Technological University Research Articles

Exploring the Impact of Technology in Enhancing English Reading Skill

This research sought to investigate the influence of technology on improving English reading proficiency among students in the sixth semester of English instruction at Dong Nai Technology University. This research used a qualitative descriptive methodology and utilized purposive sampling. The research included a total of 34 individuals. Data is collected using observation, interview, and documentation methods. The study revealed that the majority of kids felt at ease using the new technology to enhance their reading abilities. The need to acquire knowledge in the modern day is driven by the reliance on technology. The statement is corroborated by the outcome of the interview. The students said that using e-books is more convenient than physical books due to their compatibility with various devices such as smartphones. Furthermore, the documentation serves the purpose of incorporating the data obtained via observation and interviews. Ultimately, technology has a positive influence on enhancing kids' proficiency in reading.

THE EFFECTIVENESS OF USING TED TALKS IN TEACHING PRESENTATION SKILLS FOR ENGLISH MAJORED STUDENTS

The objective of this research was to explore the effect of applying TED Talks as an international platform to promote the first-year English majored students’ presentation performance. Even though a lot of research has been done on how to help English language learners become better speakers, few of them focus on using TED videos and prove them to be efficient educational resources for enhancing students’ presentation skills. Therefore, more work needs to be conducted to clarify the positive results brought by using videos in TED. The focus of this paper is ninety first-year English majored students at Dong Nai Technology University ranging from 18-20 years old. A combination of methods was applied to collect quantitative and qualitative data, including questionnaire, class observation and semi-structured interview. The results showed a positive influence on students’ presentation ability when TED videos were implemented in language teaching. In addition, this study indicated students’ positive reactions toward the use of the video-based learning program.

The Durban University of Technology Faculty of Health Sciences Decentralized Clinical Training Project: Protocol for an Implementation Study in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

The Durban University of Technology (DUT) Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS) in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, is embarking on a project to implement a Decentralized Clinical Training Program (DCTP). The DUT FHS DCTP project is being conducted in response to the growing demands of students requiring clinical service placements as part of work-integrated learning. The project is also geared toward responding to existing gaps in current practices related to the implementation of a DCTP, which has mainly been through traditional universities providing training to medical, optometry, occupational therapy, and physiotherapy students. In South Africa, a DCTP is yet to be implemented within the context of a university of technology; it is yet to be implemented within health science faculties that offer undergraduate health science programs in mainstream biomedicine and alternative and complementary disciplines. We aim to design, pilot, and establish an effective DCTP at the DUT FHS in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Participatory action research comprising various designs-namely, appreciative inquiry, qualitative case study design, phenomenography, and descriptive qualitative study design-will be used to conduct the study. Data will be collected using individual interviews, focus group discussions, nominal group technique, consensus methodology, and narrative inquiry. Study participants will include various internal and external stakeholders of the DUT, namely, academic staff; students; key informants from universities currently using successfully established DCTPs; academic support staff; staff working in human resources, finance, procurement, and accounting; and experts in other disciplines such as engineering and information systems. Overall, 4 undergraduate health science programs-namely, Radiography, Medical Orthotics and Prosthetics, Clinical Technology, and Emergency Medical Care and Rescue-will be part of the project's pilot phase. Findings from the project's pilot phase will be used to inform scale-up in the other undergraduate programs in the DUT FHS. The project is being implemented as part of the university's strategic objective of devising innovative curricula and pedagogical practices to improve the mastery, skill set, and competence of health science graduates. The study has currently commenced with the situational analysis, consisting of engagement with external stakeholders implementing DCTPs. The data to be generated from the completion of the situational analysis are anticipated to be published in 2024. This project is envisioned to facilitate collaboration among the universities of technology, traditional universities, Ministry of Health, and private sector for clinical placement of undergraduate health science students in health establishments that are away from the university, thereby exposing them to real-life experiences related to health care. This will facilitate authentic learning experiences that will contribute to improved competencies of graduates in relation to the health needs of society and the multiple realities of the South African health system. PRR1-10.2196/52243.

Using Smartphones for English Speaking Skill Development from the Omani EFL Learners' Perspectives

The widespread use of hand-held devices, including smartphones, has been invested in language learning education around the world. This study intends to inspect Omani EFL learners' perspectives on using smartphones to develop their speaking skills. To answer the research questions, the researchers used a 5-point Likert questionnaire to collect data from 259 Omani EFL students from the English Language Unit, Preparatory Studies Center, University of Technology and Applied Sciences (UTAS) in Salalah, Sultanate of Oman. Findings showed positive beliefs about using smartphones. The participants stated that they sometimes use smartphones for oral skills. In the study, a significant difference between female and male students in terms of perceptions towards smartphones was evident, in addition to a positive correlation between the students' levels of study, perceptions, and uses of smartphones. In light of the results, the study provides invaluable recommendations and pedagogical implications for students, teachers, and syllabi designers.

Omani Students’ Familiarity with IELTS-based Reading Exam Format and Strategies: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study

This study aims to investigate Omani students’ familiarity with the IELTS-based reading exam’s time limit, format, and reading strategies. It also aims to explore the extent to which Omani students adopt independent learning strategies and the challenges they face while taking the IELTS-based reading exams. Omani students need help with their reading skills, as is shown in their below-average scores in IELTS or IELTS-based reading exams conducted by the British Council and the University of Technology and Applied Sciences (UTAS-Ibra). Hence, this study seeks to answer the research questions of whether Omani students studying at level four are familiar with the IELTS-based reading exam’s time limit, format, and reading strategies, and adopt independent learning strategies. The study employed a qualitative research method, and data was collected from eight students (N=8) studying at level four in the preparatory studies center of UTAS-Ibra. This study is significant because it has implications for the stakeholders. The study results show that participants generally possessed a positive comprehension of the time constraints and overall structure of the Level 4 IELTS-based reading exam. Nevertheless, a notable distinction emerged between high and moderate achievers in utilizing reading strategies, proficiency in comprehending complex vocabularies, and sustained engagement in independent learning. To address the challenges high and moderate achievers face, the study suggests implementing specific interventions tailored to their needs.

Morphological and yield trait-based evaluation and selection of chili (Capsicum annuum L.) genotypes suitable for both summer and winter seasons

Abstract Chili (Capsicum annuum L.) is one of the most important vegetable cum spice crops grown throughout the world. Evaluation of genotypes based on morphological and yield contributing traits provides the opportunity to assess variability and select superior genotypes. The present investigation was carried out from April 2018 to November 2018 in the summer season and from December 2018 to June 2019 in the winter season in a net house and field, respectively, in the Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Patuakhali, Bangladesh. A set of 30 qualitative and 13 quantitative characteristics developed by Biodiversity International were recorded to evaluate the genotypes for morphological and yield-contributing traits. The estimated Shannon–Weaver diversity for qualitative traits ranged from 0 to 1.334, where the maximum diversity was recorded for fruit color at an intermediate stage, stem color after transplanting, fruit surface, stigma position, calyx margin shape, and fruit set, while the minimum diversity (H′ = 0) was observed for the traits corolla shape and anthocyanin spots, indicating no diversity of these traits. Thirteen quantitative traits were also analyzed for the selection of the genotypes with the greatest yield. The quantitative traits also exhibited a wide range of variability according to descriptive statistics and analysis of variance. Moreover, the present study revealed a high heritability for almost all of the quantitative traits, which was confirmed by the values of genotypic coefficient of variation, phenotypic coefficient of variation, h 2 b, and GA for both the summer and winter seasons. This suggests that these traits are predominantly governed by additive genes, making them highly amenable to effective selection. The heatmap analysis based on the morphological quantitative traits revealed five clusters for both the summer and winter seasons for the studied chili genotypes, four distinct clusters in the summer season, and three distinct clusters in the winter season for the parameters studied. Using the multi-trait genotype–ideotype distance index based on multiple trait information, the genotypes R-06, R-07, C0525-2, BARI (Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute) Morich-2, Tengakhali, and Rcy 002 were selected as promising for both the summer and winter seasons. Hence, they are recommended for commercial cultivation or use as parent materials in future breeding for the development of new cultivars adaptable to climate change.

Temperature Control of the Self-Assembly Process of 4-Aminoquinoline Amphiphile: Selective Construction of Perforated Vesicles and Nanofibers, and Structural Restoration Capability.

Invited for the cover of this issue is the group of Yosuke Hisamatsu, Naoki Umezawa, and co-workers at Nagoya City University and Nagoya Institute of Technology. The image depicts the selective construction of perforated vesicles and nanofibers, influenced by the heating temperatures during the self-assembly process of the 4-aminoquinoline amphiphile. Read the full text of the article at 10.1002/chem.202400134.

Field Efficacy of Selected Chemicals and Biopesticides against Brinjal Shoot and Fruit Borer (Leucinodes orbonalis) on Brinjal (Solanum melongena) at Prayagraj

A field experiment was carried out at the Central research farm of Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology, and Sciences, located in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, during the kharif 2023-24. The experiment was designed following a randomized block design with three replications. It encompassed eight treatments: T1 - Neem oil 3%@ 30ml/lit, T2 - Metarhizium anisopliae @ 2.5ml/lit,T3 - Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki @ 2gm/lit, T4 - Spinosad 45 SC @ 0.3 ml/lit, T5 - Emamectin benzoate @ 0.4 gm/lit, T6 - Chlorpyrifos 20 EC @ 2.5ml/lit, T7 - Chlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC @ 0.4ml/lit and T8 - untreated control. The objective was to assess the field efficacy of selected chemicals and biopesticides against Leucinodes orbonalis (Guenee) infestation on brinjal in Prayagraj. Two rounds of spraying was conducted at 15-days interval. Data on shoot and fruit infestation was recorded after each spraying and picking, including the percentage of shoot infestation. The results showed that the initial population of the pest before the spray exhibited a non-significant distribution. Following the spray, the findings demonstrated that T5 – Emamectin benzoate @ 0.4 gm/lit exhibited significant effectiveness against shoot and fruit borer, comparable to T7 – Chlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC, at 3, 7, and 14 days post-spraying. Following closely in efficacy were Spinosad 45 SC and Chlorpyrifos 20 EC. The highest cost benefit ratio was recorded- T5-Emamectin benzoate, followed by T7-Chlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC. The highest cost-benefit ratio was recorded in T5– Emamectin benzoate @ 0.4gm/lit followed by T7- Chlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC @ 0.4ml/lit and the lowest monetary return was observed with the control (T0).

Computation of Heritability for Production and Reproduction Traits in Frieswal Cattle under Field Progeny Testing

Aims: To study the genetic parameter (heritability) for production and reproduction traits in Frieswal cattle under field progeny testing programme. Place and Duration of Study: G B Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand, India, between March, 2023 and March, 2024. Methodology: The present study was conducted on 1163 Frieswal cattle comprised of five different sets maintained at six field units over a period from 2013-2021. The traits considered were age at sexual maturity (ASM), age at first calving (AFC), gestation period (GP), test day peak yield (TDPY), 305 days milk yield (305D-MY), fat percentage (FP), lactation length (LL), calving interval (CI), service period (SP), number of services per conception (NSPC), dry period (DP). The data were analyzed for the estimation of heritability by the software WOMBAT. Results: The heritability estimates of the traits namely; ASM, AFC, GP, TDPY, 305D-MY, FP, LL, CI, SP, NSPC and DP were 0.469±0.082, 0.467±0.082, 0.259±0.067, 0.248±0.059, 0.354±0.013, 0.413±0.069, 0.389±0.071, 0.394±0.071, 0.452±0.072, 0.072±0.046 and 0.08±0.06, respectively. Conclusion: Therefore, the heritability estimates were found to be low to high magnitude for different reproduction and production traits and further it has been concluded that, this study will aid breeders in selecting high-performing animals for future generations, taking into account the genetic factors that influence milk production and reproductive traits during early lactation.

Performance of Different Hybrids of Chilli (Capsicum annuum L) under Prayagraj Agro-Climatic Condition

The experiment was conducted on Performance of hybrids of chilli with eight hybrids during 2023-2024 at the Vegetable Research Field of Department of Horticulture, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj. The observations were taken and recorded on various growth, yield and quality contributing parameters. The results from the present investigation revealed that based on the mean performance of eight hybrids of Chilli, hybrids 21CHIHYB-3 and 21CHIHYB-7 were found superior in terms of Fruit yield (q/ha). 21CHIHYB-1 was found to be best in terms of growth parameters (plant height, number of branches). However, on the basis of earliness parameters (flowering), hybrid 21CHIHYB-2 performed best. On the basis of Ascorbic Acid in Fruits, 21CHIHYB-1 is the best and the Total soluble solids was found best in 21CHIHYB-7. The highest gross return was found in the 21CHIHYB-3 and the B:C ratio was found in the same with 3.3. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with 3 replications and 8 varieties of Chilli.

Unveiling the entrepreneurial mindset: exploring orientation and intentions among students of prominent engineering disciplines

The advent of Industry 4.0 presents a spectrum of challenges for entrepreneurs in India, demanding specific skills and resources. Within this transformative landscape, engineering disciplines assume a pivotal role in navigating the complexities of the new industrial revolution yet pose challenges in instilling entrepreneurial skills. While universities are recognised for fostering entrepreneurial skills, a gap persists in comprehending students’ intentions to pursue entrepreneurship after completing their studies, especially within technical education systems. This emphasises the necessity for a comprehensive examination of variations in entrepreneurial orientation among diverse engineering disciplines. The study employed cross-sectional research and surveyed 370 final-year engineering students from leading engineering colleges in Karnataka, India. The data analysis included Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The findings demonstrate a significant propensity for entrepreneurship among engineering students, highlighting attributes such as innovativeness, risk-taking, and proactiveness. However, contrary to expectations, the study does not discern distinct entrepreneurial orientations across different engineering disciplines. Importantly, it unveils that college education has minimal influence on students’ entrepreneurial intentions.

Preface

Abstract To promote academic exchanges and cooperation on a global scale and explore the latest research results and development trends in three major engineering fields of machinery, electrical and materials, the 2024 7th International Conference on Mechanical, Electrical and Material Application (MEMA 2024) came into being in Changsha, China from February 23rd to 25th, 2024 (virtual event). The conference aimed to provide a high-level and international academic exchange platform for global experts, scholars and engineers to jointly promote the development of related fields. The conference was hosted by Shenyang Ligong University. In addition, Fuzhou University, South China University of Technology, Hunan University, Hangzhou Dianzi University, Dalian University of Technology and many other universities and institutions also gave strong support to the conference. This fully demonstrates the wide influence and high recognition of this conference. In terms of the conference agenda, this conference mainly focused on the three major engineering fields of machinery, electrical and materials and set up a number of special forums, involving Mechanical Dynamics, Mechatronics, High Voltage Insulation Technology, Power Systems and Their Automation, Electronic Materials, and other frontier fields. Experts and scholars at home and abroad delivered dramatic keynote speeches and oral presentations, sharing their latest research achievements and experience. While listening to these excellent and wonderful presentations, the attendees participated in in-depth academic discussions with the speakers and people around, jointly exploring the development and challenges in related fields. All their enthusiastic participation has laid a solid foundation for the success of this conference. The call for papers for the proceedings of MEMA 2024 is also very encouraging. Since the publication of the call for papers, experts and scholars worldwide have responded positively, and therefore we have received a large number of high-quality paper submissions from all over the world. After rigorous review and screening, a bunch of excellent papers were finally selected to be included in this proceedings. The high inclusion rate of papers and a stable EI search of this conference series for six consecutive years fully demonstrates the influence and authority of MEMA 2024 in the academic community. At the same time, it also provides a good platform for participants to present their research results, expand professional networks, and establish cooperative relationships. Overall, the 2024 7th International Conference on Mechanical, Electrical and Material Application is an academic event of great significance. Through the virtual form of the conference, we have successfully built a high-level academic exchange platform for global experts and scholars. It is believed that with the joint efforts of everyone, this conference series will be even more successful in the future years, making positive contributions to promoting the development of machinery, electrical and materials and their relevant domains. List of Committee Member is available in this pdf.

Twenty-five years of research on resting-state fMRI of major depressive disorder: A bibliometric analysis of hotspots, nodes, bursts, and trends

Twenty-five years of research on resting-state fMRI of major depressive disorder: A bibliometric analysis of hotspots, nodes, bursts, and trends

Knowledge and Awareness About Preconception Care Among Nursing Students at the University of Medical Sciences and Technology, Khartoum, Sudan

Knowledge and Awareness About Preconception Care Among Nursing Students at the University of Medical Sciences and Technology, Khartoum, Sudan

Immune checkpoint inhibitor retreatment in second-line treatment of esophageal cancer: A real-world study.

e16034 Background: Immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy has been recommended in several guidelines and consensus for the first-line treatment of advanced esophageal cancer(EC), but it is controversial whether to continue immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) after the progress of first-line immunotherapy. Methods: This was a single-center, retrospective, observational, real-world study to collect general conditions and clinical data of EC patients hospitalized in the First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Science and Technology between February 2020 and December 2023. All patients received programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) or its ligand (PD-L1) inhibitor combination therapy in the first-line and received at least two cycles of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor-based therapy in the second-line setting after progression. We evaluated the efficacy and safety including overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), grade 3-5 treatment-related adverse effects (TRAE) and immune-related adverse events (irAEs). We also evaluated the relationship between clinical features and outcomes using univariate and multivariate analyses. Results: We enrolled 214 patients, with a median age 67.9 (47 – 87) years, male sex 66.8%, 201(93.9%) ESCC and 11(5.1%) EAC. In all patients, the mOS and mPFS were 9.6 (95%CI 9.1-10.1) months and 4.4 (95%CI 4.1-4.7) months; The ORR was 33.2%, DCR was 65.9%. 162 (75.7%) patients treated with immunochemotherapy(I+C), 37 (17.3%) patients received immunotherapy combined with anti-angiogenic drugs(I+A) and 15 (7.0%) patients treated with immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy and anti-angiogenic drugs(I+C+A). The mOS were 9.1 (95% CI 8.4 – 9.8) months, 10.0 (95% CI 8.7 – 11.3) months and 11.5 (95% CI 10.7 – 12.3) months, respectively. The mPFS were 4.3m (95%CI 4.0-4.6) months, 4.3 (95%CI 4.0-14.6) months and 6.0 (95%CI 4.2-6.4) months. mPFS and mOS did not have significant difference between these groups. Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that PFS more than 6 months on first-line therapy was an independent prognostic factor for PFS and OS in second-line therapy. The incidence of grade ≥ 3 TRAEs and irAEs were 25.7% and 5.6%. No treatment-related deaths occurred. Conclusions: This real-world data showed PD-1 or PD-L1 inhibitors retreatment might have good efficacy and manageable safety in EC patients who progress after first-line immunochemotherapy. [Table: see text]

The efficacy and safety of toripalimab combined with anlotinib in the first-line treatment of Chinese patients with metastatic melanoma.

9560 Background: Acral, mucosal and non-CSD melanoma are the major subtypes in Chinese melanoma patients, with poor response to antiprogrammed cell death-1 (PD-1) monotherapy. Anti PD-1 monoclonal antibodies combined with anti-angiogenesis agent have showed synergistic effects mechanically and a promising response rate. Here, we report efficacy and safety of toripalimab combined with anlotinib in Chinese patients with metastatic melanoma. Methods: Patients with metastatic acral, mucosal and non-CSD melanoma received toripalimab 240mg intravenously every 3 weeks combined with anlotinib 12 mg orally once a day for first 2 weeks every 3 weeks as first-line treatment, until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. All patients were enrolled from the Cancer Center of Union Hospital, affiliated to Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology and Hunan Cancer Hospital. Results: From January 2021 to January 2024, a total of 47 patients were enrolled in this study. Subtypes were 16 patients with acral melanoma, 21 patients with mucosal melanoma, and 10 patients with non-CSD melanoma. Average age was 59.7 ±10.1 years old. The median follow-up was 26.5 months (95% CI: 20.6, 32.4 months). Among the 46 efficacy evaluable patients, the objective response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR) were 23.9% and 80.4%, respectively. Median duration of response was 14.4 months (95% CI: 7.5, 21.3). The median progression-free survival (PFS) of all 47 patients was 5.7 months (95% CI 4.2 to 7.2 months); and the median OS was 14.4 months (95% CI 7.3 to 21.5 months). The median PFS of patients with M1a stage is 24.4 months, statistically longer than M1b (5.1 months), M1c (6.6 months) and M1d (4.0 months). The median PFS of acral, mucosal and non-CSD melanoma were 6.6m, 5.1m, 5.2m respectively with no statistical difference, and these is no difference of PFS between gender and age. In terms of safety, treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) for all grades occurred in 76.6% (36/47) of patients, and grade 3 or 4 occurred in 4.3% (2/47) of patients. The incidence of immune-related adverse reactions (irAE) was 23.4% (11/47) for all grades, the most common irAEs (≥2%) included hypothyroidism, immune-associated hepatitis and rash. Conclusions: Toripalimab combined with anlotinib displays good efficacy and well-tolerant safety profiles in the treatment of patients with metastatic melanoma. Further biomarker analysis was ongoing.

Research on Innovative Operations, Marketing Strategies, Brand Images of Universities of Science and Technology and Students’ University Selection Intentions: A Study of Vocational High School Students in Kaohsiung and Pingtung

Research on Innovative Operations, Marketing Strategies, Brand Images of Universities of Science and Technology and Students’ University Selection Intentions: A Study of Vocational High School Students in Kaohsiung and Pingtung

Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS12-2023): Foreword

In this foreword, the Symposium on Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS12-2023), which was held by Beijing University of Chemical Technology and Tsinghua University in Beijing from July 2 to 7, 2023, was in details introduced. It was the first time that EIS12 -2023 took place in China since it was established in France 1989. At the opening ceremony, a film illustrating the history of the conference on electrochemical impedance spectroscopy was also shown. Meanwhile, the Claude Awards were given to Prof. Annick Hubin from Vrije Universiteit Brussel in Belgium and Prof. Jianqing Zhang from Zhejiang University in China. During EIS12-2023, 15 plenary talks, 21 invited talks in the corrosion session and in memory of Prof. Chunan Cao, 10 keynote talks in the energy and measurement sessions were presented. There were also 51 posters and 54 talks. Xingyue Yong from Beijing University of Chemical Technology and Assistant Professor Burak Ulgut from Bilkent University, Turkey were elected as new members of the Technical Committee of International Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy Additionally, it was decided that the 13th International Symposium on Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy will be held in Brazil in November 2026. EIS12-2023 organizing committee sincerely thanks everyone for supporting EIS12-2023 and express its great gratitude to Prof. Sotiris Sotiropoulos, the Special Issues Editor of Electrochimica Acta, for his contribution in making this Special Issue possible.

Students’ Perception of eLearning Adoption as a New Dimension of Education in Nigeria. A case study of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Open and Distance Learning Centre, Ogbomoso (LODLC)

Students’ Perception of eLearning Adoption as a New Dimension of Education in Nigeria. A case study of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Open and Distance Learning Centre, Ogbomoso (LODLC)

Mental workload analysis of Industrial Engineering students in Cebu Technological University: National Aeronautics and Space Administration-Task Load Index

Mental workload analysis of Industrial Engineering students in Cebu Technological University: National Aeronautics and Space Administration-Task Load Index