Search Results (118)

Programming education has become increasingly vital within global K–12 curricula, and large language models (LLMs) offer promising solutions to systemic challenges such as limited teacher expertise and insufficient personalized support. Adopting a human-centric and systems-oriented perspective, this study employed a six-week quasi-experimental design involving 103 Grade 7 students in China to investigate the effects of instruction supported by the iFLYTEK Spark model. Results showed that the experimental group significantly outperformed the control group in programming performance, cognitive interest, and programming self-efficacy. Beyond these quantitative outcomes, qualitative interviews revealed that LLM-assisted instruction enhanced students’ self-directed learning, a sense of real-time human–machine interaction, and exploratory learning behaviors, forming an intelligent human–AI learning system. These findings underscore the integrative potential of LLMs to support competence, autonomy, and engagement within digital learning systems. This study concludes by discussing the implications for intelligent educational system design and directions for future socio-technical research. Full article

In this paper, a study on the working characteristics of microwave-assisted spark plug igniter was carried out. Experiments were carried out in a vacuum chamber to investigate the effects of microwave feeding with different parameters on the spark plug discharge process, breakdown voltage, average power, discharge spectral intensity, and characteristic temperature of the discharge plasma under different ambient pressures (0.1 MPa at atmospheric pressure and 0.05 MPa at low pressure). The results show that the breakdown voltage decreased by 15.2% and the average power of discharge increased by 49% when the microwave pulse peak power increased from 0 W to 200 W under a low-pressure environment; meanwhile, the breakdown voltage decreased by 10.8% and the average power increased by 23% under an atmospheric-pressure environment. When the microwave pulse frequency was increased from 1 kHz to 10 kHz, the breakdown voltage further decreased by 15.2% in a low-voltage environment, but there was no significant effect on the average power. The plasma characteristic temperature rose significantly with the peak power: the electron temperature rose from 1.961 eV to 2.154 eV with the power at atmospheric pressure, and the vibrational and rotational temperatures also increased significantly. Full article

Background/Objectives: The recent Executive Order suspending the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) programmes, including Development Assistance for Health (DAH), has sparked serious debates about the sustainability of ongoing HIV/AIDS control programmes, particularly in Africa. In this study, we examined HIV/AIDS-specific DAH allocation to Africa from 1990 to 2022, and the potential effects of funding cutbacks on disease outcomes. Methods: We nested 54 countries within five sub-regions of Africa and applied linear mixed-effects models to estimate the effects of DAH on HIV/AIDS incidence and mortality rates, accounting for clustering by sub-region and potential variability due to baseline incidence and mortality and other sources of heterogeneity. Results: Total DAH allocated to Africa increased from US$534,343 in 1990 to US$5,273,264 in 2022. The United States (U.S.) public sector contributed nearly two-thirds (US$58,399,088; 63.01%) of the total funding. Most of these funds were disbursed to Southern and Eastern Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), particularly countries with the highest HIV/AIDS burdens, including South Africa and Kenya. The fixed effects results and predicted margins indicate that, in addition to having a direct effect, U.S. public sector-specific DAH moderates the effectiveness of other international donor funding and domestic general government health spending (GHES) on HIV/AIDS incidence and mortality. Conclusions: Based on the historical trends and funding interactions, the cutback in U.S. DAH could be associated with weakening of the overall effectiveness of other donor funding and GHES. However, any future effects are contingent on African countries’ resilience to evolving challenges and resource allocation. Full article

In recent years, the rapid integration of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies into education has sparked intense academic and public debate regarding their impact on students’ cognitive development. One of the central concerns raised by researchers and practitioners is the potential erosion of critical and independent thinking skills in an era of widespread reliance on neural network-based technologies. On the one hand, AI offers new opportunities for personalized learning, adaptive content delivery, and increased accessibility and efficiency in the educational process. On the other hand, growing concerns suggest that overreliance on AI-driven tools in intellectual tasks may reduce students’ motivation to engage in self-directed analysis, diminish cognitive effort, and lead to weakened critical thinking skills. This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of current research on this topic, including empirical data, theoretical frameworks, and practical case studies of AI implementation in academic settings. Particular attention is given to the evaluation of how AI-supported environments influence students’ cognitive development, as well as to the pedagogical strategies that can harmonize technological assistance with the cultivation of autonomous and reflective thinking. This article concludes with recommendations for integrating AI tools into educational practice not as replacements for human cognition, but as instruments that enhance critical engagement, analytical reasoning, and academic autonomy. Full article

Hybrid Rocket Engines (HREs) combine the advantages of solid and liquid propellants, offering thrust control, simplicity, safety, and cost efficiency. Part of the research on this rocket architecture focuses on optimising combustion chamber design to enhance performance, a process traditionally reliant on time-consuming experimental adjustments to chamber lengths. In this study, two configurations of HREs were designed and tested. The tests aimed to study the impact of post-chamber lengths on rocket engine performance by experimental firings on a laid-back test engine. This study focused on designing, manufacturing, and testing a laid-back hybrid engine with two chamber configurations. The engine features a small combustion chamber, an L-shaped mount, a spark ignition, and nitrogen purging. Data acquisition includes thermocouples, pressure transducers, and a load cell for thrust measurement. Our experimental findings provide insights into thrust, temperature gradients, pressure, and plume characteristics. A non-linear regression model derived from the experimental data established an empirical relationship between performance and chamber lengths, offering a foundation for further combustion flow studies. The post-chamber length positively impacted the engine thrust performance by 2.7%. Conversely, the pre-chamber length negatively impacted the performance by 1.3%. Further data collection could assist in refining the empirical relation and identifying key threshold values. Full article

This study explored methods used to improve the ignition efficiency of a microwave radiation igniter; experimental analyses were conducted to characterize the device’s performance in a model combustion chamber. High-speed imaging combined with an image intensifier tracked flame kernel formation and propagation dynamics under varying airflow rates, residual gas coefficients, and microwave pulse parameters. The results demonstrate that increased airflow rates reduced the relative decline in ignition delay time under microwave application, with the flame area growth curve exhibiting a steeper slope compared to non-microwave conditions. Elevated residual gas coefficients enhanced the microwave-induced reduction in ignition delay time, though this effect weakened significantly in fuel-rich environments. Additionally, higher microwave pulse frequencies and peak power levels both contributed to shorter ignition delay times; the delay decreased linearly with the rising pulse frequency and followed a power-dependent reduction trend. These findings systematically quantify the synergistic effects of flow dynamics, residual gases, and microwave parameters on ignition performance. Full article

This paper introduces a holistic framework to assist less industrialized countries in adopting nuclear energy (NE) for peaceful purposes considering the challenges and opportunities this entails. It underscores the pressing need for sustainable and secure energy solutions, proposing NE as a viable option. The study aims to delve into the technical, social, economic, regulatory, and policy aspects of NE’s development and its broader applications beyond conventional power generation, such as industrial processes, medical applications, agricultural advancements, and mining activities, explicitly targeting less industrialized regions. Employing a systematic review of existing practices, the paper identifies and examines barriers to NE adoption alongside strategies to mitigate these issues. Findings suggest that NE can play a pivotal role in fostering economic growth and scientific progress, potentially sparking the emergence of new industries within these countries. However, significant obstacles—namely governance, public acceptance, safety, security, development of expertise, and securing financing—pose considerable challenges. The paper concludes that a strategic and well-coordinated deployment of NE is essential for driving socio-economic growth and environmental sustainability in less industrialized countries. It emphasizes the necessity for comprehensive planning and international collaboration to fully unlock NE’s potential, advocating for a multifaceted approach to overcome the identified hurdles. Full article

Aimed at solving the problems of single control measures in the electro-spark deposition (ESD) process, difficulty controlling the micro-process using heterogeneous materials (for the electrode and matrix), and the unstable quality and reliability of repairs to the deposition layer, a method of magnetic-field-assistance electro-spark deposition (MFESD) was proposed. An MFESD device was built, and a Ni electrode was used for deposition on the surface of 45 steel under the conditions of deposition voltages of 30 V, 60 V, and 90 V, respectively. This study examined the impact of the magnetic field’s intensity and frequency on the microstructure and mechanical properties of electro-spark deposition layers. The results show that the sputtering and protrusion of the electrode material on the surface of the deposition layer gradually decrease with an increase in the magnetic field’s intensity and frequency, defects such as pores and cracks are obviously improved, and the structure is uninterrupted and compact. The surface roughness of the deposited layer decreases with an increase in the magnetic field’s intensity and frequency, and its surface roughness decreases by 44.3%. The cross-section effect of the deposited layer is improved. The thickness of the deposited layer increases with an increase in the magnetic field’s intensity and frequency; the thickness of the deposited layer increases by 13.39%, and its maximum thickness can reach 54.396 μm. At the same time, the microhardness of the deposited layer increases with an increase in the two aforementioned properties of the magnetic field, and its hardness increases by 5.32%. Using a magnetic field to control ESD can effectively control the microscopic process of deposition and obtain high-quality deposition coatings, which have important significance in the surface remanufacturing of key components of high-end equipment. Full article

Background/Objectives: Biomedical progress has extended the lifespan of patients with incurable diseases, sparking debates about their desire to live under certain conditions. This study examines the ethical and legal challenges surrounding end-of-life issues in Europe, including informed consent, the refusal of treatment, the right to health, self-determination, advance directives, assisted suicide, and euthanasia. European countries exhibit different interpretations and regulations of these practices, leading to patient “migrations” seeking favorable legal environments. Methods: This study analyzes end-of-life legislation across European countries in a comparative and qualitative way, highlighting differences, commonalities, and the potential for uniform regulation. The data were collected from the literature published between 2000 and 2024, focusing on the EU member states, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Results: The examination of the norms governing end-of-life practices in various European countries revealed significant differences in legislative frameworks, reflecting diverse cultural, ethical, and legal perspectives. These variations have led to patient migrations in search of suitable legal environments to end their lives with dignity. Conclusions: This study highlights the need for a harmonized approach to end-of-life legislation in Europe to ensure equitable access to end-of-life care and to uphold human dignity. Continuous legal updates and comparative studies are essential to balance medical advancements with ethical considerations. The findings emphasize the importance of autonomy and self-determination, which are fundamental human rights that should be respected in the context of end-of-life decisions. Full article

The utilization of contemporary technology enhances the efficiency of parking resource management, contributing to more liveable and sustainable cities. In response to the growing challenges of urbanization, intelligent parking systems have emerged as a crucial solution for optimizing parking management, reducing traffic congestion, and minimizing pollution. The primary aim of this study is to present the concept of the developed web application that supports finding available parking spaces, embodied in the SPARK system (Smart Parking Assistance and Resource Knowledge). The integration of the YOLOv9 (You Only Look Once) segmentation algorithm with Artificial Bee Colony (ABC) optimization, combined with the use of crowdsourced data and deep learning for image analysis, significantly enhances the SPARK system’s operational efficiency. It enables rapid and precise detection of available parking spaces while ensuring robustness and continuous improvement. The accuracy of detecting available parking spaces in the presented system, estimated at 87.33%, is satisfactory compared to similar studies worldwide. Full article

Technological progress has seamlessly integrated digital assistants into our everyday lives, sparking an interest in social robots that communicate through both verbal and non-verbal means. The potential of these robots to influence human behaviour and attitudes holds significant implications for fields such as healthcare, marketing, and promoting sustainability. This study investigates how the design and behavioural aspects of social robots affect their ability to persuade, drawing on principles from human interaction to enhance the quality of human–robot interactions. Conducted in three stages, the experiments involved 73 participants, offering a comprehensive view of human responses to robotic persuasion. Surprisingly, the findings reveal that individuals tend to be more receptive to a single robot than to groups of robots. Nao was identified as more effective and capable of persuasion than Pepper. This study shows that successful persuasion by robots depends on social influence, the robot’s appearance, and people’s past experiences with technology. Full article

The remarkable properties of magnetic nanostructures have sparked considerable interest within the biomedical domain, owing to their potential for diverse applications. In targeted drug delivery systems, therapeutic molecules can be loaded onto magnetic nanocarriers and precisely guided and released within the body with the assistance of an externally applied magnetic field. However, conventional external magnetic fields generated by permanent magnets or electromagnets are limited by finite magnetic field gradients, shallow penetration depths, and low precision. The novel structured light field known as the Airy light-sheet possesses unique characteristics such as non-diffraction, self-healing, and self-acceleration, which can potentially overcome the limitations of traditional magnetic fields to some extent. While existing studies have primarily focused on the manipulation of dielectric particles by Airy light-sheet, comprehensive analyses exploring the intricate interplay between Airy light-sheet and magnetic nanostructures are currently lacking in the literature, with only preliminary theoretical discussions available. This study systematically explores the mechanical response of magnetic spherical particles under the influence of Airy light-sheet, including radiation forces and spin torques. Furthermore, we provide an in-depth analysis of the effects of particle size, permittivity, permeability, and incident light-sheet parameters on the mechanical effects. Our research findings not only offer new theoretical guidance and practical references for the application of magnetic nanoparticles in biomedicine but also provide valuable insights for the manipulation of other types of micro/nanoparticles using structured light fields. Full article

Waste printed circuit boards (WPCBs) hold great recycling value, but improper recycling can lead to environmental issues. This study combines pyrolysis and microwave technologies, leveraging the unique phenomenon where metal materials tend to “spark” in a microwave field, to develop a microwave pyrolysis process for WPCBs that incorporates metal fillers. The research analyzes the effects of microwave power, metal filler addition, and pyrolysis time on the efficiency of microwave pyrolysis. It explores the mechanisms of microwave pyrolysis and the pathways of pyrolysis product formation, and the kinetics of the pyrolysis reaction of WPCBs. The results indicate that microwave-assisted pyrolysis greatly improves efficiency. Within the experimental range, the optimal conditions are found to be a microwave power of 1600–1800 W, a metal filler addition of 10%, and a pyrolysis time of 10 min. Under these conditions, the yield of pyrolysis liquid was 12.8%, with approximately 5–12 different components, while the yield of pyrolysis gas was 12.7–13.4%, with about 9–11 different components. Compared to conventional pyrolysis products, the liquid products from microwave pyrolysis are simpler and more advantageous for resource utilization. Theoretical calculations show that the average activation energy for the microwave pyrolysis process is 81.05 kJ/mol, with an average reaction order of 0.93, which is greatly better than the 147.75 kJ/mol of the conventional pyrolysis process. Full article

The electrochemical performance of in-house developed, spark plasma-sintered, Aluminum metal–matrix composites (MMCs) was evaluated using different electrochemical techniques. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectra were used to characterize the nanocomposites along with FE-SEM and EDS for morphological, structural, and elemental analysis, respectively. The highest charge transfer resistance (R_ct), lowest corrosion current density, lowest electrochemical potential noise (EPN), and electrochemical current noise (ECN) were observed for GO-reinforced Al-MMC. The addition of honeycomb-like structure in the Al matrix assisted in blocking the diffusion of Cl⁻ or SO₄⁻². However, poor wettability in between Al matrix and Al₂O₃ reinforcement resulted in the formation of porous interface regions, leading to a degradation in the corrosion resistance of the composite. Post-corrosion surface analysis by optical profilometer indicated that, unlike its counterparts, the lowest surface roughness (Ra) was provided by GO-reinforced MMC. Full article

Developing long-lasting humidity sensors is essential for sustainable advancements in nanotechnology. Prolonged exposure to high humidity can cause sensors to drift from their calibration points, leading to long-term accuracy issues. Our research aims to develop a fabrication method that produces stable sensors capable of withstanding the environmental challenges faced by humidity sensors. Traditional iron-based nanoparticles often require complex treatments, such as chemical modification or thermal annealing, to maintain their properties. This study introduces a novel, one-step synthesis method for iron-based thin films with exceptional stability. The synthesized films were thoroughly characterized using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) to evaluate their phase stability and nitride formation. The method proposed in this study employs an electrical sparking discharge process within a pure nitrogen atmosphere under a 0.2 T magnetic field, producing thin films composed of nanoparticles approximately 20 nm in size. The resulting films demonstrate superior performance in humidity sensing applications compared to conventional methods. This straightforward and efficient approach offers a promising path toward robust and sustainable humidity sensors. Full article