Comparative analysis of creative problem solving tasks across age groups using modular cube robotics.

Creative Problem Solving (CPS) is an important competency when using digital artifacts for educational purposes. Using a dual-process approach, this study examines the divergent thinking scores (fluidity, flexibility, and originality) and problem-solving speed in CPS of different age groups. Participants engaged in CreaCube CPS tasks with educational robotics for two consecutive instances, with performance analyzed to explore the influence of prior experience and creative intentions.

A comprehensive review of enhanced CO capture using activated carbon derived from biomass feedstock.

The increasing level of atmospheric CO requires the urgent development of effective capture technologies. This comprehensive review thoroughly examines various methods for the synthesis of carbon materials, modification techniques for converting biomass feedstock into carbon materials and pivotal factors impacting their properties. The novel aspect of this review is its in-depth comparison of how these modifications specifically affect the pore structure and surface area together with the exploration of the mechanism underlying the enhancement of CO adsorption performance.

Second phase CuO boosted photocatalytic activity of fluorine doped CuO nanoparticles.

The photocatalytic activity of fluorine (F) doped CuO nanoparticles (NPs) prepared employing modified sol-gel process was investigated here in this study. Structural and elemental characterization using XRD and XPS data confirmed successful incorporation of F as dopant. F doping led to lattice distortion and reduced crystallinity with smaller crystallite size while promoting the emergence of CuO as the second phase.

Synthesis of N-Doped Graphene Photo-Catalyst for Photo-Assisted Charging of Li-Ion Oxygen Battery.

In this work, nitrogen (N)-doped graphene film is synthesized, as a photo-catalyst, on one side of the copper foam by chemical vapor deposition and the copper foam is directly used as an electrode after porous Pd@rGO cathode loading to the other side of the foam for the photo-assisted charging of the Li-ion oxygen battery. The amount of urea (CO(NH)), which is used as N atom source, is optimized to get maximum photo-anodic currents from the n-type graphene films. The optical band gap and the valance band edge potential of the optimized N-doped graphene film are determined as 2.

Photocatalytic Efficiency of g-CN/Graphene Nanocomposites in the Photo-Assisted Charging of the Li-Ion Oxygen Battery.

In this work, we aimed to synthesize an effective nanocomposite photocatalyst for the photo-assisted charging of the Li-ion oxygen battery. Initially the graphene films were synthesized by chemical vapor deposition, and subsequently, g-CN/graphene nanocomposites were synthesized by thermal reduction as photocatalysts. FTIR spectra analysis showed that novel C=C bonds can form between g-CN and graphene films during the synthesis process.

Ultrasound-assisted synthesis of rGO/SiO2-based nanosheets and their electrochemical performances in Li-ion batteries.

In this study, a facile approach has been developed to fabricate GO/SiO nanosheets by the hydrolysis of tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) in the graphene oxide (GO) solution with the assistance of the ultrasonication. The morphology and structure of the SiO/GO nanosheets were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy. The results showed that the covalently bonded SiO nanoparticles onto the GO sheets were dense and uniform.

Modeling the path to >30% power conversion efficiency in perovskite solar cells with plasmonic nanoparticles.

Mixed organic-inorganic halide perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are a promising technology with increasing power conversion efficiency (PCE), low-cost material constituents, simple scalability, and a low-temperature solution fabrication process. Recent developments have seen energy conversion efficiencies increase from 3.8% to over 20%.

Impacts of COVID-19 on Transport Modes and Mobility Behavior: Analysis of Public Discourse in Twitter.

This study proposes a framework to analyze public discourse in Twitter to understand the impacts of COVID-19 on transport modes and mobility behavior. It also identifies reopening challenges and potential reopening strategies that are discussed by the public. First, the study collects 15,776 tweets that relate to personal opinions on transportation services posted between May 15 and June 15, 2020.

Role of Reactive Oxygen Species in Aging and Age-Related Diseases: A Review.

Research on the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the aging process has advanced significantly over the last two decades. In light of recent findings, ROS takes part in the aging process of cells along with contributing to various physiological signaling pathways. Antioxidants being cells' natural defense mechanism against ROS-mediated alteration, play an imperative role to maintain intracellular ROS homeostasis.

Association of albumin, fibrinogen, and modified proteins with acute coronary syndrome.

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) comprises a pathophysiological spectrum of cardiovascular diseases related to atherosclerotic coronary plaque erosion. Oxidative stress and inflammation play pivotal roles in the development and progression of atherosclerosis, which affects circulatory proteins, including albumin and fibrinogen, thereby causing an imbalance in albumin to globulin and fibrinogen to albumin ratios. This study aimed to assess the effect of oxidative stress on circulatory proteins, correlate these parameters, and investigate their significance in patients with ACS.

Photoassisted Charging of Li-Ion Oxygen Batteries Using g-CN/rGO Nanocomposite Photocatalysts.

In this work, g-CN/rGO nanocomposites were synthesized to use them as photocatalysts in Li-ion oxygen batteries by aiming at the reduction of the charging potential efficiently under photoassisted conditions. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra showed that novel C═C bonds formed between g-CN and rGO during the decomposition of melamine and that the formation of these bonds was assumed to cause a red shift in the optical absorption band edge. The competition between the narrowing in the optical band gaps of the nanocomposites as a result of the red shift due to the presence of rGO and the degradation in the visible light utilization as a result of favorably absorbed incident light by rGO instead of g-CN pointed out that the g-CN/3% rGO nanocomposite has the optimum light absorbance efficiency.

Detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA by Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) on Self-Collected Nasal Swab Compared With Professionally Collected Nasopharyngeal Swab.

Background: Self-collection of nasal swabs for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) would considerably increase the testing capability and decrease the risk of transmission among healthcare workers (HCW) and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE).

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the performance of self-collected nasal swabs compared with professionally collected nasopharyngeal (NP) swabs for detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA by RT-PCR.

Materials And Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study where the suspected cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) were instructed about the self-collection of nasal swabs from their mid-turbinate.

Advances in Nanomaterial-Based Platforms to Combat COVID-19: Diagnostics, Preventions, Therapeutics, and Vaccine Developments.

The COVID-19 pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2, a ribonucleic acid (RNA) virus that emerged less than two years ago but has caused nearly 6.1 million deaths to date. Recently developed variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus have been shown to be more potent and expanded at a faster rate.

Recent Progress in Nanostructured Smart Drug Delivery Systems for Cancer Therapy: A Review.

Traditional treatment approaches for cancer involve intravenous chemotherapy or other forms of drug delivery. These therapeutic measures suffer from several limitations such as nonspecific targeting, poor biodistribution, and buildup of drug resistances. However, significant technological advancements have been made in terms of superior modes of drug delivery over the last few decades.

Electrochemical Performance of (MgCoNiZn)LiO High-Entropy Oxides in Lithium-Ion Batteries.

High-entropy oxides (HEOs), which are a new class of single-phase solid solution materials, have recently attracted significant attention as an anode material for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). In this study, (MgCoNiZn)LiO ( = 0.05, 0.

Study on adsorption of Congo red onto chemically modified egg shell membrane.

Consumption of eggs leads to generation of huge amount of waste in the form of egg shell, which consists of calcined shell and fibrous membrane. In this study, egg shell membrane (ESM) were chemically modified and used to adsorb congo red from its synthetic aqueous solution. Fourier Transform Infra-red (FTIR) spectra confirmed the presence of hydroxyl, carbonyl and methylene groups in egg shell membrane.

Developing Paper Based Diagnostic Technique to Detect Uric Acid in Urine.

Urinary or serum uric acid concentration is an indicator of chronic kidney condition. An increase in uric acid concentration may indicate renal dysfunction. Reliable instantaneous detection of uric acid without requiring sophisticated laboratory and analytical instrumentation, such as: chromatographic and spectrophotometric methods, would be invaluable for patients with renal complication.

Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis of Laurus nobilis essential oil composition of northern Cyprus.

The chemical composition of the essential oil isolated from the leaves of the Laurus nobilis plant (from the Northern Cyprus Mountains) by hydrodistillation was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Of the 81 compounds representing 98.74% of total oil, monocyclic monoterpenes such as 1,8-cineole (58.