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A driving factor in designing interactive museum exhibits to support simultaneous users is that visitors learn from one another via observation and conversation. Researchers typically analyze such collaborative interactions among museumgoers through manual coding of live- or video-recorded exhibit use. We sought to determine how log data from an interactive multi-user exhibit could indicate patterns in visitor interactions that could shed light on informal collaborative learning. We characterized patterns from log data generated by an interactive tangible tabletop exhibit using factors like "pace of activity" and the timing of "success events." Here we describe processes for parsing and visualizing log data and explore what these processes revealed about individual and group interactions with interactive museum exhibits. Using clustering techniques to categorize museumgoer behavior and heat maps to visualize patterns in the log data, we found distinct trends in how users solved the exhibit. Some players seemed more reflective, while others seemed more achievement oriented. We also found that the most productive sessions occurred when players occupied all four areas of the table, suggesting that the activity design had the desired outcome of promoting collaborative activity.

This paper presents an implementation of Connected Spaces (CxS)--an ambient help seeking interface designed and developed for a project-based computing classroom. We use actor network theory (ANT) to provide an underutilized posthumanist lens to understand the creation of collaborative connections in this Computational Action-based implementation. Posthumanism offers an emerging and critical extension to sociocultural perspectives on understanding learning, by pushing us to decenter the human, and consider the active roles that human and non-human entities play in learning environments by actively shaping each other. We analyse how students in this class adjusted their help-seeking and collaborative habits following the introduction of CxS, a tool designed to foster (more inter-group) collaboration. ANT proposes generalized symmetry--a principle of considering human, non-human and more than human entities with equivalent and comparable agency, leading to describing phenomena as networks of actors in different evolving relationships with each other. Analysing collaborative interactions as fostered by CxS using an ANT approach supports design-based research--an iterative design revision process highlighting understandings about design as well as learning--by providing a temporal and informative lens into the relationship between actors and tools within the environment. Our key findings include a framing of technologies in classrooms as bridging agentic gaps between students and becoming actors engaging in different behaviours; learners enacting new agencies through technologies (for instance a more comfortable non-intrusive help seeker), and the need for voicing and teachers to connect help networks in CxS equipped classrooms.

In this paper, we present SCAMP – Social Configuration Affordances for Museum Play – an analytical framework we develop and use to highlight the relationship between designed affordances at interactive museum exhibits and different social playful behaviors they trigger and support. We do this through a selective case study analysis of Rainbow Agents, an interactive museum exhibit designed to support play across multiple social configurations. This variety of configurations is valuable for museum settings, as it helps museum visitors engage with each other according to their preferences and also enables the emergence of modes of collaboration and competition novel for learners in such contexts. Our SCAMP analysis of Rainbow Agents sheds light on design features which successfully support different forms of productive social play – including short and long episodes of competitive, collaborative and parallel play, spanning play, teaching, and receiving interpersonal interactions. In particular, we pay attention to behaviors representing a variety of mentoring and learning opportunities – in line with and extending the vision and goals of educational games' and science museum exhibits' designers and researchers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pyrolysis of Ni-substituted zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 produces NiNx@NC with an ultra-low loading of Ni (7.4 × 10−6 mol%). The Ni–N coordination, subnanometer particle size, and uniform distribution of NiNx on the NC support lead to excellent catalytic activity (TON = 2702) and selectivity for the amination of aldehydes to produce amides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural history museums & libraries provide exceptional resources for both traditional & non-traditional education settings. Because they are snapshots in time & space, collections provide information that can never be duplicated. Learning about & interacting deeply with the living world is facilitated by exposure to collections. Specimens in collections allow for direct tracking of global biological diversity & also changes in that diversity, whether those changes are ancient or recent. This paper investigates the significance of biodiversity & pollution in the field of natural history studies, as well as the connection between the two concepts. It is emphasised here how the current rise in specimen-based digitization programmes has provided access to an unprecedented biodiversity data wealth, vastly expanding the scope of natural history collections. The methodology was used as a secondary source of data, which was gathered using online sources. By providing access to specimens & data housed in natural history collections, online databases have allowed scientists along with the general public to address worldwide, regional, & also local concerns concerning biodiversity in a manner that was not conceivable a decade ago. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Background: Point‐of‐care echocardiography (POC‐Echo) is an essential intensive care hemodynamic monitoring tool. Aims: To assess POC‐Echo parameters [i.e., cardiac index (CI), systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI) and cirrhotic cardiomyopathy (CCM) markers] and serum biomarkers in predicting circulatory failure (need for vasopressors) and mortality in patients with acute‐on‐chronic liver failure (ACLF) having sepsis‐induced hypotension. Methods: We performed serial POC‐Echo within 6 hours (h) of presentation and subsequently at 24, 48 and 72 h in patients with ACLF and sepsis‐induced hypotension admitted to our liver intensive care unit. Clinical data, POC‐Echo data and serum biomarkers were collected prospectively. Results: We enrolled 120 patients [59% men, aged 49 ± 12 years, 56% alcohol‐related disease and median MELDNa of 30 (27–32)], of whom 68 (56.6%) had circulatory failure, with overall mortality of 60%. CCM was present in 52.5%. The predictors of circulatory failure were CI (aHR −1.5; p = 0.021), N‐terminal brain natriuretic peptide (aHR −1.1; p = 0.007) and CCM markers; e′ septal mitral velocity (aHR −0.5; p = 0.039) and E/e′ ratio (aHR −1.2; p = 0.045). Reduction in CI by 20% and SVRI by 15% at 72 h predicted mortality with a sensitivity of 84% and 72%, and specificity 76% and 65%, respectively (p < 0.001). The MELD‐CCM model and CLIF‐CCM model were computed as MELDNa + 1.815 × E/e′ (septal) + 0.402 × e′ (septal) and CLIF‐C ACLF + 1.815 × E/e′ (septal) + 0.402 × e′ (septal), respectively, based on multivariable logistic regression. Both scores outperformed MELDNa (z‐score = −2.073, p = 0.038) and CLIF‐C ACLF score (z score = −2.683, p‐value = 0.007), respectively, in predicting 90‐day mortality. Conclusion: POC‐Echo measurements such as CCM markers (E/e' and e' velocity) and change in CI reliably predict circulatory failure and mortality in ACLF with severe sepsis. CCM markers significantly enhanced the CLIF‐C ACLF and MELDNa predictive performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Air pollution is a global issue with far reaching consequences for human health, ecosystems, and the planet's climate. This review paper provides a comprehensive analysis of various indoor air pollutants, their sources, impacts, and the strategies employed to mitigate their adverse effects. By exploring the origins and characteristics of different indoor air pollutants, including primary and secondary pollutants, this paper focus on the diverse emissions resulting from anthropogenic activities, vehicular emissions, industrial processes, and natural sources. The subsequent examination of the health effects on humans, ranging from respiratory diseases to cardiovascular complications and even neurological disorders, underscores the urgent need for effective mitigation strategies. To address these challenges, this paper critically evaluates an array of mitigation approaches. It discusses the role of regulatory policies, technological innovations, building planning initiatives, and public awareness campaigns in reducing air pollutant emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanotechnology has received a lot of attention as a new method of removing dyes, heavy metals and other pollutants from water and wastewater. Numerous studies on the synthesis, manufacturing, and improvement of nanoparticles have shown that they are effective adsorbents for removing a variety of dyes, heavy metals and other pollutants from wastewater. This review aims to educate researchers on effective nanoadsorbents, their mechanism of adsorption towards particular dyes, heavy metals, and the basic building blocks of nanoadsorbent materials synthesis. The development of nanocomposites and additional focus on nanoadsorbent modification are also highlighted in this research as value-added products to boost heavy metal removal and increase adsorption capacity. Regarding their ability to remove dyes, metals and cost-effectiveness, possible obstacles and directions for using nanocomposites for heavy metal, dyes and other pollutants removal in actual wastewater effluent are reviewed. Future studies should focus on finding an affordable method of producing nanocomposite materials and assessing the toxicity of nanoparticles in wastewater applications. To verify the viability of the nanoadsorbents for the removal of specific dyes, heavy metals from actual wastewater, more research on the efficacy of the nanoadsorbents at the pilot or industrial scale is urgently required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zn1−xCuxO0.997N0.003 nanopowders having varied concentrations of copper (i.e. x = 0.005, 0.01, 0.02, 0.03 and 0.04) and fixed concentration of nitrogen (i.e. 0.003) were synthesised using sol–gel method. The effects of Cu–N co-doping in ZnO were investigated on the basis of the changes observed in the structural, morphological, optical and dielectric properties. XRD confirmed the formation of the hexagonal wurtzite phase of ZnO up to x = 0.02. Beyond this, secondary phases of dopants were observed. Rietveld and Raman analysis confirmed the structural defects and disorders with an increase in dopant concentrations. The SEM images exhibited an increase in the average grain size with an increase in dopant concentration. FTIR revealed the incorporation of Cu and N ions at the unoccupied sites present in ZnO. UV–vis examined the variation in bandgap with an increase in dopant concentration. Dielectric properties were investigated in detail. The highest conductivity was found at x = 0.02. The observed properties of Zn1−xCuxO0.997N0.003 nanopowders pave a way for photovoltaic applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]