bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Teaching Machines
Authors: Watters Audrey 
Published: August 2021

How ed tech was born: Twentieth-century teaching machines—from Sidney Pressey's mechanized test-giver to B. F. Skinner's behaviorist bell-ringing box.
Contrary to popular belief, ed tech did not begin with videos on the internet. The idea of technology that would allow students to “go at their own pace” did not originate in Silicon Valley. In Teaching Machines, education writer Audrey Watters offers a lively history of predigital educational technology, from Sidney Pressey's mechanized positive-reinforcement provider to B. F. Skinner's behaviorist bell-ringing box. Watters shows that these machines and the pedagogy that accompanied them sprang from ideas—bite-sized content, individualized instruction—that had legs and were later picked up by textbook publishers and early advocates for computerized learning.
Watters pays particular attention to the role of the media—newspapers, magazines, television, and film—in shaping people's perceptions of teaching machines as well as the psychological theories underpinning them. She considers these machines in the context of education reform, the political reverberations of Sputnik, and the rise of the testing and textbook industries. She chronicles Skinner's attempts to bring his teaching machines to market, culminating in the famous behaviorist's efforts to launch Didak 101, the “pre-verbal” machine that taught spelling. (Alternate names proposed by Skinner include “Autodidak,” “Instructomat,” and “Autostructor.”) Telling these somewhat cautionary tales, Watters challenges what she calls “the teleology of ed tech”—the idea that not only is computerized education inevitable, but technological progress is the sole driver of events.
Giving Bodies Back to Data
Authors: Casini Silvia 
Published: August 2021

An examination of the bodily, situated aspects of data-visualization work, looking at visualization practices around the development of MRI technology.
Our bodies are scanned, probed, imaged, sampled, and transformed into data by clinicians and technologists. In this book, Silvia Casini reveals the affective relations and materiality that turn data into image—and in so doing, gives bodies back to data. Opening the black box of MRI technology, Casini examines the bodily, situated aspects of visualization practices around the development of this technology. Reframing existing narratives of biomedical innovation, she emphasizes the important but often overlooked roles played by aesthetics, affectivity, and craft practice in medical visualization.
Combining history, theory, laboratory ethnography, archival research, and collaborative art–science, Casini retrieves the multiple presences and agencies of bodies in data visualization, mapping the traces of scientists' body work and embodied imagination. She presents an in-depth ethnographic study of MRI development at the University of Aberdeen's biomedical physics laboratory, from the construction of the first whole-body scanner for clinical purposes through the evolution of the FFC-MRI. Going beyond her original focus on MRI, she analyzes a selection of neuroscience- or biomedicine-inspired interventions by artists in media ranging from sculpture to virtual reality. Finally, she presents a methodology for designing and carrying out small-scale art–science projects, describing a collaboration that she herself arranged, highlighting the relational and aesthetic-laden character of data that are the product of craftsmanship and affective labor at the laboratory bench.
Effect of Foliar Application of Plant Growth Hormones on Yield and Quality Parameters in Ajowan (Trachyspermum ammi L. Sprague)
Authors: Reddy Y. Rajasekhara , Ramanandam G. , Subbaramamma P. , Dorajeerao A. V. D. 
Published: August 2021

Foliar application of plant growth regulators viz., GA3 -50& 100 ppm, NAA- 50 ppm &100 ppm, Thiourea- 250 & 500 ppm, 28-Homobrassinolide- 0.1& 0.2ppm, Triacontanol - 2.5& 5 ppm and Control. All the treatments were applied as foliar sprays at 30 and 45 DAT. Days to 50% flowering (46 d) and days to harvest (100.20 d) were found earlier in ajowan with the foliar applications of triacontanol by 5 ppm (T10).The same treatment had recorded the maximum number of umbellate umbel-1(14.20). Foliar applications of thiourea by 250 ppm (T5) had record the highest values with respect to yield, yield attributing characters viz number of umbels plant-1(228.70), number of seeds umbel-1(183.60), number of seeds umbellate-1(13.50), test weight (1.56 g), seed yield plant-1 (28.50 g), seed yield plot-1 (1425 g), seed yield hectare-1(1583.33 kg), harvest index (69.71%) and quality parameters viz essential oil (3.64%) and protein contents (19.26 mg 100 g-1).
The Role of Pulmonary Surfactant in COVID-19 Understanding
Authors: Ettarhouni Zaineb O. , Mezoughi Aysha B. 
Published: August 2021

Background: In Covid-19 the virus infects the respiratory tract in human. When lung tissue becomes diseased, the walls and lining of the alveoli and capillaries are damaged. At this point lung compliance and ventilation decrease. Pulmonary surfactant that is produced and dispersed into alveolar space, has a significant role in understanding how heavily covid-19 interferes and infects lung cells. The importance of pulmonary surfactant in alveoli is to lower surface tension at air/liquid interface in the lung. This is achieved by reducing the work of breathing and preventing alveolar collapse. The main constituent of pulmonary surfactant is dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) (C40H80NO8P). It is a phospholipid containing two non polar palmitic acid C16 chains as hydrophobic tails linked to a polar head group of a phosphatidylcholine (also known as lecithin).
Rationale of the Review and Objective Method: When DPPC molecules are in contact with a polar solvent, micelles which grow further into bilayers are formed considering their cylindrical structures. This trait makes the whole structure of pulmonary surfactant as amphipathic and surface active molecules. The head group of phosphatidylcholine in the pulmonary surfactant is attracted by polar liquid molecules causing a reduction of the liquid surface tension.
Conclusion: This review complements the quoted information analysing them theoretically and integrates recent advances in pulmonary surfactant research with the global pandemic.
Assessment of the Role of Lung Ultrasonography for the Accuracy of Clinically Estimated Dry Weight in Chronic Hemodialysis Patients
Authors: Hammad Yasmin S. , Khodier Samy A. , Al-Ghazaly Ghada M. , Nassar Ibrahim A. 
Published: August 2021

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the utility of lung ultrasonography to determine the accuracy of prescribed dry weight in chronic hemodialysis patients and to ascertain the adequacy of fluid removal .
Methods: In this cross sectional study LUS was performed immediately before and after (within 15 min) the dialysis session on 60 patients on regular hemodialysis, 4-hours per session, three times weekly at Tanta university hospitals, Internal Medicine Department, Nephrology units, Egypt. The ultrasonography B-lines was tabulated and compared to the intradialytic ultrafltration parameters and dry weight.
Results: Positive significant correlation (P 0.02) was achieved between the intradialytic percentage change in B-lines and the percent change in total body weight reduction and also Positive significant correlation (P 0.05) was achieved between the intradialytic percentage change in B-lines and the ultrafiltration rate.
Conclusion: LUS is a valuable diagnostic tool for recognizing the adequacy of fluid removal and to avoid inaccurate estimation of dry weight by usual clinical parameters or even radiologic studies including chest X-ray.
Effect of Rice Husk Ash (RHA) and Slag as Partial Replacement of Cement on Reinforced Concrete Slabs
Authors: Nabil Mohamed , Essa Ashraf , Mahmoud Magdy , Rabah Mohamed 
Published: August 2021

The increasing demand and consumption of cement have necessitated the use of slag, fly ash, rice husk ash (RHA), and so forth as a supplement of cement in concrete construction. The aim of the study is to develop a replacement of the cement with rice husk ash and slag combined with chemical activator. NaOH, Ca(OH)2, and KOH were used in varying weights and molar concentrations. Partial replacement of cement was tested for its consistency, setting time, flow, compressive strength, and fire. The consistency and setting time of the Partial Z-Cement (Zero cement) paste increase with increasing RHA content. The replacement of cement mortar achieves a compressive strength of 22–25MPa at 28 days with 5% NaOH or at 2.5or non used activator molar concentrations. The tested slabs were made of concrete and reinforced with bars with 10 mm diameter having and compressive strength evaluated from the compressive tests. The analysis of the slab deflection behavior has been presented after fire of samples. The results show the different character of the load-deflection relationship of a replacement of the cement with rice husk ash and slag reinforced slabs compared to traditionally reinforced slabs.
Some Toxicological Studies of Methanol Leaves Extract Lannea acida in Wistar Albino Rats
Authors: Nwaogu Jude , Argungu Aminu Umar , Sifawa Sadiq Abubakar 
Published: August 2021

Aim: The current study determined phytochemical constituents evaluated the acute and sub-chronic toxic profiles of Lannea acida methanol leaves extract (LAMLE) in Wistar albino rats
Methodology: The phytochemical screening of LAMLE was conducted using standard methods. A total of 31 male albino rats were used for the antioxidant studies. A total of 31 male albino rats were used for the toxicological study. The LD50 was determined using six (6) rats according to OECD, 2001 using fixed limit dose. For the sub-chronic study, the rats were divided into five (5) groups of five (5) rats. Control group (group 1) received distilled water orally 2ml/kg. Groups (2-5) received doses of 250, 500, 1000, 2000 mg/kg of the extracts. The experiment lasted for 28 days.
Results: The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of Flavonoids, Phenols, Tannins, Saponins, Alkaloids and Steroids. The LD50 of the extract was found to be greater than 5000mg/kg. There were significant reduction in the concentration of ALT, ALP and ALB (P<.05) in the group that received the highest dose of the extract when compared to the normal control while other liver biomarkers were not significantly different (P>0.05) from the control. The sub-chronic dose of 2000mg/kg of the extracts shows significant (P<.05) decrease in all kidney function biomarkers except chloride when compared to the control. The haematological parameters (WBC, RBC, HGB, Neutruphils) showed a significant decrease in Group 5 when compared to the normal control group while MCV and lymphocytes showed significant decrease (P<.05) when compared to the control.
Conclusion: The result suggests that the methanol leaves extracts of Lannea acida is relatively safe and can be used in medicinal formulations.
In-vitro Release and Stability Studies of Raloxifene Loaded Solid-Lipid Nanoparticle
Authors: Pant Navin Chandra , Juyal Vijay 
Published: August 2021

Objective: Raloxifene HCl (RLX) show a low oral bioavailability (<2%) in human due to its poor solubility and extensive (>90%) first-pass metabolism. To overcome these limitations, the present investigation deals with the development of Compritol 888 ATO based optimized RLX-loaded solid lipid nanoparticle (SLN) .
Methods: Compritol 888 ATO-based RLX-loaded optimized solid lipid nanoparticle (SLN) were formulated using oil in water microemulsion method. Drug-excipients compatibility was confirmed through a powder X-ray diffraction study. The optimized SLN was characterized for particle size and drug release.
Results: Drug-excipients compatibility was confirmed powder X-ray diffraction study. As per the desirability function value (0.959) the optimized formulation has the size and EE of 168.97 nm and 93.14%. In-vitro study showed a sustained release of RLX from the optimized SLNs. The optimized formulation was found stable for 180 days.
Conclusion: The high biocompatibility, biodegradability, ability to protect drug in GIT and sustained release properties make SLNs an ideal candidate to resolve poor oral bioavailability challenges.
Hypoxia‐guided treatment planning for lung cancer with dose painting by numbers
Authors: Li Yazhou , Ma Yuanyuan , Wu Jieyan , Zhang Hui , Cai Hongyi , Liu Xinguo , Li Qiang 
Published: December 2024

AbstractTumor hypoxia significantly impacts the efficacy of radiotherapy. Recent developments in the technique of dose painting by numbers (DPBN) promise to improve the tumor control probability (TCP) in conventional radiotherapy for hypoxic cancer. The study initially combined the DPBN method with hypoxia‐guided dose distribution optimization to overcome hypoxia for lung cancers and evaluated the effectiveness and appropriateness for clinical use of the DPBN plans. 18F‐FMISO PET‐CT scans from 13 lung cancer patients were retrospectively employed in our study to make hypoxia‐guided radiotherapy. In the clinic, TCP and normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) derived from the DPBN plans in comparison to conventional intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) plans were evaluated. Additionally, in order to investigate the improved clinical suitability, the robustness of DPBN plans in response to potential patient positioning errors and radiation resistance variations throughout the treatment course was assessed. The DPBN approach, employing voxelized prescription doses, led to an average increase of 24.47% in TCP, alongside a reduction of 1.83% in NTCP, compared to the conventional radiotherapy treatment plans. Regarding the robustness of the DPBN plans, it was observed that positional uncertainties were limited to 2 mm and radiosensitivity deviations were within 4%. The lung NTCP showed a 0.05% increase when the isocenter was moved by 3 mm in any direction, suggesting that the DPBN plan meets clinical acceptability criteria. Our study has shown that the DPBN technique has significant potential as an innovative approach to enhance the efficacy of radiotherapy for lung cancer with hypoxic regions.
Optically Driven Dynamics of a Mott Insulator‐to‐Metal Transition
Authors: Rabinovich Ksenia S. , Yaresko Alexander N. , Dawson Robert D. , Krautloher Maximilian J. , Priessnitz Tim , Mathis Yves‐Laurent , Kirilyuk Andrei , Keimer Bernhard , Boris Alexander V. 
Published: December 2024

AbstractFundamental understanding and on‐demand control of correlation‐driven insulator‐to‐metal transitions (IMTs) via nonequilibrium drive are prime targets of current materials research, especially in view of a host of potential applications in a wide range of next‐generation quantum devices. Photoinduced switching between competing orders in correlated insulators requires a free‐energy landscape with nearly degenerate ground states, which is commonly reached in 3d‐electron materials through heavy doping, strain, or the application of static electric fields. The associated spatial inhomogeneity leads to a photoinduced phase transition (PIPT) that remains confined near the illuminated region. Here, optical spectroscopy experiments are reported within the hysteretic region at the first‐order IMT in the 4d‐electron compound Ca3(Ru0.99Ti0.01)2O7 and show that specific Ru interband transitions resonantly excited by light with a threshold fluence corresponding to the planar density of Ru atoms can trigger reversible, avalanche‐like coherent propagation of phase interfaces across the full extent of a macroscopic sample, in the absence of assisting external stimuli. Based on detailed comparison of spectroscopic data to density functional calculations, we attribute the extraordinary photo‐sensitivity of the IMT to an exceptionally shallow free‐energy landscape generated by the confluence of electron–electron and electron‐lattice interactions. These findings highlight Ca3(Ru0.99Ti0.01)2O7 as a powerful model system for building and testing a theory of Mott transition dynamics in the presence of strong electron‐lattice coupling and may pave the way toward nanoscale devices with quantum‐level photosensitivity.
Enhancing Near‐Room‐Temperature Thermoelectric Performance of n‐Type Mg3(Bi,Sb)2‐Based Materials through Induction Sintering and Mg Evaporation Control
Authors: Yang Jiawei , Zhao Shuang , Liu Xinyu , Chen Ling , Wu Li‐Ming 
Published: December 2024

Abstractn‐type Mg3(Bi,Sb)2 is a newly developed high‐performance thermoelectric material with significant potential for use in next‐generation thermoelectric coolers (TECs) at room temperature. However, its electrical transport properties, sensitive to magnesium content and high vapor pressure, pose challenges for manufacturing. Herein, using the finite element method, it is demonstrated that reducing the effective specific surface area suppresses magnesium evaporation. Increasing the thickness of the Mg3(Bi,Sb)2 pellet (φ = 12.7 mm) from 3 to 10 mm reduces evaporation by approximately 60%. Building on this, an induction sintering technique is employed, which extends sintering time at 1053 K, enabling the successful preparation of n‐type 0.25%‐Te‐doped Mg3(Bi,Sb)2 material. The as‐obtained Mg3.2Bi1.4975Sb0.5Te0.0025 material exhibits a thermoelectric figure of merit (zT) value of approximately 0.83 at room temperature, attributed to a 20‐fold increase in Hall mobility to lattice thermal conductivity ratio. The homemade seven‐pair module of n‐type Mg3(Bi,Sb)2 and commercial p‐type Bi2Te3 achieves a maximum temperature difference of 63.4 K at room temperature, one of the highest reported. These results reaffirm the superior performance of n‐type Mg3(Bi,Sb)2 and propose an economical approach to scalable production.
High Thermoelectric Performance and Energy Conversion in Hg‐doped GeTe
Authors: Guo Zhe , Wu Guangjie , Yuan Minhui , Li Hongtao , Tan Xiaojian , Cai Jianfeng , Zhang Zongwei , Shuai Jing , Liu Guoqiang , Jiang Jun 
Published: December 2024

AbstractDue to the high intrinsic zT of≈1.0 by multi‐band valleys, GeTe‐based thermoelectric materials are promising for medium‐temperature applications. In this work, the extraordinary role of the new dopant Hg on the electro‐phonon transport of GeTe is comprehensively elucidated. According to the first‐principles calculations, Hg doping can effectively reduce the energy offset between light and heavy valence bands, and increase the density‐of‐states effective mass from 1.45 m0 to 2.58 m0. Experimentally, the (GeTe)1‐x(HgTe)x samples are demonstrated to possess an enhanced room‐temperature Seebeck coefficient from 30.3 to 59.9 µV K−1, plus an outstanding average power factor (300–773 K) of 28.8 µW cm−1 K−2. The Pb‐Bi codoping further optimizes the hole concentration and significantly suppresses the lattice thermal conductivity to 0.47 W m−1 K−1 by the induced various phonon scattering centers including dense point defects, grain boundaries, dislocations, and nano‐precipitates. Consequently, a high zTmax of 2.31 at 650 K and an average zTavg of 1.52 between 300 and 773 K are obtained in (Ge0.89Pb0.08Bi0.03Te)0.97(HgTe)0.03. Utilizing the optimized materials, achieving a high energy conversion efficiency of 10.8% at a temperature difference of 500 K in the fabricated 7‐pair thermoelectric module. This study clarifies the multiple benefits of Hg doping in GeTe‐based derivatives and provides a framework for designing high‐performance medium‐temperature thermoelectric materials.
Unlocking Interfacial Dynamics of Porous Electrode via Vertical‐Aligned Bismuth‐Nanosheet Decorating for Vanadium Redox Flow Batteries
Authors: Yu Zihan , Jia Xiongjie , Gao Huan , Su Ruihang , Wang Xiaoyi , Zhao Tianshou , Jiang Haoran 
Published: December 2024

AbstractInsufficient electrochemical activity and mass transport have been a longstanding issue hindering the development of high‐performance electrode for vanadium redox flow batteries. In this work, vertical‐aligned bismuth‐nanosheets that unlock interfacial dynamics with enhanced catalytic and transport properties are decorated on the electrode surface. The vertical‐aligned structures form highways to guide reactants transport from bulk solution to electrode surface, reducing transport resistance and optimizing active sites utilization. Meanwhile, the bismuth‐nanosheets, dominated by (012) planes with large amounts of unsaturated bismuth atoms, boost the number of electroactive sites and catalytic activity. Full‐cell EIS tests show that the charge transfer resistance and the finite diffusion resistance with prepared electrode are 49.4 and 47.7 mΩ cm−2, 71.3%, and 6.7% lower than those with traditional electrode. In full‐cell tests, the battery delivers a peak power density of 1340 mW cm−2 and achieves an energy efficiency of 85.8% at 200 mA cm−2, which is 4.4% higher than that with traditional electrodes. Remarkably, the battery can maintain an energy efficiency of 82.4% at 300 mA cm−2 and be stably cycled for over 2000 cycles with an only 0.0016% efficiency decay per cycle. This work paves a feasible platform to fabricate advanced electrode for vanadium redox flow batteries.
Highly Luminous Scintillating Nanocomposites Enable Ultrafast Time Coincidence Resolution for γ‐rays Detection with Heterostructured Multilayer Scintillators
Authors: Sala Matteo , Orfano Matteo , Secchi Valeria , Mattei Ilaria , Pianta Nicolò , Zabloudil Vojtech , Lowis Carsten , Kučerková Romana , Nikl Martin , Meinardi Francesco , Auffray Etiennette , Villa Irene , Monguzzi Angelo 
Published: December 2024

AbstractBrighter fast scintillators are needed for advanced applications to acquire data with high signal‐to‐noise ratio in short time windows, like in the time‐of‐flight positron emission tomography (ToF‐PET) imaging technique for cancer. A new composite polymeric fast scintillator loaded with high‐density hafnium dioxide (HfO2, hafnia) nanoparticles is developed here to be used for detection of the 511 keV γ‐rays employed in ToF‐PET. By a fine tuning and engineering of the electronic properties of its components, namely the polymeric matrix, the dense nanoparticles and the embedded fluorescent dye, a highly luminous polymeric scintillating nanocomposite is realized, showing an unprecedented scintillation efficiency for plastic materials and nanosecond‐scaled scintillation decay. Nanocomposite films are then coupled to dense bismuth germanate (Bi4Ge3O12, BGO) crystal sheets to fabricate an heterostructured multilayer scintillator as a prototype pixel for ToF‐PET scanners. Thanks to the nanocomposite high scintillation efficiency, the prototype detector shows an ultrafast time resolution of 115 ps for 511 keV γ‐rays detection, actually limited by the non‐optimal light transport properties in the pixel and by the sensitivity of the employed photodetector.