Background: White spot lesions are a common side effect of fixed orthodontics. This study investigates chitosan-based hydrogels using amelogenin peptide as a scaffold to facilitate hydroxyapatite nanoparticle attachment, assembly, and organisation, aiding in enamel remineralisation. Materials and methods: Three groups were prepared to carry out remineralisation experiments after creating artificial white spot lesions on extracted 1st premolars. The first group served as a control with no treatment, while the experimental groups were treated with either amelogenin peptide/chitosan hydrogel or amelogenin peptide + hydroxyapatite/chitosan hydrogel. Remineralisation was conducted for three weeks. The interaction between amelogenin peptide and hydroxyapatite nanoparticles was evaluated using TEM, UV–Vis, FTIR, zeta potential, and Raman spectroscopy. Remineralisation potential was assessed through enamel microhardness, fluorescence, and XRD. Surface characteristics of demineralised and rem.....

411 hits

As technology advances, people become increasingly dependent on technological tools to increase their work efficiency and productivity. Farming methods in the agriculture sector are also undergoing a shift from conventional to technology-driven modern agriculture practices, primarily because of their benefits and potential to mitigate the effects of climate change. However, the adoption rate of climate-smart agriculture technologies (CSAT) is considered to be very slow. Thus, this study was conducted to examine the factors that lead farmers to adopt CSAT in their agricultural practices. A sample of 185 farmers was used to investigate the main influencing factors in four contexts. The developed model was analyzed using the partial least squares structural equation modeling method. The results of this study suggest that institutions play a critical role as a contextual factor that leads individuals and societies to engage with CSAT, builds confidence, and convinces farmers to adopt these.....

325 hits

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a significant mental health concern affecting mothers worldwide, irrespective of demographic factors. Detecting and managing PPD at an early stage is crucial for effective intervention. In the context of mental health, intelligent predictive models based on machine learning (ML) have emerged as valuable tools. However, there remains a relative scarcity of research specifically targeting postpartum mental health due to several prominent factors that collectively impede the widespread adoption and practical implementation of ML in the field of PPD. This paper provides an updated overview of ML approaches for PPD prediction. A systematic search across IEEE Xplore, PubMed, Science Direct, and Scopus yielded 1,074 relevant articles. The performance of ML algorithms varies depending on the dataset and the problem being addressed. Notably, the findings reveal that the random forest (RF) algorithm consistently demonstrates the highest predictive accuracy, followe.....

647 hits

Paper-based strain sensors, offering a cost-effective and environmentally friendly solution, are in demand for pressure sensing applications. Here, we present a simple sensor design comprising a piece of paper, a graphite pencil, and a copper plate. The proposed fabrication process is simple and eco-friendly. Beyond design and fabrication, our study explores the performance of paper-based sensors in effectively measuring and monitoring pressure changes induced by varying deflection angles. Our findings show that as the deflection angle increases, the sensor exhibits a proportional increase in the relative change in resistance. Furthermore, the practical applicability of the fabricated sensor is demonstrated through real-world testing on a human finger, considering different positions. In essence, our research positions paper-based strain sensors as a promising and practical choice for affordable, eco-friendly, and responsive pressure sensing. _ 2024, Institute of Advanced Engineering a.....

345 hits

The integration of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) with project-based learning is beneficial in facilitating students to compete effectively in the 21st century, but teachers still encounter obstacles, so in implementation, especially in primary schools, is still rarely done. Therefore, it is necessary to develop STEM project-based learning module to overcome teacher problems. This study aims to collect and analyze teacher perspectives regarding their requirements for the development of STEM project-based learning module. This study was conducted using a design and developmental research (DDR) approach. The first phase included need analysis, carried out through an online questionnaire. The participants consisted of 397 teachers in Cirebon and the results showed that primary school teachers required STEM project-based learning module to facilitate the development of relevant skills in the 21st century, such as scientific literacy and critical thinking. Based on.....

445 hits

Square wave voltammetry, cyclic voltammetry, chronocoulometry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were employed to assess ascorbic acid_s electrochemical behavior in multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)/carbon paste electrode (CPE) modified by 1-phenyl-3-methyl-4-metafluorobenzoyl-5-pyrazolone (HPMmFBP). The ascorbic acid_s irreversible oxidation peak appeared at approximately 0.5 V. The shifting of the peak potential at the pH range of 6.0_8.4 showed the involvement of protons in the ascorbic acid oxidation. Moreover, the shifting of the peak potential with scan rate in the range of 0.07_0.4 V/s confirmed that the oxidation reaction was irreversible. Under optimized conditions, the oxidative peak current showed linear dependence on the ascorbic acid_s concentration between 1 and 1000 _M with limit of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) at 0.1 and 0.34 _M, respectively. HPMmFBP/MWCNT/CPE exhibit good antiinterference ability, reproducibility, repeatability, and stability .....

407 hits

Over a decade, the Malaysia National Poison Centre found that 40% of pesticide poisoning cases may be linked to excessive paraquat (PQ) in water, soil, or food, underscoring the widespread impact on public health and emphasising the importance of detecting even trace amounts of PQ residues in the environment. Thus, this study presents a novel electrochemical sensor based on multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) reinforced cadmium sulphide co-anchoring on graphitic carbon nitride (CdS/g-C3N4) nanocomposites for PQ detection. The CdS/g-C3N4 nanocomposite was successfully synthesised and characterised through FTIR, XRD, EDX, FESEM and TEM analysis. The modified electrode (CdS/g-C3N4/MWCNTs PE) exhibited improved electrocatalytic activity, as demonstrated by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and impedance spectroscopy. The CdS/g-C3N4/MWCNTs PE displayed a high CV peak and low Rct value which corresponded to a higher electron transfer rate, reduced charge transfer resistance and enhanced mass transpo.....

502 hits

This study was designed to investigate the chemical composition of the essential oil of Syzygium variolosum (King) Chantar. & J.Parn. and their cytotoxicity, acetylcholinesterase, antityrosinase, and anti-inflammatory activities. In total, 32 chemical components were identified in the essential oil, which made up 98.9%. The essential oil is mainly composed of _-elemene (20.2%), bicyclogermacrene (13.5%), viridiflorol (11.1%), globulol (8.6%), and selin-11-en-4_-ol (5.3%). Acetylcholinesterase, antityrosinase, and anti-inflammatory activities were evaluated with the Ellman method, mushroom tyrosinase, and lipoxygenase enzymes, respectively, while cytotoxicity was assessed using an MTT assay. The results showed that essential oil gave significant percentage inhibition (I%: acetylcholinesterase 35.2%, antityrosinase 42.5%, lipoxygenase 48.6%). Furthermore, the essential oil exhibited cytotoxicity against three cancer cell lines, HepG2, MCF7, and A549, with IC50 values ranging from 90.2 to.....

179 hits

[No abstract available]..

175 hits

[No abstract available]..

194 hits