Specialized Platform Research Articles

The Impact of a New Specialized Learning Platform on Enhancing Students’ Skills in Designing and Producing Online Educational Talking Books

The use of digital audio-based learning applications in classrooms is increasing. Thus, instructional technology professionals need to become more skilled in designing and developing these apps. To succeed in the future learning process, students studying instructional technology need to have mastered these skills. This study aims to examine the impact of a specialized platform proposed to cultivate students’ skills in easily designing and producing online educational talking books (online ETBs). To improve the target abilities, we developed a new specialized platform as a web-based system for this investigation that includes several innovative tools and special learning content. The research design used was quasi-experimental. Thirty-two undergraduate students majoring in instructional technology who were in the third grade examined the proposed platform. With the pre-and post-test design, all participants were placed into one group. Three online instruments were used to gather the data: a performance observation card; a product evaluation card; and a usability questionnaire. According to the results, the suggested platform considerably increased the practical skills required to design and create an online ETB. Additionally, the proposed platform positively impacted the production of online ETB products with an acceptable proficiency level across various educational subjects. The customized platform has also proven to be a comfortable learning environment for the participating instructional technology students. This platform may be utilized as an ICT teaching tool to enhance instructional technology departments as it is appropriate for constructing online ETBs in various educational areas without coding barriers.

Design and data analysis of a wearable basketball training posture measurement system based on multifunctional conjugated polymer composite materials

Conjugated materials in basketball training are specific polymers included in sportswear to record and analyze player motions, helping to improve skills and prevent injuries by offering an in-depth analysis of the biomechanics and movements of athletes during training sessions. These materials provide basketball players with lightweight, long-lasting, and versatile qualities, offering comfortable gear that precisely monitors movements, complementing their training requirements for enhanced performance and technique improvement. This article describes creating and examining a novel wearable basketball conditioning posture assessment system called DMAS4B (Dynamic Motion Analysis System for Basketball). The technology includes sophisticated computer vision algorithms (CVA-Kalman Fusion Algorithm), Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs), and versatile, conjugated polymer composite materials. These materials, strategically positioned within specially developed sportswear, enable real-time tracking and evaluation of basketball player locations during training sessions. DMAS4B includes gathering detailed body movement data and focusing on essential basketball skills like shooting technique, dribbling stance, and defensive alignments. The collected data is delivered wirelessly to the MotionPro+ Basketball Analytics Software, a specialized platform for thorough analysis and visualization. The ability of IMUs, multifunctional conjugated polymer composites, and computer vision algorithms to work together to record and analyze basketball player movements precisely is demonstrated in this study. The system’s implementation seeks to connect traditional training methods with advanced technology, providing athletes and coaches instant and thorough feedback on posture accuracy, balance, and mastery of techniques. The comprehensive examination of data collected from DMAS4B offers a novel method to improve basketball training programs, enhance player performance, and reduce the likelihood of injuries. In addition, the flexible character of this technology provides a foundation for possible use in various sports, transforming customised training methods worldwide.

Abstract A006: Development of a circulating tumor cell-derived cancer organoid platform for drug screening against metastatic tumors and longitudinal monitoring of drug resistance

Abstract Metastatic disease remains the primary cause of cancer-related deaths, presenting a significant challenge in oncology drug development. Current drug screening efforts often rely on cell lines or primary tumor-derived models, which may not adequately mimic the behavior of metastatic tumors. To address this, we aimed to develop a system that more accurately reflects metastatic tumors for improved drug screening. We leveraged a specialized culture platform featuring patented coated plates and proprietary media developed by AcroCyte (Taiwan) to cultivate circulating tumor cells (CTCs) into cancer organoids without pre-selection or enrichment. Building on our previous work, where we successfully cultivated CTCs from fresh blood and cryopreserved peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from renal, colon, and lung cancer patients into cancer organoids, we have now demonstrated the ability to freeze these CTC- derived organoids and thaw them for new culture when needed. We also present new data extending this success to breast and prostate cancers. CTCs from five frozen PBMC samples from breast cancer patients and three from prostate cancer patients formed visible colonies, with positive immunostaining for EpCAM, cytokeratin, and CD44. The immune cells in the PBMC samples gradually died off within three weeks of culture, as confirmed by the absence of CD45- positive cells. Interestingly, CTC-derived organoids from breast and prostate cancers did not form the spheroids observed in renal, colon, and lung cancer models. Instead, they appeared as colonies or clusters of CTCs. After 6-8 weeks of active growth, these clusters exhibited a slower growth rate, although they remained viable in the proprietary culture system. We are actively evaluating various culture media supplements, tailored to breast and prostate cancers, to extend the active growth period of these CTC-derived organoids for longer durations. Importantly, these CTC-derived colonies retained drug sensitivity, demonstrating the system's potential for effective drug screening against metastatic tumors. Our platform now supports organoid development from renal, colon, lung, breast, and prostate cancers, and we are actively expanding to include all major solid tumors. Since this technology uses blood, which can be obtained non-invasively, it enables longitudinal monitoring of CTCs as a functional liquid biopsy. Additionally, frozen PBMCs can be used as a source material for CTCs, and the resulting organoids can be utilized for drug sensitivity testing. This platform could be instrumental in oncology drug development and holds promise for monitoring emerging drug resistance in clinical trials by analyzing PBMC samples collected before and after treatment, offering a functional liquid biopsy-based approach to aid in developing therapies targeting metastatic disease. Citation Format: Yi-chun Han, David Hsieh, Ruobo Zhang, Emily Miyashita-Lin, Shian-Jiun Shih. Development of a circulating tumor cell-derived cancer organoid platform for drug screening against metastatic tumors and longitudinal monitoring of drug resistance [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference: Liquid Biopsy: From Discovery to Clinical Implementation; 2024 Nov 13-16; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2024;30(21_Suppl):Abstract nr A006.

The Pico Balloon Archive: Establishing the First Super-Pressure Balloon Satellite Network for Atmospheric Research

Abstract We present the Pico Balloon Archive (PBA), a specialized platform for archiving, visualizing, and verifying data from pico balloons—lightweight, super-pressure balloons capable of operating in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere for durations ranging from weeks to years. With a latitudinal range from 88.77°S to 89.60°N and data collection ongoing since 2021, the PBA stands as the most spatially extensive repository for super-pressure balloons to date. It offers a centralized, user-friendly online portal (http://picoballoonarchive.org) for data access, featuring a summary of flight details, downloadable raw data, and individual flight visualizations. In this study, we validate the PBA’s wind speed and direction calculations against the Integrated Global Radiosonde Archive (IGRA), showing strong correlations (r2 = 0.66 and 0.78 for wind speed and direction, respectively). We also highlight the PBA’s effectiveness in charting global atmospheric circulation and the capacity of certain balloons to traverse hemispheres, a feat made possible by unique stratospheric dynamics. Furthermore, we demonstrate the PBA’s effectiveness in validating numerical weather prediction (NWP) Lagrangian trajectories, quantifying errors based on model initialization latitude. This continuously updated super-pressure balloon network is poised to significantly aid the atmospheric science community, facilitating a deeper understanding of global atmospheric processes. Significance Statement The first ever super-pressure balloon network is discussed and validated using radiosondes and numerical weather prediction (NWP) models. The Pico Balloon Archive (PBA) is positioned to offer worldwide data, facilitating cost-effective and high-reward atmospheric research for numerous users.

An Expert Usability Evaluation of a Specialized Platform for Designing and Producing Online Educational Talking Books

Educational institutions are increasingly using audio-based learning resources and technologies nowadays, especially for students who are auditory learners and visually impaired. The ability to design and create online educational talking books with a pedagogical foundation has become essential for students studying instructional and information technology in the age of digital learning. With the need to enhance such skills to target students in higher educational institutions, instructional and information technology students have no specialized platform for designing and producing an online educational talking book without web programming challenges. This study suggests a new specialized, web-based platform that can assist students in developing online educational talking books. In this study, fourteen instructional technology experts evaluated the proposed platform’s usability. An online questionnaire was utilized to gather data, applying qualitative and quantitative methodologies. The results show that the proposed platform is appropriate for creating and developing an online educational talking book for the intended audience of students. Furthermore, the suggested platform’s current version had a workable design that was appropriate for helping students acquire the necessary abilities.

Multi-omic characterization of air pollution effects: Applications of AirSigOmniTWP Hub

Air pollution, particularly fine particulate matter and gaseous pollutants including NO2 and NOx, presents significant public health challenges. While the harmful effects of these pollutants are well-documented, the molecular mechanisms underlying their impact on health remain incompletely understood. In this study, we utilized genome-wide association study (GWAS) data from the UK Biobank, expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) data from the Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) project, and protein quantitative trait loci (pQTL) data from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study to conduct comprehensive analyses using the Unified Test for Molecular Signatures (UTMOST), Transcriptome-wide Association Studies (TWAS), and Proteome-wide Association Studies (PWAS). To integrate and synthesize these analyses, we developed the AirSigOmniTWP Hub, a specialized platform designed to consolidate and interpret the results from UTMOST, TWAS, and PWAS. TWAS analysis identified a significant association between PM10 exposure and the gene INO80E in females (P = 4.37×10⁻⁵, FDR = 0.0383), suggesting a potential role in chromatin remodeling. PWAS analysis revealed a significant association between NOx exposure and the gene PIP in females (P = 2.28×10⁻⁵, FDR = 0.0299), implicating its involvement in inflammatory pathways. Additionally, UTMOST analyses uncovered significant associations between various pollutants and genes including NCOA4P3 and SPATS2L with PM2.5 exposure, indicating potential mechanisms related to transcriptional regulation and gene-environment interactions.

An LLM-Based Visualization and Analysis Aid for a Secondary Use Clinical Data Platform.

This work introduces a novel approach to facilitate clinical research on secondary clinical data by integrating an LLM-based chatbot within a specialized platform called data hotel. The platform is designed to empower clinical researchers within our institution by enabling the generation of research hypotheses from secondary use patient data sources. Our focus in this work is on the deployment and functionality of the LLM-based chatbot within the data hotel ecosystem. The aim is to aid medical experts in visualizing and analyzing data sourced from the platform but also to enable the seamless storage of the generated code, enhancing the efficiency and reproducibility of the research process. This integration represents a significant advancement in leveraging LLM capabilities to enhance the utility and accessibility of clinical research platforms.

IDSimF: An Open-Source Framework for the Simulation of Molecular Ion Dynamics in Mass Spectrometry and Ion Mobility Spectrometry.

The development of mass spectrometric and ion mobility devices heavily depends on a comprehensive understanding of the behavior of ions within such systems. Therefore, numerical modeling of ion paths helps to optimize and verify existing devices, and contributes to the development of innovative ion optical systems and multipole geometries. This Article introduces IDSimF (Ion Dynamics Simulation Framework), an open-source simulation tool tailored to the nonrelativistic dynamics of molecular ions in mass and ion mobility spectrometry applications. Addressing limitations in existing software packages, as for example SIMION, OpenFOAM, and COMSOL, IDSimF offers a specialized platform for simulating ion trajectories in electric fields. IDSimF efficiently accounts for space charge effects and considers various ion-neutral collision models while handling chemical kinetics. The framework is highly modular with reduced user input configuration complexity and aims to support simulation efforts in development and optimization of in mass spectrometers.

Assessing the relevance and requirement of a prostate cancer passport: A patient-centric survey.

e23037 Background: Prostate cancer, a prevalent malignancy among men worldwide, necessitates a multifaceted approach to its management, encompassing diagnosis, treatment, and post-treatment care. The absence of a consolidated and accessible cancer information for prostate cancer patients prompts an exploration into the necessity and potential benefits of a dedicated Prostate Cancer Passport. This survey-based study seeks to elucidate patient perspectives and assess the demand for it. Methods: We Surveyed prostate cancer patients attending St James Hospital Medical Oncology OPD and day ward. The survey methodology integrated a diverse cohort of individuals representing varying demographics, encompassing age groups and socio-economic backgrounds. Questions were structured to gauge patient awareness, preferences, and perceived benefits associated with the adoption of a Prostate Passport. The survey was structured to gauge patient awareness levels regarding existing health record systems, preferences for a specialized Prostate Cancer Passport, and anticipated benefits associated with its implementation Furthermore, the survey seeked to elucidate potential concerns, barriers to adoption, and the anticipated impact on patient-provider interactions. Results: The survey’s findings indicate a significant interest among participants in the implementation of a specialized platform like the Prostate Passport, with more than 65% expressing enthusiasm about its potential benefits in improving healthcare management. However, 20% of patients reported not receiving any prostate cancer information booklet from their healthcare providers. Additionally, 30% of participants expressed dissatisfaction with communication with their medical team, while over 40% lacked confidence in their understanding of prostate cancer. Nevertheless, concerns related to data security were raised by more than 25% of patients, and approximately 23% identified potential barriers to adoption, such as interoperability with existing healthcare systems and ease of access across different healthcare settings. However, concerns regarding data security were highlighted by over 25% of patients and about 23% of patients identified interoperability with existing healthcare systems, and ease of access across various healthcare settings as potential barriers to adoption. Conclusions: The survey outcomes offer valuable perspectives on the distinct requirements and preferences of individuals facing prostate cancer. This data is crucial for customizing the Prostate Cancer Passport's design and functionalities to effectively cater to those needs. Our initial iteration of the prostate cancer passport has been completed and will be distributed to our oncology patients in the upcoming week. We plan to conduct a feedback survey in six months to gather insights and further enhance the passport based on user experiences.

Preface

14 December 2023 Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Library, UniMAP, Perlis https://civentech.unimap.edu.my/ The International Conference on Civil Engineering & Technology 2023 (CIVENTECH 2023) took place on December 14, 2023, at the Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Library of Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP). The conference was organized by the Centre of Excellence for Water Research and Environmental Sustainability Growth (WAREG) and the Faculty of Civil Engineering & Technology (FKTA), UniMAP as co-organizer. This event sponsored by Shan Poornam Metals Sdn Bhd, CIMA Berhad, XSD Paper International Sdn Bhd and Watertech Industrial Sdn Bhd. The conference aimed to provide a specialized platform for researchers, academicians, and industry practitioners to share their expertise and exchange ideas related to the latest developments in Civil and Environmental Engineering research. The conference was conducted in a hybrid mode, accommodating both face-to-face and virtual participation, which enabled broader engagement from local and international participants. There are 10 sessions CIVENTECH 2023 brought together researchers from diverse backgrounds, promoting knowledge enhancement and the establishment of sustainable research networks for future collaborations. Two esteemed keynote speakers were invited for the plenary sessions, i.e., Ir. Dr. Zuraida Zaini Rijal (Senior Engineer, Civil and Structural Engineering Branch, JKR Malaysia Headquarters) and Ts. Naidatul Maziah Latif (Senior General Manager in the Management Sector Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) Malaysia). This event was also enlivened by the presence of an invited speaker i.e. Dr. An Hong Ki (Senior Lecturer, FKTA, UniMAP). In summary, the success of the conference is a team effort. We would like to thank all the organizing committee, keynote and invited speakers, sponsors and participants, for their invaluable contributions and support, which made this event a great success. We would also like to extend our gratitude to the reviewers for their positive contribution to maintaining the quality of the articles presented in this proceeding. List of Conference Committees are available in this Pdf.

Views of Hong Kong Chinese medicine practitioners on the application of the “Chinese Medicine Anti-epidemic Plans” prepared by the Chinese medicine expert group of central authorities: a focus group study

BackgroundDrawing on the extensive utilization of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to combat COVID-19 in Mainland China, experts designed a series of TCM anti-epidemic strategies. This study aims to understand Hong Kong CM practitioners’ application of and opinions on the “Chinese Medicine Anti-epidemic Plans.”MethodsOnline focus group interviews were conducted, and purposive sampling was employed to invite 22 CM practitioners to voluntarily participate in three interview sessions. The interviews were audio recorded, then transcribed verbatim. The transcripts were analyzed using template analysis.ResultsThree themes were derived: (1) facilitators of the “Chinese Medicine Anti-epidemic Plans,” (2) barriers of the “Chinese Medicine Anti-epidemic Plans,” and (3) expectations on improving the “Chinese Medicine Anti-epidemic Plans.” The participants could obtain relevant information from various sources, which highlights the value of the plans for TCM medicinal cuisine and non-pharmacologic therapies and guiding junior CM practitioners, supplementing Western medicine interventions, and managing Chinese herb reserves in clinics. However, the barriers included the lack of a specialized platform for timely information release, defective plan content, limited reference value to experienced CM practitioners, and lack of applicability to Hong Kong. The expectations of the CM practitioners for improving the plans were identified based on the barriers.ConclusionsTo enhance the implementation of the anti-epidemic plans, CM practitioners in Hong Kong expect to utilize a specific CM platform and refine the plans to ensure that they are realistic, focused, comprehensive, and tailored to the local context.

Multifunctional platform for future applications in cell and tissue engineering based on silicate phosphate hydroxyapatite co-doped with Li+, Eu3+ and Gd3+ ions

Although hydroxyapatite has established itself as a promising biomaterial for the simultaneous diagnosis and treatment of bone defects, several physicochemical properties can be further refined to achieve a specialized theranostic platform for cell and tissue engineering. In this context, we synthesized silicate-substituted hydroxyapatites co-doped with Li+, Eu3+, and Gd3+ ions (abbr. as Si-HAp-LEG) using a microwave-assisted hydrothermal method. The aim was to create a combination of dopants to stimulate bone regeneration (Li+ ion) while enabling bioimaging (Eu3+ and Gd3+ ions). Structural and morphological assessments included, e.g., XRPD (X-ray Powder Diffraction), HR-TEM (High-resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy) imaging, and BET (Brauner-Emmet-Teller) analysis. Unit-cell parameters were estimated via Rietveld refinement. The luminescence properties (emission, excitation spectra, and emission kinetics) were recorded depending on the varying Li+-ion concentration. The cytocompatibility of biomaterials was tested using hBMSCs (multipotent human bone-marrow mesenchymal stromal cells). In vitro assays evaluated biomaterials’ effects on morphology, metabolic activity (Alamar blue assay), and transcriptomic activity (RT-qPCR). The results indicate that co-doping with Li+, Eu3+, and Gd3+ ions introduces distortions while preserving the crystal structure of hydroxyapatite. Additionally, the cells maintained proper morphology and ultrastructure, internalizing biomaterials without significant cytotoxicity. The biomaterials also triggered the expression of key transcriptional factors. Si-HAp-LEG biomaterials, particularly LEG-222 and LEG-221, exhibit desired physicochemical and biological features, rendering them highly bioactive and promising for cell and tissue engineering applications.

S.L.X. : Student’s online exchange

Students online exchange (SLX) is a pioneering initiative designed to meet the unique needs of students by fostering a culture of mutual assistance and resource sharing. Addressing financial constraints and daily challenges, SLX provides a specialized platform where students can seamlessly exchange resources with the spirit of helping one another. Unlike traditional sharing models, SLX emphasizes the transformative power of mutual assistance over charity, promoting a community-driven approach. This synopsis offers insights into SLX's distinctive features, objectives, and societal impact, bridging existing gaps in the literature and presenting a novel resource-sharing paradigm. Through SLX, students collaboratively share academic materials and daily necessities, establishing a supportive environment for their educational journey. SLX endeavors’ to reshape the community narrative, making helping an integral part of student life. Key Word: Students online exchange (SLX), Mutual assistance, Resource sharing, Financial-constraints, Community-driven approach, Novel resource-sharing paradigm, Academic materials, Transformative power, Community narrative.

Research on a Method of Robot Grinding Force Tracking and Compensation Based on Deep Genetic Algorithm

In the grinding process of complex-shaped cast workpieces, discrepancies between the workpiece’s contours and their corresponding three-dimensional models frequently lead to deviations in the machining trajectory, resulting in instances of under-grinding or over-grinding. Addressing this challenge, this study introduces an advanced robotic grinding force automatic tracking technique, leveraging a combination of deep neural networks and genetic algorithms. Harnessing the capability of force sensing, our method dynamically recalibrates the grinding path, epitomizing truly flexible grinding. Initially, in line with the prerequisites for force and pose tracking, an impedance control strategy was developed, integrating pose deviations with force dynamics. Subsequently, to enhance steady-state force tracking, we employed a genetic algorithm to compensate for force discrepancies caused by positional errors. This was built upon the foundational concepts of the three-dimensional model, impedance control, and environmental parameter estimation, leading to an optimized grinding trajectory. Following tracking tests, it was observed that the grinding’s normal force was consistently controlled within the bracket of 20 ± 2.5 N. To further substantiate our methodology, a specialized experimental platform was established for grinding complex-shaped castings. Optimized strategies were employed under anticipated forces of 5 N, 10 N, and 15 N for the grinding tests. The results indicated that the contact forces during the grinding process remained stable at 5 ± 1 N, 10 ± 1.5 N, and 15 ± 2 N. When juxtaposed with conventional teaching grinding methods, our approach manifested a reduction in grinding forces by 71.4%, 70%, and 75%, respectively. Post-grinding, the workpieces presented a pronounced enhancement in surface texture, exhibiting a marked increase in surface uniformity. Surface roughness metrics, originally recorded at 17.5 μm, 17.1 μm, and 18.7 μm, saw significant reductions to 1.5 μm, 1.6 μm, and 1.4 μm, respectively, indicating reductions by 76%, 73%, and 78%. Such outcomes not only meet the surface finishing standards for complex-shaped castings but also offer an efficacious strategy for robot-assisted flexible grinding.

Features of creating an interactive mapping web application for the analysis of space images

In the era of the high level of technological achievements of remote sensing of the Earth and the high level of development of web cartography, interactive web applications for the analysis of data of remote sensing of the Earth are gaining more and more popularity. Considering the large amount of space image data, and the complexity and heterogeneity of the analysis tools that need to be developed, the question arises of quickly and efficiently creating an interactive web application for the analysis of space images that will help scientists monitor and study changes in the Earth's surface and predict optimal ways of territory development with minimal expenditure of time and resources. In solving such a question, the specialized web platform Google Earth Engine (GEE) can help. The purpose of the article is to highlight the characteristics and advantages of the GEE platform by creating an interactive web application using the example of analyzing changes in the NDVI index. Analyzing GEE allows us to conclude that this web-platform provides a comprehensive solution for creating interactive cartographic web applications for the analysis of space images with a built-in IDE. It will help to significantly reduce development time and costs, allowing for quick and efficient analysis of Earth remote sensing data.

HHCDB: a database of human heterochromatin regions.

Heterochromatin plays essential roles in eukaryotic genomes, such as regulating genes, maintaining genome integrityand silencing repetitive DNA elements. Identifying genome-wide heterochromatin regions is crucial for studying transcriptional regulation. We propose the Human Heterochromatin Chromatin Database (HHCDB) for archiving heterochromatin regions defined by specific or combined histone modifications (H3K27me3, H3K9me2, H3K9me3) according to a unified pipeline. 42839743 heterochromatin regions were identified from 578 samples derived from 241 cell-types/cell lines and 92 tissue types. Genomic information is provided in HHCDB, including chromatin location, gene structure, transcripts, distance from transcription start site, neighboring genes, CpG islands, transposable elements, 3D genomic structureand functional annotations. Furthermore, transcriptome data from 73 single cells were analyzed and integrated to explore cell type-specific heterochromatin-related genes. HHCDB affords rich visualization through the UCSC Genome Browser and our self-developed tools. We have also developed a specialized online analysis platform to mine differential heterochromatin regions in cancers. We performed several analyses to explore the function of cancer-specific heterochromatin-related genes, including clinical feature analysis, immune cell infiltration analysis and the construction of drug-target networks. HHCDB is a valuable resource for studying epigenetic regulation, 3D genomicsand heterochromatin regulation in development and disease. HHCDB is freely accessible at http://hhcdb.edbc.org/.

Utilizing Motion Capture Systems for Instrumenting the OCRA Index: A Study on Risk Classification for Upper Limb Work-Related Activities.

In the search to enhance ergonomic risk assessments for upper limb work-related activities, this study introduced and validated the efficiency of an inertial motion capture system, paired with a specialized platform that digitalized the OCRA index. Conducted in a semi-controlled environment, the proposed methodology was compared to traditional risk classification techniques using both inertial and optical motion capture systems. The inertial method encompassed 18 units in a Bluetooth Low Energy tree topology network for activity recording, subsequently analyzed for risk using the platform. Principal outcomes emphasized the optical system's preeminence, aligning closely with the conventional technique. The optical system's superiority was further evident in its alignment with the traditional method. Meanwhile, the inertial system followed closely, with an error margin of just ±0.098 compared to the optical system. Risk classification was consistent across all systems. The inertial system demonstrated strong performance metrics, achieving F1-scores of 0.97 and 1 for "risk" and "no risk" classifications, respectively. Its distinct advantage of portability was reinforced by participants' feedback on its user-friendliness. The results highlight the inertial system's potential, mirroring the precision of both traditional and optical methods and achieving a 65% reduction in risk assessment time. This advancement mitigates the need for intricate video setups, emphasizing its potential in ergonomic assessments.

Developing the MathSci 21st app: Enhancing higher-order thinking skills assessment in mathematics and science education within an Islamic context

The innovation of digital assessment holds profound potential for enhancing educational quality. To measure higher-order thinking skills, intrinsic to effective problem-solving in science and mathematics education, and to cultivate digital literacy, a specialized platform is imperative. This study delineates the developmental trajectory of the MathSci 21st app, designed to assess mathematics and science proficiency within the Islamic context. Emphasizing the pivotal role of higher-level thinking skills in the contemporary landscape, the research method unfolds across distinct phases: Akker (preliminary research), prototype stage (prototyping), summative evaluation, and systematic reflection and documentation. This article confines its focus to preliminary research and prototype stages. The validation of the application prototype engaged a panel of ten experts, while a controlled trial encompassed 32 high school students and one educator. Utilizing observation sheets, questionnaires, and tests as research tools, comprehensive data analysis was executed employing both quantitative and qualitative methods. Research outcomes affirm the feasibility of the Prototype MathSci 21st app, an Android-based competency assessment tool characterized by its integrated and contextual dimensions. Android-based applications not only heighten efficiency and efficacy but also exhibit environmental conscientiousness by reducing paper usage. Additionally, their user familiarity augments acceptability. Significantly, the MathSci 21st app expedites assessment, empowering educators to provide prompt feedback and expedite future learning analysis. This study pioneers a digital assessment paradigm tailored to intricate higher-order thinking skills, thereby addressing critical educational imperatives in mathematics and science within the Islamic milieu.

Research on the Experimental System of Reinforcing the Base of Shallow Buried and Wet Collapsible Loess Tunnels

Due to the complexity of the surrounding rock structure and the geological environment of tunnel excavations, traditional analytical methods are insufficient in effectively dealing with the complex nonlinear deformation problems arising from tunnel excavation. In contrast, geomechanical model tests can comprehensively simulate the excavation construction process of tunnels and the mode and time effects of loads, providing a more realistic reflection of the complete process of engineering stress and deformation. Therefore, this study conducted a model test on reinforcing the loess tunnel base, building upon the first tunnel of the Lanqing Expressway located on the north bank of the Yellow River in Lanzhou City. The study utilized similarity theory to explore the theoretical design of the model and established a specialized model test platform to design the experiments with the goal of obtaining more scientific and effective experimental schemes to ensure the safety of soil reinforcement in tunnel bases during construction. This research will contribute to improving the safety, reliability, and economy of loess tunnel base reinforcement projects, and has a certain reference value for research in this field.

Top management support for e-governement project implementation: Case study of Khadamat’s portal in Algeria

The implementation of e-government projects requires support from top management. Our research seeks to examine the quality of top management support in the case of innovative public services, delivered through Khadamat’s portal, a specialized platform of the Water Resources Ministry in Algeria. Before the qualitative research, we conducted an analytical diagnosis of the platform using the web professional tools "Get-ranking, Dareboost and Semrush". Our initial investigation was necessary to explore the G to C of Khadamat’s portal, to understand the functionality before organizing interviews with senior executives. The qualitative study shows that there is political will for e-government projects in the Water resources sector , but there are some functional limitations in the progress of Khadamat’s portal, such as: Lack of interoperability , unsuitable legislation, lack of social networking supports of that e-government service , limited cellphone using of platform , lack of technological expertise related to e-government projects, fear of change under public administration framework, and other marginal factors that explain delays in the effective development of that useful e-government service .