bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Local and landscape effects on the reproduction of wild bees and wasps in Mediterranean communities along a gradient of land‐use
Authors: Marrero Hugo J. , Gómez‐Martínez Carmelo , Allasino Mariana L. , Haedo Joana P. , González‐Estévez Miguel A. , Lázaro Amparo
Published: January 2025

The transformation of natural landscapes for agricultural purposes may severely affect wild bee and wasp reproduction.

In this study, we located trap‐nests on 18 natural Mediterranean communities within agricultural areas to study the effects of landscape (% natural areas and heterogeneity) and local flowering communities (flower abundance and richness) on the total abundance and richness of solitary bees and wasps that nest within cavities. We also estimated several reproductive variables (number of nests, number of cells per nest, sex ratio, parasitoidism and survival) of the two most common species in the study system: the bee Osmia caerulescens and the wasp Ancistrocerus longispinosus.

We found that total bee abundance increased with flower richness and landscape heterogeneity, while it decreased with flower abundance. Furthermore, our results indicated local and landscape effects on the focal species reproductive success, being stronger those at the local than at the landscape scale overall. Floral richness and abundance influenced the number of cells per nest. However, while the effect of flower abundance was positive in both cases, the effect of flower richness differed, being positive for O. caerulescens and negative for A. longispinosus. The percentage of natural habitats in the landscape had a positive additional effect on the number of cells per nest only in A. longispinosus. Besides, flower richness was positively related to the proportion of females in both species and increased O. caerulescens survival.

Our findings stress the importance of considering different spatial scales for an effective conservation management that takes into account Hymenoptera reproduction.
A founder variant in the RYR1 gene is associated with hyperCKemia, myalgia and muscle cramps
Authors: Segarra‐Casas Alba , Iruzubieta Pablo , Kapetanovic Solange , Hernández‐Laín Aurelio , Jericó Ivonne , Fernández‐Torrón Roberto , Maneiro Miren , Marco‐Moreno Pablo , Zelaya‐Huerta M. Victoria , Rodríguez‐Santiago Benjamín , Calafell Francesc , Töpf Ana , Straub Volker , Vallejo‐Illarramendi Ainara , López de Munain Adolfo , Gallano Pia , Gonzalez‐Quereda Lidia
Published: January 2025

Background and purpose

Pathogenic variants in the RYR1 gene have been associated with a variety of conditions, ranging from congenital myopathy to adult manifestations. Our aim was to characterize the p.Leu2286Val variant in 17 Basque patients, to accurately determine its correlation with clinical features and to explore the possible founder effect of the variant.

Methods

Families harbouring the p.Leu2286 RYR1 variant underwent a detailed clinical evaluation, including muscle magnetic resonance imaging, electromyography and muscle biopsy. Haplotypes were analysed in available patients and their relatives.

Results

Individuals carrying the p.Leu2286Val shared a common haplotype, suggesting a founder event in the Basque Country population. The most prevalent features were exertional myalgia, high creatine kinase (CK) levels, cramps and muscle hypertrophy. None of the patients carrying only the p.Leu2286Val showed progression to severe muscle weakness and muscle magnetic resonance imaging showed a heterogeneous muscle involvement. Muscle biopsy revealed non‐specific findings in two patients and features associated with central core disease in one patient carrying only the p.Leu2286Val and two patients harbouring an additional RYR1 variant. Three individuals carrying an in trans RYR1 variant presented with an earlier onset and more severe phenotype.

Conclusion

Here, it is shown that the dominantly inherited p.Leu2286Val RYR1 founder variant is associated with a milder phenotype of exercise intolerance, myalgia and hyperCKemia.
Professional perspectives on characteristics of legitimacy in court‐based mediation
Authors: Lyngstad Eva Cathrine , Skjesol Ingunn
Published: January 2025

In Norway, court‐based mediation involves judges, lawyers, and psychologists working as a mediation team to bring settlement and avoid litigation. This article reports from a qualitative study with twenty‐two judges, psychologists, and lawyers from four district courts. The purpose was to identify the characteristics of custody mediation from their perspectives. Findings show that the professionals were concerned with four areas: (1) discovery, (2) structure, (3) expertise, and (4) authority. Findings are presented and then discussed in the context of literature on collaborative learning, legitimacy, and procedural justice. In this article, we integrate study results, Raz's theory of legitimacy, and Engström's activity systems framework to argue that legitimacy is realized through a co‐configurative process that facilitates negotiating robust parenting agreements.
A Novel Banana‐Based Gel System 3D Printing: Effect of Oxygen Content in Printing Environment on Browning Development
Authors: Wang Xin , Zhang Min , Tang Tiantian , Xu Baoguo , Guo Zhimei
Published: January 2025

3D printing is an important way of food processing. However, some fruit and vegetable materials, such as bananas, are prone to oxidative browning during 3D printing. In this study, different mass ratios of banana paste and potato whole powder were used to prepare the banana‐based system, which was applied as printing materials to investigate the effects of different oxygen content in the printing environment on the browning of the banana‐based system. Results showed that the optimal printing material ratio of banana paste and potato whole powder was 87.5%:12.5%. With the lower oxygen content in the printing environment, the browning degree of the banana‐based material during the printing process was smaller, and the loss degree of phenols, flavonoids, and antioxidant capacity was less. When the oxygen content was < 1%, there was no visual browning. This study is the first to systematically explore how controlled oxygen environments can inhibit browning during the 3D printing of banana‐based materials, providing a foundation for inhibiting the browning of easily oxidative systems during 3D printing.
Engineering Education in Industry 5.0: Competency Development and Learning Environment Strategies - A Systematic Review
Authors: Luiz Vieira Everton
Published: January 2025

To identify the competencies that can be developed in engineering students to address the challenges of Industry 5.0 and to demonstrate how learning environments can prepare to foster these competencies. Due to the lack of clarity in existing literature, this research aims to identify the competencies and how engineering education may be preparing to confront the evolution of Industry 5.0. A systematic literature review was conducted using the Proknow-C methodology, covering publications from 2000 to 2023 in the Scopus and Web of Science databases. After filtering, the selected articles were analyzed and compared to fulfill the study's objective. This research identified a bibliographic portfolio of relevant works on the topic of Engineering Education in Industry 5.0, extracting key competencies that can be developed in students. It also identified some characteristics of learning environments for this context. With each industrial revolution, new competencies need to be developed in engineering students. To keep pace with these transformations, engineering learning environments must be prepared to cultivate human capital. This research identified a bibliographic portfolio that enabled the identification of key competencies that can be developed in engineering students within the context of Industry 5.0, contributing to educational institutions in incorporating these references into the training of these professionals.
Teaching practices among engineering lecturers with and without professional engineer certification: The case of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM)
Authors: Md Lazim Nurul Asmak , A. Samah Narina , Syed Ariffin Sharifah Hafizah , Hassan Sitti Asmah , Jaffri Hadijah , Jamal Mohamad Hidayat , Jusoh Siti Norafida , Abdullah Rini Asnida
Published: January 2025

This paper describes the teaching practices among engineering lecturers with professional engineer certification at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM). Employing a case study design, this study optimised both quantitative and qualitative data. Questionnaires were distributed to 20 lecturers from various engineering faculties who agreed to be the research participants. From the 20 lecturers, five lecturers with professional qualifications (Professional Engineer, Chartered Engineer) participated in the interviews. Questionnaires were also distributed to the students of these lecturers to compare the teaching approaches of the lecturers with and without the professional engineer certification. The analysis of the quantitative data was conducted using SPSS software, while the qualitative data was analysed using NVivo software. Results were obtained from Spearman’s test and t-test, as well as from the thematic analysis. From the presented results, the finding could be OBE (outcome-based education) is the most preferred NALI approach for the professional engineer (PEng) lecturer implemented in their teaching and learning processes.
Impact of Game-Based Learning on Engineering Education: A Systematic Review
Authors: Raja Rosli Raja Muhammad Khairuddin , Techanamurthy Umawathy , Zakaria Anies Faziehan
Published: January 2025

The evolving landscape of Engineering Education (EE) necessitates innovative pedagogical strategies to meet industry needs. Game-Based Learning (GBL) integrates gaming elements into educational contexts, enhancing interactivity and engagement. However, the effectiveness of GBL across various academic levels and disciplines remains underexplored. This systematic literature review aims to comprehensively analyze the use of GBL in EE, focusing on its application across various engineering fields and educational levels, the goals driving its implementation, the design features of GBL tools, and their educational outcomes. Utilizing IEEE Xplore for literature search and Rayyan AI for systematic review management, 22 studies were included after rigorous screening. Results indicate GBL’s predominant use at the undergraduate level, especially in fields linked to digital technologies. Key goals for GBL include enhancing motivation, supporting skills development, and improving engagement and practical skills. Design features like interactive gameplay, feedback mechanisms, and 3D environments were identified. GBL significantly improves student engagement, motivation, knowledge acquisition, learning experiences, and practical skills development, typically investigated using mixed-methods research designs. This review highlights GBL’s potential in the field of EE, offering insights into its application, design features, and benefits, and guiding future research and implementation strategies.
Embracing Biodiversity: A Perspective on Transforming Engineering Education for Sustainable Innovation
Authors: Ibrahim Mohamad Syahrul Nizam , Miard Priscillia , Abdullah Nur Athirah , Julius Avelinah
Published: January 2025

In a rapidly changing world marked by escalating environmental challenges, the imperative to integrate biodiversity knowledge into engineering education has never been more pressing. This perspective paper aims to explore the transformative potential of integrating biodiversity principles and practices into engineering curricula. Drawing upon interdisciplinary insights from environmental science, ecology, and engineering education, this paper advocates for a paradigm shift in engineering pedagogy to foster sustainable innovation. Through a lens of collaboration, creativity, and ethical stewardship, this paper explores how embracing biodiversity can empower engineers to address complex 21st-century challenges while nurturing a deeper connection between human ingenuity and the natural world. By illuminating the pathways to integrating biodiversity into engineering education, this paper aims to inspire educators, researchers, and practitioners to embark on a journey toward a more sustainable future.
A Comparative Study of Approaches in the Engineering Education System in Malaysia, Singapore, and Finland
Authors: Muhammad Ariff  , Jufri Haikal  , Nurul Fazlin Nazwa  , Abd Aziz Nurhasyimah , W Zamri Wan Fathul Hakim Bin
Published: January 2025

This review compares engineering education in Malaysia, Singapore, and Finland, exploring their unique approaches. The purpose of this paper is to discuss, examine, and compare how the learning structure, teaching methods, and challenges in the engineering education system in three selected countries. In Malaysia, the curriculum involves pre-university education and internships, tailored to meet industry requirements. This paper also examines holistic education initiatives of two high-performing education systems—Finland and Singapore. Finland and Singapore are two nations enjoying enviable rankings in international testing benchmarks for academic subjects at all levels. Singapore emphasizes STEM education and a student-centred curriculum. Meanwhile, Finland distinguishes itself with innovative, student-focused learning, promoting collaboration and problem-solving. Teaching methods in Malaysia involve discussion, inquiry, and emerging tech like Augmented Reality. Singapore focuses on STEM, student-centred learning, and 21st-century skills. Finland prioritizes personalized, problem-based learning and collaborative projects. While each country has its strengths, challenges persist. Malaysia aims for a dynamic curriculum, facing issues like teacher competency. Singapore needs a more tech-driven system and industry-academia collaboration. Finland addresses globalization, teacher attraction, and funding for educational improvements. Overall, the study presents the outcome that can help to understand learning structure, teaching methods, and challenges in the engineering education system in Malaysia, Singapore, and Finland.
The Effect of Six Sigma on TVET Course Syllabus Development Learning Institutions in Pasir Gudang, Johor
Authors: Ahmad Hanafi , Habidin Nurul Fadly , Ahmad Dailami Ahmad Fakhruddin , Md Zin Zamrin , Md Ghazali Jamilatun
Published: January 2025

There are a few major components learning institutions would look out for in their course syllabus while playing a vital role in the performance of technical and vocational education and training in any academic or student outcome. The process structure determines whether the students gaining knowledge and skills are in the condition of improvements from the previous syllabus or have the ability to adopt the knowledge in the future. The Six Sigma methodology has extensively been used as a structured approach to problem-solving, and it shall be used to test the potential effects of improvements obtained from the previous syllabus. This study was conducted in educational institutions in Pasir Gudang, Johor, to observe how Six Sigma implementation applies in affecting the structural processes in the syllabus. A sample of 176 members of the academic department were randomly selected and requested to complete a questionnaire on how the Define-Measure-Analyze-Improve-Control (DMAIC) method has influenced the structural procedures of their course syllabus. By using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), more time is available for the researcher to appreciate the underlying assumptions of the various methods utilized in carrying out the correlation and regression studies. The findings indicated that the core field of study and knowledge of standard requirements significantly affect course syllabus process structure and Six Sigma. It is recommended by the researcher that other organisations, especially in the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions, to apply the DMAIC strategy in the course syllabus process structure. Six Sigma is applicable to be used to improve the course syllabus process structure.
Midpoint Reflection: Personalized Second- and Third-Year Experience of a Chemical Engineering Undergraduate
Authors: Ghoshal Sourashis
Published: January 2025

With ever-increasing worldwide challenges and the need for originality in their solutions, engineers from countless backgrounds are giving their full effort towards closing gaps and aiding sustainable development in almost every sector. Yet, during such times, it is also vital to not disregard another side of the engineering profession: the scholars pursuing and soon to complete their engineering education, training and degrees, most joining the workforce, where they too will be involved in the efforts aforementioned. In this circumstance, it becomes greatly important to view through a magnified “lens”, the progress of students in their respective engineering and specific programs, which still lacks being often academically published for viewing by the larger populace. Interestingly, one such way is from hearing the students’ perspective in the form of reflection, which is becoming more accessible via online channels in recent years. Similarly, this paper is an accumulation of the personalized Second and Third-Year experience, which together forms the middle year experience and midpoint reflection of a chemical engineering undergraduate. It briefly expresses personalized academic insights and lessons learnt from the student’s viewpoint, by taking advantage of the available freedom of expressing the university learning process, where the Engineering Identity Development usually takes effect. Ultimately, this paper aims to give students a refreshed outlook, and more intently to those concentrating in engineering fields, on ways to explore their own interests and develop independent viewpoints, by pursuing their own reflective journeys and forms the framework for the paper to highlight the importance of reflective writing.
Competency-Based Learning for Improved Teaching and Learning the Thermodynamics Course for Chemical Engineering Students
Authors: Minalla Abdelrahim
Published: January 2025

A proper design of the Competency-Based Learning (CBL) teaching and learning (T&L) environment is crucial for attaining the desired learning outcomes (DLOs), by chemical engineering students. This paper aims to analyze the successful practices of implementing common CBL elements into the existing OBE, ABET-accredited, chemical engineering curriculum, without disturbing the logistics of the current engineering programs. The paper describes and analyzes the implementation of a CBL environment in teaching thermodynamics, as an example of typical chemical engineering courses, at Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT), United Arab Emirates (UAE). The analysis considered teaching thermodynamics after and before CBL implementation, during the 2023-24 and 2022-23 academic years, respectively. The process included scaffolding steps necessary for engineering students to attain DLOs. In addition, the process may serve as a metric for educators in CBL implementation across other engineering courses.
UMS-ALIEN: UMS Active Learning in Engineering Education
Authors: Abd Hamid Mohd Kamaruddin
Published: January 2025

The Universiti Malaysia Sabah Active Learning in Engineering Education (UMS-ALIEN) initiative, part of the UMS Future Ready Engineering Educators (UMS-Future) framework, introduces a structured, hierarchical approach to engineering education. The framework consists of ten progressive competency levels, starting with foundational active learning techniques and advancing to blended cooperative problem-solving methodologies. UMS-ALIEN integrates strategies such as cooperative learning, problem-based learning, and blended learning, supported by tools like Learning Management Systems (e.g., Moodle) and discipline-specific simulators (e.g., Aspen HYSYS). The initiative transitions educators from traditional roles to facilitators, fostering participatory learning environments that prepare students for real-world challenges. Implemented across multiple engineering courses, UMS-ALIEN demonstrates improvements in student performance and skill acquisition, earning international recognition for its innovative contributions to active and blended learning in engineering education.
Evaluation on the Large Scale Glycerol Production from Used Cooking Oil using SuperPro Designer Simulator
Authors: Zainal Alam Muhd Nazrul Hisham , Pean Bubpha , Zakaria Zainul Akmar
Published: January 2025

Glycerol constitutes a pivotal component within various industries, with a projected value of USD 12 billion by 2030. In response to the global paradigm shift towards zero-waste manufacturing, waste cooking oil has emerged as a sustainable and environmentally friendly feedstock for production of glycerol via enzymatic hydrolysis, offering environmental benefits compared to acid and alkali hydrolysis method, characterized by lower energy intensity, no organic solvent, and higher product qualities. Despite the current research limitations at the laboratory scale, hindered by scarce data for manufacturing processes, computational modeling and simulation stands as an invaluable tool, providing accurate predictive insights without incurring additional costs. This study employed SuperPro® Designer software package to assess glycerol production from enzyme hydrolysis using palm oil waste cooking oil (PWCO) and sunflower waste cooking oil (SWCO). The objectives are to identify suitable unit operations for both pre-treatment and downstream processing stages, in achieving 99.5% glycerol purity and to evaluate technoeconomic feasibility of producing 30 MT/year of glycerol. Simulation outcomes indicated that plate and frame filter press represents the optimal pre-treatment while combination of centrifugal extractor and distillation offers the most efficient downstream processing approaches, retaining high yield with minimized process costs. Notably, the technoeconomic viability of glycerol production from PWCO surpasses that of SWCO, attributed to lower capital cost and operating cost, higher return of investment (34.45%) and shorter payback period (2.90 years). In conclusion, the application of SuperPro software successfully quantifies the potential of waste cooking oil hydrolysis as a viable method for glycerol production.
Application of Membrane Filtration for Microalgae Harvesting and Protein Separation
Authors: Ayub Nur Adlin , Low Keat Long , Ghazali Nazlee Faisal
Published: January 2025

The seek for sustainable protein sources has led to the exploration of microalgae as an alternative. Membrane filtration, known for its environmental friendliness, holds promise for purifying protein from microalgae. This research focuses on the protein purification from Chlorella vulgaris microalgae using polyethersulfone (PES) membrane. This research aims to investigate the effect of membrane composition for enhanced microalgae harvesting and protein purification, as well as evaluating the effects of membrane pore sizes and porosity on the performance. Three membrane compositions were evaluated, which are 18% PES, 15% PES, and 12% PES. The membranes were tested for efficiency in microalgae harvesting and protein filtration through dead-end filtration. SEM analysis, contact angle analysis, and theoretical calculations were used to assess membrane characteristics. In terms of algae harvesting, both 18% PES and 15% PES were better than 12% PES in terms of retention of algae. Lowest protein rejection or high protein recovery in the permeate was achieved using 18% PES while 12% PES gave the highest rejection or low protein recovery.  Our result can provide valuable guidance for optimizing PES membrane compositions to enhance microalgae-based processes.
Phytochemical Compounds, Therapeutic Effects and Antimicrobial Properties of Gac Fruit (Momordica cochinchinensis Spreng.)
Authors: Vadiveloo Sajetra Devi , Ali El-Enshasy Hesham , Joe Dailin Daniel , Sing Teong Dennis Chew , Jenol Mohd Azwan , Mohd Marsin Aishah , Abdul Manas Nor Hasmaliana
Published: January 2025

Gac fruit, a tropical fruit native to Southeast Asia, has been traditionally used in Asian cuisines as a red coloring agent and to maintain health. It is particularly rich in carotenoids, such as lycopene and β-carotene, and phenolics and flavonoids, which contribute to its antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory properties. The fruit's versatility is evident in its diverse processing options, transforming its aril, pulp, seed, and peel into powders or encapsulated oil products. Despite its nutritional potential, Gac fruit remains underutilized, with limited research on its therapeutic and antimicrobial properties, though preliminary studies show significant promise. This review synthesizes current scientific literature on the phytochemical composition, therapeutic effects of Gac fruit, and processing methods. Recent studies also have highlighted Gac fruit's potential antimicrobial activities, largely due to its rich polyphenol content.  The findings highlight a clear relationship between the high polyphenols content of Gac fruit and its antimicrobial properties. This review integrates traditional knowledge with modern scientific insights, positioning Gac fruit as a valuable functional food and a promising tool for antimicrobial food ingredients. In the future, further research is needed to establish the mechanisms of the Gac fruit as a therapeutic and antimicrobial agent, as this area is currently underexplored.
Effects of Incubation Time and Laccase Concentration on Immobilization of Laccase on Magnetic Spent Tea
Authors: Mohd Syukri Mohd Syahlan , Zainal Dg Atherah Athrisya
Published: January 2025

This study explores the impact of incubation time and laccase concentration on the immobilization efficiency and activity of laccase, employing magnetic spent tea as a sustainable carrier. The results indicate that the highest immobilization yield occurred at an incubation time of 24 hours, achieving 96.51%, while the optimal enzyme activity of 4.31 U was recorded at a shorter incubation duration of 6 hours. This finding suggests that extended incubation times may enhance covalent bonding between the enzyme and the carrier but can also lead to reduced enzymatic activity due to potential over-binding. The ideal laccase concentration was identified as 1.0 mg/ml, which resulted in a notable immobilization yield of 74.16% while preserving significant enzyme activity. Higher concentrations caused steric hindrance, adversely affecting performance. Furthermore, reusability assessments revealed that the immobilized laccase's relative activity increased from 23% in the first cycle to 100% by the fifth cycle, likely facilitated by ABTS as a mediator. Utilizing magnetic spent tea not only serves as an effective and economical method for enzyme immobilization but also aids in waste reduction by transforming tea byproducts into valuable resources. This dual approach underscores the potential for enhancing enzymatic processes while advancing environmentally responsible waste management practices in biotechnological applications.
Ecological Insights: Analyzing the Barents Sea Food Web Using Social Network Analysis
Authors: James Mathilda Lizanne , Palani Pavetheran , Magalingam Pritheega , Norazean Maarop  , Abdul Rahim Fiza , Ismail Saiful Adli
Published: January 2025

The study focuses on exploring the Barents Sea food-web meta-web, a larger network comprising multiple food webs within an ecological community. The research utilizes a social network analysis (SNA) approach to uncover insights into the interconnections and trophic dynamics of species in this unique marine ecosystem. The study aims to identify key trophospecies, understand their significance across trophic groups, detect communities within the food web, and apply centrality measures to gain insights for conservation and management strategies. The data analysis and visualization are performed using Gephi software and R programming. The findings reveal the importance of GAD_MOR trophospecies from the Zooplankton group in shaping the food web dynamics. However, this species is absent in higher trophic groups due to trophic transfer efficiency and selective feeding behavior. The study also identifies three distinct communities within the food web, indicating interconnectedness and species interactions. Moreover, the application of centrality measures provides insights into the structural and functional roles of species, assisting in conservation and management strategies. The results highlight the complex nature of the Barents Sea ecosystem and emphasize the significance of interdependencies for effective ecological preservation and sustainable management.
Leveraging Business Analytics for Optimized Supply Chain Management in Healthcare: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Tung Pooi Lee , Chan Yu Shin , Lim Jun Hong , BAKAR NUR AZALIAH ABU
Published: January 2025

This paper examines the integration of Business Analytics (BA) within Supply Chain Management (SCM) in the healthcare sector. The healthcare sector has increasingly embraced Business Analytics to enhance Supply Chain Management, promising to streamline operations and improve decision- making. for future research directions. The systematic review method was employed to gather relevant literature from databases such as Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, focusing on themes related to BA in healthcare SCM. The study identifies key themes such as operational efficiency, decision-making enhancement, and competitive advantage. The findings highlight the transformative potential of BA in healthcare SCM. However, challenges such as data privacy, scalability, and empirical validation remain. Future research should focus on addressing these issues and exploring new applications of BA in healthcare SCM.
Design and Evaluation of Virtual Reality Application for Building Information Modelling
Authors: Megat Norziha , Yu QingDong  , Doris Wong Hooi Ten  , Yang LingLing  , Nurazean Maarop  , Hazlifah Mohd Rusli  , Xinyue Lu
Published: January 2025

In the realm of architectural design and construction, the integration of Virtual Reality (VR) with Building Information Modelling (BIM) presents a transformative approach to overcome the inherent limitations of traditional two-dimensional models. This research focuses on enhancing the interactivity and user engagement in BIM through VR technology, offering a dynamic and immersive experience that transcends the spatial constraints of two-dimensional models. Central to these endeavors is the development of a VR application designed specifically for university environments, aiming to augment BIM processes with intuitive functionalities like advanced roaming navigation, district-specific exploration, selective layered displays, and comprehensive measurement tools. By employing the structured Waterfall lifecycle methodology, the project ensures a systematic progression through stages of planning, design, implementation, and testing. The findings from the seven experts who evaluated six aspects of application performance show an average value of 89 percent. This indicates a reasonably excellent degree of user experience. Additionally, the item content validity index shows a value of 0.89, which is considered acceptable. End-user testing, which involved 20 respondents from public university in Hong Kong, received good feedback, mostly above average, and is considered to meet the high standards of usability. Hopefully, this research will bridge the gap between traditional BIM and VR, enhancing educational and professional experiences in universities.
Effect of Work Engagement on Mental Health among Executives at the Companies Commission of Malaysia/ Kesan Penglibatan Kerja Terhadap Kesihatan Mental Dalam Kalangan Eksekutif Di Suruhanjaya Syarikat Malaysia
Authors: Wan Abdullah Wan Mohd Amir , A Rashid Ana Haziqah , A Rashid Yuhanis Khalida
Published: January 2025

The increasing trend in mental health issues has become highly concerning, with the impact being more significant during the post-pandemic COVID-19 period. Numerous studies on mental health have been conducted within the healthcare sector; however, previous research data is insufficient to fully address the issues arising from this increasing trend. This study aims to examine the impact of work engagement on mental health among executives at the Companies Commission of Malaysia. The study involves 468 executives, with a response rate of 45.9%. Work engagement was measured using the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES), and mental health was assessed with the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21). Descriptive and inferential analyses were employed as statistical methods. The results indicate that both work engagement and mental health are at good and normal levels; however, work engagement moderately affects the decline in mental health. This study also details how factors of work engagement influence mental health, albeit to a small extent.
Weakly subnormal subgroups and variations of the Baer–Suzuki theorem
Authors: Guralnick Robert M. , Tong‐Viet Hung P. , Tracey Gareth
Published: January 2025

A subgroup of a finite group is weakly subnormal in if is not subnormal in but it is subnormal in every proper overgroup of in . In this paper, we first classify all finite groups that contains a weakly subnormal ‐subgroup for some prime . We then determine all finite groups containing a cyclic weakly subnormal ‐subgroup. As applications, we prove a number of variations of the Baer–Suzuki theorem using the orders of certain group elements.
Diagonal cubic forms and the large sieve
Authors: Wang Victor Y.
Published: January 2025

Let be the number of integral zeros of . Works of Hooley and Heath‐Brown imply , if one assumes automorphy and grand Riemann hypothesis for certain Hasse–Weil ‐functions. Assuming instead a natural large sieve inequality, we recover the same bound on . This is part of a more general statement, for diagonal cubic forms in variables, where we allow approximations to Hasse–Weil ‐functions.
Effects of New Zealand Black Currant Extract on Exercising Substrate Utilization and Postexercise Blood Pressure in Men and Women
Authors: Cook Matthew David , Shan Yusen , Willems Mark Elisabeth Theodorus
Published: January 2025

New Zealand black currant extract (NZBC) has been shown to increase fat oxidation during exercise and decrease the postexercise blood pressure in men and women. The change in fat oxidation by NZBC has also been shown to be correlated to body composition in men and women. There has never been a comparison of sex responses within the same study. Twenty-two participants (11 men and 11 women, age: 29 ± 8 years, maximal oxygen uptake: 44 ± 9 ml·kg−1·min−1, body fat: 18% ± 6%) had resting blood pressure measured for 2 hr (no exercise). In a double-blind, placebo-controlled (PLA), randomized crossover design, participants completed 1 hr of treadmill exercise at 50% maximal oxygen uptake with expired gas measurement, followed by 2-hr resting blood pressure measurement with 7 days of NZBC or PLA. Average fat oxidation was different between the conditions (NZBC: 0.27 ± 0.11 g/min, PLA: 0.21 ± 0.12 g/min, p < .001), but the response between men and women was not different. When combined, there was no relationship (p > .05) between body fat percentage and change in fat oxidation (r = −.079), with men also demonstrating no relationship (r = −.069), although women did demonstrate a relationship (r = .691, p < .05). In the 2-hr rest, systolic pressure delta change was larger with NZBC than PLA (no exercise vs. NZBC: −5.5 ± 5.4 mmHg vs. no exercise vs. PLA: −2.9 ± 5.1 mmHg, p < .001) but was not different between men and women. A 7-day intake of NZBC extract increases fat oxidation during moderate-intensity exercise and decreases postexercise blood pressure in men and women. The magnitude of change in fat oxidation in women is correlated to body fat percentage.
Discovery of a layered multiferroic compound Cu

1−
x

Mn

1+
y

SiTe
3
with strong magnetoelectric coupling
Authors: De Chandan , Liu Yu , Ayyagari Sai Venkata Gayathri , Zheng Boyang , Kelley Kyle P. , Hazra Sankalpa , He Jingyang , Pawledzio Sylwia , Mali Subin , Guchhait Samaresh , Yoshida Suguru , Guan Yingdong , Lee Seng Huat , Sretenovic Milos , Ke Xianglin , Wang Le , Engelhard Mark H. , Du Yingge , Xie Weiwei , Wang Xiaoping , Crespi Vincent H. , Alem Nasim , Gopalan Venkatraman , Zhang Qiang , Mao Zhiqiang
Published: January 2025

Multiferroic materials host both ferroelectricity and magnetism, offering potential for magnetic memory and spin transistor applications. Here, we report a multiferroic chalcogenide semiconductor Cu
1−x
Mn
1+y
SiTe
3
(0.04 ≤
x
≤ 0.26; 0.03 ≤
y
≤ 0.15), which crystallizes in a polar monoclinic structure (
Pm
space group). It exhibits a canted antiferromagnetic state below 35 kelvin, with magnetic hysteresis and remanent magnetization under 15 kelvin. We demonstrate multiferroicity and strong magnetoelectric coupling through magnetodielectric and magnetocurrent measurements. At 10 kelvin, the magnetically induced electric polarization reaches ~0.8 microcoulombs per square centimeter, comparable to the highest value in oxide multiferroics. We also observe possible room-temperature ferroelectricity. Given that multiferroicity is very rare among transition metal chalcogenides, our finding sets up a unique materials platform for designing multiferroic chalcogenides.
High-dose intravenous BCG vaccination induces enhanced immune signaling in the airways
Authors: Peters Joshua M. , Irvine Edward B. , Makatsa Mohau S. , Rosenberg Jacob M. , Wadsworth Marc H. , Hughes Travis K. , Sutton Matthew S. , Nyquist Sarah K. , Bromley Joshua D. , Mondal Rajib , Roederer Mario , Seder Robert A. , Darrah Patricia A. , Alter Galit , Seshadri Chetan , Flynn JoAnne L. , Shalek Alex K. , Fortune Sarah M. , Bryson Bryan D.
Published: January 2025

Intradermal Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is the most widely administered vaccine, but it does not sufficiently protect adults against pulmonary tuberculosis. Recent studies in nonhuman primates show that intravenous BCG administration offers superior protection against
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
(
Mtb
). We used single-cell analysis of bronchoalveolar lavage cells from rhesus macaques vaccinated via different routes and doses of BCG to identify alterations in the immune ecosystem in the airway following vaccination. Our findings reveal that high-dose intravenous BCG induces an influx of polyfunctional T cells and macrophages in the airways, with alveolar macrophages from high-dose intravenous BCG displaying a basal activation state in the absence of purified protein derivative stimulation, defined in part by interferon signaling. Enhanced intercellular immune signaling and stronger T helper 1–T helper 17 transcriptional responses were observed following purified protein derivative stimulation. These results suggest that high-dose intravenous BCG vaccination creates a specialized immune environment that primes airway cells for effective
Mtb
clearance.
Prevalence and correlates of child labour in five low-income countries: a descriptive study based on UNICEF Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys 6 (MICS6)
Authors: Spencer Nick , Gunnlaugsson Geir , Raman Shanti
Published: January 2025

Background

The Convention on the Rights of the Child states that children need to be protected from ‘any work that is likely to be hazardous or to interfere with the child’s education, or to be harmful to the child’s health or physical, mental, spiritual, moral or social development’. We aimed to determine the prevalence and correlates of child labour in five low-income African countries using the sixth wave of UNICEF Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS6).

Methods

Data on child labour, reported by the household respondent for a randomly selected child (5–17 years), were extracted from MICS6 reports from Chad, Guinea Bissau, Malawi, Sierra Leone and Togo. Prevalence rates were extracted from three categories of child labour (household chores, economic activity and hazardous work) stratified by gender, age, wealth and residence.

Results

140 598 children aged 5–17 years (61.2% 5–11; 22.0% 12–14; 16.8% 15–17) were included in the reports; 59 090 (42%) were engaged in child labour. The highest proportion of child labourers by age was 12–14 years old (61.1%) followed by 15–17 years old (51.1%) and 5–11 years old (36.1%). There were differences between countries, with Chad having the highest proportion of working children. Gender differences in working were limited (43.9% boys vs 40.3% girls); rural children were almost twice as likely to be working compared with urban children (47.5% rural vs 25.6% urban) as were children in the poorest quintile compared with those in the wealthiest quintile (46.9% vs 23.7%). Over a third (35.3%) of working children were exposed to hazardous conditions. Older, male, rural or poor children were over-represented among those in hazardous work.

Conclusions

Almost half of all children in these five sub-Saharan African countries are engaged in labour, of which one-third are in hazardous work. MICS6 surveys do not report on working children’s health; however, working puts their health and development at risk.
Association between phosphate and 30-day in-hospital mortality in paediatric ICU: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Ding Yiyi , Lei Yaqin , Zhu Yufang , Zhang Hongwei , Xiao Yunbin
Published: January 2025

Background

Death rates in the intensive care unit (ICU) and paediatric ICU (PICU) are approximately 10.8% and 9.13%, respectively. Serum phosphate irregularities, such as low or high phosphate levels, significantly impact ICU patient outcomes. However, the connection between serum phosphate concentrations on admission and PICU mortality has not been investigated.

Methods

Information was collected from 12 881 PICU patients at the Children’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, over an 8-year period from 2010 to 2018. The data were retrieved from the PIC database (http://pic.nbscn.org).

Results

A multiple linear regression model was used to assess associations between phosphate and 30-day PICU mortality, finding a significant positive relationship (OR 1.27, 95% CI 1.08 to 1.49). Generalised additive models were also developed, showing a non-linear association between serum phosphate and 30-day PICU mortality. In the two-phase linear regression analysis, the critical point for serum phosphate concentration was identified as 1.2 mmol/L. To the left of this point, serum phosphate levels were inversely correlated (OR 0.2, 95% CI 0.10 to 0.41), whereas to the right, a positive relationship was observed (OR 1.99, 95% CI 1.66 to 2.39).

Conclusions

The findings demonstrated a relationship between serum phosphate levels and 30-day PICU mortality. The relationship was represented by a U-shaped curve. Hypophosphataemia and hyperphosphataemia increased the risk of 30-day PICU death.
A Novel Seat Cushion Cell Structure for Vibration Isolation
Authors: Guo Linchuan , Zhao Yuli , Wang Xu
Published: January 2025

Vehicle seat vibrations significantly affect driver and passenger comfort. This study proposes a 3D-printed seat cushion incorporating a double-diamond cell structure designed for low-frequency vibration isolation. Characterized by quasi-zero stiffness (QZS), this structure was analyzed through analytical and simulation approaches to determine its vibration transmissibility. A machine learning-based response surface method enabled performance prediction and sensitivity analysis of key design parameters, revealing that link element length and spring stiffness most influence peak transmissibility. Unlike previous seat suspension designs focusing on X-shaped suspension supports, this approach provides an efficient means of optimizing the seat cushion’s vibration isolation performance without extensive simulations or complex analytical solutions.
Data-Based Spacecraft Rendezvous Control by SINDy
Authors: Tan Jin , Duan Guang-Ren , Shi Mingming , Li Bin
Published: January 2025

In this paper, we demonstrate a new model identification-based control method for spacecraft rendezvous with limited amount of data of data. We use the method of sparse identification for nonlinear dynamics (SINDy) to identify the high-order nonlinear gravitational acceleration in the motion dynamics of spacecraft rendezvous. The control has a feedforward plus feedback structure. The feedforward control uses the nonlinear functions identified by SINDy to compensate the nonlinear high-order acceleration terms, while the feedback control designed by solving a standard linear quadratic regulator (LQR) problem is used to guarantee the stability of the closed-loop system. Numerical results show the effectiveness of the proposed control scheme for spacecraft rendezvous mission. With few state samplings, the dynamics identified based on SINDy achieve better state prediction performance than Clohessy–Wiltshire (CW) equations and the dynamics identified by BP neural networks. Considering the computation and storage burden brought by the data amount in identification, the proposed method is promising in improving the autonomy of spacecraft in missions with complex and uncertain dynamics environment.
Preparation of TiB2 Coatings on Graphite via Electrophoretic Deposition in NaCl-KCl-AlF3 Molten Salts
Authors: Kou Qian , Ge Chuntao , Sun Liwen , Qi Wenjuan , Xu Junjie , Zhang Jun , Zhu Hongmin , Xiao Saijun , Ye Heng
Published: January 2025

The combination of molten salt synthesis of nanoparticles and electrophoretic deposition of them is a novel method for preparing transition metal boride coatings. Herein, TiB2 nanoparticles were synthesized in NaCl-KCl-AlF3 molten salts and they were electrophoretically deposited on the graphite substrate to form a TiB2 coating in the same molten bath. Through the borothermal reduction reaction in this molten system, TiB2 nanoparticles with a size ranging from 50 to 150 nm were produced. Then, via electrophoretic deposition the prepared TiB2 coating exhibited excellent corrosion resistance to liquid zinc. In the cell voltage of 1.0–1.4 V, the thickness of TiB2 coatings first increased, and then decreased with the rise of voltage and reached a peak value of 28 μm at 1.3 V. The coating prepared at 1.2 V exhibited optimal quality. At a cell voltage of 1.2 V, as the EPD duration increased from 1 to 10 min, the amount of TiB2 deposited on the graphite substrate was linearly related to the total charge consumption, corresponding to 16.6 C for 1 mg of TiB2 deposition. This study offered fundamental guidance for preparing high-quality coatings through the molten salt synthesis and electrophoretic deposition process.
Band Offsets in Sputtered BaTiO3/IGZO and SrTiO3/IGZO Heterojunctions
Authors: Zhang Hongpeng , Huang Tianli , Cao Rongjun , Wang Shaochong , Bo Peng , Wu Jibao , Wang Chen , Jia Renxu , Zhang Yuming , Chen Chengying , Zhang Hongyi
Published: January 2025

Combining perovskite oxides (BaTiO3 and SrTiO3) with indium-gallium-zinc-oxide (IGZO) has great potential for developing thin film transistors (TFT) due to the ferroelectricity, extreme permittivity and promotion for gate-controlled ability and surface passivation. In this work, the heterojunction of BaTiO3/IGZO and SrTiO3/IGZO were prepared on sapphire by magnetron sputtering. The surface morphologies, crystalline structures, chemical compositions, and the band alignments of the deposited films and related heterojunctions were investigated. The BaTiO3, SrTiO3, IGZO films exhibited a smooth surface, decent film quality, and low oxygen vacancies. The valence band offset (ΔE

v
) of BaTiO3/IGZO, SrTiO3/IGZO was determined to be 0.22 ± 0.03 eV, 0.16 ± 0.05 eV, respectively, using the Ga 2p3/2, Zn 2p3/2, and In 3d5/2 energy levels as references. It was found that BaTiO3/IGZO form a straddling type I alignment with a conduction band offset (ΔE

c
) of 0.17 ± 0.03 eV, and SrTiO3/IGZO form a staggered type II alignment with a ΔE

c
of −0.36 ± 0.04 eV. These results demonstrate that the feasible formation of BaTiO3/IGZO and SrTiO3/IGZO heterojunctions with smooth surface and decent quality, and BaTiO3 could play important role in surface passivation and electron confinement for IGZO TFTs, which is important for design IGZO/ferroelectric heterojunction multifunctional devices.