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Electronic word of mouth (eWOM) has evolved dramatically in the past 20 years, and is substantially shaping modern consumer behaviors and altering marketing management dynamics across both consumer and industry markets. We call this evolution “eWOM 2.0”, as captured in this Special Issue. Ten research articles advance our understanding in how eWOM drives the continued development of digital communication across B2B and B2C sectors. This Special Issue further contributes to understanding the constantly evolving landscape of eWOM research and practice, and points to the future directions for eWOM investigation and usage. In this editorial, we first outline the reasoning behind this special issue, followed by the summary of the articles, and the reflections on eWOM 2.0. We conclude by outlining future research opportunities that will propel the field further forward.

Electronic word of mouth (eWOM) has evolved dramatically in the past 20 years, and is substantially shaping modern consumer behaviors and altering marketing management dynamics across both consumer and industry markets. We call this evolution “eWOM 2.0”, as captured in this Special Issue. Ten research articles advance our understanding in how eWOM drives the continued development of digital communication across B2B and B2C sectors. This Special Issue further contributes to understanding the constantly evolving landscape of eWOM research and practice, and points to the future directions for eWOM investigation and usage. In this editorial, we first outline the reasoning behind this special issue, followed by the summary of the articles, and the reflections on eWOM 2.0. We conclude by outlining future research opportunities that will propel the field further forward.

Relation extraction (RE) has recently moved from the sentence-level to document-level, which requires aggregating document information and using entities and mentions for reasoning. Existing works put entity nodes and mention nodes with similar representations in a document-level graph, whose complex edges may incur redundant information. Furthermore, existing studies only focus on entity-level reasoning paths without considering global interactions among entities cross-sentence. To these ends, we propose a novel document-level RE model with a GRaph information Aggregation and Cross-sentence Reasoning network (GRACR). Specifically, a simplified document-level graph is constructed to model the semantic information of all mentions and sentences in a document, and an entity-level graph is designed to explore relations of long-distance cross-sentence entity pairs. Experimental results show that GRACR achieves excellent performance on two public datasets of document-level RE. It is especially effective in extracting potential relations of cross-sentence entity pairs. Our code is available at https://github.com/UESTC-LHF/GRACR., Comment: This paper is accepted by PAKDD 2023

We present the estimation of the solar observation with the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope (FAST). For both the quite Sun and the Sun with radio bursts, when pointing directly to the Sun, the total power received by FAST would be out of the safe operational range of the signal chain, even resulting in the damage to the receiver. As a conclusion, the Sun should be kept at least $\sim 2^{\circ}$ away from the main beam during the observing at $\sim 1.25 {\ \rm GHz}$. The separation for lower frequency should be larger. For simplicity, the angular separation between the FAST beam and the Sun is suggested to be $\sim 5^{\circ}$ for observations on 200 MHz or higher bands., Comment: 5 pages, 2 figures. Accepted by RAA

Purpose: This paper aims to examine counterfactual thinking as a key mediator of the effects of failed recovery (vs. failed delivery) on negative electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM). The authors further investigate the effectiveness of using recovery co-creation in minimizing customers’ counterfactual thinking. Design/methodology/approach: This research includes textual analysis of online reviews (Study 1) and three scenario-based experiments (Studies 2, 3a and 3b). In addition to using item-response scales, the authors analyze negative online reviews and participants’ open-ended responses to capture their counterfactual thinking. Findings: Failed recovery (vs failed delivery) increases counterfactual thinking, which, in turn, increases negative eWOM. These mediating effects of counterfactual thinking are consistent across textual analyses and experimental studies, as well as across different measures of counterfactual thinking. Counterfactual thinking also impacts customer anger in experiments; however, anger alone does not explain the effects of failed recovery on negative eWOM. Counterfactual thinking can be minimized by co-created recovery, especially when it is used proactively. Practical implications: The findings demonstrate the detrimental effects of counterfactual thinking and offer managerial insights into co-creation as a strategy to minimize customers’ counterfactual thinking. The authors also highlight the importance and ways of tracking counterfactual thinking in digital outlets. Originality/value: The authors contribute to counterfactual thinking and service recovery research by demonstrating the effects of failed recovery on counterfactual thinking that, in turn, impacts negative eWOM and offering a novel way to measure its expression in online narratives. The authors provide guidance on how to use co-creation in the service recovery process to minimize counterfactual thinking.

Purpose: This paper aims to examine counterfactual thinking as a key mediator of the effects of failed recovery (vs. failed delivery) on negative electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM). The authors further investigate the effectiveness of using recovery co-creation in minimizing customers’ counterfactual thinking. Design/methodology/approach: This research includes textual analysis of online reviews (Study 1) and three scenario-based experiments (Studies 2, 3a and 3b). In addition to using item-response scales, the authors analyze negative online reviews and participants’ open-ended responses to capture their counterfactual thinking. Findings: Failed recovery (vs failed delivery) increases counterfactual thinking, which, in turn, increases negative eWOM. These mediating effects of counterfactual thinking are consistent across textual analyses and experimental studies, as well as across different measures of counterfactual thinking. Counterfactual thinking also impacts customer anger in experiments; however, anger alone does not explain the effects of failed recovery on negative eWOM. Counterfactual thinking can be minimized by co-created recovery, especially when it is used proactively. Practical implications: The findings demonstrate the detrimental effects of counterfactual thinking and offer managerial insights into co-creation as a strategy to minimize customers’ counterfactual thinking. The authors also highlight the importance and ways of tracking counterfactual thinking in digital outlets. Originality/value: The authors contribute to counterfactual thinking and service recovery research by demonstrating the effects of failed recovery on counterfactual thinking that, in turn, impacts negative eWOM and offering a novel way to measure its expression in online narratives. The authors provide guidance on how to use co-creation in the service recovery process to minimize counterfactual thinking.

Liu H, Zhu J, Bao P, et al. Int J Nanomedicine. 2019;14:5339–5353.   The authors have advised Figure 5G on page 5347 is incorrect. The authors inadvertently included a duplicate image for the control and 5µg/mL samples. The correct Figure 5 is shown below.   Read the original article

Liu H, Du K, Li D, et al. Int J Nanomedicine. 2018;13:8379—8393.   The authors wish to provide an explanation for the duplicated images observed in Figure 3 and Figure 4B, and revise Figures 2 and 3 accordingly (by providing the prescription parameters for each sample). The dissolution curves shown in Figure 2 and SEM images shown in Figure 3 provide a one-to-one correspondence. For example, the blue curve (0.3 mL/h) in Figure 2A corresponds to the SEM image in Figure 3Ai. The authors can confirm that the dissolution curves shown in Figure 2, for samples sharing the same parameters are the same. For example, the red curve (15 cm) in Figure 2B and the red curve (21 kV) of Figure 2C are the same. These dissolution curves correlate to the SEM images shown in Figure 3Bii and 3Cii, respectively. In order to be more intuitive, the authors have marked the corresponding SEM image shown in Figure 3 to each dissolution curve in Figure 2, as shown below. In order to provide more clarity to the SEM images shown the authors have also provided the prescription parameters corresponding to each SEM image on the right side of Figure 3. Thus, Figure 3Ai, Figure 3Biii, Figure 3Diii and Figure 4B are the same sample and share the same parameters and SEM image. Figure 3Bii and Figure 3Cii are also the same sample and share the same parameters and SEM image, as shown below. The authors wish to apologize for any confusion caused.   Read the original article

Purpose: This paper aims to examine counterfactual thinking as a key mediator of the effects of failed recovery (vs. failed delivery) on negative electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM). The authors further investigate the effectiveness of using recovery co-creation in minimizing customers’ counterfactual thinking. Design/methodology/approach: This research includes textual analysis of online reviews (Study 1) and three scenario-based experiments (Studies 2, 3a and 3b). In addition to using item-response scales, the authors analyze negative online reviews and participants’ open-ended responses to capture their counterfactual thinking. Findings: Failed recovery (vs failed delivery) increases counterfactual thinking, which, in turn, increases negative eWOM. These mediating effects of counterfactual thinking are consistent across textual analyses and experimental studies, as well as across different measures of counterfactual thinking. Counterfactual thinking also impacts customer anger in experiments; however, anger alone does not explain the effects of failed recovery on negative eWOM. Counterfactual thinking can be minimized by co-created recovery, especially when it is used proactively. Practical implications: The findings demonstrate the detrimental effects of counterfactual thinking and offer managerial insights into co-creation as a strategy to minimize customers’ counterfactual thinking. The authors also highlight the importance and ways of tracking counterfactual thinking in digital outlets. Originality/value: The authors contribute to counterfactual thinking and service recovery research by demonstrating the effects of failed recovery on counterfactual thinking that, in turn, impacts negative eWOM and offering a novel way to measure its expression in online narratives. The authors provide guidance on how to use co-creation in the service recovery process to minimize counterfactual thinking.

Purpose: This paper aims to examine counterfactual thinking as a key mediator of the effects of failed recovery (vs. failed delivery) on negative electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM). The authors further investigate the effectiveness of using recovery co-creation in minimizing customers’ counterfactual thinking. Design/methodology/approach: This research includes textual analysis of online reviews (Study 1) and three scenario-based experiments (Studies 2, 3a and 3b). In addition to using item-response scales, the authors analyze negative online reviews and participants’ open-ended responses to capture their counterfactual thinking. Findings: Failed recovery (vs failed delivery) increases counterfactual thinking, which, in turn, increases negative eWOM. These mediating effects of counterfactual thinking are consistent across textual analyses and experimental studies, as well as across different measures of counterfactual thinking. Counterfactual thinking also impacts customer anger in experiments; however, anger alone does not explain the effects of failed recovery on negative eWOM. Counterfactual thinking can be minimized by co-created recovery, especially when it is used proactively. Practical implications: The findings demonstrate the detrimental effects of counterfactual thinking and offer managerial insights into co-creation as a strategy to minimize customers’ counterfactual thinking. The authors also highlight the importance and ways of tracking counterfactual thinking in digital outlets. Originality/value: The authors contribute to counterfactual thinking and service recovery research by demonstrating the effects of failed recovery on counterfactual thinking that, in turn, impacts negative eWOM and offering a novel way to measure its expression in online narratives. The authors provide guidance on how to use co-creation in the service recovery process to minimize counterfactual thinking.

Liu H, Du K, Li D, et al. Int J Nanomedicine. 2018;13:8379—8393.   The authors wish to provide an explanation for the duplicated images observed in Figure 3 and Figure 4B, and revise Figures 2 and 3 accordingly (by providing the prescription parameters for each sample). The dissolution curves shown in Figure 2 and SEM images shown in Figure 3 provide a one-to-one correspondence. For example, the blue curve (0.3 mL/h) in Figure 2A corresponds to the SEM image in Figure 3Ai. The authors can confirm that the dissolution curves shown in Figure 2, for samples sharing the same parameters are the same. For example, the red curve (15 cm) in Figure 2B and the red curve (21 kV) of Figure 2C are the same. These dissolution curves correlate to the SEM images shown in Figure 3Bii and 3Cii, respectively. In order to be more intuitive, the authors have marked the corresponding SEM image shown in Figure 3 to each dissolution curve in Figure 2, as shown below. In order to provide more clarity to the SEM images shown the authors have also provided the prescription parameters corresponding to each SEM image on the right side of Figure 3. Thus, Figure 3Ai, Figure 3Biii, Figure 3Diii and Figure 4B are the same sample and share the same parameters and SEM image. Figure 3Bii and Figure 3Cii are also the same sample and share the same parameters and SEM image, as shown below. The authors wish to apologize for any confusion caused.   Read the original article

Liu H, Zhu J, Bao P, et al. Int J Nanomedicine. 2019;14:5339–5353.   The authors have advised Figure 5G on page 5347 is incorrect. The authors inadvertently included a duplicate image for the control and 5µg/mL samples. The correct Figure 5 is shown below.   Read the original article

Principal Component Analysis (PCA) has been widely used for dimensionality reduction and feature extraction. Robust PCA (RPCA), under different robust distance metrics, such as l1-norm and l2, p-norm, can deal with noise or outliers to some extent. However, real-world data may display structures that can not be fully captured by these simple functions. In addition, existing methods treat complex and simple samples equally. By contrast, a learning pattern typically adopted by human beings is to learn from simple to complex and less to more. Based on this principle, we propose a novel method called Self-paced PCA (SPCA) to further reduce the effect of noise and outliers. Notably, the complexity of each sample is calculated at the beginning of each iteration in order to integrate samples from simple to more complex into training. Based on an alternating optimization, SPCA finds an optimal projection matrix and filters out outliers iteratively. Theoretical analysis is presented to show the rationality of SPCA. Extensive experiments on popular data sets demonstrate that the proposed method can improve the state of-the-art results considerably.

We report the discovery of a highly dispersed fast radio burst, FRB~181123, from an analysis of $\sim$1500~hr of drift-scan survey data taken using the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope (FAST). The pulse has three distinct emission components, which vary with frequency across our 1.0--1.5~GHz observing band. We measure the peak flux density to be $>0.065$~Jy and the corresponding fluence $>0.2$~Jy~ms. Based on the observed dispersion measure of 1812~cm$^{-3}$~pc, we infer a redshift of $\sim 1.9$. From this, we estimate the peak luminosity and isotropic energy to be $\lesssim 2\times10^{43}$~erg~s$^{-1}$ and $\lesssim 2\times10^{40}$~erg, respectively. With only one FRB from the survey detected so far, our constraints on the event rate are limited. We derive a 95\% confidence lower limit for the event rate of 900 FRBs per day for FRBs with fluences $>0.025$~Jy~ms. We performed follow-up observations of the source with FAST for four hours and have not found a repeated burst. We discuss the implications of this discovery for our understanding of the physical mechanisms of FRBs., Comment: 7 pages, 3 figures, accepted for publication in ApJL

We report the discovery of a highly dispersed fast radio burst, FRB~181123, from an analysis of $\sim$1500~hr of drift-scan survey data taken using the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope (FAST). The pulse has three distinct emission components, which vary with frequency across our 1.0--1.5~GHz observing band. We measure the peak flux density to be $>0.065$~Jy and the corresponding fluence $>0.2$~Jy~ms. Based on the observed dispersion measure of 1812~cm$^{-3}$~pc, we infer a redshift of $\sim 1.9$. From this, we estimate the peak luminosity and isotropic energy to be $\lesssim 2\times10^{43}$~erg~s$^{-1}$ and $\lesssim 2\times10^{40}$~erg, respectively. With only one FRB from the survey detected so far, our constraints on the event rate are limited. We derive a 95\% confidence lower limit for the event rate of 900 FRBs per day for FRBs with fluences $>0.025$~Jy~ms. We performed follow-up observations of the source with FAST for four hours and have not found a repeated burst. We discuss the implications of this discovery for our understanding of the physical mechanisms of FRBs., Comment: 7 pages, 3 figures, accepted for publication in ApJL

Forest management practices are commonly used in plantation forestry to obtain renewable energy and harvest biomass, in addition to maintaining the ecological environment, by changing the flow of carbon (C) and nutrients in the food webs of terrestrial ecosystems. To identify which forest management practices, alleviate soil nutrient limitation and impact stoichiometric homeostasis in relation to microbes, we used a Pinus tabuliformis plantation in the Loess Plateau where forest management practices were conducted since 1999. Five forest management practices were implemented: two at the forest level (P. tabuliformis with and without ground litter, CK, LRL) and three of different vegetation restorations after clear-cutting (P. tabuliformis seedlings (SPL), grass land (GL), and shrub land (SL)). Generally, the threshold elemental ratios for carbon:nitrogen (TERC:N; 7.77) and carbon:phosphorus (TERC:P; 44.37) were lower than the ratios influenced by forest management practices. The forest management practices significantly influenced ecoenzymatic activity and the ratios of ecoenzymes; however, the scale of the ecoenzyme activities for acquiring both organic N and organic P to that for acquiring C still follow the global pattern. The regression coefficients of C:N and C:P between the soil and microbial community at 0–20 cm and 20–40 cm depths were also influenced by these practices. Thus, the influence of forest management practices on the soil microbial community was limited by N and P in the Loess Plateau. The soil microbial community changed ecoenzymatic activities and ratios of ecoenzymes and even changed microbial community in order to balance elemental limitations in the soil. Finally, forest management practices have a minimal impact on the stoichiometric homeostasis of the microbial community at our study site.

We present a pilot HI survey of 17 Planck Galactic Cold Clumps (PGCCs) with the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope (FAST). HI Narrow Self-Absorption (HINSA) is an effective method to detect cold HI being mixed with molecular hydrogen H$_2$ and improves our understanding of the atomic to molecular transition in the interstellar medium. HINSA was found in 58\% PGCCs that we observed. The column density of HINSA was found to have an intermediate correlation with that of $^{13}$CO, following $\rm log( N(HINSA)) = (0.52\pm 0.26) log(N_{^{13}CO}) + (10 \pm 4.1) $. HI abundance relative to total hydrogen [HI]/[H] has an average value of $4.4\times 10^{-3}$, which is about 2.8 times of the average value of previous HINSA surveys toward molecular clouds. For clouds with total column density N$\rm_H >5 \times 10^{20}$ cm$^{-2}$, an inverse correlation between HINSA abundance and total hydrogen column density is found, confirming the depletion of cold HI gas during molecular gas formation in more massive clouds. Nonthermal line width of $^{13}$CO is about 0-0.5 km s$^{-1}$ larger than that of HINSA. One possible explanation of narrower nonthermal width of HINSA is that HINSA region is smaller than that of $^{13}$CO. Based on an analytic model of H$_2$ formation and H$_2$ dissociation by cosmic ray, we found the cloud ages to be within 10$^{6.7}$-10$^{7.0}$ yr for five sources., Comment: 11 pages, 11 figures, accepted by the Research in Astronomy and Astrophysics (RAA)

We describe PSR J1926-0652, a pulsar recently discovered with the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope (FAST). Using sensitive single-pulse detections from FAST and long-term timing observations from the Parkes 64-m radio telescope, we probed phenomena on both long and short time scales. The FAST observations covered a wide frequency range from 270 to 800 MHz, enabling individual pulses to be studied in detail. The pulsar exhibits at least four profile components, short-term nulling lasting from 4 to 450 pulses, complex subpulse drifting behaviours and intermittency on scales of tens of minutes. While the average band spacing P3 is relatively constant across different bursts and components, significant variations in the separation of adjacent bands are seen, especially near the beginning and end of a burst. Band shapes and slopes are quite variable, especially for the trailing components and for the shorter bursts. We show that for each burst the last detectable pulse prior to emission ceasing has different properties compared to other pulses. These complexities pose challenges for the classic carousel-type models., Comment: 13pages with 12 figures

The Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope(FAST) is expected to complete its commissioning in 2019. FAST will soon begin the Commensal Radio Astronomy FasT Survey(CRAFTS), a novel and unprecedented commensal drift scan survey of the entire sky visible from FAST. The goal of CRAFTS is to cover more than 20000 $deg^{2}$ and reach redshift up to about 0.35. We provide empirical measurements of the beam size and sensitivity of FAST across the 1.05 to 1.45 GHz frequency range of the FAST L-band Array of 19-beams(FLAN). Using a simulated HI-galaxy catalogue based on the HI Mass Function(HIMF), we estimate the number of galaxies that CRAFTS may detect. At redshifts below 0.35, over $6\, \times \, 10^{5}$ HI galaxies may be detected. Below the redshift of 0.07, the CRAFTS HIMF will be complete above a mass threshold of $10^{9.5}\,M_{\odot}$. FAST will be able to investigate the environmental and redshift dependence of the HIMF to an unprecedented depth, shedding light onto the missing baryon and missing satellite problems., Comment: Published as Sci. China-Phys. Mech. Astron. 62, 959506 (2019)

The Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope (FAST) was completed with its main structure installed on September 25, 2016, after which it entered the commissioning phase. This paper aims to introduce the commissioning progress of the FAST over the past two years. To improve its operational reliability and ensure effective observation time, FAST has been equipped with a real-time information system for the active reflector system and hierarchical commissioning scheme for the feed support system, which ultimately achieves safe operation of the two systems. For meeting the high-performance indices, a high-precision measurement system was set up based on the effective control methods that were implemented for the active reflector system and feed support system. Since the commissioning of the FAST, a low-frequency ultra-wideband receiver and 19-beam 1.05-1.45 GHz receiver have been mainly used. Telescope efficiency, pointing accuracy, and system noise temperature were completely tested and ultimately achieved the acceptance indices of the telescope. The FAST has been in the process of national acceptance preparations and has begun to search for pulsars. In the future, it will still strive to improve its capabilities and expand its application prospects., Comment: Sci. China-Phys. Mech. Astron. 62, 959502 (2019)

To assist with the commissioning (Jiang et al. 2019) of the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope (FAST), we performed a pulsar search, with the primary goal of developing and testing the pulsar data acquisition and processing pipelines. We tested and used three pipelines, two (P1 and P2 hereafter) searched for the periodic signature of pulsars whereas the other one was used to search for bright single pulses (P3 hereafter). A pulsar candidate was discovered in the observation on the 22nd August, 2017, and later confirmed by the Parkes radio telescope on the 10th September, 2017. This pulsar, named PSR J1900-0134, was the first pulsar discovered by FAST. The pulsar has a pulse period of 1.8 s and a dispersion measure (DM) of 188\,pc\,cm$^{-3}$., Comment: Sci. China-Phys. Mech. Astron. 62, 959508 (2019)

Hongfei Liu,1 Jiaao Mei,1 Ying Xu,1 Lei Tang,1 Daquan Chen,2 Yating Zhu,1 Shuguang Huang,1 Thomas J Webster,3 Hui Ding4 1College of Pharmacy, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, People’s Republic of China; 2School of Pharmacy, Yantai University, Yantai 264005, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Chemical Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA; 4Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The Affiliated Yixing Hospital of Jiangsu University, Yixing, Jiangsu 214200, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Hui DingDepartment of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The Affiliated Yixing Hospital Of Jiangsu University, Yixing, Jiangsu 214200, People’s Republic of ChinaTel +8601370656506Email dh1350519@163.comThomas J WebsterDepartment Of Chemical Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA, Tel +1 617 373 6585Email th.webster@neu.eduObjective: Nintedanib (NDNB) is a triple receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor with poor solubility in neutral conditions and low bioavailability. A self-microemulsifying drug delivery system (SMEDDS) of NDNB was developed to improve drug solubility in physical conditions and absorption in vivo.Methods: The NDNB-SMEDDS formulation was optimized via pseudo-ternary phase diagrams. The physicochemical properties of NDNB-SMEDDS, viz., morphological observation, droplet size, stability, compatibility and in vitro release were investigated. The permeability of NDNB-SMEDDS was detected using both a Caco-2 cell monolayer in vitro and an intestinal perfusion study in vivo. Furthermore, the pharmacokinetic characteristics of NDNB-SMEDDS were evaluated.Results: The optimal formulation was composed of MCT as an oil phase, RH 40 as a surfactant and ethylene glycol as a co-surfactant. The average droplet size of the microemulsion was about 23 nm with good stability within 30 days. The formulation did not exhibit any obvious cytotoxic effect on Caco-2 cells. Pe

Hongfei Liu, 1 Jie Zhu, 1 Pengyue Bao, 2 Yueping Ding, 3 Yan Shen, 4 Thomas J Webster, 5 Ying Xu 1 1College of Pharmacy, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, People’s Republic of China; 2Chia Tai Tianqing Pharmaceutical Group Co., Ltd, Nanjing 210023, People’s Republic of China; 3Jiangsu Sihuan Biopharmaceutical Co., Ltd, Wuxi 214000, People’s Republic of China; 4State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Pharmaceutics, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, People’s Republic of China; 5Department of Chemical Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USABackground: Like most protein macromolecular drugs, the half-life of rhIFNÉ‘-2b is short, with a low drug utilization rate, and the preparation and release conditions significantly affect its stability.Methods: A nanoporous ion-responsive targeted drug delivery system (PIRTDDS) was designed to improve drug availability of rhIFNα-2b and target it to the lung passively with sustained release. Chitosan rhIFNα-2b carboxymethyl nanoporous microspheres (CS-rhIFNα-2b-CCPM) were prepared by the column method. Here, an electrostatic self-assembly technique was undertaken to improve and sustain rhIFNα-2b release rate.Results: The size distribution of the microspheres was 5∼ 15 μm, and the microspheres contained nanopores 300∼ 400 nm in diameter. The in vitro release results showed that rhIFNα-2b and CCPM were mainly bound by ionic bonds. After self-assembling, the release mechanism was transformed into being membrane diffusion. The accumulative release amount for 24 hrs was 83.89%. Results from circular dichrogram and SDS-PAGE electrophoresis showed that there was no significant change in the secondary structure and purity of rhIFNα-2b. Results from inhibition rate experiments for A549 cell proliferation showed that the antitumor activity of CS-rhIFNα-2b-CCP

Hongfei Liu,1 Jiaao Mei,1 Ying Xu,1 Lei Tang,1 Daquan Chen,2 Yating Zhu,1 Shuguang Huang,1 Thomas J Webster,3 Hui Ding4 1College of Pharmacy, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, People’s Republic of China; 2School of Pharmacy, Yantai University, Yantai 264005, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Chemical Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA; 4Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The Affiliated Yixing Hospital of Jiangsu University, Yixing, Jiangsu 214200, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Hui DingDepartment of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The Affiliated Yixing Hospital Of Jiangsu University, Yixing, Jiangsu 214200, People’s Republic of ChinaTel +8601370656506Email dh1350519@163.comThomas J WebsterDepartment Of Chemical Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA, Tel +1 617 373 6585Email th.webster@neu.eduObjective: Nintedanib (NDNB) is a triple receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor with poor solubility in neutral conditions and low bioavailability. A self-microemulsifying drug delivery system (SMEDDS) of NDNB was developed to improve drug solubility in physical conditions and absorption in vivo.Methods: The NDNB-SMEDDS formulation was optimized via pseudo-ternary phase diagrams. The physicochemical properties of NDNB-SMEDDS, viz., morphological observation, droplet size, stability, compatibility and in vitro release were investigated. The permeability of NDNB-SMEDDS was detected using both a Caco-2 cell monolayer in vitro and an intestinal perfusion study in vivo. Furthermore, the pharmacokinetic characteristics of NDNB-SMEDDS were evaluated.Results: The optimal formulation was composed of MCT as an oil phase, RH 40 as a surfactant and ethylene glycol as a co-surfactant. The average droplet size of the microemulsion was about 23 nm with good stability within 30 days. The formulation did not exhibit any obvious cytotoxic effect on Caco-2 cells. Pe

Hongfei Liu, 1 Jie Zhu, 1 Pengyue Bao, 2 Yueping Ding, 3 Yan Shen, 4 Thomas J Webster, 5 Ying Xu 1 1College of Pharmacy, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, People’s Republic of China; 2Chia Tai Tianqing Pharmaceutical Group Co., Ltd, Nanjing 210023, People’s Republic of China; 3Jiangsu Sihuan Biopharmaceutical Co., Ltd, Wuxi 214000, People’s Republic of China; 4State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Pharmaceutics, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, People’s Republic of China; 5Department of Chemical Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USABackground: Like most protein macromolecular drugs, the half-life of rhIFNÉ‘-2b is short, with a low drug utilization rate, and the preparation and release conditions significantly affect its stability.Methods: A nanoporous ion-responsive targeted drug delivery system (PIRTDDS) was designed to improve drug availability of rhIFNα-2b and target it to the lung passively with sustained release. Chitosan rhIFNα-2b carboxymethyl nanoporous microspheres (CS-rhIFNα-2b-CCPM) were prepared by the column method. Here, an electrostatic self-assembly technique was undertaken to improve and sustain rhIFNα-2b release rate.Results: The size distribution of the microspheres was 5∼ 15 μm, and the microspheres contained nanopores 300∼ 400 nm in diameter. The in vitro release results showed that rhIFNα-2b and CCPM were mainly bound by ionic bonds. After self-assembling, the release mechanism was transformed into being membrane diffusion. The accumulative release amount for 24 hrs was 83.89%. Results from circular dichrogram and SDS-PAGE electrophoresis showed that there was no significant change in the secondary structure and purity of rhIFNα-2b. Results from inhibition rate experiments for A549 cell proliferation showed that the antitumor activity of CS-rhIFNα-2b-CCP

We describe PSR J1926-0652, a pulsar recently discovered with the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope (FAST). Using sensitive single-pulse detections from FAST and long-term timing observations from the Parkes 64-m radio telescope, we probed phenomena on both long and short time scales. The FAST observations covered a wide frequency range from 270 to 800 MHz, enabling individual pulses to be studied in detail. The pulsar exhibits at least four profile components, short-term nulling lasting from 4 to 450 pulses, complex subpulse drifting behaviours and intermittency on scales of tens of minutes. While the average band spacing P3 is relatively constant across different bursts and components, significant variations in the separation of adjacent bands are seen, especially near the beginning and end of a burst. Band shapes and slopes are quite variable, especially for the trailing components and for the shorter bursts. We show that for each burst the last detectable pulse prior to emission ceasing has different properties compared to other pulses. These complexities pose challenges for the classic carousel-type models., Comment: 13pages with 12 figures

The Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope (FAST) was completed with its main structure installed on September 25, 2016, after which it entered the commissioning phase. This paper aims to introduce the commissioning progress of the FAST over the past two years. To improve its operational reliability and ensure effective observation time, FAST has been equipped with a real-time information system for the active reflector system and hierarchical commissioning scheme for the feed support system, which ultimately achieves safe operation of the two systems. For meeting the high-performance indices, a high-precision measurement system was set up based on the effective control methods that were implemented for the active reflector system and feed support system. Since the commissioning of the FAST, a low-frequency ultra-wideband receiver and 19-beam 1.05-1.45 GHz receiver have been mainly used. Telescope efficiency, pointing accuracy, and system noise temperature were completely tested and ultimately achieved the acceptance indices of the telescope. The FAST has been in the process of national acceptance preparations and has begun to search for pulsars. In the future, it will still strive to improve its capabilities and expand its application prospects., Comment: Sci. China-Phys. Mech. Astron. 62, 959502 (2019)

The Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope(FAST) is expected to complete its commissioning in 2019. FAST will soon begin the Commensal Radio Astronomy FasT Survey(CRAFTS), a novel and unprecedented commensal drift scan survey of the entire sky visible from FAST. The goal of CRAFTS is to cover more than 20000 $deg^{2}$ and reach redshift up to about 0.35. We provide empirical measurements of the beam size and sensitivity of FAST across the 1.05 to 1.45 GHz frequency range of the FAST L-band Array of 19-beams(FLAN). Using a simulated HI-galaxy catalogue based on the HI Mass Function(HIMF), we estimate the number of galaxies that CRAFTS may detect. At redshifts below 0.35, over $6\, \times \, 10^{5}$ HI galaxies may be detected. Below the redshift of 0.07, the CRAFTS HIMF will be complete above a mass threshold of $10^{9.5}\,M_{\odot}$. FAST will be able to investigate the environmental and redshift dependence of the HIMF to an unprecedented depth, shedding light onto the missing baryon and missing satellite problems., Comment: Published as Sci. China-Phys. Mech. Astron. 62, 959506 (2019)

To assist with the commissioning (Jiang et al. 2019) of the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope (FAST), we performed a pulsar search, with the primary goal of developing and testing the pulsar data acquisition and processing pipelines. We tested and used three pipelines, two (P1 and P2 hereafter) searched for the periodic signature of pulsars whereas the other one was used to search for bright single pulses (P3 hereafter). A pulsar candidate was discovered in the observation on the 22nd August, 2017, and later confirmed by the Parkes radio telescope on the 10th September, 2017. This pulsar, named PSR J1900-0134, was the first pulsar discovered by FAST. The pulsar has a pulse period of 1.8 s and a dispersion measure (DM) of 188\,pc\,cm$^{-3}$., Comment: Sci. China-Phys. Mech. Astron. 62, 959508 (2019)

We present a pilot HI survey of 17 Planck Galactic Cold Clumps (PGCCs) with the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope (FAST). HI Narrow Self-Absorption (HINSA) is an effective method to detect cold HI being mixed with molecular hydrogen H$_2$ and improves our understanding of the atomic to molecular transition in the interstellar medium. HINSA was found in 58\% PGCCs that we observed. The column density of HINSA was found to have an intermediate correlation with that of $^{13}$CO, following $\rm log( N(HINSA)) = (0.52\pm 0.26) log(N_{^{13}CO}) + (10 \pm 4.1) $. HI abundance relative to total hydrogen [HI]/[H] has an average value of $4.4\times 10^{-3}$, which is about 2.8 times of the average value of previous HINSA surveys toward molecular clouds. For clouds with total column density N$\rm_H >5 \times 10^{20}$ cm$^{-2}$, an inverse correlation between HINSA abundance and total hydrogen column density is found, confirming the depletion of cold HI gas during molecular gas formation in more massive clouds. Nonthermal line width of $^{13}$CO is about 0-0.5 km s$^{-1}$ larger than that of HINSA. One possible explanation of narrower nonthermal width of HINSA is that HINSA region is smaller than that of $^{13}$CO. Based on an analytic model of H$_2$ formation and H$_2$ dissociation by cosmic ray, we found the cloud ages to be within 10$^{6.7}$-10$^{7.0}$ yr for five sources., Comment: 11 pages, 11 figures, accepted by the Research in Astronomy and Astrophysics (RAA)

Hongfei Liu, 1,2 Kunyu Du, 1 Dongli Li, 2 Yi Du, 2 Jumei Xi, 3 Ying Xu, 1 Yan Shen, 4 Tao Jiang, 5 Thomas J Webster 6 1School of Pharmacy, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China; 2School of Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Wuyi University, Jiangmen 529020, China; 3Health of Nepstar Drugstore Chain Company Limited, Wuxi 214000, China; 4State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Pharmaceutics, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing  210009, China; 5The Pharmacy Department, Jiangsu Cancer Hospital and Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research and The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210009, China; 6Department of Chemical Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA Background: Nintedanib is a new tyrosine kinase inhibitor and growth factor antagonist. It can be used to treat idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis diseases. Nintedanib has poor solubility in the intestinal tract environment, which leads to low bioavailability of just 4.7%. Methods: In this study, a nintedanib solid dispersion was prepared by electrospray technology with an optimized formula (nintedanib:PVPK30:Soybean lecithin=1:5:0.25) and electrospray parameters (21 kV voltage, 18 cm receiving distance, 0.3 mL/h solution flow rate, 0.5 mm pinhole inner diameter). Results: The accumulative release rate of the optimized solid dispersion was more than 60% in 30 minutes and 100% in 60 minutes. The size distribution was uniform and the surface observed with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was smooth. The DSC and X-ray diffraction results showed that nintedanib existed in the solid dispersion through an amorphous form. Nintedanib solid dispersion sustained-release capsules were prepared to prolong drug release, improve patient compliance and reduce side effects. The accumulative release rate from the sustained release capsules was 35.17%, 54.78%, 70.58%, and 93.93% after 2 h, 6 h, 8 h, and 12 h, respectively, having obvious sustained release

Hongfei Liu, 1,2 Kunyu Du, 1 Dongli Li, 2 Yi Du, 2 Jumei Xi, 3 Ying Xu, 1 Yan Shen, 4 Tao Jiang, 5 Thomas J Webster 6 1School of Pharmacy, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China; 2School of Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Wuyi University, Jiangmen 529020, China; 3Health of Nepstar Drugstore Chain Company Limited, Wuxi 214000, China; 4State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Pharmaceutics, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing  210009, China; 5The Pharmacy Department, Jiangsu Cancer Hospital and Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research and The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210009, China; 6Department of Chemical Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA Background: Nintedanib is a new tyrosine kinase inhibitor and growth factor antagonist. It can be used to treat idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis diseases. Nintedanib has poor solubility in the intestinal tract environment, which leads to low bioavailability of just 4.7%. Methods: In this study, a nintedanib solid dispersion was prepared by electrospray technology with an optimized formula (nintedanib:PVPK30:Soybean lecithin=1:5:0.25) and electrospray parameters (21 kV voltage, 18 cm receiving distance, 0.3 mL/h solution flow rate, 0.5 mm pinhole inner diameter). Results: The accumulative release rate of the optimized solid dispersion was more than 60% in 30 minutes and 100% in 60 minutes. The size distribution was uniform and the surface observed with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was smooth. The DSC and X-ray diffraction results showed that nintedanib existed in the solid dispersion through an amorphous form. Nintedanib solid dispersion sustained-release capsules were prepared to prolong drug release, improve patient compliance and reduce side effects. The accumulative release rate from the sustained release capsules was 35.17%, 54.78%, 70.58%, and 93.93% after 2 h, 6 h, 8 h, and 12 h, respectively, having obvious sustained release

Vertically aligned, highly ordered, large area arrays of nanostructures are important building blocks for multifunctional devices. Here, ZnO nanorod arrays are selectively synthesized on Si substrates by a solution method within patterns created by nanoimprint lithography. The growth modes of two dimensional nucleation-driven wedding cakes and screw dislocation-driven spirals are inferred to determine the top end morphologies of the nanorods. Sub-bandgap photoluminescence of the nanorods is greatly enhanced by the manipulation of the hydrogen donors via a post-growth thermal treatment. Lasing behavior is facilitated in the nanorods with faceted top ends formed from wedding cakes growth mode. This work demonstrates the control of morphologies of oxide nanostructures in a large scale and the optimization of the optical performance.

To study the factors affecting the driving stability of tank trucks under dangerous working conditions, a full vehicle dynamics model and an equivalent test bench for liquid sloshing were designed. On the test bench, two dangerous working conditions were simulated to study liquid sloshing, i.e. braking and turning. The results show that the liquid sloshing force have a major impact on driving stability and the forces depended on the tank geometry, the fill level and the natural sloshing frequency of the liquid. The results of this study still provide a theoretical and experimental basis for studying further the factors that affect the driving stability of tank trucks.

The parameters of elliptical tank can greatly affect the roll stability of the elliptical tank with different filled levels, the exact equations for the mass centre of the tank were developed. The solutions of the transient mass centre of sloshing liquid in a tank with modified elliptical cross sections were obtained by a new vehicle rollover model. To achieve Euler transform 6-degree of freedom (DOF) motion equation of tank, Liquid Sloshing model of partially-filled tank was built by Nonlinear External Excitation. In addition, MATLAB ODE was used to investigate the numerical simulation. According to the different filled level of the tank by simulating, force and moment about X, Y and Z-axis of the coordinates of the mass centre were obtained. It is shown that the nonlinear mathematical models of liquid sloshing and vehicle motion equation can accurately describe the tank truck dynamic response in turing. The finding of this study may provide a theoretical basis to improve the roll stability of the tank.

Chengxue Yi,* Hui Zhong,* Shanshan Tong,* Xia Cao,* Caleb K Firempong, Hongfei Liu, Min Fu, Yan Yang, Yingshu Feng, Huiyun Zhang, Ximing Xu, Jiangnan Yu Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Center for Nano Drug/Gene Delivery and Tissue Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, People's Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workPurpose: To investigate the growth inhibition activity of Flammulina velutipes sterol (FVS) against certain human cancer cell lines (gastric SGC and colon LoVo) and to evaluate the optimum microemulsion prescription, as well as the pharmacokinetics of encapsulated FVS.Methods: Molecules present in the FVS isolate were identified by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis. The cell viability of FVS was assessed with methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) bioassay. Based on the solubility study, phase diagram and stability tests, the optimum prescription of F. velutipes sterol microemulsions (FVSMs) were determined, followed by FVSMs characterization, and its in vivo pharmacokinetic study in rats.Results: The chemical composition of FVS was mainly ergosterol (54.8%) and 22,23-dihydroergosterol (27.9%). After 72 hours of treatment, both the FVS (half-maximal inhibitory concentration [IC50] = 11.99 µg • mL-1) and the standard anticancer drug, 5-fluorouracil (IC50 = 0.88 µg • mL-1) exhibited strong in vitro antiproliferative activity against SGC cells, with IC50 > 30.0 µg • mL-1; but the FVS performed poorly against LoVo cells (IC50 > 40.0 µg • mL-1). The optimal FVSMs prescription consisted of 3.0% medium chain triglycerides, 5.0% ethanol, 21.0% Cremophor EL and 71.0% water (w/w) with associated solubility of FVS being 0.680 mg • mL-1 as compared to free FVS (0.67 µg • mL-1). The relative oral bioavailability (area-under-the-curve values of ergosterol and 22,23-dihydroergosterol showed

Chengxue Yi,* Hui Zhong,* Shanshan Tong,* Xia Cao,* Caleb K Firempong, Hongfei Liu, Min Fu, Yan Yang, Yingshu Feng, Huiyun Zhang, Ximing Xu, Jiangnan Yu Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Center for Nano Drug/Gene Delivery and Tissue Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, People's Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workPurpose: To investigate the growth inhibition activity of Flammulina velutipes sterol (FVS) against certain human cancer cell lines (gastric SGC and colon LoVo) and to evaluate the optimum microemulsion prescription, as well as the pharmacokinetics of encapsulated FVS.Methods: Molecules present in the FVS isolate were identified by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis. The cell viability of FVS was assessed with methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) bioassay. Based on the solubility study, phase diagram and stability tests, the optimum prescription of F. velutipes sterol microemulsions (FVSMs) were determined, followed by FVSMs characterization, and its in vivo pharmacokinetic study in rats.Results: The chemical composition of FVS was mainly ergosterol (54.8%) and 22,23-dihydroergosterol (27.9%). After 72 hours of treatment, both the FVS (half-maximal inhibitory concentration [IC50] = 11.99 µg • mL-1) and the standard anticancer drug, 5-fluorouracil (IC50 = 0.88 µg • mL-1) exhibited strong in vitro antiproliferative activity against SGC cells, with IC50 > 30.0 µg • mL-1; but the FVS performed poorly against LoVo cells (IC50 > 40.0 µg • mL-1). The optimal FVSMs prescription consisted of 3.0% medium chain triglycerides, 5.0% ethanol, 21.0% Cremophor EL and 71.0% water (w/w) with associated solubility of FVS being 0.680 mg • mL-1 as compared to free FVS (0.67 µg • mL-1). The relative oral bioavailability (area-under-the-curve values of ergosterol and 22,23-dihydroergosterol showed

Purpose. This study investigates the use of gamification in promoting the silver generation’s adoption of mobile payment technology through the gamified cultural practice of gifting red packets. It considers the effectiveness of using gamification in a cultural context to promote technology acceptance among older adults. This crossover between digital technology and cultural traditions brings unique gaming elements to the adoption of technology. Design/methodology/approach. Drawing upon Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and prospect theory, a research model is evaluated using structural equation modeling. Data were collected via survey from elderly consumers who are current users of WeChat but are yet to use its mobile payment functions. Findings. The results reveal the perceived effectiveness of gamification is determined by the perceived enjoyment of the game and contributes to users’ attitude development, directly and through its perceived usefulness. Perceived risks were identified as a barrier to converting positive attitude into adoption intention. Research implications. The findings contribute to the conceptualization and understanding of the effectiveness of gamification in technology adoption, specifically among the silver generation. Originality/value. In contrast with previous gamification studies on gamified experience, this study introduces a new conceptualization of the perceived effectiveness of gamification and its measurement. This study validates game engagement as being effective in encouraging seniors to adopt a technology. In an era of an aging population where digitization is a norm, improving the digital literacy and digital inclusion of elders by encouraging them to adopt technology is essential to developing a more accessible and inclusive social environment.

Purpose. This study investigates the use of gamification in promoting the silver generation’s adoption of mobile payment technology through the gamified cultural practice of gifting red packets. It considers the effectiveness of using gamification in a cultural context to promote technology acceptance among older adults. This crossover between digital technology and cultural traditions brings unique gaming elements to the adoption of technology. Design/methodology/approach. Drawing upon Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and prospect theory, a research model is evaluated using structural equation modeling. Data were collected via survey from elderly consumers who are current users of WeChat but are yet to use its mobile payment functions. Findings. The results reveal the perceived effectiveness of gamification is determined by the perceived enjoyment of the game and contributes to users’ attitude development, directly and through its perceived usefulness. Perceived risks were identified as a barrier to converting positive attitude into adoption intention. Research implications. The findings contribute to the conceptualization and understanding of the effectiveness of gamification in technology adoption, specifically among the silver generation. Originality/value. In contrast with previous gamification studies on gamified experience, this study introduces a new conceptualization of the perceived effectiveness of gamification and its measurement. This study validates game engagement as being effective in encouraging seniors to adopt a technology. In an era of an aging population where digitization is a norm, improving the digital literacy and digital inclusion of elders by encouraging them to adopt technology is essential to developing a more accessible and inclusive social environment.

This study investigates the use of gamification in promoting the silver generation’s adoption of mobile payment technology through the gamified cultural practice of gifting red packets. It considers the effectiveness of using gamification in a cultural context to promote technology acceptance among older adults. This crossover between digital technology and cultural traditions brings unique gaming elements to the adoption of technology. Drawing upon Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and prospect theory, a research model is evaluated using structural equation modeling. Data were collected via survey from elderly consumers who are current users of WeChat but are yet to use its mobile payment functions. The results reveal the perceived effectiveness of gamification is determined by the perceived enjoyment of the game and contributes to users’ attitude development, directly and through its perceived usefulness. Perceived risks were identified as a barrier to converting positive attitude into adoption intention. The findings contribute to the conceptualization and understanding of the effectiveness of gamification in technology adoption, specifically among the silver generation. In contrast with previous gamification studies on gamified experience, this study introduces a new conceptualization of the perceived effectiveness of gamification and its measurement. This study validates game engagement as being effective in encouraging seniors to adopt a technology. In an era of an aging population where digitization is also happening, improving the digital literacy and digital inclusion of elders by encouraging them to adopt technology is essential to developing a more accessible and inclusive social environment.