Managing Uncertainty: An Exploratory Study of Information Seeking Strategies of Online Consumers

Uncertainty has been widely recognized as a primary barrier in online C2C transaction processes. This research explores the effectiveness of strategies typically employed to reduce uncertainty in C2C electronic commerce based upon the uncertainty reduction theory and Kelley’s attribution theory. We inspect the effects of the information from four information seeking strategies on online consumers’ perception of uncertainty when initially transacting with an unknown seller in an online marketplace in China; we also integrate the two most prominent contextual factors, information consistency and seller reputation, to explore their direct effects, as well as their interactive effects with information from the four strategies on uncertainty. An online survey is used to collect data from the three most prestigious online store marketplaces in China. The results specify the exact effects of these factors on uncertainty in different contextual conditions. Finally, the theoretical and practical implications of this research are discussed

STEM teaching for the Internet of Things maker course: a teaching model based on the iterative loop.

As the key technology for 5G applications in the future, the Internet of Things (IoT) is developing rapidly, and the demand for the cultivation of engineering talents in the IoT is also expanding. The rise of maker education has brought new teaching inspiration for cultivating innovative technical talents in the IoT. In the IoT maker course, teaching problems include the lack of adequate teaching models, emphasis on products but less emphasis on theory, and letting students imitate practice. Focusing on these problems, this paper proposes a new Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) teaching model called Propose, Guide, Design, Comment, Implement, Display and Evaluate (PGDCIDE) for the IoT maker course. The PGDCIDE teaching model is based on STEM teaching and Kolodner's design-based scientific inquiry learning cycle model, and realizes the combination of "theory, practice, and innovation." Finally, this paper designs the IoT maker course to practice the PGDCIDE model. The practical results indicate that students significantly improved their emotional level, knowledge level, and innovation level after studying the course. Therefore, the PGDCIDE teaching model proposed in this paper can improve the effectiveness of the IoT maker course teaching and is conducive to the cultivation of students' sustainable ability in engineering education. It has reference significance for the application of maker courses in engineering education practice

Evidence for the involvement of the Arabidopsis SEC24A in male transmission

Eukaryotic cells use COPII-coated carriers for endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-to-Golgi protein transport. Selective cargo capture into ER-derived carriers is largely driven by the SEC24 component of the COPII coat. The Arabidopsis genome encodes three AtSEC24 genes with overlapping expression profiles but it is yet to be established whether the AtSEC24 proteins have overlapping roles in plant growth and development. Taking advantage of Arabidopsis thaliana as a model plant system for studying gene function in vivo, through reciprocal crosses, pollen characterization, and complementation tests, evidence is provided for a role for AtSEC24A in the male gametophyte. It is established that an AtSEC24A loss-of-function mutation is tolerated in the female gametophyte but that it causes defects in pollen leading to failure of male transmission of the AtSEC24A mutation. These data provide a characterization of plant SEC24 family in planta showing incompletely overlapping functions of the AtSEC24 isoforms. The results also attribute a novel role to SEC24 proteins in a multicellular model system, specifically in male fertility

Marine Robotics 4.0: Present and Future of Real-Time Detection Techniques for Underwater Objects

Underwater marine robots (UMRs), such as autonomous underwater vehicles, are promising alternatives for mankind to perform exploration tasks in the sea. These vehicles have the capability of exploring the underwater environment with onboard instruments and sensors. They are extensively used in civilian applications, scientific studies, and military missions. In recent years, the flourishing growth of deep learning has fueled tremendous theoretical breakthroughs and practical applications of computer-vision-based underwater object detection techniques. With the integration of deep-learning-based underwater object detection capability on board, the perception of underwater marine robots is expected to be enhanced greatly. Underwater object detection will play a key role in Marine Robotics 4.0, i.e., Industry 4.0 for Marine Robots. In this chapter, one of the key research challenges, i.e., real-time detection of underwater objects, which has prevented many real-world applications of object detection techniques onboard UMRs, is reviewed. In this context, state-of-the-art techniques for real-time detection of underwater objects are critically analyzed. Futuristic trends in real-time detection techniques of underwater objects are also discussed

Electron-induced non-monotonic pressure dependence of the lattice thermal conductivity of {\theta}-TaN

Recent theoretical and experimental research suggests that $\theta$-TaN is a semimetal with high thermal conductivity ($\kappa$), primarily due to the contribution of phonons ($\kappa_\texttt{ph}$). By using first-principles calculations, we show a non-monotonic pressure-dependence of the $\kappa$ of $\theta$-TaN. $\kappa_\texttt{ph}$ first increases until it reaches a maximum at around 60 GPa, and then decreases. This anomalous behaviour is a consequence of the competing pressure responses of phonon-phonon and phonon-electron interactions, in contrast to the other known materials BAs and BP, where the non-monotonic pressure dependence is caused by the interplay between different phonon-phonon scattering channels. Although TaN has similar phonon dispersion features to BAs at ambient pressure, its response to pressure is different and an overall stiffening of the phonon branches takes place. Consequently, the relevant phonon-phonon scattering weakens as pressure increases. However, the increased electronic density of states around the Fermi level significantly enhances phonon-electron scattering at high pressures, driving a decrease in $\kappa_{\mathrm{ph}}$. At intermediate pressures ($\sim$20$-$70 GPa), the $\kappa$ of TaN surpasses that of BAs. Our work provides deeper insight into phonon transport in semimetals and metals where phonon-electron scattering is relevant.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure

TRAF3 Negatively Regulates Platelet Activation and Thrombosis

CD40 ligand (CD40L), a member of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) superfamily, binds to CD40, leading to many effects depending on target cell type. Platelets express CD40L and are a major source of soluble CD40L. CD40L has been shown to potentiate platelet activation and thrombus formation, involving both CD40-dependent and -independent mechanisms. A family of proteins called TNF receptor associated factors (TRAFs) plays key roles in mediating CD40L-CD40 signaling. Platelets express several TRAFs. It has been shown that TRAF2 plays a role in CD40L-mediated platelet activation. Here we show that platelet also express TRAF3, which plays a negative role in regulating platelet activation. Thrombin- or collagen-induced platelet aggregation and secretion are increased in TRAF3 knockout mice. The expression levels of collagen receptor GPVI and integrin αIIbβ3 in platelets were not affected by deletion of TRAF3, suggesting that increased platelet activation in the TRAF3 knockout mice was not due to increased expression platelet receptors. Time to formation of thrombi in a FeCl3-induced thrombosis model was significantly shortened in the TRAF3 knockout mice. However, mouse tail-bleeding times were not affected by deletion of TRAF3. Thus, TRAF3 plays a negative role in platelet activation and in thrombus formation in vivo

Insights into charge carrier dynamics in organo-metal halide perovskites: From neat films to solar cells

Organo-metal halide perovskites have recently obtained world-wide attention as promising solar cell materials. They have broad and strong light absorption along with excellent carrier transport properties which partially explain their record power conversion efficiencies above 22%. However, the basic understanding of the underlying physical mechanisms is still limited and there remain large discrepancies among reported transport characteristics of perovskite materials. Notably, the carrier mobility of perovskite samples either in thin films or within solar cells obtained using different techniques can vary by up to 7-8 orders of magnitude. This tutorial review aims to offer insights into the scope, advantages, limitations and latest developments of the techniques that have been applied for studying charge carrier dynamics in perovskites. We summarize a comprehensive set of measurements including (1) time-resolved laser spectroscopies (transient absorption, time-resolved photoluminescence, terahertz spectroscopy and microwave conductivity); (2) electrical transient techniques (charge extraction by linearly increasing voltage and time-of-flight); and (3) steady-state methods (field-effect transistor, Hall effect and space charge limited current). Firstly, the basics of the above measurements are described. We then comparatively summarize the charge carrier characteristics of perovskite-based neat films, bilayer films and solar cells. Finally, we compare the different approaches in evaluating the key parameters of transport dynamics and unravel the reasons for the large discrepancies among these methods. We anticipate that this tutorial review will serve as the entry point for understanding the experimental results from the above techniques and provide insights into charge carrier dynamics in perovskite materials and devices. 1 2017 The Royal Society of Chemistry.Z. L. thanks the support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) under grant no. 51473036. K. Z. and T. P. acknowledges the support from the Swedish Research Council, the KAW Foundation, the NPRP grant #NPRP7-227-1-034 obtained from the Qatar National Research Fund (a member of the Qatar Foundation), and the STINT grant #CH2015-6232 from the Swedish Foundation for International Cooperation in Research and Higher Education.Scopu

Case report: Clinical complete response in advanced ALK-positive lung squamous cell carcinoma: a case study of successful anti-PD-1 immunotherapy post ALK-TKIs failure

In patients with advanced lung adenocarcinoma (LADC) harboring the echinoderm microtubule-associated protein-like 4 (EML4) -anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) rearrangement, targeted therapy typically demonstrates superior efficacy as an initial treatment compared to chemotherapy. Following resistance to ALK-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), regimens incorporating platinum-based dual agents or combined with bevacizumab often show effectiveness. However, therapeutic alternatives become constrained after resistance develops to both TKIs and platinum-based therapies. Given that the majority of ALK-positive non-small cell lung carcinomas (NSCLC) are LADC, the benefits of TKIs for patients with ALK-positive lung squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) and the optimal treatment strategy for these patients remain a subject of debate. In this case study, we report on a patient with advanced LSCC, in whom the EML4-ALK rearrangement was identified via ARMS-PCR (Amplification Refractory Mutation System-Polymerase Chain Reaction). The patient underwent oral treatment with crizotinib and alectinib, showing effectiveness in both first-line and second-line ALK-TKI therapies, albeit with limited progression-free survival (PFS). Subsequent resistance to second-generation TKI was followed by the detection of tumors in the left neck region via computed tomography (CT). Biopsy pathology revealed non-squamous cell carcinoma, and subsequent treatment with platinum-based double-drug therapy proved ineffective. Further analysis through next-generation sequencing (NGS) indicated ALK negativity but a high expression of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1). Immunotherapy was then initiated, resulting in a PFS of over 29 months and clinical complete remission (cCR). This case underscores the potential benefit of ALK-TKIs in patients with ALK-positive LSCC. Resistance to second-generation TKIs may lead to ALK negativity and histological transformation, highlighting the necessity of repeated biopsies post-TKI resistance for informed treatment decision-making. As of November 2023, imaging studies continue to indicate cCR in the patient, with a survival time exceeding 47 months