bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Use of Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) in Educational Technology Research
Authors: Bethencourt-Aguilar Anabel , Castellanos-Nieves Dagoberto , Sosa-Alonso Juan-José , Area-Moreira Manuel 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
In the context of Artificial Intelligence, Generative Adversarial Nets (GANs) allow the creation and reproduction of artificial data from real datasets. The aims of this work are to seek to verify the equivalence of synthetic data with real data and to verify the possibilities of GAN in educational research. The research methodology begins with the creation of a survey that collects data related to the self-perceptions of university teachers regarding their digital competence and technological-pedagogical knowledge of the content (TPACK model). Once the original dataset is generated, twenty-nine different synthetic samples are created (with an increasing N) using the COPULA-GAN procedure. Finally, a two-stage cluster analysis is applied to verify the interchangeability of the synthetic samples with the original, in addition to extracting descriptive data of the distribution characteristics, thereby checking the similarity of the qualitative results. In the results, qualitatively very similar cluster structures have been obtained in the 150 tests carried out, with a clear tendency to identify three types of teaching profiles, based on their level of technical-pedagogical knowledge of the content. It is concluded that the use of synthetic samples is an interesting way of improving data quality, both for security and anonymization and for increasing sample sizes.
Design, Development and Validation of an Educational Methodology Using Immersive Augmented Reality for STEAM Education
Authors: Delgado-Rodríguez Santiago , Domínguez Silvia Carrascal , Garcia-Fandino Rebeca 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
The main objective of this study is the design and validation of an educational methodological model based on the use of immersive technological resources (Augmented Reality – AR) to improve learning processes in secondary education science subjects (Biology and Geology). The process was developed based on three main quantitative studies: an exploratory study, a study of performance divided into three cases studies, and an attitudinal study. The information obtained was completed with a fourth qualitative study of the training of teachers who participate in educational technology. This research provides empirical evidence that allows validation of the methodological model developed to explain key concepts and to improve the level of motivation and acceptance of AR technology by students. The proposed model can induce improvements in educational processes in the field of STEAM when used with an immersive AR technological resource and an adapted digital evaluation system. It also demonstrates that teachers require specific training in connection with the creation and the adequate use of AR educational resources, and of digital evaluation systems as well. The results of this study have important implications for the field of education, demonstrating the potential of AR technology to improve learning outcomes and the need for teacher training in its use.
MXene‐Nanoflakes‐Enabled All‐Optical Nonlinear Activation Function for On‐Chip Photonic Deep Neural Networks
Authors: Hazan Adir , Ratzker Barak , Zhang Danzhen , Katiyi Aviad , Sokol Maxim , Gogotsi Yury , Karabchevsky Alina 
Published: January 2023

Abstract2D metal carbides and nitrides (MXene) are promising material platforms for on‐chip neural networks owing to their nonlinear saturable absorption effect. The localized surface plasmon resonances in metallic MXene nanoflakes may play an important role in enhancing the electromagnetic absorption; however, their contribution is not determined due to the lack of a precise understanding of its localized surface plasmon behavior. Here, a saturable absorber made of MXene thin film and a silicon waveguide with MXene flakes overlayer are developed to perform neuromorphic tasks. The proposed configurations are reconfigurable and can therefore be adjusted for various applications without the need to modify the physical structure of the proposed MXene‐based activator configurations via tuning the wavelength of operation. The capability and feasibility of the obtained results of machine‐learning applications are confirmed via handwritten digit classification task, with near 99% accuracy. These findings can guide the design of advanced ultrathin saturable absorption materials on a chip for a broad range of applications.
Atomically Dispersed Manganese on Carbon Substrate for Aqueous and Aprotic CO2 Electrochemical Reduction
Authors: Wang Meiling , Yao Ying , Tian Yuhui , Yuan Yifei , Wang Liguang , Yang Feiyang , Ren Jingjie , Hu Xinrong , Wu Feng , Zhang Shanqing , Wu Junxiu , Lu Jun 
Published: January 2023

AbstractCO2 utilization and conversion are of great importance in alleviating the rising CO2 concentration in the atmosphere. Here, a single‐atom catalyst (SAC) is reported for electrochemical CO2 utilization in both aqueous and aprotic electrolytes. Specifically, atomically dispersed Mn–N4 sites are embedded in bowl‐like mesoporous carbon particles with the functionalization of epoxy groups in the second coordination spheres. Theoretical calculations suggest that the epoxy groups near the Mn–N4 site adjust the electronic structure of the catalyst with reduced reaction energy barriers for the electrocatalytic reduction of CO2 to CO. The resultant Mn‐single‐atom carbon with N and O doped catalyst (MCs‐(N,O)) exhibits extraordinary electrocatalytic performance with a high CO faradaic efficiency of 94.5%, a high CO current density of 13.7 mA cm−2, and a low overpotential of 0.44 V in the aqueous environment. Meanwhile, as a cathode catalyst for aprotic Li–CO2 batteries, the MCs‐(N,O) with well‐regulated active sites and unique mesoporous bowl‐like morphology optimizes the nucleation behavior of discharge products. MCs‐(N,O)‐based batteries deliver a low overpotential and excellent cyclic stability of 1000 h. The findings in this work provide a new avenue to design and fabricate SACs for various electrochemical CO2 utilization systems.
Multicellular Quadruple Colorectal Cancer Spheroids as an In Vitro Tool for Antiangiogenic Potential Evaluation of Nanoparticles
Authors: Carvalho Suzana , Silveira Maria José , Domingues Mariana , Ferreira Bárbara , Pereira Catarina Leite , Gremião Maria Palmira , Sarmento Bruno 
Published: January 2023

AbstractThe encapsulation of bevacizumab (BVZ), angiogenesis inhibitor antibody, into nanocarriers is explored aiming at enhancing its efficacy in colorectal cancer (CRC) treatment while eliminating potential side effects. Still, the translation of such nanomedicines into clinics is not straightforward owing to their preclinical screening in simplistic models, that do not mimic the complexity and heterogeneity of the CRC microenvironment. Herein, the development of a multicellular spheroid of CRC as an advanced preclinical model of CRC capable of screening the antiangiogenic potential of novel nanomedicines is proposed. For that, a quadruple co‐culture is established through the combination of HCT116 cells, human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cell (HPMEC), fibroblasts, and macrophages. It is demonstrated that the developed model displays intrinsic CRC features, such as the organization of cells, expression of tumor microenvironment, extracellular matrix, and the formation of a necrotic core. Moreover, the model is shown to be composed mostly of HCT116 (93%), followed by hypoxia‐inducible factor (3%), HPMEC (3%), and macrophages (1%). Gellan gum/chitosan nanoparticles encapsulating BVZ exhibit superior antiangiogenic properties when compared to free BVZ. Overall, the developed nanoparticles can further be explored as a promising approach in CRC treatment.
Catalytic template assisted interfacial polymerization for high‐performance acid‐resistant membrane preparation
Authors: Cao Yang , Wan Yinhua , Chen Chulong , Luo Jianquan 
Published: January 2023

AbstractHighly permeable acid‐resistant nanofiltration (NF) membranes are of critical significance for the efficient treatment of acidic streams. Enhancing permeability while maintaining the high solute rejection of acid‐resistant NF membranes remains a great challenge due to the low reactivity of monomers. In this work, a novel catalytic template assisted interfacial polymerization (IP) strategy of 3‐aminobenzenesulfonamide (ABSA) and trimesoyl chloride (TMC) was provided to prepare a poly(amide‐sulfonamide) membrane. Aminopyridine doped graphene quantum dots rich in acylation catalytic sites and ZIF‐8 nanoparticles are co‐loaded on a substrate as template. Benefiting from the enhanced phase integrity and self‐inhibition effect of the template assisted IP process, the resulting ultra‐thin acid‐resistant membrane exhibits an excellent water permeance (20.4 Lm−2h−1bar−1) with a high Na2SO4 rejection of 90.5%, which outperforms almost all the reported acid‐resistant NF membranes. Our work paves a versatile way for synthesis of special separation membranes.
Intensified reactor for lean methane emissions treatment
Authors: Irhamna Adrian R. , Bollas George M. 
Published: January 2023

AbstractThe Global Methane Pledge declared at the 2021 United Nations climate change conference (COP26) marked the world's commitment to eradicate methane emissions. Regardless of the source, methane emissions are typically generated in a lean composition (e.g., <1% vol), remote and scattered. This work explores the use of an intensified reactor that implements the chemical looping principle to handle lean methane emissions. A model‐based framework is used to showcase the baseline performance of the proposed reactor in converting methane emissions using nickel‐based oxygen carriers. Sensitivity analysis of the reactor showed that the Ni percentage in the oxygen carrier, the feed air temperature, feed air to flared gas ratio, and oxidation to reduction duration ratio are the most deciding variables for reactor performance. The reactor is subsequently optimized to minimize the methane emitted, using a dynamic program with safety and operability constraints for the alternating redox process. With the optimal cycle strategy, we demonstrate that near‐complete methane conversion (>98% methane conversion) can be achieved by the reactor without external heating.
Rapid Eye Movement Sleep, Neurodegeneration, and Amyloid Deposition in Aging
Authors: André Claire , Champetier Pierre , Rehel Stéphane , Kuhn Elizabeth , Touron Edelweiss , Ourry Valentin , Landeau Brigitte , Le Du Gwendoline , Mézenge Florence , Segobin Shailendra , de la Sayette Vincent , Vivien Denis , Chételat Gaël , Rauchs Géraldine ,   the Medit‐Ageing Research Group
Published: January 2023

ObjectiveRapid eye movement (REM) sleep is markedly altered in Alzheimer's disease (AD), and its reduction in older populations is associated with AD risk. However, little is known about the underlying brain mechanisms. Our objective was to investigate the relationships between REM sleep integrity and amyloid deposition, gray matter volume, and perfusion in aging.MethodsWe included 121 cognitively unimpaired older adults (76 women, mean age 68.96 ± 3.82 years), who underwent a polysomnography, T1‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging, early and late Florbetapir positron emission tomography scans to evaluate gray matter volume, perfusion, and amyloid deposition. We computed indices reflecting REM sleep macro‐ and microstructural integrity (ie, normalized electroencephalographic spectral power values). Voxel‐wise multiple regression analyses were conducted between REM sleep indices and neuroimaging data, controlling for age, sex, education, the apnea‐hypopnea index, and the apolipoprotein E ε4 status.ResultsLower perfusion in frontal, anterior and posterior cingulate, and precuneus areas was associated with decreased delta power and electroencephalographic slowing (slow/fast frequencies ratio), and increased alpha and beta power. To a lower extent, similar results were obtained between gray matter volume and delta, alpha, and beta power. In addition, lower REM sleep theta power was more marginally associated with greater diffuse amyloid deposition and lower gray matter volume in fronto‐temporal and parieto‐occipital areas.InterpretationThese results suggest that alterations of REM sleep microstructure are associated with greater neurodegeneration and neocortical amyloid deposition in older adults. Further studies are warranted to replicate these findings, and determine whether older adults exhibiting REM sleep alterations are more at risk of cognitive decline and belonging to the Alzheimer's continuum. ANN NEUROL 2023;93:979–990
Bradykinesia and Its Progression Are Related to Interhemispheric Beta Coherence
Authors: Wilkins Kevin B. , Kehnemouyi Yasmine M. , Petrucci Matthew N. , Anderson Ross W. , Parker Jordan E. , Trager Megan H. , Neuville Raumin S. , Koop Mandy M. , Velisar Anca , Blumenfeld Zack , Quinn Emma J. , Bronte‐Stewart Helen M. 
Published: January 2023

ObjectiveBradykinesia is the major cardinal motor sign of Parkinson disease (PD), but its neural underpinnings are unclear. The goal of this study was to examine whether changes in bradykinesia following long‐term subthalamic nucleus (STN) deep brain stimulation (DBS) are linked to local STN beta (13–30 Hz) dynamics or a wider bilateral network dysfunction.MethodsTwenty‐one individuals with PD implanted with sensing neurostimulators (Activa® PC + S, Medtronic, PLC) in the STN participated in a longitudinal ‘washout’ therapy study every three to 6 months for an average of 3 years. At each visit, participants were withdrawn from medication (12/24/48 hours) and had DBS turned off (>60 minutes) before completing a repetitive wrist‐flexion extension task, a validated quantitative assessment of bradykinesia, while local field potentials were recorded. Local STN beta dynamics were investigated via beta power and burst duration, while interhemispheric beta synchrony was assessed with STN‐STN beta coherence.ResultsHigher interhemispheric STN beta coherence, but not contralateral beta power or burst duration, was significantly associated with worse bradykinesia. Bradykinesia worsened off therapy over time. Interhemispheric STN‐STN beta coherence also increased over time, whereas beta power and burst duration remained stable. The observed change in bradykinesia was related to the change in interhemispheric beta coherence, with greater increases in synchrony associated with further worsening of bradykinesia.InterpretationTogether, these findings implicate interhemispheric beta synchrony as a neural correlate of the progression of bradykinesia following chronic STN DBS. This could imply the existence of a pathological bilateral network contributing to bradykinesia in PD. ANN NEUROL 2023;93:1029–1039
New Surijokocixiidae (Insecta: Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha) from the Middle Triassic of China
Authors: Zhang Qianqi , Szwedo Jacek , Zheng Daran , Zhang Haichun 
Published: January 2023

AbstractA new Middle Triassic (Ladinian) planthopper of the family Surijokocixiidae (Surijokocixioidea, Fulgoromorpha) from the Tongchuan Formation in Shaanxi, NW China is established as Sinosurijikocixius tongchuanensis gen. et sp. nov. All the known taxa assigned to Surijokocixiidae are reviewed and compared. The palaeogeographic distributional pattern of Surijokocixiidae from the middle Permian to Late Triassic is summarized.
Flow regime identification in aerated stirred vessel using passive acoustic emission and machine learning
Authors: Forte Giuseppe , Antonelli Matteo , Brunazzi Elisabetta , Simmons Mark J. , Stitt Hugh , Alberini Federico 
Published: January 2023

AbstractSmart at‐ or online process sensors, which employ machine learning (ML) to process data, have been the subject of extensive research in recent years, due to their potential for real‐time process control. In this paper, a passive acoustic emission process sensor has been used to detect gas–liquid regimes within a stirred, aerated vessel using novel ML approaches. Pressure fluctuations (acoustic emissions) in an air‐water system were recorded using a piezoelectric sensor installed on the external wall of three identical cylindrical tanks of diameter, T = 160 mm, filled to a volume of 5 L (height, H = 1.5 T). The tanks were made of either glass, steel, or aluminium, and each tank was equipped with a Rushton turbine of diameter, D = 0.35 T. The investigated flow regimes, flooding, loading, complete dispersion, and un‐gassed, were obtained by changing the air feed flow rates and by varying the impeller speed. The acoustic spectra obtained were processed to select an optimal number of features characterizing each of the regimes, and these were used to train three different ML algorithms. The pre‐processing includes a principal component analysis (PCA) step, which reduces the volume of data fed to the ML algorithms, saving computational time up to a factor of 5. The algorithms (decision tree, k‐nearest neighbour, and support vector machines) were challenged to use these features to identify the correct flow regime. Accurate predictions of the three gas–liquid regimes of interest have been achieved. The accuracy of the prediction ranges from 90% to 99%, and this difference is related to the material used for the vessel.
From P‐type to N‐type: Peripheral fluorination of axially substituted silicon phthalocyanines enables fine tuning of charge transport
Authors: Vebber Mário C. , King Benjamin , French Callum , Tousignant Mathieu , Ronnasi Bahar , Dindault Chloé , Wantz Guillaume , Hirsch Lionel , Brusso Jaclyn , Lessard Benoît H. 
Published: January 2023

AbstractSilicon phthalocyanines (R2‐SiPcs) are a family of promising tunable materials for organic electronic applications. We report the chemistry of the synthesis of axially substituted fluorinated SiPcs (tb‐Ph)2‐FxSiPc (where X = 0, 4, 8, or 16) and explore how the degree of fluorination effects optical and electronic properties. A new treatment with boron trichloride was included to obtain Cl2‐FXSiPcs from F2‐FXSiPcs, activating the axial position for further functionalization. We observed that as the degree of fluorination increased, so did the electron affinity of the compounds, leading to a drop in frontier orbital levels, as measured by electrochemistry and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS). The deeper energy levels enabled successful (tb‐Ph)2‐F4SiPc and poly [[6,7‐difluoro[(2‐hexyldecyl)oxy]‐[5,8‐quinoxalinediyl]‐2,5‐thiophenediyl]] (PTQ10) blends for organic photovoltaics and photodetectors. All four compounds were incorporated in organic thin‐film transistors (OTFTs), where the degree of fluorination influenced device operation, changing it from p‐type conduction for (tb‐Ph)2‐F0SiPc, to ambipolar for (tb‐Ph)2‐F4SiPc, and n‐type for (tb‐Ph)2‐F8SiPc and (tb‐Ph)2‐F16SiPc. The OTFT devices made with (tb‐Ph)2‐F16SiPc achieved a low average threshold voltage of 7.0 V in N2 and retained its n‐type mobility when exposed to air.
2‐(N‐Morpholino)ethanesulphonic acid mediated facile and rapid one‐pot synthesis of gold nanoparticles and its application for colorimetric detection of heparin in human serum
Authors: Yu Rui , Kong Xiang‐Juan , Chen Tao‐Li , Fang Yan‐Zhao , Xiao Qiang 
Published: January 2023

AbstractA facile and rapid method for one‐pot synthesis of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) has been developed. It employed 2‐(N‐morpholino)ethanesulphonic acid (MES) to act as reducing agent, buffering agent, and capping ligand to perform the reduction of the gold precursor (HAuCl4) into AuNPs. The AuNPs were synthesized by a simple mixing of MES buffer (pH 6.0) and HAuCl4 solution under a vortex at room temperature, and the process was completed within 1 min, which not only significantly simplifies the preparation procedure without heating or cooling but also greatly shortens the reaction time. Moreover, a novel colorimetric approach for sensitive detection of heparin was fabricated based on the prepared AuNPs. The detection limit was determined to be 3.1 μg/ml (i.e., 0.465 U/ml) with a linear response range of 3.25–130 μg/ml. Additionally, the sensor was also successfully applied for the detection of heparin in human blood serum samples, demonstrating its potential applicability for disease diagnosis in the future.
Direct pumping of polar fluids with traveling‐wave dielectrophoresis
Authors: Xu Yihong , Brown Keith A. 
Published: January 2023

AbstractEfficiently pumping fluids without moving parts in extremely miniaturized formats is challenging. Here, we propose and numerically explore a new type of fluid pump in which a series of electrodes driven at different phases produce a force directly on the molecules of the fluid. This effect is based on traveling‐wave dielectrophoresis (twDEP), which has been observed to drive the motion of colloidal particles. Here, we leverage the time needed for fluid molecules with permanent dipoles to align with the applied field to maintain a phase lag between the applied field and the molecular polarization. While requiring operation in the GHz range, this effect is predicted to be efficient due to its ability to directly drive bulk fluid motion. We begin by establishing the foundational equations for this effect and performing finite element simulations to determine its magnitude in a model geometry. By combining theory and a systematic series of calculations, we validate that twDEP pumps should exhibit a fluid flow that scales as the voltage squared divided by the electrode period and that it should increase with the complex permittivity of the fluid and decrease with increasing viscosity. This results in a general equation that predicts the performance of twDEP pumps. Collectively, these computations provide a blueprint for producing twDEP pumps of polar fluids such as water and ethanol. We conclude by noting that the growing interest in high power microwave technology along with metasurfaces to locally tailor phase could provide a path to realizing twDEP pumps in practice.
Evolution of the theoretical description of the isoelectric focusing experiment: II. An open system isoelectric focusing experiment is a transient, bidirectional isotachophoretic experiment
Authors: Vigh Gyula , Gaš Bohuslav 
Published: January 2023

AbstractThe carrier ampholytes‐based (CA‐based) isoelectric focusing (IEF) experiment evolved from Svensson's closed system IEF (constant spatial current density, absence of convective mixing, counter‐balancing electrophoretic and diffusive fluxes yielding a steady state pH gradient) to the contemporary open system IEF (absence of convective mixing, large cross‐sectional area electrode vessels, lack of counter‐balancing electrophoretic‐ and diffusive fluxes leading to transient pH gradients). Open system IEF currently is described by a two‐stage model: In the first stage, a rapid IEF process forms the pH gradient which, in the second stage, is slowly degraded by isotachophoretic processes that move the most acidic and most basic CAs into the electrode vessels. An analysis of the effective mobilities and the effective mobility to conductivity ratios of the anolyte, catholyte, and the CAs indicates that in open system IEF experiments a single process, transient bidirectional isotachophoresis (tbdITP) operates from the moment current is turned on until it is turned off. In tbdITP, the anolyte and catholyte provide the leading ions and the pI 7 CA or the reactive boundary of the counter‐migrating H3O+ and OH− ions serves as the shared terminator. The outcome of the tbdITP process is determined by the ionic mobilities, pKa values, and loaded amounts of all ionic and ionizable components: It is constrained by both the transmitted amount of charge and the migration space available for the leading ions. tbdITP and the resulting pH gradient can never reach steady state with respect to the spatial coordinate of the separation channel.