bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A multi‐country comparison of lower secondary students' critical thinking under the International Baccalaureate and national curricula
Authors: Johnston Samantha‐Kaye , McGrane Joshua A. , Vendrell‐Morancho Mireia , Hopfenbeck Therese N. 
Published: December 2023

AbstractCritical thinking is an essential skill for life‐long learning, and, given its increasing importance as a graduate attribute, it is vital to evaluate how educational systems can best improve students' critical thinking through their curricula and classroom practices. This study evaluates the differences in the critical thinking skills of students in the International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme (MYP), which explicitly emphasises critical thinking development in its curriculum and has been shown to facilitate classroom strategies to develop critical thinking, versus students enrolled in the national curricula in Australia, England and Norway. The study comprised 870 students across the MYP (n = 386) and non‐MYP (n = 484) curricula in Grades 9 and 10 across 21 schools. Data were remotely collected on their critical thinking skills, and several other relevant cognitive, non‐cognitive and background characteristics. A propensity score matching approach was used to match the MYP and non‐MYP groups on these characteristics and their critical thinking skills were compared using weighted regression. Findings showed that, overall, MYP students possessed higher levels of critical thinking skills than their non‐MYP peers with a moderate effect size (β = 0.38). This advantage also held at both grade levels and across Australian and English students, with no difference for Norwegian students. Thus, the MYP appears to be a promising exemplar for enhancing critical thinking among secondary‐aged students, although context needs to be considered. Based on these findings, recommendations of specific instructional strategies are offered, as well as future research to inform criticalthinking pedagogy.
Development of Efficient Ru/Deep Eutectic Solvent Catalytic System for Alkoxycarbonylation of Alkene without Acid Additives
Authors: Liu Yumei , Yang Deshuai , Zeng Guixiang , Li Kexin , Wei Shuang , Li Hao , Ji Min , Liu Ruixia 
Published: December 2023

AbstractThe catalytic alkoxycarbonylation of alkenes is an attractive, atom‐efficient method for producing value‐added carboxylic esters. However, the conventional catalyst system for this reaction needs coordination with a noble metal, sensitive ligands and proton acid additives. Therefore, the design of a simple and efficient catalyst system without any acid additives under mild conditions is still a major challenge. In this work, a simple ruthenium/deep eutectic solvent catalytic system was developed to effectively catalyse the alkoxycarbonylation reaction without any sensitive ligands or acid additives under mild conditions. The conversion of 1‐hexene reached 99.0 %, and the ester selectivity was 99.1 %, much higher than that of Ruthenium carbonyl without deep eutectic solvent. The excellent performance of the catalytic system could be ascribed to the form of the ruthenium active species [Ru(CO)2Br3]− in the deep eutectic solvent. This innovative catalyst system presents a significant advancement in the alkoxycarbonylation reaction, eliminating the use of acid additives and delicate ligands.
Leveraging Flavonoids as Potential Inhibitors of METTL3 in Combating Cancer: A Combined Structure‐Based Drug Design and DFT Approach
Authors: Abo‐Dya Nader E. , Issahaku Abdul Rashid 
Published: December 2023

AbstractMethyltransferase‐like 3 (METTL3) serves as a primary catalytic enzyme within the N6‐ methyladenosine (m6 A) methyltransferase system, playing a crucial role in various biological processes. However, its involvement in the pathogenesis of several cancers, have been well documented. The pursuit of small molecule inhibitors to counteract the cancer‐promoting effects of METTL3 has gained considerable momentum; however, no approved drugs are available. In this study, we employed computational techniques, including structure‐based virtual screening, consensus molecular docking, Density Function Theory calculations and MMPBSA energy profiling to identify potential METTL3 inhibitors from flavonoids. ST024026, ST99039 and ST4135876 were identified as promising candidates for METTL3 inhibition, as indicated by their favorable docking scores and robust energy profiles. Notably, their binding interactions were characterized by strong hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic contacts, ensuring high stability within the METTL3 binding site. Furthermore, these compounds exhibited favorable physicochemical properties and ADME characteristics, coupled with minimal toxicity. Notably, their binding induced conformational changes in the protein, underscoring their potential as METLL3 inhibitors. These findings highlight the selected flavonoids as potential novel entry inhibitors subject to modifications and optimizations. To advance this line of research, additional biochemical testing and experimental validation are warranted to facilitate the development of highly selective and effective METTL3 inhibitors.
Chalcogenide Perovskite, An Emerging Photovoltaic Material: Current Status and Future Perspectives
Authors: Raj Rakshita , Singh Riya , Guin Mridula 
Published: December 2023

AbstractChalcogenide perovskite materials came into the picture of photovoltaic technology since 2015. Their admirable structural, electronic and optical properties make them highly promising for solar energy conversion. They have immense potential to solve the stability and toxicity issues of conventional perovskite solar cells. The maximum theoretical power conversion efficiency reported for them is about 30 % which is similar to CH3NH3PbI3 perovskite material. However their application in photovoltaics is limited by several challenges. In this review, we tried to provide an overview of the structural features of the chalcogenide perovskite materials and critically highlighted computational and synthetic accomplishments in this area. Various techniques developed for synthesizing these materials so far, have also been summarized. Along with that, the challenges associated in designing these materials for improved optoelectronic properties are also addressed. Serious research efforts are urgently needed for the realization of the dream of chalcogenide perovskite material based solar cells in terms of optimization of optoelectronic properties, synthetic cost, processing of thin films and application in tandem solar cell devices. This review may facilitate further progress in chalcogenide perovskite material based thin film solar cell in the future.
Optimization, Characterization, Molecular Docking, and In Vitro Release of BBH/Lysine‐β‐cyclodextrin Inclusion Complex
Authors: Liu Wei Ming , Zhou Hui Yun , Ren Li Jun , Yang Jia Jia , Hao Pei Yan , Tong Jia Nan , Chen Ya Wei , Chen Jun Liang , Park Hyun Jin 
Published: December 2023

AbstractBerberine hydrochloride (BBH) is an isoquinoline alkaloid, and its diverse bioactivities have been studied for decades. However, BBH exhibits poor solubility and low oral bioavailability, which hampers its potential therapeutic exploitation. In this study, hydrosoluble Lysine‐modified β‐cyclodextrin (Lys‐β‐CD) was synthesized. Then BBH‐Lysine‐β‐cyclodextrin inclusion complexes (BBH/Lys‐β‐CD IC) were prepared by the co‐deposition method and optimized using the Box‐Behnken design. In addition, phase solubility was studied and showed that BBH and Lys‐β‐CD can form inclusion complexes in a stoichiometric ratio of 1 : 1. The morphological characterizations exhibited that the IC had an irregular sheet and layered structure. The results of FTIR and 1H NMR revealed that BBH entered the Lys‐β‐CD cavity with non‐covalent interactions between host‐guest molecules. Furthermore, the binding pattern of BBH with the Lys‐β‐CD was investigated by molecular docking study. The release behavior of IC showed that BBH could be released slowly from the inclusion complex. Hence, the Lys‐β‐CD IC has broad application prospects in drug delivery and biomedical fields.
In Situ Synthesis of Highly Dispersed AuNPs – Hydrogel Composites via Plasma for Enhanced Catalytic Activity
Authors: Zhang Xiaoyu , Li Zekun , Shi Mengge , Wang Zhao 
Published: December 2023

AbstractGold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were effectively synthesized and highly dispersed within a hydrogel composite by glow discharge plasma reduction. The hydrogel structure was successfully preserved due to the low temperature operation of plasma. The gold was reduced in situ within the hydrogel channels via electron reduction, and the uniformly distributed metal particles benefited from the confinement effect. The particle size could be controlled by adjusting precursor concentration and the type of hydrogel used. Hydrogels based on gelatin were found to increase the interaction between gold and the hydrogel. This enhancement was attributed to the Coulomb force arising from the isoelectric point and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) of the hydrogel composites, which promoted the dispersion of AuNPs. The different treatment procedures confirmed that SPR induced changes in the hydrogel surface, which played a key role in the dispersion and anchoring of gold during the reduction process. As a result, the AuNP‐doped hydrogel composite exhibited significantly enhanced catalytic activity in the degradation of methylene blue, with AuNP‐Gel‐1 achieving complete MB degradation in just 12 seconds.
Accessing 2‐Aryl Quinolines via Acceptorless Dehydrogenation and Transfer Hydrogenation Under Base and Solvent‐Free Reaction Conditions
Authors: M. Vageesh , P. Hima , R. Prasanna , Dey Raju 
Published: December 2023

AbstractCatalytic hydrogenation/dehydrogenation reactions are one of the most active areas of research for the synthesis of pharmaceuticals and fine chemicals. Despite several efficient homogeneous catalysts that have already been identified, highly active heterogeneous catalysts remain elusive. Herein, we report an easy and convenient wet impregnation method for the synthesis of Pd‐nanoclusters supported on ZnO nanoparticles. The catalyst displays a multifunctional role in 2‐aryl quinolines synthesis using alcohol and 2‐nitrobenzyl alcohol as reactants via dehydrogenation/hydrogenation pathway under neat and base‐free reaction conditions. The catalyst exhibits excellent selectivity and can be recycled five times without appreciable loss in its activity.
Targeting Diverse Wounds and Scars: Recent Innovative Bio‐design of Microneedle Patch for Comprehensive Management
Authors: Zhuang Ze‐Ming , Wang Yong , Feng Zi‐Xuan , Lin Xiao‐Ying , Wang Zheng‐Cai , Zhong Xin‐Cao , Guo Kai , Zhong Yu‐Fan , Fang Qing‐Qing , Wu Xiao‐Jin , Chen Jian , Tan Wei‐Qiang 
Published: December 2023

AbstractWounds and the subsequent formation of scars constitute a unified and complex phased process. Effective treatment is crucial; however, the diverse therapeutic approaches for different wounds and scars, as well as varying treatment needs at different stages, present significant challenges in selecting appropriate interventions. Microneedle patch (MNP), as a novel minimally invasive transdermal drug delivery system, has the potential for integrated and programmed treatment of various diseases and has shown promising applications in different types of wounds and scars. In this comprehensive review, the latest applications and biotechnological innovations of MNPs in these fields are thoroughly explored, summarizing their powerful abilities to accelerate healing, inhibit scar formation, and manage related symptoms. Moreover, potential applications in various scenarios are discussed. Additionally, the side effects, manufacturing processes, and material selection to explore the clinical translational potential are investigated. This groundwork can provide a theoretical basis and serve as a catalyst for future innovations in the pursuit of favorable therapeutic options for skin tissue regeneration.
Dual‐Antigen‐Displaying Nanovaccines Elicit Synergistic Immunoactivation for Treating Cancer and Preventing Infectious Complications
Authors: Chen Fangjie , Zhang Mengmeng , Yang Fengmin , Wang Lu , Liu Jinyao , Liu Junqiu , Pang Yan 
Published: December 2023

AbstractAs one of the most common complications, infection causes the majority of mortality in cancer patients. However, therapeutic strategies that can simultaneously suppress tumors and protect patients from infection have been rarely reported. Here, the use of dual‐antigen‐displaying nanovaccines (DADNs) is described to elicit synergistic immunoactivation for treating cancer and preventing infectious complications. DADNs are prepared by wrapping immunoadjuvant‐loaded nanoparticles with a hybrid coating, which is fused from cell membranes that are separately genetically engineered to express tumor and infectious pathogenic antigens. Due to the presence of a dual‐antigen combination, DADNs are able to promote the maturation of dendritic cells and more importantly to trigger cross‐presentation of both combined antigens. During in vivo investigations, we find that DADNs can reverse immunosuppression by stimulating tumor‐associated antigen‐specific T‐cell responses, resulting in significantly delayed tumor growth in mice. These nanovaccines also elicit effective protective immunity against tumor challenges and induce robust production of pathogenic antigen‐specific immunoglobulin G antibody in a prophylactic study. This work offers a unique approach to develop dual‐mode vaccines, which are promising for synchronously treating cancer and preventing infection.
In‐Situ Construction of V2O5 Nanosheet/Nitrogen‐Doped Carbon Nanosheet Heterostructures with Interfacial C─O Bridging Bonds as the Cathode Material for Zn Ion Batteries
Authors: Lashari Najeeb ur Rehman , Kumar Anuj , Ahmed Irfan , Zhao Jie , Hussain Arshad , Ghani Usman , Luo Geng , Yasin Ghulam , Mushtaq Muhammad Asim , Liu Dongqing , Cai Xingke 
Published: December 2023

AbstractLayered oxides are widely used as the electrode materials for metal ion batteries. However, for large radius size ions, such as Zn2+ and Al3+, the tightly stacked layers and poor electrical conductivity of layered oxides result in restricted number of active sites and sluggish reaction kinetics. In this work, a facile in‐situ construction strategy is provided to synthesize layered oxide nanosheets/nitrogen‐doped carbon nanosheet (NC) heterostructure, which shows larger interlayer spacing and better electrical conductivity than the layered oxides. As a result, the Zn2+ ion diffusion inside the interlayer gallery is greatly enhanced and the storage sites inside the gallery can be better used. Meanwhile, the NC layers and oxide nanosheets are bridged by the C─O bonds to form a stable structure, which contributes to a better cycling stability than the pure layered oxides. The optimal V2O5@NC‐400 cathode shows a capacity of 467 mA h g−1 at 0.1 A g−1 for 300 cycles, and long‐term cyclic stability of 4000 cycles at 5 A g−1 with a capacity retention of 92%. All these performance parameters are among the best for vanadium oxide‐based cathode materials.
Porous Organic Polymers as Active Electrode Materials for Energy Storage Applications
Authors: Sun Haotian , Li Jingli , Liang Wencui , Gong Xue , Jing Aoming , Yang Wanru , Liu Hongxu , Ren Shijie 
Published: December 2023

AbstractEco‐friendly and efficient energy production and storage technologies are highly demanded to address the environmental and energy crises. Porous organic polymers (POPs) are a class of lightweight porous network materials covalently linked by organic building blocks, possessing high surface areas, tunable pores, and designable components and structures. Due to their unique structural and compositional advantages, POPs have recently emerged as promising electrode materials for energy storage devices, particularly in the realm of supercapacitors and ion batteries. In this work, a comprehensive overview of recent progress and applications of POPs as electrode materials in energy storage devices, including the structural features and synthesis strategies of various POPs, as well as their applications in supercapacitors, lithium batteries, sodium batteries, and potassium batteries are provided. Finally, insights are provided into the future research directions of POPs in electrochemical energy storage technologies. It is anticipated that this work can provide readers with a comprehensive background on the design of POPs‐based electrode materials and ignite more research in the development of next‐generation energy storage devices.
Conceptualising the Multi-actorness of EU(ropean) Foreign and Security Policy
Authors: Rieker Pernille , Giske Mathilde T. E. 
Published: December 2023

AbstractThis chapter seeks to conceptualise the multi-actor character of what we refer to here as EU(ropean) foreign and security policy. It takes a holistic approach to European foreign and security policy—a policy that covers multiple areas and is carried out by a multitude of actors and institutions. While the framework builds on institutional approaches, such as the literatures on multi-level governance and Differentiated Integration (DI), it adds a new dimension by applying a somewhat broader definition of European integration—a definition that captures more than just the processes that occur within the EU. Applying a broader approach towards European integration allows us to continue to perceive the EU as central to the European integration process, while also allowing for the inclusion of other processes that in some ways, either formally or informally, are linked to the EU. We argue that such a framework better captures the dynamics of today’s increasingly complex EU(ropean) integration process, characterised by opt-outs and opt-ins, formal and informal processes, enhanced cooperation, and various forms of governance led by actors at different levels and with different types of relations to the EU. As we will show in this chapter, a more generic definition of integration helps us develop a framework that captures this complexity and sees clearly the different roles EU institutions play in the various policy areas. The intention is to present a more inclusive conceptual framework that fills two key gaps in the existing literature on European integration in this area.
From Curriculum to Enacted Teaching of Photosynthesis, the Carbon Cycle and Sustainability in an Upper Primary School Class
Authors: Varg Lina 
Published: December 2023

AbstractPrimary school science teachers provide vague descriptions of students’ engagement in classroom communication. Furthermore, there may be a discrepancy between what science teachers consider important to teach and what is actually taught. The transformation of intentions into teaching often involves lesson plans which require considerable time and effort to construct. Interestingly, expert teachers tend to rely on, for example, teaching strategies, rather than elaborate plans to realize intentions. This case study contributes knowledge about the congruence between intentions, plans and teaching. A grade 6 teacher was followed during her transformation of the science syllabus into teaching, and data were gathered from interviews, documents, and observations. Content analysis and inductive thematic analysis enabled a comparison between intentions and teaching. Results suggest that the comprehensive lesson plan constituted an obstacle, rather than a tool for realizing the main intention of students practicing reasoning in science classes. The discrepancy did not stem from the teacher’s rejection of the curriculum, but rather from a lack of appropriate teaching strategies to allow for greater flexibility as she struggled to cover the curricular content. The results have the potential to be useful for engaging pre-service and in-service teachers in developing flexible teaching strategies and time efficient planning approaches in upper primary science.
Using External Representations to Support Mathematical Modelling Competence in Biology Education
Authors: Stöger Benjamin , Nerdel Claudia 
Published: December 2023

AbstractThe best explanatory approaches in the natural sciences are based on mathematical models. The COVID-19 pandemic or climate change illustrate the importance of mathematical modelling. This study focusses on the influence of external representations, texts, diagrams, and images, as well as mathematical expertise, on modelling competence for biochemical concepts. Especially the cross-curricular aspect of these tasks shows the influence of different science disciplines on concrete skills and abilities in biology. Consequently, the participants were asked to complete an enzyme kinetics task that was based on Schmidt and Di Fuccia’s (Giornale Di Didattica E Cultura Della Società Chimica Italiana 34(3):331–335, 2012) seven-step modelling cycle. A mixed-methods approach, involving quantitative frequency analysis and a qualitative analysis of the participants’ statements, was used. Elaboration behaviour was found to be increased through representation, as well as expertise. These results indicate the positive influence of external representations and mathematical competence on modelling competence. Furthermore, different biological topics (e.g. epidemiology) need to be elaborated as well.
Energy Justice, Prior Consultation and Energy Supply for Communities in Colombia
Authors: Reyes Luis Fernando Bastidas , Bustos Luis 
Published: December 2023

AbstractUnder the Colombian prior consultation experience, it is normal for agreements with ethnic communities to deal with labor relations and capital contributions to strengthen communities’ self-government and to carry out productive projects. On the other hand, it is less common for these protected groups to obtain benefits from services or products that involve the development of measures subject to consultation. Here, the importance of considering the adaptation of the current Colombian energy regulation is raised by applying energy justice theory to situations where communities coexist with the energy projects and are disaggregated from the energy supply. Noting that these types of actions will be essential to accomplish the purposes of the energy transition and support the transformation to carbon–neutral economies, we will be aiming to respond to highly complex scenarios, typical of regions that accumulate a prominent social debt, mainly related to poverty reduction.
Land for Clean Energy Projects: For Community Energy
Authors: Hussein Halima I. 
Published: December 2023

AbstractWe must increase our share of renewables from today’s 29% to 60% by 2030, if we have any hope of keeping global temperatures at 1.5 degrees Celsius and achieving Sustainable Development Goal 7—affordable modern energy access to all by 2030. To do this, we must streamline the approval process of renewable energy projects and eliminate barriers hindering faster approvals. Community opposition, which is one barrier, as per a US study on delayed or cancelled renewable projects between 2008 and 2021 is driven by two main concerns—land and environmental impacts. This conceptual article calls for implementation of the theory of energy justice in its five forms—distributive, procedural, restorative, recognition and cosmopolitanism—as a solution in engaging energy communities and addressing their concerns. Once community engagement is explored through the lens of energy justice, solutions emerge to solve this barrier by including communities in the energy planning process as opposed to further down the pipeline in project implementation; restoring and rehabilitating affected community lands and environments impacted by renewable energy projects, through recognising indigenous community connections to their lands; and funding the UNFCCC loss and damage fund to bring up renewable energy projects.