Changes in Prostate Specific Antigen and Acid Phosphatase of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Induced Male Albino Rats Fed with Cooked Phaseolus Vulgaris (Black Bean) Juice

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Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common non-malignant enlargement of the prostate gland in ageing males and is associated with hormonal imbalances, inflammation and biochemical alterations. It could be detected biochemically through prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP) assay. Plant-based interventions have gained increasing attention due to their affordability, safety, and rich phytochemical composition. Phaseolus vulgaris (black bean) is a legume containing phenolics, flavonoids, and bioactive peptides with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, but its effect on prostate biomarkers has not been clearly established. This study investigated the effect of cooked black bean juice on PSA and PAP levels in testosterone-propionate induced BPH male albino rats. Twenty-four adult rats (150–280 g) were divided into four groups after induction of BPH by subcutaneous testosterone propionate. Animals were treated with graded doses of cooked P. vulgaris juice (low, medium, and high), while the control group received no extract. Serum PSA (ng/mL) and PAP (IU/L) were analyzed before and after treatment. Results showed that induction of BPH significantly elevated PSA and PAP. Administration of cooked black bean juice produced significant reductions (p < 0.05) in both biomarkers across all treated groups. PAP decreased from 11.55 ± 0.76 to 7.62 ± 0.93 in the high-dose group, 11.42 ± 0.98 to 7.32 ± 0.66 in the medium-dose group, and 10.73 ± 1.49 to 7.15 ± 0.68 in the low-dose group. PSA declined correspondingly from 3.12 ± 0.46 to 1.79 ± 0.58, 3.04 ± 0.54 to 1.77 ± 0.69, and 2.94 ± 0.40 to 1.22 ± 0.48 respectively. A strong positive correlation existed between PSA and PAP (r = 0.97, p = 0.000), indicating that reductions in these markers were closely related. The study concludes that cooked P. vulgaris juice exerts beneficial effects on prostate biochemical indices in BPH and may serve as a natural therapeutic adjunct in prostate health management

Characterization to Estimate the Size of Gold Nanoparticles Deposited in Pregnancy Tests Using Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy

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When using a pregnancy test, a urine sample is deposited in one side of the nitrocellulose strip, which moves by capillary action to the other side of the test, where there are immobilized particles or biomarkers that indicate a positive or negative test result. Based on the manufacturer’s data sheet, these are usually colloidal gold nanoparticles. This paper describes the results of a characterization study using diffuse reflectance spectroscopy on qualitative pregnancy tests. The importance of this study resides in the possibility of finding invalid tests or false negatives in the results, at the same time, the approximate size of the nanoparticles can be determined indirectly by analysing the spectra obtained experimentally.

Redesign of Interactive Exhibitions in Mundo Fútbol

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This research project was developed in collaboration with the interactive center Mundo Fútbol, a company dedicated to educational entertainment through interactive sports exhibits. The main objective was the redesign of three of its most representative interactive exhibits: Compare Your Jump, Test Your Power, and Measure Your Speed. These exhibits, which are central to the visitor experience, showed significant deficiencies in material durability, ease of use, maintenance, and visual appeal due to prolonged use and a lack of technical updates for over a decade.

The research was structured based on the Design Thinking methodology, which allowed for a deep understanding of the needs of both the users and the Mundo Fútbol staff responsible for the transportation, installation, and operation of the exhibitions. The process was carried out in five stages: empathize, define, ideate, prototype, and test, supported by complementary tools such as the Ishikawa diagram, SCAMPER, and brainstorming. These tools helped facilitate the identification of root problems and the generation of innovative solutions.

Each exhibit was addressed individually, with a detailed analysis of its operation, structure, components, user interaction, and usage conditions. As part of the redesign, structural, functional, and aesthetic improvements were proposed and modeled using SolidWorks software, producing technical drawings, 3D models, and photorealistic renders of the new proposals. Additionally, structural simulations with static load analysis were conducted using materials such as ABS plastic and ASTM A-36 steel, in order to validate the strength, safety, and efficiency of each design.

The results demonstrate significant improvements in ergonomics, structural resistance, ease of maintenance, and user experience, while also reducing setup times and transportation requirements. This research not only provides technical solutions tailored to Mundo Fútbol’s needs but also establishes a replicable methodology for the development of modern, sustainable, and user-centered interactive exhibits within the field of industrial design and engineering.

Sentiment Analysis Based on Questionnaires: A Case Study on the Use of Induction Stove

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Indonesia’s reliance on subsidized Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) for household cooking places a significant burden on the national energy subsidy budget and increases dependence on imported fossil fuels. As part of the clean energy transition strategy, the Indonesian government has promoted the conversion from LPG stoves to electric induction stoves. However, public acceptance and actual post-use experiences at the household level remain diverse and insufficiently examined empirically. This study aims to analyze public sentiment toward induction stove use based on post-adoption user reviews to identify factors that encourage interest and reveal existing adoption barriers.

This study employs a machine learning–based sentiment analysis approach using primary data collected through open-ended questionnaires distributed to induction stove users. A total of 265 valid textual responses were analyzed. Text preprocessing was conducted using Python with the NLTK and Sastrawi libraries, including data cleaning, case folding, tokenization, stopword removal, stemming, and duplicate removal. Sentiment classification was performed using the Term Frequency–Inverse Document Frequency (TF-IDF) method and the Naive Bayes algorithm, while WordCloud visualization was applied to identify dominant keywords.

The results indicate a relatively balanced sentiment distribution, with positive sentiment accounting for 33.6%, neutral sentiment 32.5%, and negative sentiment 34.0%. Positive sentiment is mainly associated with energy efficiency, safety, and ease of use, whereas negative sentiment is driven by concerns regarding initial costs and electricity dependence. Neutral sentiment reflects an evaluative phase among users. These findings provide empirical insights to support user-oriented policies and strategies for accelerating the sustainable adoption of induction stove technology in Indonesia’s clean energy transition.

Nutrient Budgeting: An Enigma

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Nutrient budgeting seeks to quantify nutrient flows, evaluate the efficiency of current nutrient management practices, and provide recommendations to enhance sustainability and productivity. While fertilizer use is increasing, it’s often imbalanced, with a greater emphasis on nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) than potassium (K). The recommended NPK ratio (6.96:2.79:1 in 2019-20) differs significantly from the average crop uptake ratio (1.0:0.3:1.3). In the year 2000-2001, inorganic fertilizer was the dominant source contributing 64% of N and 78% of P inputs in Indian agriculture, whereas K input through inorganic fertilizer was 26%. The intrinsic complexity and diversity of nutrient dynamics across spatial and temporal dimensions, however, continue to make it an enigma. Numerous factors contribute to the difficulties in nutrient budgeting, such as uneven measuring techniques, variations in crop and soil properties, shifting weather patterns, and a lack of reliable field data. Furthermore, assumptions and models used to estimate nutrient flows—such as biological nitrogen fixation, leaching, gaseous losses, and crop uptake—frequently fail to account for site-specific reality. This complexity is further increased by human elements like inconsistent record-keeping and a variety of management techniques. However, by integrating field data, existing models, and literature-based nutrient coefficients, the studies in this field contributes to a deeper understanding of nutrient use efficiency and the potential for improving soil fertility management.

Improving the Qualitative Detection of Porous Silicon Using CdO NPs

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This research describes a successful fabrication process for CdO NPs using pulsed laser ablation. It also describes a photodetector with heterojunction. A rapid analysis of the morphological, structural, and optical properties was performed. The production of cadmium oxide thin films was confirmed through structural and morphological characterization. The nanofilms were 10.84 nm thick. X-ray diffraction patterns showed a match with the material used. The surface properties and shape of the cadmium oxide were analyzed using atomic force microscopy. The laser ablation process produced very small, regularly arranged, hemispherical, pointed, and uniformly distributed nanoparticles with few single columns. The detector’s response spectrum showed good selectivity for detecting visible and near-infrared light. Therefore, CdO NPs could be a promising candidate material for photovoltaic applications.

MRW: Manasik Robotic Wheelchair for Tawaf and Sa’i in the Holy Mosque in Makkah in Saudi Arabia

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As the number of elderly and disabled visitors to Al Masjid Al Haram increases, an efficient and easy transportation solution becomes essential. However, existing methods have limitations, such as relying heavily on the visitor’s driving skills, traditional wheelchairs needing human intervention and significant physical effort, and language barriers between all visitors. Therefore, a new and innovative transportation solution is needed to overcome these challenges. This project focuses on the need to innovate new solutions, develop and train driving skills, reduce physical effort, enable independent mobility, overcome language barriers, and ensure a stress-free transportation experience for visitors to the Holy Mosque. This project uses a line-following robot equipped with a color sensor and a distance sensor to navigate a predefined path. The color sensor enables the robot to follow a black line and uses red markers to count labs and navigating between Tawaf and Sa’i. The distance sensor allows the robot to stop automatically when an obstacle is detected within 10 cm and resume movement once the path is clear. A proportional control method is applied to ensure reliable line following. The robot begins its journey in the Mataf area to perform Tawaf, and upon completing seven laps, it transitions to the Masa’ area to perform Sa’i. The system was tested in an environment simulating Al Masjid Al Haram pathways, focusing on navigation accuracy, obstacle detection. A functional prototype was successfully developed, demonstrating effective line-following and obstacle detection. The robot accurately followed the designated path, responded to red line markers, and detected obstacles, ensuring smooth and safe navigation. The system was tested in an environment simulating the pathways of Al Masjid Al Haram, showing high reliability in guiding the robot through the specified routes. The Manasik Robotic Wheelchair provides an innovative solution for mobility challenges in the Holy Mosque. It significantly improves accessibility and convenience for visitors, making religious journeys more inclusive and stress-free. Further refinements and real-world testing are recommended to enhance its effectiveness and ensure widespread implementation.

Experimental Investigation on Rice Husk Ash Blended Concrete Performance in Terms of Compressive Strength

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Concrete is the most widely used construction material globally, but its production relies heavily on Portland cement, contributing to significant CO₂ emissions and creating a substantial environmental burden. Rice husk ash (RHA), an abundant agricultural by-product with high silica content and pozzolanic potential, presents a promising opportunity for partial cement replacement, offering environmental and economic benefits. This study investigates the partial replacement of cement with RHA in concrete mixes, evaluating its effect on compressive strength. Concrete specimens were prepared with 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% RHA replacement levels by weight, and compressive strength tests were conducted at 7 and 28 days. The gradual decrease in compressive strength with increasing RHA content is evident in the data. For the 28-day strength, the control mix registered 22.73 MPa, while the 5% RHA mix had 19.30 MPa, and the 20% RHA mix reported 13.92 MPa. Strength performance is optimal with a 5% replacement level, which is the closest to the control. This suggests the partial replacement of cement with RHA up to 5% is reasonably attainable, especially considering the marked reduction in cement content, which translates to a reduction in CO2 emissions, the recycling of agricultural waste, and the primary mechanical performance.

Analysis of Strain Measurement Accuracy in WF Steel Beams Using Strain Gauges: An Experimental Study Based on Elastic Theory

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This study presents an experimental approach to measure flexural and shear strains in a WF 150.75.5.7 steel beam using strain gauges. The primary objective of this research is to evaluate the accuracy of strain measurements obtained from strain gauges and compare them with theoretical predictions based on elastic theory. The experiment was conducted on a simply supported beam with a span length of 3.7 meters, subjected to a central static load applied through a Universal Testing Machine (UTM). FLA-6-11 strain gauges were installed on the top and bottom flanges to record flexural strain, as well as diagonally on the beam web to capture shear strain. The experimental results showed that flexural strain measurements deviated less than 5% from theoretical predictions, whereas shear strain measurements deviated up to 14%, which is presumed to be caused by inaccuracies in strain gauge installation. This study indicates that strain gauges are highly effective for flexural strain measurement, but require careful installation to ensure reliability in shear strain measurement. The research also highlights the importance of experimental documentation on locally standardized steel profiles, particularly BJ37 grade steel, as a reference for validating laboratory structural testing methods.

A Dependable Numerical Approach for Solving a Nonlinear Generalized Fractional Distributed-Order Black-Scholes Equation

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In this research, we explore the nonlinear generalized distributed-order time-fractional Black-Scholes equation using an implicit numerical approach. Finite difference techniques are employed to approximate the time and spatial derivatives. Our numerical results exhibit high accuracy, underscoring the method’s robustness in addressing financial models. Additionally, our approach offers significant advantages in computational efficiency and stability. By using the implicit method, we ensure solution stability even with larger time steps, which is particularly beneficial for long-term financial modeling. The implications of this study extend beyond financial engineering. The methodologies developed can be adapted to solve various fractional differential equations in different scientific and engineering fields. The successful application of these techniques to the Black-Scholes equation suggests their potential utility in other areas requiring precise and efficient numerical solutions.