Drawing upon the stimulus-organism-response framework, this study investigates contextual and environmental stimuli effects (streamer attractiveness, para-social interactions, and information ...quality) from a live streaming commerce context on viewer's cognitive and emotional states (cognitive assimilation and arousal) and their subsequent responses (hedonic consumption, impulsive consumption, and social sharing). Based on 300 valid survey data, we found 1) the three stimuli have direct effects on cognitive and emotional states, and cognitive and emotional states have direct effects on three responses, 2) the streamer attractiveness and para-social interaction effects on the three responses are mediated by arousal. However, cognitive assimilation only mediates the information quality effect on the three responses. These findings provide insights into how live streaming stimuli influence consumer's cognitive and emotional states, in turn influencing consumer behavior in a live streaming commerce context.
Indoxyl sulfate (IS) and p-cresyl sulfate (PCS) are protein-bound uremic toxins that increase in the sera of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), and are not effectively removed by dialysis. ...The purpose of this meta-analysis was to investigate the relationships of PCS and IS with cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality in patients with CKD stage 3 and above.
Medline, Cochrane, and EMBASE databases were searched until January 1, 2014 with combinations of the following keywords: chronic renal failure, end-stage kidney disease, uremic toxin, uremic retention, indoxyl sulfate, p-cresyl sulfate. Inclusion criteria were: 1) Patients with stage 1 to 5 CKD; 2) Prospective study; 3) Randomized controlled trial; 4) English language publication. The associations between serum levels of PCS and IS and the risks of all-cause mortality and cardiovascular events were the primary outcome measures. Of 155 articles initially identified, 10 prospective and one cross-sectional study with a total 1,572 patients were included. Free PCS was significantly associated with all-cause mortality among patients with chronic renal failure (pooled OR = 1.16, 95% CI = 1.03 to 1.30, P = 0.013). An elevated free IS level was also significantly associated with increased risk of all-cause mortality (pooled OR = 1.10, 95% CI = 1.03 to 1.17, P = 0.003). An elevated free PCS level was significantly associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events among patients with chronic renal failure (pooled OR = 1.28, 95% CI = 1.10 to 1.50, P = 0.002), while free IS was not significantly associated with risk of cardiovascular events (pooled OR = 1.05, 95% CI = 0.98 to 1.13, P = 0.196).
Elevated levels of PCS and IS are associated with increased mortality in patients with CKD, while PCS, but not IS, is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events.
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DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Exosomes, the smallest sized extracellular vesicles ( 30-150 nm) packaged with lipids, proteins, functional messenger RNAs and microRNAs, and double-stranded DNA from their cells of origin, have ...emerged as key players in intercellular communication. Their presence in bodily fluids, where they protect their cargo from degradation, makes them attractive candidates for clinical application as innovative diagnostic and therapeutic tools. But routine isolation and analysis of high purity exosomes in clinical settings is challenging, with conventional methods facing a number of drawbacks including low yield and/or purity, long processing times, high cost, and difficulties in standardization. Here we review a promising solution, microfluidic-based technologies that have incorporated a host of separation and sensing capabilities for exosome isolation, detection, and analysis, with emphasis on point-of-care and clinical applications. These new capabilities promise to advance fundamental research while paving the way toward routine exosome-based liquid biopsy for personalized medicine.
Breakthroughs in adapting microfluidic systems for exosome isolation, detection, and analysis are providing new tools to revolutionize personalized medicine.
Anti‐site defective potassium poly(heptazine imide) (KPHI) with the central nitrogen atoms partially replaced by graphitic carbon atoms in the flawed heptazine rings is prepared by direct ionothermal ...treatment of the rationally designed supramolecular complex in KSCN salt molten. Compared to the KPHIs without the anti‐site defect, the anti‐site defective KPHI demonstrates significantly improved photocatalytic and dark photocatalytic performances for H2 evolution reaction (HER). In the presence of the hole scavenger, the anti‐site defective KPHI exhibits superior photocatalytic stability for HER lasting 20 h, whereas the deactivation is observed from the ordinary KHPIs after 3 h HER. Moreover, the H2 yield in the dark by the stored photoelectrons in the anti‐site defective KPHI increases by more than an order of magnitude. Density functional theory calculations reveal that the anti‐site defective unit in KPHI not only prevents spin delocalization but also inhibits the deactivation of hole transfer, which are beneficial to photoelectron storage and photocatalytic activity. The findings in this study provide insight into the photophysical and catalytic properties of KPHI, which conclude a strategy to improve the performances for solar energy conversion and storage by incorporating intrinsic anti‐site defects in KPHI.
Anti‐site defective potassium poly(heptazine imide) (KPHI) with the central nitrogen atoms partially replaced by graphitic carbon atoms in the flawed heptazine rings exhibits superior performances for photocatalytic and dark photocatalytic H2 evolution. The anti‐site defective unit in KPHI not only prevents spin delocalization but also inhibits hole transfer deactivation, which are beneficial to solar energy conversion and storage.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
This study aims to develop a smart model for carrying out two-dimensional (2D) inundation simulation by estimating the gridded inundation depths via the ANN-derived models (ANN_GA-SA_MTF), named ...SM_EID_2D model. Within the SM_EID_2D model, the rainfall-induced inundation depths at the IoT sensors (i.e., IOT-based grids) are first estimated to be then used in the estimation of inundation depths at the ungauged grids (VIOT-based grids), the resulting flood extents and spatial distribution of inundation of what could be achieved. To facilitate the reliability of the proposed SM_EID_2D model in the 2D inundation simulation, a considerable number of rainfall-induced flood events are generated as the training datasets by coupling the hydrodynamic numerical model (SOBEK) with the simulated gridded rainstorms. To proceed with the model validation and application, the Miaoli City of North Taiwan is selected as the study area, and the associated hydrological and geographical data are adopted in the generation of the training datasets. The results from the model validation indicate that the proposed SM_EID_2D model could provide the gridded inundation-depth hydrographs with a low bias (about 0.02 m) and a high fitness to the validated data (nearly 0.7); also, the spatial distribution of inundated and non-inundated grids as well as the induced flooding extent provided could be well emulated by the proposed SM_EID_2D model under acceptable reliability (0.7). The proposed SM_EID_2D model is also advantageous for the 2D inundation simulation in the real-time delineated subbasins by assembling the emulated inundation depths at the specific grids.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
G protein‐coupled estrogen receptor‐1 (GPER), a member of the G protein‐coupled receptor (GPCR) superfamily, mediates estrogen‐induced proliferation of normal and malignant breast epithelial cells. ...However, its role in breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) remains unclear. Here we showed greater expression of GPER in BCSCs than non‐BCSCs of three patient‐derived xenografts of ER−/PR+ breast cancers. GPER silencing reduced stemness features of BCSCs as reflected by reduced mammosphere forming capacity in vitro, and tumor growth in vivo with decreased BCSC populations. Comparative phosphoproteomics revealed greater GPER‐mediated PKA/BAD signaling in BCSCs. Activation of GPER by its ligands, including tamoxifen (TMX), induced phosphorylation of PKA and BAD‐Ser118 to sustain BCSC characteristics. Transfection with a dominant‐negative mutant BAD (Ser118Ala) led to reduced cell survival. Taken together, GPER and its downstream signaling play a key role in maintaining the stemness of BCSCs, suggesting that GPER is a potential therapeutic target for eradicating BCSCs.
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G protein‐coupled estrogen receptor‐1 (GPER) mediates estrogen‐induced proliferation of normal and malignant breast epithelial cells. However, the role of GPER in breast cancer stem cells (BCSC) biology remains unclear. Here, using patient‐derived xenografts of ER–/PR+ breast cancer, the authors found higher expression of GPER in BCSCs than non‐BCSCs. Moreover, the results indicated that stemness features were sustained via GPER‐mediated PKA/BAD phosphorylation. Stimulation by the GPER ligand tamoxifen enhanced BCSC cell viability and population and BAD phosphorylation. The findings revealed a vital role of GPER‐mediated signaling pathways in BCSC survival, suggesting GPER as a potential therapeutic target for eradicating BCSCs.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Understanding the nature of science (NOS) has emerged as a core curricular goal since at least the 1960s. While science education reforms around the world have shed light on various epistemic and ...social underpinnings of science, how science curriculum documents portray the nature of other related disciplines such as mathematics and engineering has drawn little attention. Such lack of attention is surprising, given the growing interest among educators in the integrated approach to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education and the frequent emphasis on STEM in recent curriculum policy. The study reported in this paper aimed to understand how recent science education reform documents from the USA, Korea and Taiwan compare with regard to their representation of the nature of STEM disciplines. Using the framework of the family resemblance approach (FRA), we present a comparative analysis of three recent science education standards documents to examine their coverage of the epistemic underpinnings of STEM disciplines, particularly with regard to the disciplinary aims, values and practices. The results indicate that the features specific to science and shared by science and engineering were most frequently addressed in the standards documents, whereas mathematics-related features were rarely mentioned. Furthermore, there was variation in the coverage in terms of the nature of STEM disciplines. Based on the findings, we discuss the contributions of the FRA framework in analysing STEM curricula in an interdisciplinary manner and make suggestions for integrating the nature of STEM disciplines in science curriculum documents.
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EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OBVAL, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
This study proposes a research model that examines the determinants of student learning satisfaction in a blended e-learning system (BELS) environment, based on social cognitive theory. The research ...model is tested using a questionnaire survey of 212 participants. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was performed to test the reliability and validity of the measurements. The partial least squares (PLS) method was used to validate the measurement and hypotheses. The empirical findings indicate that computer self-efficacy, performance expectations, system functionality, content feature, interaction, and learning climate are the primary determinants of student learning satisfaction with BELS. The results also show that learning climate and performance expectations significantly affect learning satisfaction. Computer self-efficacy, system functionality, content feature and interaction significantly affect performance expectations. Interaction has a significant effect on learning climate. The findings provide insight into those factors that are likely significant antecedents for planning and implementing a blended e-learning system to enhance student learning satisfaction.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
Protection against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and SARS-related emergent zoonotic coronaviruses is urgently needed. We made homotypic nanoparticles displaying the ...receptor binding domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2 or co-displaying SARS-CoV-2 RBD along with RBDs from animal betacoronaviruses that represent threats to humans (mosaic nanoparticles with four to eight distinct RBDs). Mice immunized with RBD nanoparticles, but not soluble antigen, elicited cross-reactive binding and neutralization responses. Mosaic RBD nanoparticles elicited antibodies with superior cross-reactive recognition of heterologous RBDs relative to sera from immunizations with homotypic SARS-CoV-2-RBD nanoparticles or COVID-19 convalescent human plasmas. Moreover, after priming, sera from mosaic RBD-immunized mice neutralized heterologous pseudotyped coronaviruses as well as or better than sera from homotypic SARS-CoV-2-RBD nanoparticle immunizations, demonstrating no loss of immunogenicity against particular RBDs resulting from co-display. A single immunization with mosaic RBD nanoparticles provides a potential strategy to simultaneously protect against SARS-CoV-2 and emerging zoonotic coronaviruses.
Phosphorus (P) possesses the highest theoretical specific capacity (865 mA h g−1) among all the elements for potassium‐ion battery (PIB) anodes. Although Red P (RP) has intrinsic advantages over its ...allotropes, including low cost and nontoxicity, and simpler preparation, it is yet unknown to effectively activate it into a high‐performance PIB anode. Here, high‐performance RP PIB anodes are reported. Two important factors are found to facilitate RP react with K‐ions reversibly: i) nanoscale RP particles are dispersed evenly in a conductive carbon matrix composed of multiwall carbon nanotubes and Ketjen black that provide an efficient electrical pathway and a tough scaffold. ii) The results of X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy spectrum and the electrochemical performance perhaps show that no PC bond formation is beneficial to allow K‐ions to react with RP effectively. As a result, the RP/C electrodes deliver a reversible specific capacity of ≈750 mA h g−1 and exhibit a high‐rate capability (≈300 mA h g−1 at 1000 mA g−1). RP/C full cells using potassium manganese hexacyanoferrate as cathode show a long cycling life (680 cycles) at a current density of 1000 mA g−1, in addition, a pouch‐type battery is built to demonstrate practical applications.
Red phosphorus (RP) is activated for potassium‐ion battery anodes via a facile wet‐ball milling process. Supported by the conductive network composed of multiwall carbon nanotubes and Ketjen black, full cells comprising an RP/C anode and a potassium manganese hexacyanoferrate cathode show a high specific energy density (193 Wh kg−1) that is a high value for K‐ion full cells.
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FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
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