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Purpose – This study employs advanced modelling to assess the effectiveness of Malaysia’s current energy policies in achieving a low-carbon future. By optimising a 100% renewable energy mix, including energy storage, the research identifies pathways to decarbonise the power sector while minimising costs. These findings will inform the development of future policies. Design/methodology/approach – This study employs the Stockholm Environment Institute-developed Low Emissions Analysis Platform (LEAP) and Next Energy Modeling system for Optimization (NEMO) to construct and optimise a comprehensive Malaysian power sector model. The model encompasses both electricity supply, including diverse electricity generation sources and demand across key sectors. Three scenarios – existing policy, optimised existing policy and more ambitious policy (near-zero emissions) – are analysed. Findings – Solar photovoltaic (PV) is the dominant technology, but realising its full potential requires significant grid upgrades. While natural gas expansion underpins Malaysia’s decarbonisation strategy, solar and storage offer a cleaner and potentially cost-effective alternative. Rapid technological advancements in clean energy increase stranded asset risk for new gas power plants. Malaysia’s abundant bioenergy resources need more tapping. This can contribute to decarbonisation and rural development. Transitioning to a fully renewable grid necessitates substantial investments in energy storage and grid infrastructure. While falling battery costs and regional interconnection can mitigate costs, careful consideration of potential disruptions and cost fluctuations is essential for resilience. Research limitations/implications – Energy sector modelling results are inherently dependent on input assumptions, such as future technology costs, resource availability and fossil fuel prices. These factors can be highly uncertain. While this study did not conduct sensitivity analyses to explore how variations in these assumptions might affect the results (e.g. cost variations across scenarios, technology mix fluctuations), the core findings provide valuable insights into potential decarbonisation pathways for Malaysia’s power sector. Future studies could build upon this work by incorporating sensitivity analyses to provide a more comprehensive understanding of how key results might change under a wider range of future possibilities. Originality/value – This study co-optimises a 100% renewable energy mix for Malaysia, incorporating a comprehensive range of renewable resources, battery and pumped hydro storage. The research also provides a unique perspective on the interplay of philosophical underpinnings, psychological maturity and energy policy.

Abstract Electrochromic (EC) smart windows are highly efficient in preventing solar irradiation. Nevertheless, an insufficient automated monitoring and control system for EC windows has been observed. This study outlined the framework for designing a control system that effectively regulated the voltage polarity of an EC smart window. Integrating Internet of Things (IoT) capabilities and environmental sensors enhanced the smart window control system. This integration allowed for automated monitoring and adjustment of light intensity (below and above 30,000 lx), temperature (below and above 32 °C), and UV index (below 3 and above 7) for the smart window. The magnitude of the current supplied from the output load of the operational circuit module was directly correlated with the switching time of the electrochromic window. Moreover, voltage fluctuation was observed during the evaluation testing of the control system, which was ascribed to the reliability of the breadboard platform. This study also provided a functional design analysis for a Wi-Fi-enabled control system, presented insights into manual and automatic control modes under diverse environmental conditions, and improved user interaction through real-time data visualization using the IoT Blynk platform. Overall, this study presented a range of cost-effective approaches for managing the dynamic EC window using Wi-Fi and sensor-enabled technology.

Abstract Background The expansion of GGC repeats (typically exceeding 60 repeats) in the 5’ untranslated region (UTR) of the NOTCH2NLC gene (N2C) is linked to N2C-related repeat expansion disorders (NREDs), such as neuronal intranuclear inclusion disease (NIID), frontotemporal dementia (FTD), essential tremor (ET), and Parkinson’s disease (PD). These disorders share common clinical manifestations, including parkinsonism, dementia, seizures, and muscle weakness. Intermediate repeat sizes ranging from 40 to 60 GGC repeats, particularly those with AGC-encoded serine insertions, have been reported to be associated with PD; however, the functional implications of these intermediate repeats with serine insertion remain unexplored. Methods Here, we utilized cellular models harbouring different sizes of N2C variant 2 (N2C2) GGC repeat expansion and CRISPR-Cas9 engineered transgenic mouse models carrying N2C2 GGC intermediate repeats with and without serine insertion to elucidate the underlying pathophysiology associated with N2C intermediate repeat with serine insertion in NREDs. Results Our findings revealed that the N2C2 GGC intermediate repeat with serine insertion (32G13S) led to mitochondrial dysfunction and cell death in vitro. The neurotoxicity was influenced by the length of the repeat and was exacerbated by the presence of the serine insertion. In 12-month-old transgenic mice, 32G13S intensified intranuclear aggregation and exhibited early PD-like characteristics, including the formation of α-synuclein fibers in the midbrain and the loss of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-positive neurons in both the cortex and striatum. Additionally, 32G13S induced neuronal hyperexcitability and caused locomotor behavioural impairments. Transcriptomic analysis of the mouse cortex indicated dysregulation in calcium signaling and MAPK signaling pathways, both of which are critical for mitochondrial function. Notably, genes associated with myelin sheath components, including MBP and MOG, were dysregulated in the 32G13S mouse. Further investigations using immunostaining and transmission electron microscopy revealed that the N2C intermediate repeat with serine induced mitochondrial dysfunction-related hypermyelination in the cortex. Conclusions Our in vitro and in vivo investigations provide the first evidence that the N2C-GGC intermediate repeat with serine promotes intranuclear aggregation of N2C, leading to mitochondrial dysfunction-associated hypermyelination and neuronal hyperexcitability. These changes contribute to motor deficits in early PD-like neurodegeneration in NREDs.

Abstract Point defects in crystalline solids behave as optically addressable individual quantum systems when present in sufficiently low concentrations. In two-dimensional (2D) semiconductors, such quantum defects hold potential as versatile single photon sources. Here, we report the synthesis and optical properties of Nb-doped monolayer WS2 in the dilute limit where the average spacing between individual dopants exceeds the optical diffraction limit, allowing the emission spectrum to be studied at the single-dopant level. We show that these individual dopants exhibit common features of quantum emitters, including narrow emission lines (with linewidths

BACKGROUND: Numerous inflammatory diseases are linked to increased endothelial permeability through the nitric oxide (NO) flux in endothelial cells. Luteolin has in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory properties and has been reported to reduce endothelial permeability. However, the exact mechanism/s are yet to be determined. Thus, the present study was conducted to investigate the effects of luteolin in reducing endothelial permeability in vitro using bradykinin (BK) or sodium nitroprusside (SNP) through the NO pathway and the NO radical scavenging property of luteolin. METHODS: Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in the treatment groups were dosed with luteolin at 5, 10, and 25 µM concentrations and allowed to incubate for one hour prior to induction. The L-NAME or HOE 140 were administered prior to the induction of BK or SNP in HUVECs. The NO radical scavenging test, the nitrite determination assay using L-NAME as antagonist, and the in vitro vascular permeability testing using HOE 140 as antagonist were performed. RESULTS: Endothelial permeability was decreased dose-dependently by 5, 10, and 25 µM luteolin in vitro via lowering NO generation. In comparison to HOE 140, luteolin suppressed the enhanced endothelial permeability more effectively. The suppression was 98.02% by 25 µM luteolin compared to HOE 140 94.05%. It was also discovered that luteolin, when incubated with SNP in a dose-dependent manner, possessed potent NO radical scavenging activities. CONCLUSION: The current data demonstrated luteolin's ability to scavenge NO radicals and significantly decrease endothelial permeability through the NO route. Thus, in complementary medicine, luteolin might be potential to improve endothelial permeability suppressor in reducing inflammation. KEYWORDS: luteolin, endothelial permeability, NO, scavenging property, HUVECs

Abstract Background Reflection is a core competency in geriatric nursing, and reflective learning is an effective approach in nursing education and pracice. An internship program is a transition course that enhances the knowledge, skills, and attitudes of aspiring nursing students in real clinical work. In geriatric clinical setting, nursing internship students require a broad understanding of professional competency that integrates reflective learning with clinical practice to deal with geriatric patient problems and equip them with the knowledge, attitudes, and skills needed to provide quality of care. However, there is a lack of studies examining the effect of holistic reflective learning on professional competency development among nursing internship students in geriatric settings. Aim This study aimed to investigate the effect of professional holistic reflective learning on professional competency development among nursing internship students caring for hospitalized older adults in medical-surgica wards. Design This study employed a quasi-experimental pretest–posttest design, where 160 participants were grouped into control and intervention groups. This study was conducted at two nursing schools under the Mashhad University of Medical Sciences in Iran in 2020. Baseline information was collected from both groups, followed by a pretest and follow-up assessment. The intervention group received a Blended Professional Holistic Reflective learning program, while the control group received conventional learning(undertaking professional clinical practice as a usual treatment and submitted reflective logbooks),, which included standard lectures and group discussions. Methods Participants were selected based on specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. The selection process was non-randomized and unblinded. The participants were equally divided, with 80 in the control group and 80 in the intervention group. Baseline data, including demographic characteristics, were collected. Pretest data were collected for both groups using the Geriatric Nursing-Specific Mini-CEX (GN-Specific Mini-Clinical Evaluation Exercise), an instrument designed to assess nursing students' professional competency in geriatric nursing practice. The intervention was delivered through a combination of in-person and online sessions over four mounts. Posttest data and follow-up, were collected similarly to the pretest. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 22, and potential confounding variables were controlled for in the analysis. Results The study included a total of 160 nursing internship students, with no exclusions. At baseline, no significant differences were observed between the intervention and control groups in terms of professional competency (PC) and its dimensions, except for age, which was adjusted as a covariate in the analyses. The intervention group showed a significant improvement in PC and its various domains (communication skills, physical examination, clinical judgment, health education, professionalism, and organizational efficacy) over time. The Generalized Estimating Equation (GEE) analysis confirmed significant interaction effects between time and group for all PC dimensions (p

Abstract Background The Asia-Pacific (APAC) region includes a significant proportion of the global population currently living with overweight and obesity. This modelling analysis was conducted to quantify the incidence of obesity-related comorbidities and change in obesity-related costs over 10 years with a hypothetical 10% weight loss in Australia, South Korea, Thailand, and India. Methods An epidemiological-economic model was used to describe current prevalence and direct medical costs of ten obesity-related comorbidities, including type 2 diabetes and hypertension, in adults aged 20–69 years living with obesity, and estimate incidence and costs over 10 years. Incidence reduction and the associated savings by 2032 were then estimated for a 10% weight-loss scenario. Results The total estimated medical costs for the ten obesity-related comorbidities in 2022 were 2.9, 7.5, 10.2, and 23.3 billion USD in Australia, South Korea, Thailand, and India, respectively. Costs increase to 6.9, 18.4, 23.5, and 44.3 billion USD in 2032, if insufficient action is taken. A 10% weight reduction would result in estimated savings of 0.3, 1.2, 2.2, and 3.0 billion USD in Australia, South Korea, Thailand, and India, respectively, in 2032, with cumulative savings over the 10-year period of 1.8, 7.0, 13.0, and 17.4 billion USD. Incidence of comorbidities were estimated to rise less in the weight-loss scenario. Conclusions The financial, societal, and health benefits of a substantial but achievable 10% weight loss in adults living with obesity, and the consequences of insufficient action, are pronounced in the APAC region. To achieve sustained weight loss in the real world, policy actions for addressing barriers to obesity management are required.

The influence of transition metals (Zn, Cd and Ni) on bismuth magnesium niobate (Bi3.5Mg1.8Nb2.7O13.8, BMN) pyrochlores was investigated. Considering the difference in their ionic radii, Cd was postulated to substitute Mg at the eight-fold coordinated A-site whereas Zn and Ni were to replace Mg at the six-fold coordinated B-sites of the host structure. Solubility limits in these substitutional pyrochlore solid solutions were determined to be 0.4, 0.1 and 0.3 for Zn, Ni and Cd, respectively. Upon introducing these divalent cation dopants, notable changes in the lattice parameters and grain sizes were observed with increasing dopant concentration. The high dielectric constants, ε′ of Zn, Cd and Ni doped BMN pyrochlores were discernible with their bulk values of 195-216, 173-195 and 153-195, respectively. The highest ε′ of 216 was recorded for the composition with Zn = 0.1 in contrast to the lowest value of 153 found in the composition with Ni = 0.1. Meanwhile, these highly insulating divalent cation doped BMN pyrochlores also exhibit low dielectric losses, tan _ whose values are in the order of 10−3. The excellent dielectric properties allow these novel pyrochlore phases to be potentially applied for the energy storage applications.

The increase in global temperature has led to a significant surge in energy consumption within the air conditioning industry, resulting in environmental deterioration. Electrochromic (EC) windows have emerged as a promising solution to address these challenges. Vanadium pentoxide (V2O5) stands out among all metal oxide materials due to its remarkable EC properties, including substantial Li+ ion insertion capacity and multicolor capabilities. Despite the potential of V2O5, there remains a lack of comprehensive research on the structural and optical properties of V2O5 films with varying thicknesses. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the structural and optical properties of V2O5 thin films with thicknesses ranging from 46 to 344 nm. By employing the sol-gel spin coating method, V2O5 thin films were fabricated and analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectroscopy and ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectrophotometry. The fabricated V2O5 thin films with thicknesses of 46-274 nm demonstrated an average film transparency of 83 %. XRD analysis further revealed that the V2O5 thin films reached their peak crystallinity at a thickness of 344 nm. Moreover, CV analysis revealed that the V2O5 device, with a thickness of 274 nm, exhibited a cathodic peak current of -1.63 mA, indicating its excellent ability to facilitate Li+ ion diffusion. Additionally, CA measurements displayed a high optical modulation of 37.78 %. Ultimately, this research contributes to the development of energy-efficient solutions for sustainable environmental practices.

Abstract Background Local governments have a critical role to play in addressing health inequities. Health equity impact assessments are recommended to help governments apply an equity lens to the development and implementation of policies and programs. Despite evidence of equity-positive benefits of such tools, adoption remains limited, prompting calls for evaluations to assess their impact and identify factors that will promote uptake across various contexts. Methods We conducted a mixed method study to evaluate the impact of an equity impact assessment (EIA) tool and process on policies and organisational capacity in a local government in Victoria, Australia, and identify factors that influenced this impact. We analysed 33 documents related to 18 EIAs, and conducted surveys (n = 40) and in-depth interviews (n = 17) with staff involved in EIAs. Results Almost all (17 of 18) EIAs resulted in equity-positive changes to policies and programs, most frequently addressing individual-level factors, such as making community communications and consultations more accessible to under-represented or under-served groups. Structural-level recommendations from one EIA, such as increasing diversity in decision-making panels, were found to impact both the current policy and a broad range of future, related projects and services. Improvements in equity-centric organisational culture and capacity (including staff awareness, skills and confidence) and increased engagement with under-represented communities were also reported. Factors perceived to influence the impact of EIA’s related to organisational commitment and capacity to prioritise equity, process-level factors related to the type and timing of EIAs, and extent of implementation support. Conclusion Our study supports wider uptake of health equity impact assessments in local government policies and programs. Legislation, leadership and resources from upper-tiers of government can help increase the adoption of equity tools to reduce disparities in population health.

Abstract Background Despite increasing interest in quality end-of-life care (EOLC), critically ill patients often receive suboptimal care. Critical care nurses play a crucial role in EOLC, but face numerous barriers that hinder their ability to provide compassionate and effective care. Methods An integrative literature review was conducted to investigate barriers impacting the quality of end-of-life care. This review process involved searching database like MEDLINE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, CINAHL, EBSCO, and ScienceDirect up to November 2023. Search strategies focused on keywords related to barriers in end-of-life care and critical care nurses from October 30th to November 10th, 2023. The inclusion criteria specified full-text English articles published between 2010 and 2023 that addressed barriers perceived by critical care nurses. This integrative review employs an integrated thematic analysis approach, which combines elements of deductive and inductive analysis, to explore the identified barriers, with coding and theme development overseen by the primary and secondary authors. Results Out of 103 articles published, 11 articles were included in the review. There were eight cross-sectional descriptive studies and three qualitative studies, which demonstrated barriers affecting end-of-life care quality. Quality appraisal using the Mixed Method Appraisal Tool was completed by two authors confirmed the high credibility of the selected studies, indicating the presence of high-quality evidence across the reviewed articles. Thematic analysis led to the three main themes (1) barriers related to patients and their families, (2) barriers related to nurses and their demographic characteristics, and (3) barriers related to health care environment and institutions. Conclusion This review highlights barriers influencing the quality of end of life care perceived by critical care nurses and the gaps that need attention to improve the quality of care provided for patients in their final stages and their fsmilies within the context of critical care. This review also notes the need for additional research to investigate the uncover patterns and insights that have not been fully explored in the existing literature to enhance understanding of these barriers. This can help to inform future research, care provision, and policy-making. Specifically, this review examines how these barriers interact, their cumulative impact on care quality, and potential strategies to overcome.

The introduction of endoscopic spine surgery has led to a paradigm shift in the treatment of spinal disorders. In particular, biportal endoscopic surgery has gained traction for its wider visual field and improved the maneuverability of instruments, familiar anatomy, and cost-effectiveness. In this study, we describe our en bloc removal of the ligamentum flavum using a “butterfly” technique. This approach had several advantages: (1) The flavum serves as a protective barrier for the dura during drilling. (2) There is less epidural bleeding, which provides (3) better visualization. (4) In an inadvertent durotomy, this usually occurs later in the procedure, which is more manageable than the early stages of decompression. Biportal decompression for spinal stenosis can be performed using an en bloc ligamentum flavum removal technique that is safe, reproducible, and efficient. A systematic approach will help early adopters overcome the steep learning curve.

Taxonomy—the classification of species—is an important branch of biology that allows us to systematically understand and study biodiversity. Conventional taxonomy relies heavily on morphological and anatomical structures for classification, but recent discoveries of potentially cryptic species and morphological plasticity in many species underscore the importance of having an alternative or complementary method for species classification. In this paper, we discuss the emerging method of classification using biochemical signals, i.e., chemotaxonomy. We also present a case study on the feasibility of biomarker-based chemotaxonomy on the marine red alga Laurencia snackeyi using halogenated snyderane-type sesquiterpenes, which were proposed in earlier studies.

This study investigated the potential of porous silica material extracted from volcanic ash of Mount Sinabung, Indonesia, as a corrosion inhibitor. The new material was subjected to comprehensive analysis using the X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Search Engine Marketing (SEM), and Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS). Corrosion test was conducted by coating the metal surface with synthesized silica. XRD data showed the presence of amorphous silica, while SEM indicated a rough and irregular pore cavity. Based on AAS characterization, the concentration of silica in the Mount Sinabung volcanic ash was 79.23 % (v/v) with a yield of 29.73 %(w/w). Furthermore, coated and uncoated iron plates, with grit variations of 800, 1200, 1500, and 2000, were tested against HCl 15 % (v/v) and NaCl 3.5 % (w/v) as model corrosive solutions. The SEM results showed that coated plates had fewer holes and cracks formation while the XRD analysis of the same samples presented a slight decrease in the intensity of iron phase. Among silica-coated iron plates, the 1500 grit variation had the lowest corrosion rate and the highest corrosion inhibitor efficiency in both HCl 15 % (v/v) and NaCl 3.5 % (w/v) corrosive solutions, recording efficiencies of 26.3 and 91.8 %, respectively.

In 2021, guidelines for early childhood education and care were released recommending children are provided access to outdoor areas during all free play sessions to reduce the risk of coronavirus disease of 2019 transmission, aligning with the existing recommendations to increase children's physical activity. There is a need to understand how to disseminate guidelines in this setting as dissemination is a prerequisite of adoption and implementation. This randomized controlled trial explored the impact of a video-based strategy to disseminate guidelines on family day care educators' intentions to adopt outdoor free play guidelines. Educators (N = 255) were randomized to receive a video (intervention) or text-based (usual care) resource via email describing recommendations. Educators were invited to participate in a post-intervention survey at 5-week follow-up assessing intentions to adopt guidelines. The secondary outcomes included knowledge, beliefs about capabilities, beliefs about consequences, social/professional role and identity, goals, implementation of guidelines, acceptability of resource and intervention reach. There was no statistically significant difference between groups in intentions to adopt guidelines [[Beta] = 0.01 (95% confidence interval -0.50 to 0.52), P = 0.97], nor for any secondary outcomes. Further investigation is needed to identify effective dissemination strategies in the family day care setting to increase the adoption of public health guidelines.