Search

Analytics services provided by marketplace platforms have become increasingly important for sellers seeking market insights. In this paper, we examine a scenario in which an analytics service plays a vital role in enhancing sellers' understanding of market size and improving their decision-making. Using a game-theoretic model, we analyze the pricing strategies of the platform and the adoption strategies of sellers for the analytics service. Our study identifies two distinct effects of analytics services: the competition effect and the accuracy effect. Specifically, the competition effect manifests in opposing ways across different market scenarios, with a competition-intensifying effect in lowdemand markets and a competition-weakening effect in high-demand markets. Consequently, sellers using an analytics service command lower prices in low-demand markets and higher prices in highdemand markets. More interestingly, our results reveal that offering an analytics service could potentially hurt the total market demand, subsequently impacting the platform's revenue from the marketplace service and potentially leaving the platform worse off. Additionally, driven by both the accuracy and competition effects, adopting an analytics service may adversely affect seller profitability and consumer surplus without necessarily improving overall welfare. Moreover, the transaction fee for the marketplace service plays a crucial role in the interplay between the analytics and marketplace services. Specifically, in low-demand (high-demand) markets, as the transaction fee increases, platforms should consider reducing (increasing) the subscription fee to encourage more (fewer) sellers to adopt the analytics service, thereby enhancing overall market demand and increasing revenue from the marketplace service. Our findings also suggest that platforms should refrain from offering analytics services in high-demand markets when the transaction fee is relatively high. Furthermore, policymakers (sellers) should be mindful of the potential negative consequences associated with the adoption of analytics services in high-demand (low-demand) markets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrochemical ammonia synthesis (EAS) presents an attractive alternative to the Haber–Bosch process due to the benefits of energy saving, low carbon emission, environmental friendliness, and so on. However, the competing hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) severely limits the yield, selectivity, and current efficiency of NH3. Although the accumulation and self‐aggregation of active hydrogen (H*) are the primary causes of the competing HER, it also serves as the critical active species and intermediate for the multistep hydrogenation and deoxygenation processes. Therefore, the sensible regulation of the H* generation and consumption are essential for enhancing EAS performance. And it is significant to thoroughly review the current strategies for H* control. Herein, a comprehensive introduction of H* to provide a fundamental understanding of its role in electrochemical reactions, including generation, conversion, identification, and quantification protocols is first proposed. In addition, the role and control strategies of H* in EAS are carefully summarized with a particular focus on regulating H* generation and consumption to enhance the activity, selectivity, and Faradaic efficiency. Finally, the remaining challenges and perspectives are discussed. This critical review is intended to offer a profound understanding of the regulation of H* in electrochemical reactions and the development of EAS technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the past, diatoms were considered the primary food source for copepods in both wild and aquaculture settings. However, recent studies have found that diatoms have defense mechanisms against predators, making them unsuitable as copepod feed. This study assessed the impact of addition of 100 μg L−1 of silicate to an inorganic nutrition formula containing 700 μg L−1 nitrogen, 100 μg L−1 phosphorus, and 100 μg L−1 iron. Our objective was to assess the impact of increased diatom abundance on copepod production. The experiment was carried out in 1000 L outdoor tanks over a period of 20 days, with adult Pseudodiaptomus annandalei copepods, introduced into each tank on the second day at an initial density of 10 ind. L−1. The results indicated that adding silicate reduced the prevalence of Chlorophyta, replaced by a higher proportion of Dinophyta, and eventually dominated by diatoms. While silicate had a positive effect on diatom culture, it had a negative effect on copepod production. Adding silicate to the inorganic fertilization method resulted in increased costs, leading to a significant increase in the unit production cost of copepods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Neurodegenerative diseases are a group of unexplained disorders of the central nervous system, and studies have shown that a large number of genetic and environmental factors are associated with these diseases. Since these diseases show significant gender differences in epidemiology, sex hormones are thought to be strongly associated with these diseases. In this study, we used Mendelian randomization to explore the causal relationship between sex hormones and the risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases. Methods: We obtained genetic instrumental variables for sex hormones (sex hormone-binding globulin [SHBG], estradiol levels [EL], and bioavailable testosterone [BT]) separately through the Integrative Epidemiology Unit (IEU) database (https://gwas.mrcieu.ac.uk/). We analyzed the causal relationship of each with the risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis [ALS], Parkinson's disease [PD], and Alzheimer's disease [AD]) using inverse variance weighted (IVW) in Mendelian randomization. Data were then analyzed for sensitivity. Results: BT was negatively associated with the risk of developing ALS (odds ratio [OR] = 0.794; 95% confidence interval [95% CI] = 0.672-0.938; p = 0.006). EL and SHBG were not associated with a risk for developing neurodegenerative diseases (ALS, PD, AD). Conclusions: Elevated BT is associated with a reduced risk of developing ALS. Further research is needed to investigate the underlying mechanisms of action for this correlation and how it can be used as a potential target of action to reduce the risk of developing ALS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The objective of this work was to assess the effect of physical therapy in patients with somatosensory tinnitus (ST) and explore the influence of physical therapy on clinical variables obtained before treatment. Methods: A total of 43 patients with ST were randomized to the immediate-start group (n = 20) and delayed-start group (n = 23). All patients received physical therapy for 1 week (seven sessions). Each session lasted 60 min. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI), and numerical pain rating scale (NPRS) scores were documented at baseline and after treatment (week 1) for all patients. For subjects in the immediate-start group, the THI, VAS, and NPRS scores were measured after therapy (weeks 6, 9, and 12, respectively). Medical history characteristic functional activity scale (HCFA) scores were measured at baseline to assess the association between somatic symptoms and tinnitus. Results: At week 1, VAS, THI, and NPRS scores of patients in the immediate-start group were improved by 1.25 ± 1.59, 11.10 ± 15.10, and 0.95 ± 1.54 points, respectively, and were significantly higher than those in the delayed-start group (p < 0.05). The change in VAS, THI, and NPRS scores in the treatment group was significantly positively correlated with the scores of the HCFA before treatment (r = 0.786, p < 0.001; r = 0.680, p = 0.001; r = 0.796, p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in THI, VAS, and NPRS scores among patients in the immediate-start group between weeks 1, 6, 9, and 12 after treatment (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Although more participants were necessary in the further study, the study implies that physical therapy can reduce physical pain, improve tinnitus symptoms, and quality of life in ST patients without hearing loss, and the short-term curative effect is stable, especially for tinnitus patients with clear somatic symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The commercialization of aqueous Zn‐ion batteries (AZIBs) for power‐grid energy storage systems is hindered by the safety concerns arising from the Zn dendrite growth. The primary approach in addressing this issue is to induce planar depositions. However, modulating the Zn dissolution process which directly reshapes surface morphology and reserves growth sites has long been overlooked. Herein, by utilizing ester compounds as an illustration, it is revealed that engineering the dissolution energy barrier is a pivotal factor in promoting homogeneous Zn dissolution. Ester adsorbents effectively redistribute charge densities at the electrode–electrolyte interface due to the presence of zincophilic ester functional group and conductive π‐conjugation structure. This effect eventually facilitates Zn dissolution across the surface, transforming the potholed and defective dissolution morphology into a smooth and consistent form. Thus, enhanced cycling stability can be achieved in both half‐cells and full‐cells, offering an extensive lifespan of thousands of hours for the dissolution and deposition cycles. This work provides a principle for the selection of Zn dissolution improvers to suppress Zn metal dendrite growth by regulating Zn dissolution behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Achieving reversible plating/stripping of zinc (Zn) anodes is crucial in aqueous Zn‐ion batteries (AZIBs). However, undesired dendrite growth and parasitic side reactions severely deteriorate battery lifespan. The construction of stable protective coating is an effective strategy to enhance anode stability. In this study, a multifunctional nanodiamond (ND) inorganic layer is designed and constructed on both Zn and Cu electrodes that can both effectively inhibit dendrite growth and suppress Zn anode corrosion. Experimental results and theoretical calculations demonstrate that this artificial protective layer, with ultra‐high surface energy, enables the controlled creation of abundant nucleation sites (in the order of 1012 cm−2) for the homogenization of ion flux and electric field on the anode. It is found that zinc ions preferentially adhere to the diamond surfaces with lower diffusion barriers, leading to uniform zinc deposition. A symmetric cell with the ND‐protected Zn (Zn‐ND) anode exhibits reversible plating/stripping behavior for an impressive duration of over 3600 h at 1 mA cm−2. Furthermore, the MnO2||Zn full battery retains 90% of its initial capacity after 3500 cycles at 2 A g−1, and assembled hybrid capacitor operates smoothly over 65 000 cycles at 10 A g−1. These results underscore the potential of this coating as a promising solution for achieving highly stable Zn anodes for aqueous batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The level of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in human epidermal growth factor receptor type 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer (BC) is positively correlated with pathological complete response. Aims: To investigate the relationship between ultrasound (US) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features and the level of CD8-positive TILs (CD8+-TILs) in patients with HER2-positive BC. Study Design: Retrospective cohort study. Methods: This retrospective study included 155 consecutive women with HER2-positive BC. Patients were divided into two groups: CD8+-TILlow (< 35%) and CD8+-TILhigh (≥ 35%) groups. US and MRI features were evaluated using the BI-RADS lexicon, and the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value was calculated using RadiAnt software. Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed the optimal US and MRI features for predicting CD8+-TIL levels. Receiver operating characteristic analysis and the Delong test were used to compare the diagnostic performance of US and MRI features. Furthermore, implementing a nomogram will increase clinical utility. Results: Univariate analysis of US features showed significant differences in shape, orientation, and posterior echo between the two groups; however, there were no significant differences in margins, internal echo, and microcalcification. Multifactorial analysis revealed that shape, orientation, and posterior echo were independent risk factors, with odds ratios of 11.62, 2.70, and 0.16, respectively. In terms of MRI features, ADC was an independent predictor of CD8+-TIL levels. These three US features and the ADC performed well, with area under the curve (AUC) values of 0.802 and 0.705, respectively. The combination of US and ADC values had higher predictive efficacy (AUC = 0.888) than either US or ADC alone (p = 0.009, US&lowbar;ADC vs. US; p < 0.001, US_ADC vs. ADC). Conclusion: US features (shape, orientation, and posterior echo) and ADC value may be a valuable tool for estimating CD8+-TIL levels in HER2- positive BC. The nomogram may help clinicians in making decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The engineering of anode‐electrolyte interphase for highly reversible and dendrite‐free Zn plating‐stripping continues to pose a significant challenge in the progression of aqueous Zn‐ion batteries (AZIBs). In this study, a novel approach is introduced that involves the design of a hierarchical carbon nanotube (CNT)‐based host through functionalization with cetyltrimethylammonium cations (CTA+). This hierarchical host enables dynamically switchable repulsive shielding to regulate Zn plating. The CNT scaffold, featured with high flexibility and conductivity, facilitates expandable accommodation of continuous Zn plating. Concurrently, the entangled CTA+ cations, acting as manipulators to form switchable repulsive shields, dynamically suppress the growth of Zn dendrites, and result in uniform Zn plating within cationic CNT (C‐CNT) hosts. The cationic shielding effect is further elucidated through density functional theory calculations. By incorporating the self‐adaptive C‐CNT host, Zn symmetric cells exhibit an impressively stable cycling lifespan exceeding 6500 h at 1 mA·cm−2 and achieve a cumulative capacity of 6000 mAh·cm−2 at 4 mA·cm−2. Full batteries, by coupling the C‐CNT@Zn anode and MnO2 cathode, demonstrate an 88% capacity retention after 2000 cycles at 2 A·g−1. The design of the self‐adaptive C‐CNT host offers a promising approach in electrode‐electrolyte interphase engineering toward the practical applications of Zn‐based energy storage systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-entropy alloy nanoparticles (HEANs) possessing regulated defect structure and electron interaction exhibit a guideline for constructing multifunctional catalysts. However, the microstructure--activity relationship between active sites of HEANs for multifunctional electrocatalysts is rarely reported. In this work, HEANs distributed on multi-walled carbon nanotubes (HEAN/CNT) are prepared by Joule heating as an example to explain the mechanism of trifunctional electrocatalysis for oxygen reduction, oxygen evolution, and hydrogen evolution reaction. HEAN/CNT excels with unmatched stability, maintaining a 0.8V voltage window for 220 h in zinc-air batteries. Even after 20 h of water electrolysis, its performance remains undiminished, highlighting exceptional endurance and reliability. Moreover, the intrinsic characteristics of the defect structure and electron interaction for HEAN/CNT are investigated in detail. The electrocatalytic mechanism of trifunctional electrocatalysis of HEAN/CNT under different conditions is identified by in situ monitoring and theoretical calculation. Meanwhile, the electron interaction and adaptive regulation of active sites in the trifunctional electrocatalysis of HEANs were further verified by density functional theory. These findings could provide unique ideas for designing inexpensive multifunctional high-entropy electrocatalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two-dimensional helical nanowire and nanosphere superstructures of PS- b -P2VP/S-mandelic acid with homochirality have been fabricated at the liquid/liquid and air/liquid interfaces via two kinds of approaches, respectively. [Display omitted] • PS-b-P2VP co-assembled with S-mandelic acid in the liquid/liquid interfacial phase. • Helical nanowires and nanospheres with homochirality formed. • These nanowires and nanospheres further assembled into 2D superstructures. • This is a one-step method to fabricate 2D superstructures of helical nanostructures. Chiral supramolecules have attracted great research interest due to their unique properties and functions. How to assemble them into the ordered superstructures, however, remains a challenge. In this paper, two methods have been developed to fabricate such superstructures. In method I, polystyrene- b -poly (2-vinylpyridine) (PS- b -P2VP) and S-mandelic acid (S-MA) diffused from the oil and aqueous phases respectively to the oil/water interface, combined and self-assembled into helical nanowires and nanospheres with monochirality, and formed parallel-aligned nanowire arrays and close-packed arrays at the liquid/liquid interface. In method II, PS- b -P2VP in DMF droplets was introduced into the aqueous solution of S-MA through a liquid/liquid interfacial phase transfer process. Then the polymer molecules self-assembled into helical nanowires and nanospheres with monochirality in the aqueous phase, which adsorbed at the air/liquid interface and organized into superstructures. The formation of chiral aggregates should be attributed to the induction of S-MA, while the superstructures at the interfaces were considered to result from the modulation by the interfacial pressures. This study has developed one-step techniques to assemble the chiral aggregates and superstructures, which is expected to become universal for fabrication of functional superstructures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article titled "Dissolution Mechanism for Dendrite-Free Aqueous Zinc-Ions Batteries" discusses the issue of dendrite growth in zinc-ion batteries, which affects their cycling stability. The authors, Hou Ian, Junpeng Xie, Guo Hong, and their colleagues, propose the use of adsorptive additives to manipulate zinc dissolution and achieve smooth morphological evolution throughout the battery cycles. This research aims to address the challenges associated with zinc deposition and dissolution in order to improve the performance of zinc-ion batteries. [Extracted from the article]

The efficient degradation and accurate quantification of tetracycline in environment and food samples is pivotal for ensuring public health and safety by monitoring potential contamination and maintaining regulatory standards. Hence, in this study, photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline and its electrochemical detection in environment and food samples based on dual-functional silver-doped zinc ferrite nanoparticles embedded chitosan-functionalized carbon nanofibers fabricated on a screen-printed carbon electrode (AgZFO/CHIT-CNF/SPCE) is presented. A hydrothermal method was used in the synthesis of Ag-doped ZFO, and chitosan was functionalized on the CNF surface using a swift and cost-effective chemical modification process of carboxyl groups. Various techniques, such as XRD, HRTEM, elemental mapping, EIS, XPS, FTIR, VSM, BET, UV–Vis DRS, and Raman spectroscopy were used to analyze the characteristics of the prepared nanocomposite. Cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry were used to evaluate the surface-controlled electrocatalytic properties of AgZFO/CHIT-CNF towards tetracycline. Electrochemical tests revealed that the proposed electrode exhibited excellent sensitivity for detecting tetracycline. The fabricated electrode had a low detection limit of 1 nM and a wide linear range (0.2–53.2 μM). The sensor also demonstrated exceptional selectivity, stability, and reusability. The practical feasibility evaluated with real samples, including chicken feed, shrimp, milk, soil, and wastewater, resulted in high recovery values. [Display omitted] • Ultrasensitive detection of polyketide drug tetracycline based on AgZFO/CHIT-CNF/SPCE. • Photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline with high efficiency (95.72%) using dual-functional nanocomposite. • This is the first work that reports tetracycline detection using ZFO based nanomaterial. • A very low detection limit (1 nM) in nanomolar range was achieved for proposed sensor. • High recovery values for practical feasibility analysis in wastewater, soil, chicken feed, shrimp, and milk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The efficient degradation and accurate quantification of tetracycline in environment and food samples is pivotal for ensuring public health and safety by monitoring potential contamination and maintaining regulatory standards. Hence, in this study, photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline and its electrochemical detection in environment and food samples based on dual-functional silver-doped zinc ferrite nanoparticles embedded chitosan-functionalized carbon nanofibers fabricated on a screen-printed carbon electrode (AgZFO/CHIT-CNF/SPCE) is presented. A hydrothermal method was used in the synthesis of Ag-doped ZFO, and chitosan was functionalized on the CNF surface using a swift and cost-effective chemical modification process of carboxyl groups. Various techniques, such as XRD, HRTEM, elemental mapping, EIS, XPS, FTIR, VSM, BET, UV–Vis DRS, and Raman spectroscopy were used to analyze the characteristics of the prepared nanocomposite. Cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry were used to evaluate the surface-controlled electrocatalytic properties of AgZFO/CHIT-CNF towards tetracycline. Electrochemical tests revealed that the proposed electrode exhibited excellent sensitivity for detecting tetracycline. The fabricated electrode had a low detection limit of 1 nM and a wide linear range (0.2–53.2 μM). The sensor also demonstrated exceptional selectivity, stability, and reusability. The practical feasibility evaluated with real samples, including chicken feed, shrimp, milk, soil, and wastewater, resulted in high recovery values. [Display omitted] • Ultrasensitive detection of polyketide drug tetracycline based on AgZFO/CHIT-CNF/SPCE. • Photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline with high efficiency (95.72%) using dual-functional nanocomposite. • This is the first work that reports tetracycline detection using ZFO based nanomaterial. • A very low detection limit (1 nM) in nanomolar range was achieved for proposed sensor. • High recovery values for practical feasibility analysis in wastewater, soil, chicken feed, shrimp, and milk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]