Strategic recommendations for new product adoption in the Chinese market

This study extended current understandings of the relationships among domain specific innovativeness (DSI), the desire for unique consumer products (DUCPs), perceived new product characteristics (PNPCs), and Chinese consumers’ new product adoption behavior. It also investigated the indirect effect of vicarious learning behavior on Chinese consumers’ acceptance of new products. Data was collected in Shanghai, China. The results demonstrated that DSI and PNPCs were the primary drivers of new product adoption. The study also showed that PNPCs played a mediating role in the relationship between vicarious learning and the adoption of new products by Chinese consumers. The results confirmed the predictive power of DSI and how PNPCs affect Chinese innovative buying behavior. The results also suggest that PNPCs facilitate Chinese consumers’ new product learning behavior. © 2019, © 2019 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group

Neel tensor torque at the ferromagnet/antiferromagnet interface

Antiferromagnets (AFMs) exhibit spin arrangements with no net magnetization, positioning them as promising candidates for spintronics applications. While electrical manipulation of the single-crystal AFMs, composed of periodic spin configurations, is achieved recently, it remains a daunting challenge to characterize and to manipulate polycrystalline AFMs. Utilizing statistical analysis in data science, we demonstrate that polycrystalline AFMs can be described using a real, symmetric, positive semi-definite, rank-two tensor, which we term the Neel tensor. This tensor introduces a unique spin torque, diverging from the conventional field-like and Slonczewski torques in spintronics devices. Remarkably, Neel tensors can be trained to retain a specific orientation, functioning as a form of working memory. This attribute enables zero-field spin-orbit-torque switching in trilayer devices featuring a heavy-metal/ferromagnet/AFM structure and is also consistent with the X-ray magnetic linear dichroism measurements. Our findings uncover hidden statistical patterns in polycrystalline AFMs and establishes the presence of Neel tensor torque, highlighting its potential to drive future spintronics innovations.Comment: main text 18 pages, supplementary information 10 page

Design And Fabrication of Condenser Microphone Using Wafer Transfer And Micro-electroplating Technique

A novel fabrication process, which uses wafer transfer and micro-electroplating technique, has been proposed and tested. In this paper, the effects of the diaphragm thickness and stress, the air-gap thickness, and the area ratio of acoustic holes to backplate on the sensitivity of the condenser microphone have been demonstrated since the performance of the microphone depends on these parameters. The microphone diaphragm has been designed with a diameter and thickness of 1.9 mm and 0.6 $\mu$m, respectively, an air-gap thickness of 10 $\mu$m, and a 24% area ratio of acoustic holes to backplate. To obtain a lower initial stress, the material used for the diaphragm is polyimide. The measured sensitivities of the microphone at the bias voltages of 24 V and 12 V are -45.3 and -50.2 dB/Pa (at 1 kHz), respectively. The fabricated microphone shows a flat frequency response extending to 20 kHz.Comment: Submitted on behalf of EDA Publishing Association (http://irevues.inist.fr/handle/2042/16838

Principal investigator in a box: Version 1.2 documentation

Principal Investigator (PI) in a box is a computer system designed to help optimize the scientific results of experiments that are performed in space. The system will assist the astronaut experimenters in the collection and analysis of experimental data, recognition and pursuit of 'interesting' results, optimal use of the time allocated to the experiment, and troubleshooting of the experiment apparatus. This document discusses the problems that motivate development of 'PI-in-a-box', and presents a high- level system overview and a detailed description of each of the modules that comprise the current version of the system

Epidemiology of extended-spectrum β-lactamases in Enterobacterales in Taiwan for over two decades

The emergence of antimicrobial resistance among microorganisms is a serious public health concern, and extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBL)-producing Enterobacterales is one of the major concerns among antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Although the prevalence of ESBL in Enterobacterales has been increasing with time, the prevalence of ESBL could differ according to the species, hospital allocation, sources of infections, nosocomial or community acquisitions, and geographic regions. Therefore, we conducted a comprehensive review of the epidemiology of ESBL-producing Enterobacterales in Taiwan. Overall, the rates of ESBL producers are higher in northern regions than in other parts of Taiwan. In addition, the genotypes of ESBL vary according to different Enterobacterales. SHV-type ESBLs (SHV-5 and SHV-12) were the major types of Enterobacter cloacae complex, but Serratia marcescens, Proteus mirabilis, Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella pneumoniae were more likely to possess CTX-M-type ESBLs (CTX-M-3 and CTX-M-14). Moreover, a clonal sequence type of O25b-ST131 has been emerging among urinary or bloodstream E. coli isolates in the community in Taiwan, and this clone was potentially associated with virulence, ESBL (CTX-M-15) production, ciprofloxacin resistance, and mortality. Finally, the evolution of the genetic traits of the ESBL-producing Enterobacterales isolates helps us confirm the interhospital and intrahospital clonal dissemination in several regions of Taiwan. In conclusion, continuous surveillance in the investigation of ESBL production among Enterobacterales is needed to establish its long-term epidemiology

TNF-α Mediates Eosinophil Cationic Protein-induced Apoptosis in BEAS-2B Cells

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Eosinophilic granulocytes are important for the human immune system. Many cationic proteins with cytotoxic activities, such as eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) and eosinophil-derived neurotoxin (EDN), are released from activated eosinophils. ECP, with low RNase activity, is widely used as a biomarker for asthma. ECP inhibits cell viability and induces apoptosis to cells. However, the specific pathway underlying the mechanisms of ECP-induced cytotoxicity remains unclear. This study investigated ECP-induced apoptosis in bronchial epithelial BEAS-2B cells and elucidated the specific pathway during apoptosis.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>To address the mechanisms involved in ECP-induced apoptosis in human BEAS-2B cells, investigation was carried out using chromatin condensation, cleavage of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), sub-G1 distribution in cell cycle, annexin V labeling, and general or specific caspase inhibitors. Caspase-8-dependent apoptosis was demonstrated by cleavage of caspase-8 after recombinant ECP treatment, accompanied with elevated level of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α). Moreover, ECP-induced apoptosis was effectively inhibited in the presence of neutralizing anti-TNF-α antibody.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>In conclusion, our results have demonstrated that ECP increased TNF-α production in BEAS-2B cells and triggered apoptosis by caspase-8 activation through mitochondria-independent pathway.</p

Scoring mechanisms of p16INK4a immunohistochemistry based on either independent nucleic stain or mixed cytoplasmic with nucleic expression can significantly signal to distinguish between endocervical and endometrial adenocarcinomas in a tissue microarray study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Endocervical adenocarcinomas (ECAs) and endometrial adenocarcinomas (EMAs) are malignancies that affect uterus; however, their biological behaviors are quite different. This distinction has clinical significance, because the appropriate therapy may depend on the site of tumor origin. The purpose of this study is to evaluate 3 different scoring mechanisms of p16^INK4aimmunohistochemical (IHC) staining in distinguishing between primary ECAs and EMAs.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A tissue microarray (TMA) was constructed using formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue from hysterectomy specimens, including 14 ECAs and 24 EMAs. Tissue array sections were immunostained with a commercially available antibody of p16^INK4a. Avidin-biotin complex (ABC) method was used for antigens visualization. The staining intensity and area extent of the IHC reactions was evaluated using the semi-quantitative scoring system. The 3 scoring methods were defined on the bases of the following: (1) independent cytoplasmic staining alone (Method C), (2) independent nucleic staining alone (Method N), and (3) mean of the sum of cytoplasmic score plus nucleic score (Method Mean of C plus N).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Of the 3 scoring mechanisms for p16^INK4aexpression, Method N and Method Mean of C plus N showed significant (<it>p-values </it>< 0.05), but Method C showed non-significant (p = 0.245) frequency differences between ECAs and EMAs. In addition, Method Mean of C plus N had the highest overall accuracy rate (81.6%) for diagnostic distinction among these 3 scoring methods.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>According to the data characteristics and test effectiveness in this study, Method N and Method Mean of C plus N can significantly signal to distinguish between ECAs and EMAs; while Method C cannot do. Method Mean of C plus N is the most promising and favorable means among the three scoring mechanisms.</p

Progesterone receptor does not improve the performance and test effectiveness of the conventional 3-marker panel, consisting of estrogen receptor, vimentin and carcinoembryonic antigen in distinguishing between primary endocervical and endometrial adenocarcinomas in a tissue microarray extension study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Objective</p> <p>Endocervical adenocarcinomas (ECA) and endometrial adenocarcinomas (EMA) are uterine malignancies that have differing biological behaviors. The choice of an appropriate therapeutic plan rests on the tumor's site of origin. In this study, we propose to evaluate whether PR adds value to the performance and test effectiveness of the conventional 3-marker (ER/Vim/CEA) panel in distinguishing between primary ECA and EMA.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A tissue microarray was constructed using paraffin-embedded, formalin-fixed tissues from 38 hysterectomy specimens, including 14 ECA and 24 EMA. Tissue microarray (TMA) sections were immunostained with 4 antibodies, using the avidin-biotin complex (ABC) method for antigen visualization. The staining intensity and extent of the immunohistochemical (IHC) reactions were appraised using a semi-quantitative scoring system.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The three markers (ER, Vim and CEA) and their respective panel expressions showed statistically significant (p < 0.05) frequency differences between ECA and EMA tumors. Although the additional ancillary PR-marker also revealed a significant frequency difference (p < 0.05) between ECA and EMA tumors, it did not demonstrate any supplementary benefit to the 3-marker panel.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>According to our data, when histomorphological and clinical doubt exists as to the primary site of origin, we recommend that the conventional 3-marker (ER/Vim/CEA) panel is easier, sufficient and appropriate to use in distinguishing between primary ECA and EMA. Although the 4-marker panel containing PR also reveals statistically significant results, the PR-marker offers no supplemental benefit to the pre-existing 3-marker (ER/Vim/CEA) panel in the diagnostic distinction between ECA and EMA.</p