Using Custom-Built, Small-Scale Educational Solutions to Teach Qualitative Research Literacy

This chapter considers ways in which educators can create their own educational applications to integrate into their teaching. It is argued that interactive uses of technology can aid student engagement and encourage uptake of skills presented to them. Today, tools available allow everyone to create not only static websites, but also functional applications. It is possible to get started without knowing how to code, empowering anyone with an interest in technology to become a creator. While these no and low code solutions may come with some restrictions, they may encourage users to explore more traditional ways to engage with code and its possibilities for teaching. The chapter aims to encourage readers to look at technology as a creative practice to include into their teaching. It suggests strategies to help readers select the most appropriate tool for their projects.

Oxygen Deficient α-MoO3 with Promoted Adsorption and State-Quenching of H2O for Gas Sensor: A DFT Study

Semiconducting oxides with reducible cations are ideal platforms for various functional applications in nanoelectronics and catalysts. In this work, we explore an ultrathin oxide under the atomic limit with monolayer...

LC-MS/HRMS Analysis, Anti-Cancer, Anti-Enzymatic and Anti-Oxidant Effects of Boerhavia diffusa Extracts: A Potential Raw Material for Functional Applications

Boerhavia diffusa is a great tropical plant and is widely used for various traditional purposes. In the present study, we examined the influence of solvents (dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, methanol and infusion (water)) on chemical composition and biological capabilities of B. diffusa. An UHPLC-HRMS method was used to determine the chemical characterization. The biological ability was examined for antioxidant, enzyme inhibitory and anti-cancer effects. To evaluate antioxidant effects, different chemical methods (ABTS, DPPH, CUPRAC, FRAP, metal chelating and phosphomolybdenum) were applied. With regard to enzyme inhibitory properties, cholinesterases, amylase, glucosidase and tyrosinase were used. The MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell line was chosen to determine anticancer activity. Based on the UHPLC-HRMS analysis, 37 specialized metabolites were dereplicated and identified in the studied extracts. Results revealed the presence of 15 hydroxybenzoic, hydroxycinnamic, acylquinic acids, and their glycosides, one rotenoid, seven flavonoids, 12 fatty acids and two other glycosides. Among the tested extracts, the methanol extract showed a stronger antioxidant ability compared with other extracts. The methanol extract also showed the best inhibitory effects on tyrosinase and glucosidase. In the anti-cancer evaluation, the methanol extract showed stronger anticancer effects compared with water extract. In summary, our observations can contribute to the establishment of B. diffusa as a potential candidate for functional applications in the preparation.

Progress in fabrication and applications of micro/nanostructured superhydrophobic surfaces

Natural biological surfaces such as lotus leaves and water striders have micro- and nanostructures and low-surface-energy materials, possessing excellent superhydrophobicity. It has become an important research topic to construct bionic superhydrophobic surfaces and explore their functional applications. This paper reviews the research progress on the fabrication and applications of superhydrophobic surfaces with micro/nanostructures. The techniques used for fabricating superhydrophobic surfaces, including the template method, nano-imprinting technique, laser-treatment, plasma treatment, electrospinning technique, solution-chemical etching method, electrochemical technique, phase separation method and sol–gel process, were introduced. Also, the diverse functional applications of superhydrophobic surfaces such as self-cleaning, anti-icing, oil–water separation, anti-corrosion and drag reduction were summarised. It is believed that green fabrication will become the future development direction of superhydrophobic surfaces. Further exploration for the superhydrophobic surfaces with mechanical stability and durability will be expected to expand the application prospect and commercial value of superhydrophobic surfaces.