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Betaine/ascorbyl glucoside (Bet/AA-2G) deep eutectic solvent (DES) composed of betaine and ascorbyl glucoside have been successfully used to improve the solubility of silymarin in this study. Under appropriate conditions, the solubility of silymarin in a 5 wt% Bet/AA-2G DES solution increased by 17.7% and 60.9% compared to a 50 wt% 1,3-butanediol solution and a 50 wt% ethanol solution, respectively. In addition, quantum chemical simulations showed that silymarin had a strong binding capacity to Bet/AA-2G DES and can remain stable after binding. The combination of Bet/AA-2G DES with silymarin enhanced the skin permeability and antioxidant capacity of silymarin. Moreover, Silymarin extract extracted from a mixture of DES (50 wt%) (SM-DES) promoted the synthesis of type I collagen and significantly reduced the expression of MMP-1, indicating potential anti-wrinkle and firming properties. Overall, Bet/AA-2G DES showed great potential for improving the solubility and stabilizing the bioactivity of silymarin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flash memory, as the core unit of a compute-in-memory (CIM) array, requires multiple positive and negative (PN) high voltages (HVs) for word lines (WLs) to operate during storage and computation. A traditional WL driver generates these voltages using several charge pumps (CPs), leading to significant area overhead. This paper presents a novel multi-mode CP (MMCP) that generates all required HVs for a CIM array under a single CP, supporting CIM unit operation in programming, readout, and erase modes. Unlike traditional voltage multipliers, the MMCP eliminates the need for multiple CPs, reducing area and pump capacitor usage. Compared to a PN CP that drives a common load, the MMCP can provide multiple PN HVs by using level shifters (LSs) and switches. The MMCP is designed in a 55 nm standard CMOS process with an area of only 0.021 mm2. Additionally, this paper proposes global PN HV switches, which can correctly deliver the PN HVs generated by the MMCP from the same port (at different times) to the upper and lower power rails of WL driver circuits. Simulation results show that with a 2.5 V supply, 100 pF load, and 50 μ A current, the maximum error due to ripple is only 0.28%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to examine the reciprocal relationships between students' engagement and their relationships with teachers and peers in the context of Chinese educational reform. The participants were 628 7th-grade students from a public secondary school in Beijing. All of the students completed self-reported student engagement, teacher--student relationships and peer relationships measures at three time points within 3 years (at the end of the 7th grade, 8th grade and 9th grade). Through cross-lagged models, this study found that prior-year teacher--student relationships could predict the cognitive component of student engagement only in the 9th grade. However, higher levels of behavioural, emotional and cognitive engagement predicted subsequent higher-quality teacher-student relationships from the 7th to the 9th grades. Moreover, previous peer relationships predicted student behavioural and cognitive engagement in the 8th grade and emotional engagement in the 9th grade. Prior-year behavioural, emotional and cognitive engagement predicted peer relationships in the 8th grade, but the prediction was significant only for the influence of behavioural engagement on peer relationships for older students between the 8th grade and the 9th grade. Implications for supportive interpersonal relationships with teachers and peers that facilitate student engagement are discussed.

Event-based cameras, also known as biologically inspired visual sensors, are capable of capturing real-time scene changes efficiently. Unlike traditional frame-based cameras, event cameras solely report triggered pixel-level brightness changes which are referred to as events. Event-based cameras show many advantages such as high temporal resolution, low latency, and high dynamic range, making them very attractive in robotics and computer vision, especially in challenging scenarios that are too demanding for traditional cameras. In this paper, we provide a comprehensive overview of the emerging field of event-based vision, focusing on the operation principle, sampling mechanisms, and algorithms that take advantage of their superior features. We also delve into the various tasks for which event cameras are utilized, such as object tracking, optical flow estimation, 3D reconstruction, SLAM, image reconstruction, and recognition. Additionally, we highlight the challenges and future opportunities for event cameras, seeking a more efficient way for machines to perceive and interact with the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although several studies suggested considering gender in online learning, the literature about how male and female students would behave is fragmented. Little attention has been paid to the effect of gender on online learning behavioural patterns. This study aimed at investigating the roles of gender in online learning behaviours by analyzing the gender-related differences of students' online learning behavioural patterns. We used the case study approach with descriptive statistical analysis, lag sequential analysis, and temporal log data analysis to investigate gender-related differences in students' online learning behaviours. The results indicated no significant difference in the counts of occurrence of online single learning behaviours between female and male students. However, differences were observed in online learning behaviour patterns and how the online learning activities were performed over time. Females were more active in learning behaviours associated with achievement reports and peer list viewing. They tended to view their achievement reports before starting the main course learning activities, indicating that female students might be achievement-oriented. The findings provide further insights from a temporal perspective about how gender is associated with online learning. Implications on designing personalized online learning interventions based on considering gender-related differences are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]