bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Immune Checkpoint Molecules as Biomarkers of Staphylococcus aureus Bone Infection and Clinical Outcome
Authors: Saito Motoo , McDonald Katya A , Grier Alexander K , Meghwani Himanshu , Rangel-Moreno Javier , Becerril-Villanueva Enrique , Gamboa-Dominguez Armando , Bruno Jennifer , Beck Christopher A , Proctor Richard A , Kates Stephen L , Schwarz Edward M , Muthukrishnan Gowrishankar
Published: January 2025

Staphylococcus aureus prosthetic joint infections (PJIs) are broadly considered incurable, and clinical diagnostics that guide conservative vs. aggressive surgical treatments do not exist. Multi-omics studies in a humanized NSG-SGM3 BLT mouse model demonstrate human T cells: 1) are remarkably heterogenous in gene expression and numbers, and 2) exist as a mixed population of activated, progenitor-exhausted, and terminally-exhausted Th1/Th17 cells with increased expression of immune checkpoint proteins (LAG3, TIM-3). Importantly, these proteins are upregulated in the serum and the bone marrow of S. aureus PJI patients. A multiparametric nomogram combining high serum immune checkpoint protein levels with low proinflammatory cytokine levels (IFNg, IL-2, TNFa, IL-17) revealed that TIM-3 was highly predictive of adverse disease outcomes (AUC=0.89). Hence, T cell impairment in the form of immune checkpoint expression and exhaustion could be a functional biomarker for S. aureus PJI disease outcome, and blockade of checkpoint proteins could potentially improve outcomes following surgery.
Introducing and Evaluating the Patient Report Template for AI-Powered Nursing Handoffs
Authors: Vald Gabriel , Sermet Yusuf , Chi Nai-Ching , Demir Ibrahim
Published: January 2025

This study evaluates the effectiveness of the Patient Report Template (PRT) in addressing inefficiencies in nursing workflows related to electronic health records (EHRs) and clinical decision support systems. The PRT aims to streamline patient handoffs, reduce charting time, enhance direct care hours, and improve patient safety. A survey was sent to 2,118 nurses at the University of Iowa Health Care System in order to gather feedback, with 106 participants electing to assess the perceived usefulness of the PRT components and their attitudes toward integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into clinical documentation. Participants rated sections of the PRT, including Patient Profile, Review of Systems, and Safety, on a five-point Likert scale, with most components receiving high ratings for usefulness. Comfort and trust in AI were notably low, though respondents acknowledged the potential utility of AI-generated reports. The findings highlight the PRT’s potential to reduce cognitive load, improve information consistency during handoffs, and address EHR-related challenges. Future work will involve implementing the PRT in real-world clinical settings to validate its utility & accuracy and to explore its adaptability across specialized nursing units.

What is known

Electronic health records and clinical decision support systems carry burdens associated with data retrieval and entry, as well as introduce more friction to clinical workflow.

Electronic health record data is vast; free text clinical notes are abundant and underused.

While crucial for care continuity, handoffs often lack standardization and thus are prone to information loss and safety risks.

What this paper adds

Creation and feedback on a clinical decision support template which aims to reduce pain points associated with charting.

Feedback from 106 University of Iowa Health Care nurses about what they would and would not find useful in a patient handoff report.

Pathway to further usability and accuracy testing for reports which make use of items from the patient report template.
Wavefront estimation through structured detection in laser scanning microscopy
Authors: Fersini Francesco , Zunino Alessandro , Morerio Pietro , Baldini Francesca , Booth Martin J. , Del Bue Alessio , Vicidomini Giuseppe
Published: January 2025

Laser scanning microscopy (LSM) is the base of numerous advanced imaging techniques, including confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), a widely used tool in life sciences research. However, its effective resolution is often compromised by optical aberrations, a common challenge in all optical systems. While adaptive optics (AO) can correct these aberrations, current methods face significant limitations: Aberration estimation, which is central to any AO approach, typically requires specialized hardware or prolonged sample exposure, rendering these methods sample-invasive, and less user-friendly. In this study, we introduce a simple and efficient AO approach for CLSM systems equipped with a detector array – the same of super-resolved image-scanning microscopy – and an AO element for beam shaping. We demonstrate that imaging datasets acquired with a detector array inherently encode aberration information. Leveraging this property, we developed a custom convolutional neural network capable of decoding aberrations, up to the 11thZernike coefficient, directly from a single acquisition. This method enables a new generation of AO implementations for LSM, offering an accessible solution that minimizes sample stress while achieving high-resolution, and aberration-free imaging.
Empathi: Embedding-based Phage Protein Annotation Tool by Hierarchical Assignment
Authors: Boulay Alexandre , Leprince Audrey , Enault François , Rousseau Elsa , Galiez Clovis
Published: January 2025

Bacteriophages, viruses infecting bacteria, are estimated to outnumber their cellular hosts by 10-fold, acting as key players in all microbial ecosystems. Under evolutionary pressure by their host, they evolve rapidly and encode a large diversity of protein sequences. Consequently, the majority of functions carried by phage proteins remain elusive. Current tools to comprehensively identify phage protein functions from their sequence either lack sensitivity (those relying on homology for instance) or specificity (assigning a single coarse grain function to a protein). Here, we introduce Empathi, a protein-embedding-based classifier that assigns functions in a hierarchical manner – from general functional categories such as “structural” and “DNA-associated” proteins to more specific ones including “nucleases”, “tail appendages” and “endolysins” to name only a few. These categories were specifically tailored for phage protein functions and organized such that molecular-level functions are respected in each category, making it well suited for training machine learning classifiers based on protein embeddings. We show on a dataset of cultured phage genomes that Empathi significantly outperforms homology-based methods, tripling the number of annotated homologous groups. On the EnVhog database, the most recent and extensive database of metagenomically-sourced phage proteins, Empathi doubled the annotated fraction of protein families from 16% to 33%. On complete genomes taken from new viromes, almost twice as many proteins are annotated using our method, predictions are consistent when compared to existing tools and Empathi predictions are highly colocalized. In addition, by leveraging Empathi’s ability to assign multiple labels to the same protein, it is possible to identify multifunctional proteins such as virion-associated lysins. Having a more global view of the repertoire of functions a phage possesses will assuredly help to understand them and their interactions with bacteria better.
Cell-type specific profiling of human entorhinal cortex at the onset of Alzheimer’s disease neuropathology
Authors: Rodriguez-Rodriguez Patricia , Wang Wei , Tsagkogianni Christina , Feng Irena , Morello-Megias Ana , Jain Kaahini , Alanko Vilma , Kahvecioglu Han-Ali , Mohammadi Elyas , Li Xiaofei , Flajolet Marc , Sandebring-Matton Anna , Maioli Silvia , Vidal Noemi , Milosevic Ana , Roussarie Jean-Pierre
Published: January 2025

Neurons located in layer II of the entorhinal cortex (ECII) are the primary site of pathological tau accumulation and neurodegeneration at preclinical stages of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Exploring the alterations that underlie the early degeneration of these cells is essential to develop therapies that curb the disease before symptom onset. Here we performed cell-type specific profiling of human EC at the onset of AD neuropathology. We identify an early response to amyloid pathology by microglia and oligodendrocytes. Importantly, we provide the first insight into neuronal alterations that coincide with incipient tau pathology: the signaling pathway for Reelin, recently shown to be a major AD resilience gene is dysregulated in ECII neurons, while the secreted synaptic organizer molecules NPTX2 and CBLN4, emerging AD biomarkers, are downregulated in surrounding neurons. By uncovering the complex multicellular landscape of EC at these early AD stages, this study paves the way for detailed characterization of the mechanisms governing NFT formation and opens long-needed novel therapeutic avenues.
Urban Wastewater as Environmental Reservoirs of Multidrug-resistance Enterobacteriaceae during the COVID-19 Pandemic in India
Authors: Qamar Hina , Hussain Touseef , Javed Saadbin
Published: January 2025

Secondary bacterial infections have been associated with COVID-19, leading to increased antibiotic consumption and exacerbating the phenomenon of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The present study evaluated the prevalence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Enterobacteriaceae (specifically Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae) in wastewater collected from three different Western Uttar Pradesh (WUP) zones during the pandemic. A total of 150 isolates were identified both biochemically and using VITEK-2. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was achieved using the disc diffusion method. Of the 150 isolates, Escherichia Coli (E. coli) (62%) was the predominant bacterial species, followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae) (24%), other Enterobacteriaceae (8%) and a mixed population of bacterial isolates (6%). Also, 74% of the isolates were resistant to one or more antibiotic classes. A high percentage of MDR was detected in E. coli (57.14%), followed by K. pneumoniae (28.57%). However, compared to E. coli, the MDR prevalence of K. pneumoniae in different zones was significant (p-value=0.0081). Of the total isolates, 79.3% were extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL)-producers. The resistance to ESBL in E. coli was higher than in K. pneumoniae. The highest resistance was observed against penicillin, cephalosporin, quinolone, and fluoroquinolone. Notably, two K. pneumoniae isolates and Pantoea agglomerans showed resistance to all antibiotics tested, including colistin. To our knowledge, this is the first study performed in the Indian WUP region during COVID-19. Resistance to colistin and the multidrug resistance observed in the current study is a cause for concern due to the constant exposure of people to polluted waters in India, especially within resource-limited environments. The study calls for further studies to understand the full extent of the problem and implement mitigation measures.
Dynamic connectedness, hedge and safe-haven effects: cryptocurrencies, precious metals and African stock markets
Authors: Korsah David , Mensah Lord , Osei Kofi Achampong , Amewu Godfred
Published: January 2025

Purpose

This study seeks to: (1) examine the extent of interconnectedness prevailing between the cryptocurrency market, the stock market and the precious metals market. (2) Conduct thorough assessment of hedge and safe-haven qualities of broad range of precious metals and cryptocurrencies against returns on the African stock market.

Design/methodology/approach

This study applied two novel approaches that is Cross-quantilogram, an advanced statistical technique used to examine the relationship between quantiles of response variable and the quantiles of predictor variables, and TVP-VAR, a technique that captures the dynamic connectedness of variables under consideration.

Findings

It was found that the three markets are highly interconnected, particularly among assets under the respective financial markets. It was further revealed that the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) was the most resilient stock market, whereas Bitcoin, BNB, Silver (XAG) and Platinum (XPT) also exhibited notable resistance to shocks. Finally, the study found that cryptocurrencies and precious metals portrayed varying hedge and safe haven qualities under the various stock markets.

Practical implications

The high interdependency between the African stock market, cryptocurrencies and precious metals suggests that none of the markets is immune to shocks form the other market. The finding that cryptocurrencies and precious metals exhibit some degree of safe-haven and hedge potentials, albeit limited in certain stock markets, provides investors with alternative investment options during market downturns. Since most African stock markets, except the JSE, are net receivers of shocks, investors in these markets should exercise caution during periods of global financial uncertainty.

Originality/value

To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to explore the dynamic interconnectedness between seven carefully selected African stock markets, three distinct cryptocurrencies and four precious metals, while also assessing the hedge and safe-haven potential of the cryptocurrencies and precious metals against stock market returns. Additionally, the study stands out in recent literature by employing two novel approaches: the TVP-VAR model, which captures the dynamic connectedness among variables, and the Cross-Quantilogram, an advanced statistical method that analyzes the relationship between the quantiles of the response and predictor variables, all within a single study.
Service robot–employee task allocation strategies: well-being within the intrusion challenge
Authors: Phillips Chelsea , Odekerken-Schröder Gaby , Russell-Bennett Rebekah , Steins Mark , Mahr Dominik , Letheren Kate
Published: January 2025

Purpose

Previous research has not considered the impact on human frontline employees (FLEs) of altered employee–customer relationships in the presence of a service robot (i.e. an intrusion challenge), nor how FLEs may respond. The purpose of this study is to explore the task allocation strategies by human frontline employees’ (FLE) work well-being responses within the intrusion challenge.

Design/methodology/approach

This study employs a mixed-method approach, whereby an in-depth qualitative study (Study 1, n = 15) is followed by a quantitative field study (Study 2, n = 81).

Findings

Results indicate that FLEs experience the intrusion challenge, impacting social, purpose, physical and community well-being. Study 1 reveals that while service robots trigger this challenge, FLEs use them for task allocation to maintain their initial work well-being state. Study 2 shows that using robots instead of colleagues positively affects FLE work well-being.

Practical implications

Service robots, as a task allocation strategy by FLEs, can be used to empower FLEs by assisting them to preserve their work well-being within the intrusion challenge.

Originality/value

This study is one of the first to involve FLEs from a live service robot site, where data is based on personal lived experiences rather than anticipated experiences. This is the first study to investigate how FLEs respond to the intrusion challenge.
Dynamic selection of cooperative partners of agricultural science and technology industry-university-research system based on field theory
Authors: Zhang Yanwei , Lu Xinhai , Li Jinqiu , Lin Chaoran
Published: January 2025

Purpose

Agricultural science and technology (AST) often need the form of industry-university-research cooperation in successfully completing breakthrough agricultural technology innovations. Therefore, AST industry-university-research cooperation is not only the need of the AST development strategy in China but also the only way for the development of agricultural colleges and universities, agricultural scientific research institutions and agricultural enterprises. Among them, in the process of cooperative breakthrough agricultural technology innovation, the correct selection of partners is the basis for ensuring its effective operation.

Design/methodology/approach

Aiming at the time-series characteristics and information ambiguity of decision information in the dynamic selection process of AST industry-university-research partners, this research introduces the dynamic intuitionistic fuzzy multi-criteria decision-making method of time degree and orthogonal projection. On this basis, field theory is used to construct the cooperative innovation capability field model of the partners, and the threshold for the partners to enter or exit the system is designed to dynamically select and eliminate the partners.

Findings

Results show that this method fully considers the situation of cooperative innovation resources within the AST industry-university-research system and the resource complementarity of candidate partners.

Originality/value

Combined with examples from agricultural scientific research institutions, the applicability and superiority of the model are verified.
Osimertinib for EGFR‐Mutant NSCLC Patients With Acquired T790M and EGFR Amplification After First‐Generation EGFR‐TKI Resistance
Authors: Zhang Yidan , Xu Yingqi , Xu Jianlin , Zhong Hua , Xia Jinjing , Zhong Runbo
Published: January 2025

Third‐generation epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR‐TKI) is the standard therapy for patients harboring T790M after first‐generation EGFR‐TKI resistance. However, the impact of acquired EGFR amplification on the efficacy of third‐generation EGFR‐TKI against T790M remains uncertain. We aimed to investigate whether the presence of acquired EGFR amplification after first‐generation EGFR‐TKI resistance influences the efficacy of third‐generation EGFR‐TKI in patients with advanced non‐small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We reviewed data from 275 advanced NSCLC patients harboring T790M after first‐generation EGFR‐TKI resistance. Patients were categorized into two groups based on the presence or absence of acquired EGFR amplification identified through next‐generation sequencing (NGS) after first‐line EGFR‐TKI treatment. We evaluated the efficacy of osimertinib used as a second‐line treatment. Among these patients, 59 exhibited acquired EGFR amplification, while 216 did not. The median progression‐free survival (PFS) was 12.20 months in the EGFR amplification group and 12.03 months in the non‐amplification group (p = 0.011), with median overall survival (OS) of 33.90 months and 23.30 months, respectively (p = 0.164). Multivariate analysis of PFS revealed that acquired EGFR amplification and EGFR 19del were independent prognostic factors for patients with T790M undergoing osimertinib. Additionally, subgroup analysis indicated a prolonged PFS in patients with EGFR 19del compared to those with EGFR 21L858R (p = 0.034) in the EGFR amplification group. Following first‐generation EGFR‐TKI resistance, advanced EGFR‐mutant NSCLC patients harboring both acquired T790M and EGFR amplification are likely to experience enhanced PFS with osimertinib. This phenomenon is particularly noteworthy among individuals with EGFR 19del.
The Continuity‐Contiguity Problem in Fragmentation‐Biodiversity Research
Authors: Dennis M. , Huck J. J.
Published: January 2025

A primary question for researchers in the field of conservation science concerns the fragmentation of biodiversity‐supporting habitat. Key debates revolve around the relevance of habitat composition and configuration for conservation outcomes. Central to this debate is the measurement and delineation of the habitat patch, which informs fragmentation‐related metrics and their evaluation. Despite the need to quantify and model habitat fragmentation, the habitat patch concept itself has been subject to criticism concerning its ability to adequately reflect the heterogeneity of resource distributions in complex landscapes. In this paper, we present the continuity‐contiguity problem, which is one of the fundamental challenges related to the delineation of habitat in space, and discuss its implications for fragmentation‐biodiversity research. We outline the potential contribution of recent developments in spatial‐ecological methods and the leveraging of uncertainty in the modelling process to address four common issues related to the habitat patch concept: the gap‐crossing problem, the need for multi‐variate habitat delineation, the delineation of interior‐edge transitions and the need to parameterise habitat as both a discrete and continuous spatial entity. We conclude with several recommendations for studies on fragmentation‐biodiversity outcomes where the continuity‐contiguity problem may influence the research process.
“Electrohydrodynamic Drying: A Comprehensive Review of Design Considerations and Quality Effects on Dried Fruits and Vegetables”
Authors: Prakasha R. , Vinay G. M. , Pandey H. , Bhoi Paresh M.
Published: January 2025

Electrohydrodynamic (EHD) drying, an emerging non‐thermal technology, gains favor for its simple construction, energy efficiency, and superior dried product quality. Operating at ambient temperature, it preserves a product's original characteristics. This study delves into EHD drying's mechanism, electrode selection, and design considerations, emphasizing its impact on vitamins, color, and bioactive compounds in fruits and vegetables. A comparative analysis with traditional and innovative drying methods is included, exploring combined and EHD‐assisted techniques for improved organoleptic and nutritional qualities. While, currently it is limited to lab‐scale, scaling up EHD drying holds promise for ensuring nutritional security, with considerations on various limiting factors and future potential.
“When you leave out the door”: The streets, Medicaid, and boundary spaces of healthcare in urban poverty
Authors: Ziv Tali
Published: January 2025

Attending closely to the lived experiences of people moving in and out of Medicaid‐funded institutions, I argue that “the streets” are critical to understanding healthcare in US urban poverty. Exploring the relationship between “the streets” and Medicaid‐funded institutions, this essay asks: How does the relationship between “the streets”—and in the words of my research interlocutors—“life on the other side” shape life in Medicaid‐funded institutions in the Northeast US city? How do the social and symbolic conditions of this relationship—conditions structured by anti‐Blackness—formulate the human in urban poverty? By joining Medicaid‐funded institutions together as a broader health‐governing network, I demonstrate how these institutions become boundary spaces that reveal the socially and symbolically interdependent worlds of “the streets” and life off them. Ultimately, this essay argues that “the streets” contain the social and symbolic conditions that dehumanize the poor through the logics of anti‐Blackness, thus defining the terms of humanization that Medicaid‐funded institutions afford.
Identifying Settler Colonial Determinants of Indigenous Health Within the United States: A Discursive Paper
Authors: Thomas Nicole A. , Ersig Anne L. , Nelson Lonnie A , Owen Brenda , Whyte Kyle Powys , Wispelwey Bram , Bratzke Lisa C.
Published: January 2025

Aim(s)

This discursive article aims to examine how systemic factors (both) reproduce the structure of settler colonialism and influence health outcomes among Indigenous peoples in the United States through settler colonial determinants of Indigenous health (SCDoIH).

Design

Discursive paper.

Methods

This discursive paper demonstrates how settler colonialism and health relate to each other within a nursing context. The concept of settler colonialism that was consolidated into a scholarly field beginning in the late 1990s is used to identify and contextualize SCDoIH for individuals residing in the United States as an entry point to advance scholarship on settler colonialism and nursing.

Results

A research framework that identifies factors of settler colonialism and SCDoIH within the United States is presented.

Conclusion

The structure of settler colonialism in the United States includes settler colonial determinants of health for Indigenous populations that have detrimental effects on health outcomes.

Implications for Nursing

To provide holistic nursing care, nurses must be aware of settler colonialism as a determinant of health. Nurses providing care to Indigenous peoples need to be attuned to the pathways and processes through which settler colonialism leads to exposures that may affect their patients’ health.
Redesigning Course Improvement Plan; A Case Study Based-on Learning Outcomes in Engineering Education
Authors: Yildirim Semih , Baur Stuart
Published: January 2025

Accreditation of engineering programs requires continuous improvement, and a course improvement plan helps accomplish this aim. Student-centered course design components for a particular course in the architectural engineering program is developed at Missouri University of Science and Technology. Method definition is developed and learning objectives, instruction types, and assessment tools are concluded with learning outcomes. Created course improvement plan meets the accreditation requirements partially. Learning outcomes are studied by the help of Bloom’s Taxonomy. Instruction types include traditional lecture learning environment and problem-based learning environment. Content priorities are also help to conclude targeted learning outcomes. Success of proposed curriculum development is measured by survey and the results are used to create course blueprint and assessment matrix. The curriculum for the mentioned course in the case study results in transitioning from the existing learning environment to the desired learning environment which can be used as a sample for similar courses.
Assessing the Reliability and Validity of a Survey Questionnaire for Online Laboratory Courses in Mechanical Engineering Programs
Authors: Yusoff Noriah , Abd Razak Azli , Mohd Abbas Norliana
Published: January 2025

In Mechanical Engineering academic program, the laboratory courses were conventionally hands-on nature that requires access to specialized equipment for practical learning experience purposes. However, immediate execution of Open and Distance Learning (ODL) during the global pandemic of COVID-19 has shaped new phenomena in teaching and learning including the laboratory courses. Assessment of the potential to continue with the online approach for the laboratory courses for better accessibility, flexibility, safety, and cost-effectiveness is necessary. This study aims to assess the validity and reliability of the designed survey questionnaires in investigating the suitability of conducting Mechanical Engineering laboratory courses in tertiary education via ODL method.  The laboratory courses in Mechanical Engineering programs are diverse, each focusing on different areas of the discipline such as Manufacturing Process, Engineering Workshops, Applied Mechanics, Computer Aided Design and Thermofluids.  However, the question was designed to suit all the laboratory courses offered by the program. Three domains of online delivery were investigated, the course delivery method, the assessment method, and suitability of the online delivery method. The reliability and validity of the survey questionnaire were assessed through a pilot test with a minimum of thirty respondents by using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Cronbach Alpha (CA). The analysis is done by deploying the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software.  The analysis results indicate the survey questionnaires are reliable and valid, the Cronbach Alpha value of 0.928 and Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) index of 0.81. Thus, the survey questionnaires can be disseminated at large for the actual data collection purposes.
Workshop Development for New Frontier of Mechatronics for Mobility, Energy, and Production Engineering
Authors: Chen Jimmy Ching-Ming , Liao Gene Y. , Lo Roger C. , Shankar Praveen
Published: January 2025

Mechatronics is a multidisciplinary engineering field that integrates mechanics, electronics, control theory, computer science, communications, power, and production manufacturing, reflecting the trend toward deep cross-disciplinary collaboration. With applications in e-mobility, connected and autonomous vehicles (CAV), robotics, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), the expanding mechatronics industry demands a workforce with broad, multidisciplinary training. This paper details the activities and outcomes of an NSF-funded ECR: PEER (EHR Core Research: Production Engineering Education and Research) project, which organized two workshops at Wayne State University (WSU) and California State University Long Beach (CSULB). These workshops aimed to gather insights from experts across academia, industry, and non-profit sectors to shape the future of mechatronics education and production. Over two days, professionals addressed challenges in workforce development for production engineering in mechatronics, covering educational pathways, advancements in teaching methods, and the social impacts of mechatronics technology. The workshops had distinct focuses: WSU concentrated on ground mobility technologies, while CSULB emphasized aerospace applications. A survey conducted at the end of the workshops evaluated their effectiveness, with the results informing future improvements in mechatronics workforce education.
A Study on the Gap Between the Competencies of Industrial Engineering Undergraduate Students and the Competency Requirements of the Job Market in Indonesia
Authors: Hisjam Muhammad , Zain Elza Naomi Alifah , Laksono Pringgo Widyo
Published: January 2025

This study examines the gap between industry expectations in Indonesia and the current competencies of undergraduate Industrial Engineering students at Universitas Sebelas Maret. The findings of this study can serve as a guideline for improving the existing Industrial Engineering program at Universitas Sebelas Maret. The research employs web scraping methods to identify appropriate indicators for assessing competency requirements in Indonesia's industrial sector. The curriculum expert team of Industrial Engineering at Universitas Sebelas Maret reviewed these indicators. Thirty-one competency performance indicators were adopted and distributed via questionnaires to 33 industry employees and 91 Industrial Engineering students from Universitas Sebelas Maret to rate the competency indicators on a scale of 1-5. We collected data and analyzed it to determine the gap between industry expectations and the current competencies of the students. The results show a significant gap between the competencies of undergraduate Industrial Engineering students at Universitas Sebelas Maret and the demands of the industry in Indonesia across all analyzed variables. The competencies with the highest gap are in the variables of Information & Communication, with a gap value of 436.8. The Information & Communication variable relates to the scope of technical skills, information system design, and programming. Conversely, we found the lowest gap in the management variable, with a gap value of 261.6. These variables are cost analysis, organizational management, marketing, and product innovation, which indicate that student competencies in this area are closer to industry expectations. This study highlights the urgent need for curriculum adjustments better to align student competencies with Indonesia's industrial sector demands.
Empowering Educators Through Technology-Enhanced Cooperative Problem-based Learning (TE-CPBL)
Authors: Azizan Mohammad Tazli , Liau Brandon , Mohamad Tuah Nik Nik Ani Afiqah
Published: January 2025

In today’s fast-changing educational landscape, there is a need for teaching approaches that combine technology with active, student-centered learning. This study examines how Technology-Enhanced Cooperative Problem-Based Learning (TE-CPBL) workshops can transform educators’ teaching practices. Based on constructivist learning theory, the research explores how TE-CPBL training impacts teaching strategies. Using qualitative methods, data were collected through reflective journals and post-workshop surveys from educators who attended the workshops. The findings highlight significant improvements in teaching approaches, including increased confidence in using tools like Canva and ChatGPT, better integration of technology into pedagogy, and a stronger focus on student-centered learning. While participants faced challenges such as time constraints and limited institutional support, they reported greater teaching effectiveness and motivation to apply TE-CPBL strategies. This study emphasizes the importance of constructivist-based professional development in helping educators adopt innovative practices to meet modern educational needs.
Comparison of Compressive Strength and Water Absorption Characteristics of Cement stabilized Earth Blocks Reinforced with Banana and Jute fibers
Authors: Akash Ray  , Hossain Sajid , Minhaj Ul Islam  , Rafia Islam  , Anika Anjum Biva  , Ishrat Jahan Shatu  , S.M. Farhana Iqbal
Published: January 2025

This paper discusses the influence of textile fiber reinforcement with concrete materials for evaluating the mechanical property and water absorption of banana and jute fiber reinforced conventional sand block for calculating the suitability in affordable and environment friendly construction material production. The experimental design was completely randomized with three categories like treated earth block, untreated earth block and clay brick. The treated blocks were representing 47.4 MPa Compressive strength whereas an untreated block was represented as on average 14.2 MPa. Meanwhile, the untreated earth block result is 15.5% and clay brick result is 19.2% which is maximum for the water absorption test. It was identified from the study that the water absorption rate must remain below 22% to guarantee the material's longevity. This experimental work study was found that the comparison between blocks with no fiber reinforcement and blocks with banana and jute reinforcement which can include extra compressive strength and water absorbency as per Bangladesh Standards & Testing Institute (BSTI). It was found that the difference in properties of a block by adding banana and jute fibers in the conventional sand blocks. These efforts were necessary to ensure the environment friendly technology of textile reinforced concrete gets widely accepted for building affordable and durable constructions.
Harnessing the Potentialities of Probiotics, Prebiotics and Synbiotics Application for Agriculture Industry: A Mini Review
Authors: Zailani Siti Zulaiha , Abd Rahim Nurin Syakirah , Ramli Aizi Nor Mazila
Published: January 2025

The agricultural industry significantly drives global economic growth. However, the undeniable impacts of intensive use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and intensified farming practices contribute to soil erosion. Synbiotics, a combination of prebiotic and probiotic offer an alternative approach to preserve and improve the quality of soil. The main objective of this review is to provide comprehensive overview of the application of the synbiotic approach to the productivity of the agriculture. The review covers soil fertility factors, as well as the roles of synbiotic, prebiotic and probiotic in enhancing the growth of plant in agriculture. Biofertilizers, consisting of organic matter and beneficial microbes, establish a symbiotic relationship with plants, enhancing both soil health and plant growth. The combination of probiotic and prebiotic can generate high production of agriculture yield.
Total Phenolic, Total Flavonoid and Antioxidant Activity of Capsicum annuum Seed and Pericarp Extracts
Authors: Ab Rahman Muhammad Hafiz , Mohd Jusoh Yanti Maslina , Hashim Zanariah
Published: January 2025

Capsicum annuum, a type of chilli, is a species that is extensively grown, a good source of bioactive chemicals, and an important component of diets that promotes health. Waste seeds from chilli processing have the potential to be used as an alternative source for antioxidants due to their chemical compositions, however, C. annuum seeds are still poorly studied.  Thus, this study was carried out to evaluate the differences between C. annuum pericarp and seed extracts in terms of total phenolic and flavonoid contents and antioxidant activity. Antioxidant activity was measured using DPPH free radical scavenging assay. The pericarp extract exhibited a higher level of total phenolics (31.26 ± 6.71 μg GAE/mg dry weight) compared to the seeds (26.76 ± 2.08 μg GAE/mg dry weight) albeit not statistically significant. Similarly, a higher total flavonoid content was observed in the pericarp compared with the seed extract (21.65 ± 1.13 vs. 16.43 ± 0.37 μg QE/mg dry weight, p < 0.05).   As a result, in comparison to the seed extract, the pericarp extract likewise demonstrated a greater DPPH radical scavenging activity. Despite having lower levels of total phenolics, total flavonoids, and DPPH scavenging activity than the pericarp, the seed extract is nevertheless significant and may be used as a substitute source of phenolics or other compounds rather than being thrown away as waste. This study promotes sustainability and the conversion of waste product into valuable resources of that may be used in the nutraceutical, pharmaceutical and food industry.
Multimodal RAG Analysis of Product Datasheet
Authors: Lau David , Narayana Samy Ganthan , Abdul Rahim Dr. Fiza , Maarop Nurazean , Selvananthan Mahiswaran , Ali Mazlan , Perumal Sundresan
Published: January 2025

Large language models such as ChatGPT serves as multipurpose chatbot that can provide information across diverse disciplines. However, in order to generate timely and accurate response, retrieval-augmented generation method has been devised to enhance the response of these models. The release of vision models has paved the way for practitioners to perform multimodal retrieval augmented generation on documents that commonly consist of a combination of text, images and tables. Hence, this method is explored to analyze a product datasheet and match it with minimum specification required by potential clients. It is demonstrated that multimodal retrieval augmented generation performed better compared to basic retrieval augmented generation that did not consider the information contained in image and table specifically. While the performance of this method still lagged behind the commercially available GPT-4o, information is not exchanged with any external parties which could potentially address any privacy issue with regards to highly sensitive information. The incorporation of various best practices in this domain as highlighted in other studies can potentially improve the output generation of this method toward matching or exceeding the performance of commercially available tools.
Smart Cities Unleashed: Leveraging IoT and Big Data for Urban Advancement
Authors: Ying Chiam Jia , MOHD SAM SURIANI , Mohamed Norliza , Abas Hafiza
Published: January 2025

The implementation of Internet of Things (IoT) and Big Data Technology has facilitated the development of Smart Cities. IoT collects data through sensors and actuators from different sources, such as smart devices, wearables, infrastructure, vehicle and so on, are tightly coupled with the usage of big data analysis to generate significant insights. This paper first introduces the reason for the emergence of smart cities, following with the concept overview of IoT, big data and smart cities. In addition, the following reviewing different frameworks proposed to implement IoT and big data in various domains.
2022 Rapid KL Bus Accident Analysis and Insights for Improved Safety and Operational Efficiency
Authors: Mohd Ghazi Ahmad Fauzan Bin , Ya'acob Suraya binti , Mazlan Siti Mariam binti , Supian Shaari Nurlaili Balqis binti
Published: January 2025

Rapid KL operates one of Malaysia's most extensive public transportation networks, facing challenges in ensuring passenger safety and minimizing operational disruptions. In 2022, multiple bus accidents resulted in injuries, fatalities, and significant financial losses. This study analyzes accident data from that year to identify high-risk routes, assess contributing factors like road conditions and driver behavior, and evaluate financial impacts. Using Tableau for visual analytics, this research uncovers critical patterns, providing actionable recommendations such as targeted driver training and route-specific interventions to enhance safety measures, optimize route management, and improve operational efficiency.
Aplication of Data Mining for Predictive Analysis of Energy Consumption In Urban Areas for Smart City Development
Authors: Maulindar Joni , Guterres Juvinal Ximenes , Kurniawati Deborah
Published: January 2025

The increasing energy consumption issues in urban areas demand innovative solutions for more efficient and sustainable energy management. This study, conducted in Sukoharjo, Central Java, Indonesia, aims to develop a predictive analysis model for urban energy consumption using data mining techniques within the context of Smart City development. The research method involves collecting and cleaning data from IoT sensors, smart meters, and historical data, followed by the application of clustering techniques, regression, and Random Forest prediction algorithms to build the prediction model. The results indicate that factors such as energy rates, location, time, type of energy users, population density, historical energy consumption, and environmental temperature play significant roles in influencing energy consumption. The predictive model developed using Random Forest performs well, with a Mean Absolute Error (MAE) of 579.10 and a Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) of 659.71, indicating the model's accuracy in predicting energy consumption. Feature analysis shows that energy rates, district location, and time have the highest importance levels in the prediction model. This research provides valuable insights for energy policy planning in major cities and contributes to the development of more efficient and environmentally friendly Smart Cities.
Am I a Good Lecturer? An Exploratory Analysis of Undergraduate Student’s Perception of Lecturers’ Effectiveness
Authors: Noor Hisham Alia Sofea , Ruzman Haifa Nasuha , Mohd Noor Nurul Hidayana
Published: January 2025

Often, lecturers feel they have done what they should have done as educators, while some lecturers need formal education in the science of teaching and learning. Sometimes the skill element needs to be emphasised by the lecturers. Lecturers must be competent in explaining lessons, relating current issues, using problem-solving techniques, and questioning students to see their understanding. As for the ICT skills element, lecturers must be proficient in using gadgets and applications, Internet searches, social networks, and other technologies for teaching purposes. For interpersonal and intrapersonal skills, lecturers need to understand their abilities, motivate themselves, and know their weaknesses. This study's objective is to examine the influence of teaching and learning technology, lecturer character, and supporting facility on lecturer’s teaching effectiveness based on student perception. Employing a systematic sampling, 271  undergraduate students in Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Seremban, Negeri Sembilan, were selected as a sample. The study's implications are helpful for lecturers to practice those skill elements to make them more excellent in the teaching and learning process. The study's design is to use a descriptive survey method, and data were analysed using Pearson correlation and multiple regression. The study also found significant relationships between teaching and learning technology, lecturer character, supporting facility, and lecturer’s teaching effectiveness. Moreover, the lecturer's character was revealed as the most significant predictor. Several suggestions have been made to prepare oneself to become a dynamic educator.
A Case Study: Innovation of Technology for Prototyping an Aquaponic Mobile Starter Pack in The TVET Syllabus Use Design Development & Research (DDR)/ Kajian Kes: Inovasi Teknologi untuk Memprototaip Pek Permulaan Mudah Alih Aquaponik dalam Sukatan Pelajaran TVET Menggunakan Pembangunan Reka Bentuk dan Penyelidikan (DDR)
Authors: Rahman Huzaini Hadi , Basri Azizul Qayyum , Awang Zainal Awangku Zaini , M. Yasir Ahmad Shah Hizam , Zaini Kazaila , Hussain Mohd Amirul , Nelfiyanti N , Othman Muhammad Azri
Published: January 2025

This study aims to develop a mobile Aquaponics Teaching Aid prototype starter pack for teaching purposes in the Design and Technology course, focusing on rural schools in Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Melaka, Perak, and Pahang using the Design & Development Research (DDR) model. The implementation involved various measurement techniques, including observations, interviews, and surveys in the first phase. Fuzzy Delphi and Delphi techniques were also used in the second and third phases. A total of 18 experts were involved in the development of this product, including teachers who have served in several schools and university lecturers. The structured research results indicate that the product improvement is highly necessary for the purpose of student development in schools, as well as keeping up with the technological advancements of the present time. This will enable students in rural areas to compete in the exploration of knowledge, especially in the field of aquaponics systems and agriculture.
Histone mark age of human tissues and cell types
Authors: de Lima Camillo Lucas Paulo , Asif Muhammad Haider , Horvath Steve , Larschan Erica , Singh Ritambhara
Published: January 2025

Aging is a complex and multifaceted process involving many epigenetic alterations. One key area of interest in aging research is the role of histone modifications, which can dynamically regulate gene expression. Here, we conducted a pan-tissue analysis of the dynamics of seven key histone modifications during human aging. Our histone-specific age prediction models showed surprisingly accurate performance, proving resilient to experimental and artificial noise. Simulation experiments for comparison with DNA methylation age predictors revealed competitive performance. Moreover, gene set enrichment analysis uncovered several critical developmental pathways for age prediction. Different from DNA methylation age predictors, genes known to be involved in aging biology are among the most important ones for the models. Last, we developed a pan-tissue pan-histone age predictor, suggesting that age-related epigenetic information is degenerated across the epigenome. This research highlights the power of histone marks as input for creating robust age predictors and opens avenues for understanding the role of epigenetic changes during aging.
Many photonic design problems are sparse QCQPs
Authors: Gertler Shai , Kuang Zeyu , Christie Colin , Li Hao , Miller Owen D.
Published: January 2025

Photonic design is a process of mathematical optimization of a desired objective (beam formation, mode conversion, etc.) subject to the constraint of Maxwell’s equations. Finding the optimal design is challenging: Generically, these problems are highly nonconvex and finding global optima is NP hard. Here, we show that the associated optimization problem can be transformed to a sparse-matrix, quadratically constrained quadratic program (QCQP). Sparse QCQPs can be tackled with convex optimization techniques (such as semidefinite programming) that have thrived for identifying global bounds and high-performance designs in many areas of science and engineering but seemed inapplicable to the design problems of wave physics. We apply our formulation to prototypical photonic design problems, showing the possibility to compute fundamental limits for large-area metasurfaces, as well as the identification of designs approaching global optimality. Our approach appears directly extensible to any design problem whose governing dynamics are bilinear differential equations, as arise in structural optimization, fluid dynamics, and quantum control.