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Tangible programming tools have become a mainstream teaching aid in gamification programming learning (GPL) due to their interactivity and ability to enhance novice learners' computational thinking and spatial reasoning skills. However, comparing the relative efficacy of different programming tools that simultaneously support these skills was not adequately explored. This study designed and evaluated three programming tools: the tangible programming tool (TPG), which uses real touchable objects; the block programming tool (BPG), which employs virtual programming blocks and 3D game scenarios; and the paper-and-pencil programming tool (PPG), which uses paper and pen to draw. The study involved 112 seventh-grade students from three natural classes: Class A (TPG, n[subscript 1]=37), Class B (BPG, n[subscript 2]=38), and Class C (PPG, n[subscript 3]=37). These students completed four gamification programming tasks and CT skills, spatial reasoning skills, enjoyment, cognitive load and GPL task list measurements. The results indicated that the tangible programming tool led to lower cognitive load, significant improvement in spatial reasoning skills and better abstraction and problem decomposition skills. The block programming tool provided a more enjoyable experience and facilitated students' algorithm design and efficiency. The paper-and-pencil programming tool was found to be less effective in improving spatial reasoning skills. This study's findings can help programming educators cultivate students' thinking skills and improve their learning experience by effectively selecting the most appropriate programming tools.

The rising use of technology in classrooms has also brought with it a concomitant wave of computer-based assessments. The argument for computer-based testing is often framed in terms of efficiency and data management: computer-based tests facilitate more efficient processing of test data and the rate at which feedback can be leveraged for student learning rather than being framed in terms of the direct effects that students experience from engaging with novel learning tools. Whilst potentially beneficial, for some students the outcomes of computer-based tests may be counter-productive. This review considers the cognitive, and often implicit, consequences of testing mode upon students with reference to testing performance and subjective measures of cognitive load. Considerations for teachers, test writers and future research are presented with a view to raising the significance of learners' subjective experiences as a guiding perspective in educational policy making.

In this paper, we develop a heterogeneous graph network using citation relations between papers and their basic information centered around the "Paper mills" papers under withdrawal observation, and we train graph neural network models and classifiers on these heterogeneous graphs to classify paper nodes. Our proposed citation network-based "Paper mills" detection model (PDCN model for short) integrates textual features extracted from the paper titles using the BERT model with structural features obtained from analyzing the heterogeneous graph through the heterogeneous graph attention network model. Subsequently, these features are classified using LGBM classifiers to identify "Paper mills" papers. On our custom dataset, the PDCN model achieves an accuracy of 81.85% and an F1-score of 80.49% in the "Paper mills" detection task, representing a significant improvement in performance compared to several baseline models. We considered only the title of the article as a text feature and did not obtain features for the entire article. The PDCN model we developed can effectively identify "Paper mills" papers and is suitable for the automated detection of "Paper mills" during the review process. We incorporated both text and citation detection into the "Paper mills" identification process. Additionally, the PDCN model offers a basis for judgment and scientific guidance in recognizing "Paper mills" papers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pressure-based signal readout is promising for developing instrument-free immunoassays, but new detection methods are desirable to further advance the applicability of point-of-care testing (POCT). Herein, we developed a syringe-hosted load-and-read immunoassay device using autoinjected distance readout in paper inserts. The device was composed of multiple disposable syringes as the host for immuno-recognition, a three-dimensional (3D)-printed loading magazine of the syringes, and paper inserts to the magazine for distance signal readout. Using prostate-specific antigen (PSA) as a model target, the immuno-recognition system was constructed on the inner cylinder walls of the syringes. The immuno-captured platinum nanoparticles (Pt NPs) catalyzed the decomposition of H 2 O 2 to produce O 2 in the cylinders, driving the automatic quantitative injection behavior of the syringes. By loading the syringes into the magazine, the autoinjected liquids were received by the paper inserts to display the immunoassay signals as a visual traveling distance of liquids. PSA was determined with a low limit of detection (LOD) of 0.32 ng/mL and high accuracy in testing clinical serum specimens. Given the advantages of the simple syringe-hosted immuno-recognition method and the load-and-read signal readout in the paper inserts, the immunoassay device shows great potential in POCT., Competing Interests: Declarations. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2025. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Austria, part of Springer Nature.)

The global healthcare market increasingly demands affordable molecular diagnostics for field testing. To address this need, we introduce a lab-on-paper (LOP) platform that integrates isothermal amplification with a specially designed paper strip for molecular testing through an automated microfluidics process. The LOP system is engineered for rapid, cost-effective, and highly sensitive detection, using USB-powered thermal management and a wax valve mechanism. This innovative platform provides an accessible solution for the rapid and accurate detection of various microorganisms, proving particularly advantageous for point-of-care testing in resource-limited environments. Experiments conducted in this study demonstrated the efficacy of the LOP platform in the colorimetric detection of foodborne pathogens. It reliably detected Vibrio vulnificus at concentrations as low as 120 CFU/mL and Salmonella Typhimurium at 60 CFU/mL, with results observable to the naked eye. The entire process, encompassing amplification and detection, was completed within 30 min, underscoring the system's rapid diagnostic capability. Furthermore, with an assay cost of 5.2 USD per test, the platform offers a highly cost-effective solution for molecular diagnostics, particularly in resource-limited settings. The LOP platform's portability, ease of use, and affordability make it a promising alternative for various diagnostic applications, including infectious disease monitoring and ensuring food safety., Competing Interests: Declarations. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Austria, part of Springer Nature.)

The pulp and paperboard industries are the major industrial sector that consumes significant amounts of fresh water and generates large volumes of wastewater. The treatment of this wastewater resulted in the production of a substantial amount of sludge, which posed serious environmental challenges. This study explored a sustainable solution by converting PBS into biochar through slow pyrolysis of temperatures up to ≤ 500 °C, offering an alternative approach to waste management and resource conservation. The physicochemical parameters of paper board sludge biochar (PBSB) exhibited a neutral pH of 7.49, electrical conductivity of 0.09 dS m -1 , organic carbon of 38.12% and CaCO 3 of 24.5%. Proximate analysis of PBSB revealed an increased fixed carbon of 76.43%, total organic carbon (TOC) of 7.13%, and reduced volatile matter and moisture levels. The TGA analysis of the dried paperboard sludge sample showed a 20% mass reduction when heated to 350 °C. During this process, more than 90% of the volatile components were removed.. The micro nutrients viz., Fe 5.06 mg L -1 , Mn 419.3 mg L -1 , Cu 26.3 mg L -1 , and Zn 66.1 mg L -1 contents were observed in PBSB. FT-IR analysis identified the presence of various carbon-containing functional groups, including C-Cl, C-N, C-C, H-C = O, C-H, and -C≡C-H, indicating substantial chemical transformations during pyrolysis. SEM-EDX analysis revealed that PBSB has fine particle size and a coarse fluffy spongy porous structure ideal for water adsorption. Elemental analysis (XRD) showed high carbon and oxygen content with significant amounts of aluminosilicates, carbonates, and nutrients like phosphorus and potassium, suggesting PBSB as a potential slow-release fertilizer. This research highlights the potential of biochar derived from paperboard waste as a sustainable solution for waste management and resource recovery., Competing Interests: Declarations. Ethics approval: This research is entirely original, with no content copied from other sources. All ideas and work from others have been properly cited. The results are reported honestly, without any fabrication or manipulation of data. Additionally, the study’s limitations are transparently explained. Only individuals who have made significant contributions to the research are listed as authors, and all authors have reviewed and approved the final version of the manuscript before submission. Conflict of interest: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2025. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)

On-site quantitative detection of organophosphorus pesticides (OPs) is crucial for safeguarding food and public safety. This study presents a novel acetylcholinesterase (AChE)-mediated paper-based Au 3+ -etching of gold nanobipyramids (AuNBPs) system. The system employs a long-term storable AuNBPs-deposited nylon membrane embedded within a portable and temperature-controlled paper-based analytical device. This system, coupled with a colorimeter-based quantitative method, enables the development of a practical paper-based multicolor sensor (PMS) for on-site quantitative detection of three common OPs (paraoxon, dichlorvos, and trichlorfon). In the absence of OPs, AChE hydrolyzes acetylthiocholine to thiocholine, which reduces Au 3+ to Au + . The presence of OPs inhibits AChE activity, thereby preserving Au 3+ to etch AuNBPs on nylon membranes, accompanied by multicolor changes. These color changes can be simply quantified by measuring the a∗ parameter of the CIELab color space using a portable colorimeter. Under optimal conditions, the PMS displayed eight OPs-corresponding color changes with a minimum detectable concentration of 1.0-10 μg/L (visual observation) and limits of detection of 0.8-7.2 μg/L (colorimeter) and 0.2-3.4 μg/L (UV-vis spectrometry). The PMS successfully determined the OPs in vegetable and rice samples with recoveries of 89.0-109 % and RSDs (n = 5) of <6 %. These results were consistent with those obtained using the HPLC-MS method. The PMS demonstrates excellent portability, AuNBPs stability, detection sensitivity, and reproducibility, making it a promising tool for the on-site quantitative detection of OPs residues in food. Furthermore, the paper-based etching system coupled with the colorimeter-based quantitative method provides a valuable reference to develop practical PMSs for various targets in diverse fields., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: The purpose of this research is to investigate the acceptance and support of neurodiverse people in society, with a focus on autism, and to use this to propose a framework to enhance inclusivity that can inform pedagogy within the education sectors. Design/methodology/approach: Three case studies from higher education have been presented and mapped onto a multi-dimensional spectrum of characteristics normally associated with autistic people. Further examples have been taken from the general population and these have been used, along with user scenarios to propose a framework for inclusivity. Findings: A framework, the human spectrum, has been proposed which encompasses all of society, regardless of diagnoses and within which people have mobility in terms of their characteristics. It is proposed that this framework should be incorporated into pedagogy in primary, secondary and tertiary education so that teaching and assessment is inclusive and so that people's understanding of human nature is built from an early age to counter stigma and herd mentality, or othering. Social implications: The contribution of this paper could have significant implications for society as the framework provides a structure to enable people to consider others with new perspectives. Originality/value: The framework proposed provides a new and original way of shaping the way people think within the education sector and elsewhere.