Engineering Science Research Articles

The Efficiency of Intellectual Capital Formation at the Scientific Institutions of Engineering and Computer Sciences

The research of the formation of intellectual capital (IC) of engineering and computer sciences (E&CSs) at scientific institutions (SIs) in Latvia in the present situation is highly topical. The object of the research is the formation of IC of E&CSs at SIs while the subject of the research is the comparative analysis of the efficiency of the involvement of academic staff and students in the formation of IC of E&CSs at SIs of Latvia. The objective of the research is to study the involvement of academic staff and students in the formation of IC of E&CSs at SIs in Latvia in the period from 2013 to 2018. The following tasks were determined to reach the objective: to study the formation of IC of E&CSs at SIs; to identify the concept of the efficiency of the involvement of academic staff and students in the formation of IC of E&CSs; to calculate main indicators thereof, and, to carry out the comparative analysis of indicators characterising the efficiency of the involvement of academic staff and students in the formation of IC of E&CSs at SIs in Latvia. Research methods used in the paper are content analysis, economic analysis, and economic experiment.

Semiconducting Heusler Compounds beyond the Slater-Pauling Rule

Heusler compounds with semiconducting properties represent an important class of functional materials. Usually, research on these systems is guided by simple electron-counting rules, such as the Slater-Pauling principle. Here, we report on the discovery of Heusler-type semiconductors, significantly deviating from the Slater-Pauling rule. We theoretically predict the occurrence of nonmagnetic semiconducting ground states in various highly off-stoichiometric full-Heusler alloys, where self-substitution leads to a band-gap opening. This unexpected trend is confirmed experimentally by thermoelectric transport measurements on a multitude of Fe2−2xV1−xAl1+3x samples with up to 20% substitution of Fe and V atoms. The band-gap opening leads to an exceptionally large Seebeck coefficient in p-type Fe2VAl thermoelectrics, previously limited by bipolar conduction and low-density-of-states effective mass. Consequently, our work presents a paradigm to tune the band gap of Heusler compounds by self-substitution and introduces a hitherto unexplored class of semiconductors with exceptional thermoelectric properties, offering significant potential for advancements in energy science and sustainable-energy technologies. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

A BIOPIRATARIA NA ÉPOCA DAS CIÊNCIAS ÔMICAS

Other nations have appropriated Brazil’s natural resources since the arrival of the Portuguese on Brazilian soil. Throughout history, countless explorers have arrived here to appropriate Brazil’s riches, especially its biodiversity. With advances in genetic engineering and omics sciences, there has been a change in how biopiracy is practiced, moving from the trafficking of fauna and flora species to the appropriation of genetic information from species belonging to the natural genetic heritage with biotechnological potential. This change has important repercussions on the global patent registration system and poses new challenges to monitoring and protecting Brazil’s genetic heritage.

Data Science Techniques for Predictive Analytics in Financial Services

Business intelligence has become one of the crucial technologies in financial services and with the help of predictive analytics; the organisations have been able to improve a lot in various fields. In this paper, the author focuses on the role of prediction in financing, as well as explaining the main data science approaches and technologies that support innovations in this area. In more detail, the specifics of using the predictive model in the estimation of risks and in investment are discussed through case studies, which allow to reveal the advantages and positive results of the application. In addition, the paper a examines the issues that arise in the implementation of financial data analytics including data issues, compliance and growth factors. Through a consideration of these issues, we hope to orchestrate the best understanding of today and tomorrow’s perspectives on prediction analysis for financial services.

Digitization of herbarium collection of Manash Kozybaev North-Kazakhstan university as a result of digital technology integration in herbarology

Nowadays, all areas of human knowledge are firmly interacting with digital technologies. These technologies open up new approaches to study and research methods in most scientific fields.The article shows the integration of digital technologies in herbarium science. The relevance of digitization of herbarium collections is described. An algorithm for creating a digital herbarium is presented and a method for publishing the data is proposed. The limiting factors and advantages of working with electronic herbarium are noted.

Recent Toolboxes for Chemoselective Dual Modifications of Proteins.

Site-selective chemical modifications of proteins have emerged as a potent technology in chemical biology, materials science, and medicine, facilitating precise manipulation of proteins with tailored functionalities for basic biology research and developing innovative therapeutics. Compared to traditional recombinant expression methods, one of the prominent advantages of chemical protein modification lies in its capacity to decorate proteins with a wide range of functional moieties, including non-genetically encoded ones, enabling the generation of novel protein conjugates with enhanced or previously unexplored properties. Among these, approaches for dual or multiple modifications of proteins are increasingly garnering attention, as it has been found that single modification of proteins is inadequate to meet current demands. Therefore, in light of the rapid developments in this field, this review provides a timely and comprehensive overview of the latest advancements in chemical and biological approaches for dual functionalization of proteins. It further discusses their advantages, limitations, and potential future directions in this relatively nascent area.

Recent Advances in the Development of 1,4-Cyclohexanedimethanol (CHDM) and Cyclic-Monomer-Based Advanced Amorphous and Semi-Crystalline Polyesters for Smart Film Applications.

Polyester-based advanced thin films have versatile industrial applications, especially in the fields of textiles, packaging, and electronics. Recent advances in polymer science and engineering have resulted in the development of advanced amorphous and semi-crystalline polyesters with exceptional performance compared to those of conventional polymeric films. Among these, 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol (CHDM) and cyclic-monomer-based polyesters have gained considerable attention for their exceptional characteristics and potential applications in smart films. This review article provides a comprehensive overview of the recent advances in the synthesis, characterization, and applications of CHDM and cyclic-monomer-based advanced polymers for smart film applications. It discusses the structure-property relationships of these innovative polyesters and highlights their unique characteristics, including thermal, mechanical, and barrier characteristics. Furthermore, this article also emphasizes the solution, melt, and solid-state polymerizations of the polymers. Special emphasis is placed on the influence of the addition of a second diol or second diacid on the performance characteristics of synthesized polyesters/copolyesters to explore their versatile industrial applications. Additionally, the impact of the stereochemistry of the monomers is explored to optimize the characterization of polyesters suitable for industrial applications. Furthermore, this article explores the potential of these advanced polyesters to be considered as materials for smart film applications, especially in the field of flexible electronics. Finally, this article examines the challenges and future recommendations for the development of CHDM and cyclic-monomer-based polyesters for smart film applications. It discusses potential avenues for further research, including in-depth studies for the synthesis and characterization of polyesters, the development of sustainable and biodegradable alternatives to cyclic monomers, alternative green approaches for the synthesis of polymers, etc. This review article provides valuable insight for researchers in academia and industry who are working in the fields of polymer science and materials engineering.

Self-Aligned Ionic Doping of TiO2 Thin-Film Transistors for Enhanced Current Drivability via Postfabrication Superacid Treatment.

Oxide semiconductor thin-film transistors (TFTs) have shown great potential in emerging applications such as flexible displays, radio-frequency identification tags, sensors, and back-end-of-line compatible transistors for monolithic 3D integration beyond their well-established flat-plane display technology. To meet the requirements of these appealing applications, high current drivability is essential, necessitating exploration in materials science and device engineering. In this work, we report for the first time on a simple solution-based superacid (SA) treatment to enhance the current drivability of top-gate TiO2 TFTs with a gate-offset structure. The on-current of these transistors is limited by the relatively low mobility of TiO2 due to its d-orbital conduction nature. It is found that the on-current of TiO2 TFTs is nearly doubled via a quick dip in a SA solution at room temperature in ambient air. A series of experiments, including comparative I-V measurements of TFTs with different treatments and gate structures, C-V measurements, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry, and device simulation, were performed to uncover the underlying reason for the current enhancement. It is believed that the protons (H+) from SA are doped into the offset region of TiO2 TFTs, forming an electron double layer and thus boosting the on-current, with the top gate serving as a self-aligned mask for ionic doping. Furthermore, the ionic size and the proportion of the offset region to the channel play crucial roles in the effectiveness of ionic doping, while the position of the incorporated ions, whether in the channel or dielectric, may result in distinct shifts in the turn-on voltage (VON) and affect the functionality of ionic doping. This study provides a pathway for enhancing the current drivability of TiO2 TFTs via selective ionic doping enabled by SA treatment and deepens our understanding of ion incorporation in electronic devices. This approach could be applicable to other material systems and may also benefit TFTs with miniaturized dimensions, thus opening up unprecedented opportunities for TiO2 TFTs in future applications requiring high current drivability.

Concept of flexible no-code automation for complex sample preparation procedures

Driven by demographic changes and dwindling Science Technology Engineering Mathematics enrolments, our research introduces no-code automation as a strategic response, aimed at mitigating labor shortages while enhancing productivity and safety in the laboratory environment. Employing a user-friendly, no-code software platform, we automated a complex HPTLC assay, enabling laboratory personnel to configure and modify workflows without requiring specialized programming skills. The manuscript outlines the deployment of a collaborative robot (cobot), a programmable logic controller (PLC), and the utilization of self-developed open-source hardware components to establish automated stations for sample handling, incubation, spraying, detection, and storage within the assay process. The research addresses challenges such as the handling of fragile HPTLC plates and the seamless integration of automated stations, solved through innovative design solutions and adaptive programming methods. This investigation demonstrates the feasibility and efficiency of no-code automation in overcoming skilled labor deficits.

Formulation Ratio Effectiveness of Green Metal Working Fluid (GMWF) as a Bio Alternative for Green Manufacturing

Metalworking fluid (MWF) is essential for ensuring quality products and extended tool life during machining operations. While there are various sources of MWF, the need to minimize health hazards associated with mineral-based metal working fluid now calls for more environmentally friendly green metal working fluid (GMWF) from bio-degradable sources. Also, the effectiveness of vegetable-based GMWF significantly depends on the degree of functionalization. Though some studies considered the issue, the comparative analysis of the effect formulations (variation in concentration) of the constituting elements of the GMWF, especially for the base vegetable oil under consideration; has been grossly underreported. In this study, a GMWF emulsion has been developed from soybeans, palm fruits, and coconut with varying formulation ratios. Physicochemical characterization such as flash point, fire point, pour point, pH, density, and viscosity of the developed GMWF were analyzed. Also, a performance evaluation of the said GMWF was carried out and the investigation has shown that the physicochemical properties of the developed GMWF matched, as a potential substitute for conventional mineral-based MWF. Additionally, a performance evaluation conducted during a mechanical machining operation revealed that the GMWF showed an improved surface roughness of about 10.77% compared to conventional mineral MWF. Observations during the machining operation further revealed that the formulated GMWF demonstrated some level of environmental tolerance as it was not associated with misting or the discharge of fumes. The research outcome will impact green machining science and MWF technology for sustainable mechanical machining and cutting fluid development.

Preserving Doñana Park requires sound science, wise governance, and expert engineering

Preserving Doñana Park requires sound science, wise governance, and expert engineering

A Comprehensive Review on Studying and Developing Guidelines to Standardize the Inspection of Properties and Production Methods for Mycelium-Bound Composites in Bio-Based Building Material Applications.

Mycelium-bound composites (MBCs) represent a promising advancement in bio-based building materials, offering sustainable alternatives for engineering and construction applications. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the current research landscape, production methodologies, and standardization ideas related to MBCs. A basic search on Scopus revealed over 250 publications on MBCs between 2020 and 2024, with more than 30% focusing on engineering and materials science. Key studies have investigated the physical and mechanical properties of MBCs, optimizing parameters such as substrate type, fungal species, incubation time, and post-processing to enhance material performance. Standardizing the inspection of MBC properties is crucial for ensuring quality and reliability. Various testing standards, including those from the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS), European Standards (EN), Deutsches Institut für Normung (DIN), and the Thai Industrial Standards Institute (TIS), are utilized to evaluate density, water absorption, compression strength, tensile strength, insulation, and other critical properties. This review highlights the distinction between lab-scale and apply-scale testing methodologies, emphasizing the need for comprehensive evaluation protocols. Additionally, the production process of MBCs involves critical steps like substrate preparation, fungal species selection, and mycelium growth, necessitating the implementation of good manufacturing practices (GMPs) to ensure consistency and quality. The internal and external structures of MBCs significantly influence their performance, necessitating standardized inspection methods using advanced techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray computed tomography (CT) scanning, and surface profilometry. By establishing robust inspection protocols and production standards, the industry can enhance the reliability and adoption of MBCs, contributing to innovations in materials science and promoting environmental sustainability. This review underscores the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, advanced characterization tools, and regulatory frameworks to address challenges and advance the field of MBCs.

Using Systems Engineering and Implementation Science to Design an Implementation Package for Preoperative Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment Among Older Adults Having Major Abdominal Surgery: Protocol for a 3-Phase Study.

Older Americans, a growing segment of the population, have an increasing need for surgical services, and they experience a disproportionate burden of postoperative complications compared to their younger counterparts. A preoperative comprehensive geriatric assessment (pCGA) is recommended to reduce risk and improve surgical care delivery for this population, which has been identified as vulnerable. The pCGA optimizes multiple chronic conditions and factors commonly overlooked in routine preoperative planning, including physical function, polypharmacy, nutrition, cognition, mental health, and social and environmental support. The pCGA has been shown to decrease postoperative morbidity, mortality, and length of stay in a variety of surgical specialties. Although national guidelines recommend the use of the pCGA, a paucity of strategic guidance for implementation limits its uptake to a few academic medical centers. By applying implementation science and human factors engineering methods, this study will provide the necessary evidence to optimize the implementation of the pCGA in a variety of health care settings. The purpose of this paper is to describe the study protocol to design an adaptable, user-centered pCGA implementation package for use among older adults before major abdominal surgery. This protocol uses systems engineering methods to develop, tailor, and pilot-test a user-centered pCGA implementation package, which can be adapted to community-based hospitals in preparation for a multisite implementation trial. The protocol is based upon the National Institutes of Health Stage Model for Behavioral Intervention Development and aligns with the goal to develop behavioral interventions with an eye to real-world implementation. In phase 1, we will use observation and interviews to map the pCGA process and identify system-based barriers and facilitators to its use among older adults undergoing major abdominal surgery. In phase 2, we will apply user-centered design methods, engaging health care providers, patients, and caregivers to co-design a pCGA implementation package. This package will be applicable to a diverse population of older patients undergoing major abdominal surgery at a large academic hospital and an affiliate community site. In phase 3, we will pilot-test and refine the pCGA implementation package in preparation for a future randomized controlled implementation-effectiveness trial. We anticipate that this study will take approximately 60 months (April 2023-March 2028). This study protocol will generate (1) a detailed process map of the pCGA; (2) an adaptable, user-centered pCGA implementation package ready for feasibility testing in a pilot trial; and (3) preliminary pilot data on the implementation and effectiveness of the package. We anticipate that these data will serve as the basis for future multisite hybrid implementation-effectiveness clinical trials of the pCGA in older adults undergoing major abdominal surgery. The expected results of this study will contribute to improving perioperative care processes for older adults before major abdominal surgery. DERR1-10.2196/59428.

Predictors of university students’ intentions to enroll in computer programming courses: a mixed-method investigation

Students in technology majors such as Computer Science and Information Technology need to take a series of computer programming courses to graduate. Yet, not all students will persist in taking programming courses as required, and little is known about the factors influencing their enrollment intentions. Research is needed to better understand which factors predict students’ enrollment intentions for programming courses. Based on Expectancy-Value Theory, we surveyed three hundred university students in China to measure their intentions of enrolling in future programming courses and factors influencing their enrollment intentions. Mediated Multiple Indicators Multiple Causes models were run to identify the relationships between these factors and enrollment intentions. Expectancies, intrinsic value, attainment value, and utility value of the courses directly predict enrollment intentions. Peer comparison, quality of teaching, and programming experiences were found to influence enrollment intentions through expectancies and values indirectly. No gender difference was found in expectancies and enrollment intentions. Qualitative data analysis confirmed the findings from the quantitative data analysis and further revealed that course difficulty is another major factor influencing enrollment intentions. These findings have implications for supporting students' expectancies and values in computer programming and curriculum design.

Leveraging Large Language Models for Automating Inductive Qualitative Coding: A Comparative Study of Prompt Engineering Techniques

This study explores the potential of Large Language Models (LLMs), like those from the GPT family, to automate inductive qualitative coding—a process of assigning codes to text excerpts and organizing them into categories, traditionally done manually in social science and software engineering research. Our primary question is: Can LLMs effectively automate inductive qualitative coding? To investigate this, we compared different prompt engineering techniques, including Zero-shot, Few-shot, and Chain-of-Thought (CoT) learning, in coding interview transcripts. While LLMs cannot fully replace human coders, they can aid the process with a human-in-the-loop approach. Few-shot learning showed consistent performance with moderate amounts data, while CoT proved most effective in reducing partial hallucinations. Initially aimed at full automation, our study pivoted to testing prompt strategies after realizing that a human-in-the-loop process would offer better accuracy and flexibility, given the challenges of context and token limits in LLMs. These findings suggest that tailored LLM with adequate prompting techniques can help assist researchers when performing qualitative analysis.

The Role of Plastic Recycling Shops in Khulna City Within A Circular Economy Framework

Plastics are widely used in many industries, leading to a growing plastic waste problem. To address this, a shift from a linear economy to a circular economy is required. In Bangladesh, the waste management sector predominantly relies on the informal sector, which remains underappreciated and inadequately supported. This study evaluates the environmental, economic, social, and urban development dimensions of recycling shops within the informal sector, highlighting their potential to alleviate ecological burdens, enhance energy efficiency, and generate local employment. A comprehensive methodology encompassing field surveys, environmental and economic benefit calculations, and fuzzy logic analysis are employed. The findings demonstrate that recycling shops, through a circular economy approach, substantially mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, reduce litter, save energy, and conserve landfill space. Among the 35 recycling shops examined, 22.86% were identified as low-volume recyclers, 48.57% as medium-volume recyclers, and 28.57% as high-volume recyclers, each group exerting correspondingly low, medium, and high positive impacts on the environment and society. Collectively, these shops manage 6.68 tons of PET bottle labels, reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 509.35 MTCE, prevent 202,186.9 tons of litter, save 5,728.1 m³ of landfill space, and conserve 406.8 barrels of oil monthly. Additionally, they employ 427 individuals. Expanding recycling shop operations, exploring new recycling technologies, and examining supportive policies are crucial for improving Khulna City's plastic waste management and overall sustainability. Journal of Engineering Science 15(1), 2024, 31-43

Exploration of Mode Choice Behavior for Regular and Short Distance Travel in a Developing Country

The study of mode choice behaviour is receiving a considerable interest in Bangladesh like in other developing countries. Hence, a questionnaire survey of 514 citizens in Chittagong city was conducted to explore mode choice behaviour for short distance and regular travel. Multinomial Logit Model (MNL) was used to assess the factors involved for various mode choices. Gender, age, profession, education, level of income, household type, vehicle ownership, and distance to a stopping spot all seem to be factors that have been found to be important for short-distance and regular travel using the MNL model according to a utility function. The major findings indicates that the majority of the people prefer the bus both for short and regular distance travel, whereas high earners choose the cars for regular travel. Journal of Engineering Science 15(1), 2024, 59-73

Obliquely Propagating Self-Gravitational Shock Waves in Non-Relativistic Degenerate Quantum Plasmas

A rigorous theoretical investigation has been carried out on the propagation of non-linear self-gravitational shock waves (SGSHWs) in a magnetized super dense degenerate quantum plasma system (DQPS) composed of inertia-less non-relativistic degenerate electrons and inertial non-degenerate extremely heavy nuclei/element. The nonlinear propagation of these SGSHWs in the plasma system under consideration is studied by the standard reductive perturbation technique, which is valid for a small finite amplitude limit. The nonlinear dynamics of the SGSHWs are found to be governed by the Burgers equation. The Burgers equation is derived analytically and solved numerically. It has been found that the considered plasma model supports positive potential shock waves only. The fundamental properties (amplitude, steepness, etc.) of these SGSHWs are significantly modified by the variation of kinematic viscosity, obliqueness and number density of the plasma species. The results of our present investigation can be applied to astrophysical compact objects like neutron stars. Journal of Engineering Science 15(1), 2024, 21-29

Enhancement of Biocrude Quality Using Fecal Sludge and Organic Solid Waste Through Two-Stage Hydrothermal Liquefaction Technique

The escalating global challenge of managing unmanaged fecal sludge (250-300 million tonnes/year) and organic solid waste (600-700 million tonnes/year) necessitates innovative and sustainable waste-to-energy solutions. Hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) of FS & OSW to produce biocrude has been seen as a double-edged sword to substitute fossil fuel and address the issues relating to unmanaged waste (GHG emission, global warming, climate change). Through this study, an approach was taken to improve the biocrude production and enhance the biocrude quality by introducing a two-stage heating in HTL of FS and OSW separately. Four different runs were comprised in this study where one run was in conventional one stage, at 320℃ for 60 min. In terms of the other three runs, in the first stage, 100, 200, and 300℃ were retained for 30 min respectively and the second stage was conducted at 320℃ for 30 min. Results indicate a substantial improvement in biocrude yield of 15% &18% through two-stage heating during HTL (30 min at 200℃, and then 30 min at 320℃) compared to conventional single-stage HTL processes of FS & OSW respectively with a biomass conversion rate of 70%. From the analysis of biocrude maturity & intensity of oil we observe a high potential for crude oil formation being classified as Kerogen type I. GC-FID shows that increasing heat in the first stage tends to produce a lighter fraction (at 300℃ in the first stage produces biocrude with a lighter fraction>80% from FS & OSW feedstocks) in biocrude. In addition to improving the overall efficiency of converting organic waste to biocrude, the two-stage system offers a more flexible platform that allows the biofuel composition to be customized to match the needs of individual applications. The results show that a two-stage HTL process is a feasible and effective technique for converting difficult waste streams into biofuels, with implications for both environmental sustainability and energy security. Journal of Engineering Science 15(1), 2024, 95-105

Chitosan Based Zinc and Copper Nanoparticles: Synthesis, Characterization and Antibacterial Activity Investigation

Chitosan biopolymer has been used as a key supporting material for the synthesis of metallic nanoparticles (MNPs) due to its exceptional qualities, which include good capping and stabilizing capabilities, biocompatibility, biodegradability, eco-friendliness, polycationic and non-toxicity. In this study, chitosan-based metal nanoparticles, such as copper nanoparticles (Chi-Cu NPs) and zinc nanoparticles (Chi-Zn NPs) have been synthesized, characterized and checked for their bacteriological properties. The solution casting method has been employed to produce metal nanoparticles based on chitosan. FTIR, TGA, and SEM analysis were employed to characterize the produced nanoparticles. The produced materials are nanomaterials with a size range of 1-100 nm, as demonstrated by the SEM photograph. The generated nanoparticles showed increased antimicrobial activity. Chi-Zn NPs have zones of inhibition of 38, 31, 30 and 39 and Chi-Cu NPs have zones of inhibition of 32, 36, 37 and 32 mm against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella bovismorbificans, Salmonella typhi and Escherichia coli bacteria, respectively. Whereas the standard medication kanamycin have zones of inhibition 22, 22, 20 and 20 against those bacteria, respectively. Journal of Engineering Science 15(1), 2024, 45-57