training three times a week for 12 weeks, while the control group received prescribed aerobic training. Data before and after the experiment were recorded. Results: The BMI of the experimental group decreased from 30.19 ± 0.73 before the experiment to 27.32 ± 0.84 after the experiment, with a change range of 2.86 ± 0.11. The experimental group showed significant differences before and after the experiment (P < 0.01). The BMI of the control group decreased from 30.16 ± 0.73 before the experiment to 28.62 ± 0.89 after the experiment, with a change range of 1.54 ± 0.84. The control group also showed significant differences before and after the experiment (P < 0.05). The experimental group had a better effect. The 12 dimensions of the mental health test changed in both the experimental group and the control group, and the results were statistically significant (P < 0.05), with the experimental group showing better improvement. Conclusions: The statistically significant impact of aerobics on the mental health of obese college students holds practical significance. Notably, the observed reduction in anxiety and depression symptoms, coupled with notable enhancements in self-esteem and self-confidence, underscores the tangible benefits of incorporating aerobics into the lifestyle of this demographic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research study evaluates the effectiveness of the insulated cross-arm (ICA) method in reducing magnetic field (MF) levels in transmission lines. Using Ansys Maxwell finite element method (FEM) software, the study models and analyses the MF distribution in 132 kV and 275 kV overhead transmission lines (OTLs) in Malaysia. The findings reveal that implementing the ICA method can substantially reduce MF levels, improving MF performance by 36% (at 132 kV) and 48% (at 275 kV). These findings have important implications for mitigating potential health risks associated with high MF exposure near transmission lines. Furthermore, the study highlights the potential for future enhancements in ampacity and emphasizes the importance of promoting a health-conscious environment. Field studies, assessments, and investigations into economic feasibility and practical implementation are recommended for further validation and application of the ICA method. Overall, this research study contributes to the knowledge and understanding of reducing MF exposure and improving the efficiency of power transmission systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increased adoption of the electric vehicle (EV) needs the proper charging infrastructure integrated with suitable energy management schemes. However, the available literature on this topic lacks in providing a comparative survey on different aspects of this field to properly guide the people interested in this area. To mitigate this gap, this research survey is an effort to provide know-how about the important aspects of the overall EV charging setup with 239 relevant references. It reviews the achievements of energy management systems in terms of improving fuel consumption efficiency and reducing carbon dioxide emissions in EV charging systems. State-of-the-art and most up-to-date standards of EV technology and charging infrastructure are presented. EV charging schemes based on standard grid and renewable energy resources are introduced with a brief comparison of the standard grid and photovoltaic-grid charging systems. Moreover, this article describes centralized and decentralized control configurations of EV charging. A comparative survey of different energy management algorithms is presented while highlighting the benefits and drawbacks of each algorithm. The work presented in this review will help frame future research needs. It is anticipated that the material gathered in this article will become a valuable source of information for the researchers working on this area of study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The sustainable development of sports facilities and their integration with the ecological environment are crucial in addressing global environmental challenges. This study examines the coupling coordination between sports facilities and the ecological environment in nine prefecture-level cities in Fujian Province, China, from 2013 to 2020, within the framework of China’s “Dual Carbon” strategy. Using a multidisciplinary approach that integrates economics, sociology, and geography, the study employs the entropy method and coupling coordination models to analyze the temporal evolution and spatial distribution of the coupling coordination between sports facilities and the ecological environment. The findings reveal that the overall trend of coupling coordination is positive, with the degree of coordination improving over time from severe imbalance in 2013 to high-quality coordination by 2020. Economic factors, such as per capita GDP, positively influence the coupling coordination, while factors like population density and regional GDP have a negative impact. Coastal cities, such as Xiamen and Zhangzhou, demonstrate stronger regional correlations and play a critical role in improving the overall coupling level of the province. This research provides several recommendations for promoting orderly and optimal development, considering the distinct characteristics of sports facilities and the ecological environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present research investigated the association between a series of motivational factors and burnout syndrome among elite skiers at the contextual level within the Hierarchical Model of Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation (HMIEM). There are 352 subjects (258 males, 94 females, aged 18 to 25 years) across five skiing events from three sport universities in this study. Four psychological scales related to motivational factors and burnout syndrome were completed by subjects. Overall, the result showed that a task-involving climate had a positive relationship with basic psychological needs, eliciting a positive pathway to autonomous motivation, and thus negatively affecting burnout syndromes. On the other hand, an ego-involving climate had a negative relationship with basic psychological needs, eliciting a negative pathway to amotivation, and then positively affecting burnout syndromes. The results underscore the intricate associations between a variety of motivational factors and athletes' burnout syndrome, supporting the need to incorporate burnout syndrome elements into the outcomes of HMIEM sequence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soybean productivity in paddy fields is influenced by variety selection and grass management practices. This study aimed to assess several soybean varieties and evaluate the impact of soil processing and weed control on Summed Dominance Ratio (SDR), as well as growth and yield of soybean seeds. Conducted in Sungai Kakap, Kubu Raya, West Kalimantan, during 2021, the research employed a Randomized Block Design with 15 treatments and 3 replications. Treatments included various combinations of tillage methods, weed control techniques, and mulching. The study identified four soybean varieties Detap-1, Derap-1, Devon-1, and Dena-2 with large seed sizes and high yields. These varieties also exhibited resistance to common pests such as Etiella zinkenella, Riptortus linearis, and Spodoptera litura. Weed composition analysis revealed O. sativa and Ageratum conyzoides as dominant species. Weed dry weight was lowest in the perfect tillage + pre-emergence herbicide treatment and highest in the minimum tillage + weeds are not controlled treatment. The highest plant growth and seed yield were observed in the minimum tillage + pre-emergence herbicide and perfect tillage + pre-emergence herbicide treatments. Plant height, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per plant, and dry seed yield were significantly higher in these treatments compared to others. In conclusion, varieties Detap-1, Derap-1, Devon-1, and Dena-2 possess suitable physical characteristics for cultivation in Indonesia. The most effective grass management models identified were minimum tillage + pre-emergence herbicide and perfect tillage + pre-emergence herbicide. These findings contribute to optimizing soybean cultivation practices, emphasizing varietal selection and weed control strategies for improved crop performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oncogenic mutations are abundant in the tissues of healthy individuals, but rarely form tumours1–3. Yet, the underlying protection mechanisms are largely unknown. To resolve these mechanisms in mouse mammary tissue, we use lineage tracing to map the fate of wild-type and Brca1−/−;Trp53−/− cells, and find that both follow a similar pattern of loss and spread within ducts. Clonal analysis reveals that ducts consist of small repetitive units of self-renewing cells that give rise to short-lived descendants. This offers a first layer of protection as any descendants, including oncogenic mutant cells, are constantly lost, thereby limiting the spread of mutations to a single stem cell-descendant unit. Local tissue remodelling during consecutive oestrous cycles leads to the cooperative and stochastic loss and replacement of self-renewing cells. This process provides a second layer of protection, leading to the elimination of most mutant clones while enabling the minority that by chance survive to expand beyond the stem cell-descendant unit. This leads to fields of mutant cells spanning large parts of the epithelial network, predisposing it for transformation. Eventually, clone expansion becomes restrained by the geometry of the ducts, providing a third layer of protection. Together, these mechanisms act to eliminate most cells that acquire somatic mutations at the expense of driving the accelerated expansion of a minority of cells, which can colonize large areas, leading to field cancerization.The authors use lineage tracing to map the fate of wild-type and Brca1−/−;Trp53−/− cells in the adult mouse mammary gland, identifying three layers of protection that limit the spread of mutant cells at the expense of allowing a minority of mutant cells to expand, which leads to field cancerization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the physical properties of Indonesian local sheep skin collagen extracted by acid and enzymatic methods. Materials and Methods: Collagen was isolated from Pure Breed Garut Sheep (Ovis aries sp.) skin, 1.5 years old. The skins were obtained from a local slaughterhouse in Cirebon, Indonesia. The solvents used were CH3COOH and three different enzymes: neutrase, alcalase, and bromelain. Results: The highest yields of extracted collagen were bromelain-soluble collagen (BSC), which reached 37.07%. The range of Ph values for all samples started from 4.01 to 4.76. The viscosity values (cP) of acid-soluble collagen (ASC), neutrase-soluble collagen (NSC), alcalase-soluble collagen (LSC), and BSC were 3.42, 3.90, 3.45, and 3.12, respectively. Regarding SDS-PAGE analyses, Garut sheepskin collagen is categorized as collagen type I, which has a molecular weight of about 140.99 to 148.74 kDa for a1 and around 110 to 111.86 kDa for a2. The results of FTIR and DSC analyses for all samples show the same motif with commercial collagen motifs based on the literature. Conclusion: Garut sheep skin has the potential to be an alternative raw material source for producing collagen. Collagen extracted using a combination of CH3COOH and bromelain enzyme showed the most desirable results in almost every characteristic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gelatin and collagen are two animal-derived ingredients that are widely used in various industries. Both have distinctive physico-chemical characteristic that made them ingredients of interest for many industrial players to be applied as there are vast arrays of usage in the food, cosmetic and biomedical fields. However, the origin of gelatin and collagen poses ethical and religious concerns, especially for Muslims and Jews who have restrictions on food consumption. Porcine by-products are of concern for religious and health reasons, and there is a demand for precise and reliable detection techniques. The limitation of DNA detection is due to extreme environment in food processing which results in low extractability of DNA. Therefore, peptide-based detection using mass spectrometry is required. However, identify the suitable marker is like searching needle in haystacks. Hence, combination of bioinformatics and mass spectrometry is proposed. This study aims to identify the specific peptide biomarkers by employing bioinformatics technique which can be applied to identify gelatin and collagen sources with the aid of mass spectrometry. In these approach, combination of Petunia Trans-Proteomic Pipeline (TPP, version 5.2.0) and sequence alignment ClustalW were applied to facilitate the MS data (LC-QTOF-MS) and peptide identification. As a result, 69 fasta file of protein sequence from both UniProtKB and NCBInr have been collected, 81 collagen peptides sequence and 118 gelatine peptides has been attainable that have the potential to distinguish different species. In conclusion, in silico protein sequence approaches helps to enable rapid screening of proteotypic peptides that can serve as species biomarkers proficiently. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effective management of solar photovoltaic (PV) arrays is vital to maximising energy generation and ensuring long-term performance reliability. The presence of faults, or partial shading, can give rise to hotspots in PV arrays, making their detection critical for timely maintenance and avoiding further impacts on their performance. This paper describes a new approach to the hotspot detection issue in thermal images of solar PV arrays by leveraging deep learning. This study employs the YOLOv10 (You Only Look Once, version 10) model to deliver very high accuracy and speed in identifying and localising hotspots under defined regions of interest (ROIs). The proposed method begins with taking thermal images from multiple solar PV installations while capturing a range of operational conditions and fault types. These images are annotated with hotspot regions to create a robust training dataset. Given YOLO's capability for real-time object detection with high precision and mean average precision (mAP), the YOLOv10 model is then implemented to train on this dataset. Multiple changes were made to the YOLOv10 hyperparameters to optimise them for detecting hotspots in thermal images. The experimental scenario of this paper demonstrates that this approach indeed performs significantly better than standard image processing methods as well as prior deep learning models for detecting both hotspot accuracy as well as speed of processing the images. The YOLOv10 method demonstrated the highest available classification performance with a mAP at intersection over union (IoU) of 0.5 accuracy of 0.91 with inference time suitable for realtime applications. The sample results demonstrated the model's continuous ability to detect hotspots and provide location data under various conditions, such as crossing through different times of day and weather. The results of this study demonstrate that YOLOv10 can be used for improved detection of hotspots in the explicably thermal imagery of solar PV arrays. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neurocognition, particularly executive functioning (EF), is crucial in psychiatric treatments due to its complex relationship with psychopathology. Cognitive-behavioral therapies (CBTs) show potential in enhancing neurocognitive functions (eg, inhibition, set-shifting, and working memory). Post-CBT changes in brain activation have been observed in regions such as the anterior cingulate cortex and middle frontal gyrus. Although CBTs improve attention and EF in various populations, they are less effective for traumatic brain injury patients. Mindfulness-based psychotherapies also enhance neurocognitive domains, especially in psychiatric populations. Tailored delivery methods, such as face-to-face sessions, may optimize therapeutic outcomes. EF and cognitive training are beneficial for those with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Integrating CBT with physical exercise can produce synergistic effects on neurocognition. Pharmacotherapies, particularly selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, offer modest neurocognitive improvements by optimizing neurotransmitter pathways. Clear communication of intervention strengths and limitations is vital for managing patient expectations and enhancing care by targeting clinical, functional, and neurocognitive outcomes. [Psychiatr Ann. 2024;54(9):e263–e267.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the recent past, several weathering indicators have been developed to describe its state of weathering. The state of rock weathering is a useful indicator to estimate the integrity of tropically weathered rock material and mass which weatherability plays an important role in a tropical region. Through a ground assessment tool, the strength and durability of the rock mass could be estimated and complex or adopted to simplify the early prediction of the complex engineering parameter. This paper presents several models of the Weathering Index (WI) using selected significant parameters using statistical analysis. For this purpose, several sites have been chosen to represent granitic rock mass. Forty (40) numbers of samples were collected and tested comprising from four (4) sites in Malaysia. Several laboratory tests have been conducted such as Point Load Index (Is(50)), dry density, Slake Durability 1 (SD1), Slake Durability 2 (SD2) and moisture content. The field and laboratory data sets are used to determine the WI by using simple regression and MLR analysis Significant parameters found to be useful in determining the WI are selected namely SD1, dry density, Is(50), and block volume. These parameters were selected based on stepwise analysis using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Following the models' implementation, the models were evaluated and the best prediction model was selected after considering statistical coefficients, such as coefficient of determination (R2), variance account for (VAF), and root mean squared error (RMSE), as well as utilizing a straightforward ranking approach. The findings of this study could contribute to the more accurate prediction of WI using a more simplistic field and laboratory parameters. Therefore, the WI is useful during the initial stages and planning of rock excavation work and provides a good description of weathering grade and rock mass properties, which will affect excavatability in granitic areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The orange-spotted grouper (Epinephelus coioides) is one of the most popular fish in aquaculture due to its high economic value. However, the random occurrence of slow-growing population has led to profit loss. Therefore, transcriptomic analysis was performed to identify the molecular mechanisms involved in driving slow and fast growth, towards addressing this issue. Results show that low expression of developmental genes such as bone morphogenetic protein 1 (BMP 1) and somatostatin (SST), as well as GH/IGF axis-related genes (IGF-1, IGF2, IGFBP1, IGFBP2) and its downstream signalling pathways are correlated with the metabolism and digestive-system-related pathways in slow-growing groupers. Enrichment analysis further revealed that cellular process and biological regulation, as well as several pathways including glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, linoleic acid metabolism, protein digestion and absorption, and cholesterol metabolism were differentially expressed in slow-growing groups. The findings implied that the genomic architecture of growth between the different families raised and the likely problem of inbreeding have led to significantly reduced growth. It is also suggested that better husbandry practices (optimal dietary requirement) is also vital in supporting the success of a genetic improvement programme. These findings recommend growth improvement of orange-spotted groupers via molecular monitoring and artificial selection, complemented by specific dietary feeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]