Why do people purchase virtual goods? A uses and gratification (U&G) theory perspective

Few literature studies have investigated the relationships between different uses and gratifications (U&Gs) of mobile instant messaging (MIM) apps, continuation, and purchase intentions. To address this gap, the researchers aimed to examine the influence of the content, social, process, and technology U&Gs of MIM on continuation intentions toward MIMs, and purchase intentions toward virtual goods available on MIMs. A comprehensive research model was developed based on the U&G theory, which was tested using cross-sectional data from 309 Japanese MIM users. The study considered six different U&Gs of MIM as independent variables and purchase intentions towards stickers and continuation intentions towards MIM as dependent variables. The study results suggest that exposure U&G has a significant positive association with MIM sticker purchase intentions. The entertainment and affection U&G are positively associated with continuation intentions towards MIM use. The study contributes to the literature by investigating U&Gs that motivate MIM users to have both positive purchase intentions toward virtual goods, such as stickers, and continuation intentions toward MIMs. The study has significant theoretical and practical implications for both researchers and practitioners who are interested in virtual goods, the virtual economy, MIM apps, social media, new media, and the service economy.     

The Crosstalk of Adipose-Derived Stem Cells (ADSC), Oxidative Stress,and Inflammation in Protective and Adaptive Responses

The potential use of stem cell-based therapies for the repair and regeneration of various tissues and organs is a major goal in repair medicine. Stem cells are classified by their potential to differentiate into functional cells. Compared with other sources, adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) have the advantage of being abundant and easy to obtain. ADSCs are considered to be tools for replacing, repairing, and regenerating dead or damaged cells. The capacity of ADSCs to maintain their properties depends on the balance of complex signals in their microenvironment. Their properties and the associated outcomes are in part regulated by reactive oxygen species, which mediate the oxidation-reduction state of cells as a secondary messenger. ADSC therapy has demonstrated beneficial effects, suggesting that secreted factors may provide protection. There is evidence that ADSCs secrete a number of cytokines, growth factors, and antioxidant factors into their microenvironment, thus regulating intracellular signaling pathways in neighboring cells. In this review, we introduce the roles of ADSCs in the protection of cells by modulating inflammation and immunity, and we develop their potential therapeutic properties.     

Excellent Mechanical and Transparency Properties of Cationic Waterborne Polyurethane Films Modified by Boehmite Sol

The strategies for nanosol from metal alkoxide have enabled production of ultratransparent and mechanically robust polymer nanocomposites at extremely high loading. Herein, a simple approach to fabricate high‐performance polyurethane‐based nanocomposites via unmodified boehmite nanoparticles is reported. Evaluating their physical properties, the uniform dispersion of boehmite in the matrix caused nanocomposites retains ultrahigh transparency. Hydrogen bonding and intermolecular entanglement between boehmite and polyurethane brings about the mechanical properties of the nanocomposites material enhanced, i.e., strength, stiffness, and toughness. Optimized strength, stiffness, and toughness of Boehmite/Cationic waterborne polyurethane at 40 wt% (BNC40) are up to 58.1 MPa, 1096.7 MPa, 249.5 MJ m^?3, respectively. Furthermore, the feasibility and mechanism of polymer strengthening and toughening by inorganic rigid nanoparticles is explored from the aspects of crystallinity and micromorphology.     

Role of Cyclooxygenase-2 in Head and Neck Tumorigenesis

The cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is a potent enzyme that converts arachidonic acid to prostaglandins (PG), including PGE2, a key mediator of inflammation and angiogenesis. Importantly, COX-2 is activated in response to inflammatory stimuli, where it is also believed to promote the development and progression of head and neck cancers (HNC). COX-2 can mediate its protumorigenic effect through various mechanisms, such as inducing cell proliferation, inhibition of apoptosis, and suppressing the host’s immune response. Furthermore, COX-2 can induce the production of vascular endothelial growth factors, hence, promoting angiogenesis. Indeed, the ability of COX-2 inhibitors to selectively restrict the proliferation of tumor cells and mediating apoptosis provides promising therapeutic targets for cancer patients. Thus, in this comprehensive review, we summarized the reported differential expression patterns of COX-2 in different stages of head and neck carcinogenesis—from potentially premalignant lesions to invasive carcinomas. Furthermore, we examined the available meta-analysis evidence for COX-2 role in the carcinogenesis of HNC. Finally, further understanding of the biological processes of COX-2 and its role in orchestrating cell proliferation, apoptosis, and angiogenesis may give therapeutically beneficial insight to develop the management plan of HNC patients and improve their clinical outcomes.     

Size-controlled synthesis of Mo powders via hydrogen reduction of MoO2 powders with the assistance of Mo nuclei

The size-controlled preparation of Mo powders is always a challenge and important task in the molybdenum metallurgy. In the current study, Mo powders with controllable sizes are synthesized by hydrogen reduction of MoO₂ powders with the assistance of Mo nuclei in the range of 900–1100 °C. The influences of the particle sizes of Mo nuclei, the additive amount as well as reaction temperature on the morphology and particle sizes of the final products are studied. For the hydrogen reduction of MoO₂ without any additive, the obtained Mo powders always have large particle sizes. However, the addition of small amounts of nuclei in MoO₂ can help Mo nucleate dispersedly, and the growth of Mo could be also controlled by adjusting the sizes of added nuclei, amount of addition and the reaction temperature. With the addition of Mo nuclei, the different sizes of Mo powders with the good dispersity can be prepared. As adding commercial Mo powders with the particle size of about 2.03 μm, the micron-sized Mo powders ranged from 2.11 μm to 3.25 μm could be prepared. While for the case of adding ultrafine Mo nuclei of about 170 nm, Mo powders from 0.28 μm to 0.88 μm can be obtained. Moreover, the more the amounts of nuclei added and the lower the reaction temperature (in the range of 900–1100 °C) is, the smaller the particle size of the prepared Mo powder will be. The current method is a facile and feasible method, and is potential to be used for industrial production of Mo powder with controllable particle sizes.     

综采工作面粉尘防治问题分析与技术改进

针对新桥煤矿2301综采工作面机载喷雾系统喷雾效果差、喷雾耗水量大造成煤质含水量超标、喷嘴雾化程度不高、喷嘴容易发生堵塞等问题,提出了高压喷雾系统设计方案,选择了1.2mm的锥形引射喷嘴和1.5mm的扇形引射喷嘴。采用固定水泵供水方式,结合工作面实际情况,计算出喷雾总用水量247.5L/min,提高了喷雾射程,提升了除尘效果。     

超疏水表面在金属防护中应用的研究进展

超疏水表面由于具有独特的微纳米粗糙结构和低表面能性质,能形成空气垫物理屏障层,减小材料表面与水或其他腐蚀介质之间的接触面积,因此被广泛应用于金属的腐蚀防护。首先简单介绍了超疏水表面的相关理论,主要包括Young氏方程、Wenzel模型和Cassie-Baxter模型。然后,归纳总结了三种制备超疏水表面的有效途径:在低表面能物质上构建微纳米级粗糙结构;先构建出具有微纳米级的粗糙结构,再对表面进行低表面能修饰;一步法完成低表面能修饰和微纳米级粗糙结构的构建。在此基础上,详细地综述了常见的超疏水表面(薄膜或涂层)在金属防护中的应用。进一步介绍了通过在超疏水体系中引入缓蚀剂的方式,构建具有主动防护功能的超疏水表面,并介绍了此种超疏水表面在金属防护中的应用。最后指出了目前的超疏水表面在制备工艺以及耐久性等方面存在的问题,并对其在金属防护领域的应用前景和发展方向作出了展望。     

TC4合金表面Cu/石墨复合镀层的摩擦磨损行为

采用无氰电镀工艺在TC4合金表面制备了Cu/石墨复合镀层，研究了镀层的组织结构和摩擦磨损行为。结果表明，采用无氰电镀方法能够在TC4合金表面制备出组织致密且与基体结合紧密的Cu/石墨复合镀层，但增加镀层中石墨的含量会降低镀层与基体合金的结合强度，并导致硬度小幅下降。摩擦磨损实验结果表明，Cu/石墨复合镀层具有优良的摩擦磨损防护性能，归因于石墨有效降低了镀层的摩擦系数和磨损率；对镀层磨损形貌、磨损产物和摩擦系数的综合分析结果表明，纯铜镀层的摩擦磨损机制主要为犁削磨损、黏着磨损和剥层磨损，Cu/石墨复合镀层的磨损机制为轻微的削层磨损和疲劳磨损。     

地表移动带范围内建构筑物安全可靠性分析

地表建构筑物位于在生产矿山地表开采移动范围内，如果按照一般圈定地表移动范围原则判断建构筑物的安全可靠性，结果是不安全或者预留保安矿柱可保证安全。为分析地表移动带范围内建构筑物安全可靠性，采用FLAC3D软件建立数值模拟模型，对矿区地表移动进行分析研究，并结合建构筑物的破坏等级评判标准，可以更加合理地判断地表移动范围内建构筑物的安全可靠性，对存在相似条件的矿山具有一定的借鉴意义。     

Decorating surface charge of graphite nanoplate using an electrostatic coupling agent for 3-dimensional polymer nanocomposite

Here, we report a facile approach to electrostatically couple the surface charges of graphite nanoplate (GNP) fillers and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) polymer particles using ethylene maleic anhydride (EMA) copolymer as an electrostatic coupling agent. Our strategy involved switching the intrinsic repulsive electrostatic interactions between the directly exfoliated GNPs fillers and the PMMA particles to attractive electrostatic surface interactions for preparing core(PMMA)-shell (GNP) precursor in order to optimizing 3-dimensionally dispersed polymer nanocomposite. As a result, the electrical conductivity of the composites dramatically increased by a factor of 16.7 in the EMA-coupled GNP/PMMA composites compared with that of the EMA-free GNP/PMMA composites. In addition, the percolation threshold was also notably reduced from 0.32 to 0.159 vol% after electrostatic coupling of the GNPs fillers and PMMA particles. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020 , 137, 48390.