User experience evaluation method based on online product reviews

Evaluating the quality of the user experience (UX) of existing products is important for new product development. Conventional UX evaluation methods, such as questionnaire, have the disadvantages of the great subjective influence of investigators and limited number of participants. Meanwhile, online product reviews on e-commerce platforms express user evaluations of product UX. Because the reviews objectively reflect the user opinions and contain a large amount of data, they have potential as an information source for UX evaluation. In this context, this study explores how to evaluate product UX through using online product reviews. A pilot study is conducted to define the key elements of a review. Then, a systematic method of product UX evaluation based on reviews is proposed. The method includes three parts: extraction of key elements, integration of key elements, and quantitative evaluation based on rough number. The effectiveness of the proposed method is demonstrated by a case study using reviews of a wireless vacuum cleaner. Based on the proposed method, designers can objectively evaluate the UX quality of existing products and obtain detailed suggestions for product improvement

In Situ and Operando Investigation of the Dynamic Morphological and Phase Changes of Selenium-doped Germanium Electrode during (De)Lithiation Processes

To understand the effect of selenium doping on the good cycling performance and rate capability of a Ge0.9Se0.1 electrode, the dynamic morphological and phase changes of the Ge0.9Se0.1 electrode were investigated by synchrotron-based operando transmission X-ray microscopy (TXM) imaging, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS). The TXM results show that the Ge0.9Se0.1 particle retains its original shape after a large volume change induced by (de)lithiation and undergoes a more sudden morphological and optical density change than pure Ge. The difference between Ge0.9Se0.1 and Ge is attributed to a super-ionically conductive Li–Se–Ge network formed inside Ge0.9Se0.1 particles, which contributes to fast Li-ion pathways into the particle and nano-structuring of Ge as well as buffering the volume change of Ge. The XRD and XAS results confirm the formation of a Li–Se–Ge network and reveal that the Li–Se–Ge phase forms during the early stages of lithiation and is an inactive phase. The Li–Se–Ge network also can suppress the formation of the crystalline Li15Ge4 phase. These in situ and operando results reveal the effect of the in situ formed, super-ionically conductive, and inactive network on the cycling performance of Li-ion batteries and shed light on the design of high capacity electrode materials

Recent approaches in designing bioadhesive materials inspired by mussel adhesive protein

Marine mussels secret protein-based adhesives, which enable them to anchor to various surfaces in a saline, intertidal zone. Mussel foot proteins (Mfps) contain a large abundance of a unique, catecholic amino acid, Dopa, in their protein sequences. Catechol offers robust and durable adhe-sion to various substrate surfaces and contributes to the curing of the adhesive plaques. In this article, we review the unique features and the key functionalities of Mfps, catechol chemistry, and strategies for preparing catechol-functionalized poly- mers. Specifically, we reviewed recent findings on the contributions of various features of Mfps on interfacial binding, which include coacervate formation, surface drying properties, control of the oxidation state of catechol, among other features. We also summarized recent developments in designing advanced biomimetic materials including coacervate-forming adhesives, mechanically improved nano- and micro-composite adhesive hydrogels, as well as smart and self-healing materials. Finally, we review the applications of catechol-functionalized materials for the use as biomedical adhesives, therapeutic applications, and antifouling coatings

Dataset on the expression level of the genes involved in the synthesis of structural molecules in carbon-deficient microalgae

The data presented in this article are related to the research article entitled “Bicarbonate-rich wastewater as a carbon fertilizer for culture of Dictyosphaerium sp. of a giant pyrenoid” (Cheng et al., 2018) [1]. This article provides data about the expression levels of the genes involved in the synthesis of structural molecules in the carbon-deficient algal cell and the carbon-treated algal cell, which can be helpful for analyzing the observed disruption of the structural integrity in the carbon-deficient microalgae at molecular level

Corrosion and oxidation on iron surfaces in chloride contaminated electrolytes: Insights from ReaxFF molecular dynamic simulations

A reactive force field for the Fe/Cl system has been developed and the force field was applied to analyze the corrosion process of iron (Fe) in solutions containing chloride ions, aiming to uncover the mechanisms underlying chloride-induced corrosion and oxidation reactions on the Fe surface. Through reactive molecular dynamics simulations, it was found that the corrosion behavior of Fe(100) surface began with the enrichment of chloride ions on the surface, and then the dissolution of iron on the surface was induced under the action of chloride ions to form an effect similar to pitting corrosion, and at the same time, the surface of the iron substrate generated an iron oxide film similar to iron rust at the same time. As the simulation progressed, the thickness of the iron oxide film gradually increased. Concurrently, the corrosion state on the iron surface evolved from localized pitting to extensive corrosion, with the corroded area demonstrating a linear relationship with the progression of simulation time. These results can provide insights into the formation of oxide films and localized initiation of corrosion nucleation on Fe surfaces at the atomic level

Relationships between Ecosystem Services and Urbanization in Jiangsu Province, Eastern China

Ecosystem services are comprehensive and quantitative indicators for describing ecosystem–human interactions. China has experienced rapid urbanization in the past 30 years, which has created a significant impact on regional ecosystem services. However, whether the impact is linear is not clear as yet. In this study, the Jiangsu province, a main body of the Chinese Yangtze River Delta city cluster, was chosen as a case study. Multi-source remotely-sensed geospatial data, including meteorological, land use, vegetation, and socio-economic data, were collected to estimate the total amount of ecosystem services (TESV) and urbanization levels. Subsequently, the relationships between TESV and urbanization indices (i.e., gross domestic product (GDP) per unit area, GPUA; population per unit area, PPUA; and built-up land proportion, BULP) were determined using the Pearson correlation analysis and piecewise linear regression. The primary findings of this study were as follows: (1) There was a distinct spatial pattern in TESV, which gradually increased from west to east with high-value areas located in eastern coastal areas of Jiangsu. Among different land use types, cropland and woodland contributed the most to TESV; (2) The three urbanization indices had spatial patterns, indicating higher urbanization in southern Jiangsu than in central or northern Jiangsu; and (3) Once GPUA and PPUA exceeded threshold values of 3719.55 × 104 yuan/km2 and 744.37 person/km2, respectively, TESV sharply decreased with an increase in these indices. However, the BULP showed a linear and significantly negative relationship with TESV at all values, which indicated that the impacts of economic and population growth on TESV lagged behind that of built-up land expansion. These findings provide a potentially significant reference for decision-makers to rationally enhance regional ecosystem services during rapid urbanization processes

Sequence of primers for <i>ACTIN</i> and <i>OsNox</i> isoform genes used for real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction.

<p>Sequence of primers for <i>ACTIN</i> and <i>OsNox</i> isoform genes used for real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction.</p