Digital Commons Network^™

Evaluating The Role Of Power Electronics In Enhancing Renewable Energy And Smart Grid Performance: A Review, Muhammad Irfan Habib

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

The review article demonstrates the importance of power electronics in propelling the increase of renewables and increasing the efficiency of contemporary electrical grids. In particular, it highlights the need for bidirectional converters for effective energy management in vehicle-to-grid (V2G) systems with two-way power transfer. The paper examines the series of complications offered by the significantly large integration of power electronic converter-interfaced renewables, such as those related to system steadiness, power quality, and resignation bottlenecks. Also, it recognizes a mix of new technologies, such as wide bandgap (WBG) semiconductors like silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN), that deliver superior performance …

Extraction And Characterization Of Fresh And Dehydrated Cactus (Opuntia Ficus Indica) Polysaccharide For Hydrogel Preparation, Aye Thwe Thwesoe, May Myat Khine

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

In this research, extraction of polysaccharide compounds from Cactus (Opuntia Ficus Indica) leaves in both fresh and dehydrated condition by solvent precipitation method using three types of water, acid (HCL) and NaOH. Before extraction, the physicochemical properties were examined to determine optimum yield (%) of extracted polysaccharide by optimization of Box-Behnken Design (BBD) of response surface methodology (RSM). The polysaccharide-based acrylamide hydrogel was prepared by free radical polymerization. The functional and structural characterization was done by FTIR, XRD and SEM for examination of extracted polysaccharide as raw polymer backbone in hydrogel preparation and prepared hydrogel as adsorbent for metal removal. …

Unlocking Green Potential In Indonesian Small Medium Enterprises: Challenges And Opportunities For Sustainable Vermicelli Production, Togar W. S. Panjaitan, Karina Agustin, Prayonne Adi, Jani Rahardjo, I Nyoman Sutapa

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

Due to limited initiatives and support, the transition to green manufacturing among small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in developing countries remains challenging. Through a critical literature review and case study of the Indonesian vermicelli industry, this study highlights the importance of collaboration and strong policies to address this. Other findings also reveal that the energy intensity and emissions in the sector exceed best practice benchmarks, with the cooking and drying stages contributing significantly to emissions due to high energy consumption. Lack of government regulations, company awareness, and understanding of applicable practices and technologies creates challenges in green manufacturing. The study …

Hybrid Model For Phishing Website Detection Using Transfer Learning, Atul Dubal, Mansi Subhedar, Santosh Dhamala, Manasi Patil

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

The rapid digitization of human activities has intensified reliance on internet-based platforms, creating fertile ground for cybercriminal exploits such as phishing. Despite advancements in detection mechanisms, phishing attacks continue to evolve, leveraging sophisticated visual mimicry to deceive users. This paper proposes a robust vision-based phishing detection system using ensemble deep learning to analyse webpage screenshots. The framework integrates transfer learning with pre-trained VGG16 and DenseNet121 models, extracting complementary low-level texture features (edges, gradients) and high-level hierarchical patterns (logos, layouts). These features are fused through a custom classifier with dropout regularization to mitigate overfitting. A balanced dataset of 3,000 webpage screenshots …

Beyond The Binary: Navigating Ai’S Role In Palliative Ethics-A Review, Reebu Sara Varghese, Tijo Cherian

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

Palliative care is being influenced by artificial intelligence, especially when it comes to data-related aspects. In this context, care can be enhanced in terms of the quality of its results and the level of its efficiency, particularly with the help of technological tools such as artificial intelligence, which is capable of managing different types of information in the field of health care. Such characteristics have the potential to improve the quality of patient care while at the same time reducing the workload of healthcare professionals in palliative care. However, there are considerable ethical issues that need to be addressed with …

Ai-Assisted Hybrid Ga–Pso Channel Allocation Under 3gpp Tr 38.901 Uma For Efficient 5g Radio Resource Management, Sharada Narsingrao Ohatkar

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

The increased traffic and heterogeneity in the 5G/B5G network require efficient radio resource management (RRM). However, the existing methods, such as GA and PSO, have poor convergence speed and require proper initial conditions. Additionally, learning-based methods have high computational complexity. Hence, in this paper, a novel AI-assisted Hybrid Channel Allocation (AI–HCA) framework is proposed by using a support vector regression (SVR)-based predictive initialization method and GA-PSO optimization. Simulation results using the 3GPP UMa channel model show that the proposed method has a 28% reduction in call blocking probability (CBP), a 15-25% enhancement in spectral efficiency (SE), and a 18-25% enhancement …

Assessing The Influence Of Land Use Land Cover Alterations On Climate Variability In Thimphu & Chhukha, Sonam Zangpo, Karma Choki, Tashi Tobgay, Phurpa Rinchen, Tandin Tshewang

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

This study examines the spatiotemporal dynamics of land use and land cover (LULC) changes and their influence on local climate variability in Bhutan using an integrated geospatial and machine learning framework. LULC changes during the period 2004 to 2022 were analyzed to understand their relationship with localized climate responses. Despite increasing urbanization pressures, comprehensive assessments linking LULC dynamics with climate variability in Bhutan remain limited. Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques and Random Forest classification were used to map LULC changes, while non-parametric trend analyses (Mann–Kendall test and Sen’s slope estimator) were applied to evaluate trends in key meteorological variables, including …

Understanding Waste Management Knowledge And Habits Of Senior High School Students In Lianga, Surigao Del Sur, Philippines, Arnele Mie A. Fanuga, Romy M. Avila, Reyl Justine J. Ballena

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

The effective implementation of Solid Waste Management (SWM) in educational institutions is challenged by increasing student populations, limited infrastructure, and inconsistent policy enforcement. This study assessed the Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) of senior high school students regarding SWM in three secondary schools in Lianga, Surigao del Sur, Philippines. Data were collected using a descriptive-correlational design from 150 students selected through quota sampling. Pearson’s correlation analysis revealed significant associations between knowledge and attitude, and between attitude and practice. Knowledge scores were positively correlated across the three secondary schools. Students demonstrated a high level of awareness of the environmental and health …

Sustainable Conductive Rpla-Carbon Black Filament For Additive Manufacturing Via Single-Screw Extrusion, Zaidan Faraby Zulkarnain, Shakina Hawapi, Aini Zuhra Abdul Kadir, Muhd Ikmal Isyraf Mohd Maulana, Nor Akmal Fadil, Najlaa Nazihah Mas’Ood, Mohd Rizal Alkahari, Saidin Wahab

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

The growing demand for low-cost, sustainable conductive filaments for additive manufacturing motivates the exploration of recycled polymer feedstocks as alternatives to virgin materials. However, the effects of prior thermal reprocessing on both the electrical performance and morphological integrity of recycled PLA (rPLA)–carbon black (CB) composite filaments remain insufficiently characterised, particularly under single-screw extrusion conditions. This study fabricates and characterises conductive filaments from virgin PLA and rPLA, each loaded with CB at 0.2, 0.6, and 1.0 wt%, using a low-cost desktop single-screw extruder. Melt blending was found to be essential for achieving continuous filament extrusion, as ball milling produced insufficient filler …

Spectroscopic And Structural Characterization Of Unexpected Porphyrinoid Byproducts Resulting From The Reaction Of A Cyclopentadiene Trialdehyde With N-Alkyltripyrranes, Kimberly Le, Gregory M. Ferrence, Timothy D. Lash

Faculty Publications – Chemistry

Acid-catalyzed condensation of N-alkyltripyrranes with a cyclopentadiene trialdehyde, followed by oxidation with aqueous ferric chloride solutions, gave unusual tripyrrolic byproducts in addition to previously reported carbaporphyrins and oxycarbaporphyrins. These stable nonaromatic structures incorporate aldehyde substituents, macrocyclic ketones, two conjugated pyrrole units, and a pyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrrole moiety. The NMR and UV-vis data were consistent with a nonaromatic system, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction confirmed that these structures are highly distorted. Structural characterization of a related aromatic carbaporphyrin triketone was also accomplished.

A Nuclear Terrorism Scenario: Improvised Nuclear Weapons With 60%-Enriched Uranium, Matt Caplan

Faculty publications – Physics

In this work we show that approximately 60–70 kg of 60%-enriched uranium can be used to build a crude nuclear weapon with a kiloton yield. While too large to fit on a missile, such a weapon could be delivered by a shipping container. This analysis is motivated by the June 2025 Israeli and US attacks on Iran, especially the bombings of the nuclear facilities at Natanz, Fordow and Isfahan. The Iranian stockpile of approximately 440 kg of 60%-enriched uranium is, at the time of writing, inaccessible to IAEA inspectors and stored in secret. The rapid clandestine relocation of this material …

Mr Ma Fung-Kwok, Gbs, Jp 馬逢國先生, Gbs, Jp

Honorary Fellowship 榮譽院士

No abstract provided.

Balancing Nationalities In International Investment Law, Peter J. Spiro

Chicago Journal of International Law

How can you tell where someone is “from”?  Historically, an individual’s national identity was singular, starting with formal nationality. One’s national center of gravity was readily determinable. Not so today. Determining one’s primary national identification is no longer an easy thing in many cases. This is consequentially enabled by the growing acceptance of dual citizenship. One can openly identify as a formal member of more than one country in a way that was disfavored in the past.

International investment law, however, has not caught up to this reality. In an increasing number of international arbitrations, tribunals are shutting the doors …

Artificial Intelligence And Data Science In Agriculture Specialty Crops And Climate Change Modeling, Chandrasekar Vuppalapati

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Specialty crops—fruits, vegetables, nuts, horticulture, and nursery crops—are a powerful engine of agricultural growth, contributing nearly one-fifth of U.S. farm revenues and driving a $1.6 trillion global market. As demand rises and climate challenges intensify, growers need smarter tools to stay competitive. This book brings together AI, data science, climate modeling, and economic forecasting to help farmers and innovators improve yields, manage risk, enhance sustainability, and secure long-term profitability. Designed for agricultural leaders, technologists, and policymakers, it delivers practical, future-ready solutions to strengthen specialty crop resilience and global food security. Presents the applications of data science and AI to agriculture …

Empowering Students To Engage With Climate Change Action: A Project-Based Module For Artificial Intelligence Literacy And Sustainability Thinking, Gabriel Granco, Yu Chen, Heather Macias, Yunfei Hou, Frank A. Gomez

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

There is a growing need to prepare students to address complex environmental challenges, particularly climate change and the expanding role of artificial intelligence (AI). This article examines the adaptation of the Artificial Intelligence for Social Good (AI4SG) Ideation module, a pitch- and project-based teaching framework designed to integrate AI literacy and sustainability education. Implemented in an upper division climate change course, the module combines project-based learning, culturally responsive pedagogy, and geographic thinking to guide students in developing community-oriented AI proposals aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Students were encouraged to approach their communities not through deficit lenses, …

Criterion Validity Of The Functional Status And Pain Assessment Scale Versus Pain And Length Of Stay In Hospitalized Adults With Scd, Wally R. Smith, Daniel M. Sop, Yue May Zhang, Margaret S. Guy, Rehan Qayyum

Department of Medicine Faculty Publications

Objectives

In prior research we demonstrated face, construct, discriminant, and preliminary convergent validity of the newly developed, 10-item Functional Status Pain Assessment (FSPA) scale (0-50) in adult SCD patients hospitalized with VOC. We aimed in this study to further demonstrate criterion validity of the FSPA.

Methods

This was a prospective observational study of 561 daily functional and pain assessments from 91 hospitalized adults with SCD from January 2018 to June of 2019. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) Partial Least Squares (PLS) models determined the relationship between LOS, pain intensity, and FSPA. A Generalized Linear Model (GLM) to quantified the impact of …

Antibody-Drug Conjugates Beyond Her2 In Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (Nsclc): Mechanisms, Emerging Targets, And Future Directions, Ahmed Ismail, Akash Desai, George R. Simon, Yanis Boumber

Department of Medicine Faculty Publications

Antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs) are a rapidly evolving class of oncology therapeutics that enable precise delivery of potent cytotoxic agents to tumor cells while minimizing systemic toxicity. While HER2-targeted ADCs such as trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd) in HER2-mutant, Datopotamab deruxtecan (Dato-Dxd) in EGFR-mutant, and telisotumumab vedotin (Teliso-V) in MET IHC 3+ expressing lung cancer have already established a clinical role in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), multiple ADCs targeting alternative antigens, including additional TROP2 ADCs, HER3, MET, CEACAM5, B7-H3, Nectin-4, and others, are now in advanced clinical development. This review synthesizes the current evidence for non-HER2 ADCs in NSCLC, highlighting mechanisms of …

Dietary Intake Of Micro- And Nanoplastics: Potential Adverse Gi Effects On Microbiome, Inflammation, And Neoplasia, Michael Saadeh, Gordon Hong, Sana Rabeeah, Priyata Dutta, Edward C. Oldfield, Iv, David A. Johnson

Department of Medicine Faculty Publications

Micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) are pervasive in food-contact environments and the human diet, positioning the gastrointestinal (GI) tract as the primary portal of entry and a plausible site of early biological effects. Human exposure is supported by detection of microplastics in stool and colon tissue, and emerging clinical studies report associations between fecal microplastic burden and GI disease states, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and colorectal cancer (CRC). Preclinical studies provide mechanistic plausibility, reporting that ingested MNPs can modulate microbial ecology, alter mucus membrane integrity, increase intestinal permeability through changes in cellular tight junction biology, and induce inflammatory gene expression. …

Micro- And Nanoplastics: A Paradigm Shift In The Pathogenesis Of Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Michael Saadeh, Priyata Dutta, Gordon Hong, Edward Oldfield, David A. Johnson

Department of Medicine Faculty Publications

Micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) are pervasive environmental contaminants with growing recognition as potential contributors to human disease. Widespread human exposure occurs primarily through ingestion of contaminated food and water, and MNPs have been detected in multiple human tissues, including the gastrointestinal tract. Experimental evidence provides a plausible biological basis for disease associations, including impairment of intestinal barrier integrity, activation of mucosal immune pathways, and alteration of gut microbial communities caused by MNP exposure. Although human data remain limited, early studies demonstrate MNP detection in stool and suggest potential correlations with inflammatory biomarkers such as fecal calprotectin. These findings, together with …

Regional Pain Is Associated With Functional Performance In People With Parkinson's Disease, Ryan P. Duncan, Monica R. Hendricksen, Luke Ekdahl, Kevin Smaller, Benjamin Friedman, Miriam R. Rafferty

Department of Medicine Faculty Publications

Background and Purpose:

Little is known about how pain influences physical function in people with mild Parkinson disease (PwPD). The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between physical function and pain presence, location, and intensity in PwPD who were evaluated in an early physical therapy program.

Methods:

Retrospective cross-sectional analysis of electronic medical records from patients with PD evaluated at a single center (2016-2023). Pain presence, location, and intensity (0-10 scale) were recorded at the initial physical therapy evaluation. Functional outcomes included 5-time sit-to-stand, 10-meter walk test, 6-minute walk test, timed up and go, mini-BESTest, and Functional …

Microplastics, Nanoplastics, And Obesity: Current Evidence And Biological Mechanisms, Maram Albandak, Sanam Rabeeah, Ahmad Mahdi Zahidi, David A. Johnson

Department of Medicine Faculty Publications

Obesity is a rapidly growing global health concern. The pathogenesis is complex and cannot be fully explained by lifestyle factors alone. The increasing attention towards this concern has finally been directed towards environmental contributors which may influence metabolic regulation. Microplastics and nano-plastics (MNPs) are ubiquitous environmental pollutants that have recently been detected in food, drinking water, air, and human biological samples, raising concerns about their potential role in metabolic disorders, including obesity. Chronic exposure to MNPs may interfere with metabolic homeostasis through multiple biological pathways. Emerging evidence, including both experimental and animal studies, reports alterations in lipid metabolism, body weight, …

Hands-On: Integrating Active Learning Into An Upper Extremity Occupational Therapy Elective, Jennifer Radziak, Katie Jones, Kelsey Picha

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

In an effort to provide students with advanced clinical practice skills, several occupational therapy elective courses were developed. The current article describes an educational innovation that involved an in-person elective course for graduate second year Master of Science in Occupational Therapy students that focused on the upper extremity. The course was team-taught, promoted active learning, and used unique activities to engage students in the learning process. Relevant evidence-based practice literature and clinical guidelines were incorporated into the course to teach students about the treatment of upper extremity conditions. The active learning strategies implemented in the course included fresh donor dissection, …

Virtual Reality’S Impact On Occupational Therapy Student Confidence And Fieldwork Performance, Kayla Collins, Kirsten Davin, Marian Gillard

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Occupational therapy students often experience confidence gaps as they transition from academic preparation to real-world practice settings. This quasi-experimental study investigated whether the integration of immersive virtual reality (VR) simulations into the didactic portion of an Occupational Therapy Doctoral (OTD) program affected student confidence and subsequent Level II fieldwork performance. Data from 65 students across three cohorts were analyzed using the Student Confidence Questionnaire (SCQ) and the Fieldwork Performance Evaluation (FWPE). While no significant differences were observed in total confidence or fieldwork scores, students who completed VR simulations reported significantly higher confidence in five subdomains: adaptability, risk-taking, supervision, clinical practice, …

A Scholarly Exploration Of Teaching Strategies For Learning About Pediatric Sleep, Laura J. Carpenter, Amanda M. Buono

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

The occupation of sleep is an area of occupational therapy practice for which many practitioners report a lack of confidence and/or knowledge to properly address. The current study addresses this concern by studying the effects of a learning module on students’ confidence and knowledge to address pediatric sleep. The study used a pre-test, post-test non-experimental design and collected survey responses from 48 entry-level occupational therapy students in three different programs. The lecture portion of the module included content about both assessing and intervening, while the case study emphasized intervention-planning only. Results indicated significant gains in knowledge overall (z = …

Faculty Perceptions Of Using Technology For Virtual Debriefing, Kelly Layne, Deanne Otto, Elisabeth Mcgee

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Face-to-face simulation and debriefing have been widely used and researched in occupational therapy and physical therapy education to provide students with authentic learning experiences. However, technology acceptance of virtual debriefing has not been studied with occupational therapy and physical therapy faculty. This is an important area of study, as the use of technology to facilitate virtual debriefing became more common during the COVID-19 pandemic and has continued to increase in use post-pandemic. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore faculty perceptions of using technology to facilitate virtual debriefing in graduate occupational therapy and physical therapy programs. The …

Faculty Perceptions Of Active Learning In Occupational Therapy Education: Strategies Utilized, Feasibility, And Student Outcomes, Heidi N. Robertson, Erin Westover

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

This study utilized a concurrent mixed-methods approach using an online survey to examine occupational therapy and occupational therapy assistant faculty members' knowledge and use of active learning strategies, perceived barriers, and perceptions of student engagement and learning outcomes. The investigators developed a survey, including 22 closed and open-ended questions, capturing demographics, knowledge, barriers, strategy use, and student outcomes. Quantitative data analysis employed descriptive statistics, indicating that knowledge of active learning was most frequently gained through on-the-job experience. Findings also revealed differences in strategy use across course types: active learning was used more frequently in practice-based courses and less frequently in …

Assessing Supports And Barriers To Equitable Participation In Occupational Therapy Fieldwork For Students From Minoritized Backgrounds: A Mixed Methods Analysis, Kristin M. Nxumalo, Coalition Of Occupational Therapy Advocates For Diversity Cotad, Alexia Rebne, Janis Yue, Ryan Thomure, Ricardo D. Ramirez

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Fieldwork experiences in occupational therapy (OT) and occupational therapy assistant (OTA) education introduce students to novel environments that they must successfully navigate. When examining the experiences of OT and OTA students from minoritized backgrounds, it is critical to understand their fieldwork experiences so that fieldwork educators and partners can create inclusive, supportive environments that promote success for all students. Within this study, a needs assessment was conducted to explore factors that impacted the OT and OTA fieldwork experiences of students from minoritized backgrounds. Using a mixed methods design, a cross-sectional survey was completed by non-faculty OT practitioners (n=48), Academic Fieldwork …

The Editors' Perspective: A New Era For Jote, Dana M. Howell, Renee Causey-Upton, Cynthia L. Hayden

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

No abstract provided.

Understanding Self-Directed Learning Development In Occupational Therapy Students: A Mixed Methods Approach, Adrianne Osmundson, Jenna Heffron

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Occupational therapy students enter graduate school at different stages of self-directed learning (SDL) readiness, and SDL skills must be explicitly taught. However, limited consensus exists on how SDL skill development should be incorporated into educational experiences. A retrospective parallel convergent mixed methods study was conducted to elicit an understanding of SDL development in a single cohort of master’s level occupational therapy students (n = 29) who participated in weekly SDL labs during their graduate education. The SDL labs were designed using Knowles’ (1975) seminal definition of SDL related to individuals taking the initiative to determine their needs, goals, strategies, and …

Assessing The Criticality Of Construction Trades: Skilled Labor Shortages And Their Cost And Schedule Impacts, Tamima Elbashbishy, Islam H. El-Adaway

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Skilled labor shortages are a pressing issue in the construction industry. Existing research has primarily focused on the effects of labor shortages at the project or industry level, but there is limited exploration of how these shortages vary across specific trades and their distinct impacts on project outcomes. Evidence indicates that labor shortages vary significantly among trades. This paper addresses this knowledge gap through quantitatively assessing the criticality of key construction trades based on the (1) extent of skilled labor shortages currently witnessed in each trade, (2) impact of these shortages on cost and schedule performance, and (3) degree of …