Successful Acquisition Research Articles

Prospective evaluation of extended reality for neonatal intubation education

Purpose360° immersive videos may be useful in procedure-based healthcare settings. We hypothesized that extended reality (XR) neonatal intubation education is a feasible alternative to live demonstration in skill and knowledge transfer.MethodsThis was a prospective single center evaluation of an educational XR intubation video using Premature Anne™ (Laerdal Medical, Stavanger, Norway) comparing to a live demonstration. Participants were randomly allocated to either live demonstration or XR group. Each group received 20 min of teaching from the pediatric respiratory care education specialist, either in person or in video format. Intubation success, knowledge and skill acquisition were measured using a questionnaire and checklist.ResultsWe had a total of 23 participants, XR (n = 11) and live demonstration (n = 12). The groups were heterogeneous in experience level.The XR group was successful at intubating 73% of the time (n = 8), which was not significantly different to the live demonstration group 58% (n = 7) (p = 0.667). For patients who achieved intubation, there was no difference between groups in the mean time to successful intubation; 98 s (SD 73) for the XR group and 65 s (SD 22) for the live demonstration group (p = 0.685).When comparing scores between groups there were no statistically significant differences regarding knowledge scores (p = 0.514), skill scores (p = 0.826) and total scores (p = 0.926).ConclusionThese preliminary findings indicated no significant differences between the XR and live demonstration groups in terms of intubation success, knowledge acquisition, skill performance, total scores or time to successful intubation.

State ownership and acquisition speed: evidence from China

ABSTRACT Speed is a key driver for the success of acquisitions. Although state ownership is widely believed to affect the management efficiency and action speed of firms, the relationship between state ownership and acquisition speed remains unknown. This paper investigates how firms’ acquisition speed varies with state ownership. Our results suggest that state ownership is associated with slower acquisition speed. Higher administrative hierarchy of the state-owned shareholder is correlation with slower acquisition speed. Reducing the shareholding ratio of state owner and hiring a younger CEO are likely to mitigate the negative correlation between state ownership and acquisition speed.

Digital Transformation in Talent Acquisition: An Investigation into the Integration of Big Data Analytics and Management Information Systems for Optimal Hiring Strategies

The primary goal was to empirically investigate the relationships amongst Big Data Analytics (BDA), Management Information System (MIS), optimal hiring strategies, leadership support, and talent acquisition process. This research aimed to fill crucial gaps in the literature by examining how technology adoption and leadership support influence the formulation and effectiveness of optimal hiring strategies, finally impacting talent acquisition results in the Chinese business landscape. Quantitative research was employed, targeting experts and decision-makers in human resource departments across numerous industries in China. The research used a random sampling approach to acquire facts through an online questionnaire, examining responses from 168 participants. Regression and mediation analyses, facilitated by SPSS, were applied to discover the relationships and mechanisms among BDA, MIS, optimal hiring strategies, leadership support, and talent acquisition success. The results discovered a significant and positive relationship between BDA and MIS with the optimal hiring techniques. Moreover, optimal hiring techniques have proven an advantageous association with talent acquisition success. The research similarly showed the mediating role of optimal hiring strategies in translating the advantages of BDA and MIS into talent acquisition success. Leadership support emerged as a moderator, amplifying the relationship between optimum hiring techniques and talent acquisition success. This study contributes empirical proof to the underexplored intersection of leadership support, technology, and talent hiring strategies. The findings offer practical insights for companies aiming to navigate the complexities of recruitment, emphasizing the significance of strategic decision-making, technology integration, and management endorsement in achieving talent acquisition success.

The gustatory receptor BdorGr43a mediated sucrose preference in the feeding of Bactrocera dorsalis

The feeding behavior of animals is pivotal for their reproductive success and energy acquisition. In our study, we found that the Bactrocera dorsalis had a pronounced preference for sucrose among six plant-derived sugars during feeding. Then, we searched the entire genome of B. dorsalis for the gustatory receptors (Grs) responsible for sucrose sensation. Putative gustatory receptors involved in the detection of sweetness, bitterness, CO2 and other unknown functions. Together with phylogenetic analysis, expression profiling, calcium imaging, and CRISPR/Cas9 mediated mutagenesis, we found that BdorGr43a is the key receptor responding to sucrose. Our study elucidated the molecular mechanism underlying the sucrose preferences in the feeding of B. dorsalis. Meanwhile, our results will serve as a reference for the understanding of gustatory sensing in insect. Furthermore, BdorGr43a may serve as an important target for the development of food attractants against the oriental fruit fly.

Axial length acquisition success rates and agreement of two swept-source optical biometers in eyes with dense cataracts.

Swept-source optical coherence tomography-based (SS-OCT) biometers have been used in different clinical studies with the aim of assessing the accuracy of the technique, specifically in eyes with dense cataracts. Our objective is to evaluate the axial length acquisition success rates and agreement of two SS-OCT biometers when measuring axial length and biometric parameters in eyes with dense cataracts. 46 eyes (46 patients) with dense cataracts (LOCS III grade ≥ 4) were measured 3 consecutive times using the Eyestar 900 and Argos SS-OCT biometers. Keratometry (K1, flat and K2, steep), central corneal thickness (CCT), white-to-white (WTW), anterior-chamber-depth (ACD), lens-thickness (LT), and axial length were measured using both biometers. The percentage acquisition success rate and a Bland-Altman analysis to determine the agreement between the biometers were calculated. Corrected and uncorrected distance visual acuity, subjective refraction, and axial length (to assess preoperative axial length accuracy) were measured 1-month post-cataract surgery. The mean LOCS III score was 4.37 ± 0.68. The acquisition success rates for both biometers was 100%. There were statistically significant differences between the two SS-OCT biometers for all parameters evaluated (p < 0.05). The mean differences for K1, K2, CCT, WTW, ACD, LT and axial length were 0.106 D, 0.128 D, -6.347 μm, -0.054 mm, 0.095 mm, 0.110 mm, and -0.036 mm, respectively. The mean pre- and post-surgery axial length difference was -0.036 mm for the Eyestar 900 and -0.020 mm for the Argos. This difference was ≤ 0.1 mm in 97.82% of eyes with the Eyestar 900 and in 100% of eyes with the Argos. SS-OCT biometry successfully measures axial length in dense cataracts. The differences between biometers in some parameters may have a clinically significant impact but should be judged individually. The pre- and post-surgery axial length differences for each biometer can be considered clinically negligible and should not affect the IOL power calculation.

Acquisition integration capabilities and organizational design

Research has yet to explain how firms with acquisition experience can improve their success with acquisitions. With a multi-national sample, we study how acquisition experience can lead to integration capabilities that impact acquisition outcomes. We argue that different types of knowledge (tacit or explicit) and organizational designs (more centralized vs. less centralized) influence the development of integration capabilities. We demonstrate that tacit and explicit knowledge provide multiple paths to acquisition success for acquiring firms, and this can explain conflicting findings in existing research. More specifically, less centralized organizational designs lower the effectiveness of tacit knowledge in developing an integration capability, but centralization is effective for explicit knowledge. Additional implications for management research and practice are provided.

Epigenetic Dynamics in Reprogramming to Dopaminergic Neurons for Parkinson's Disease.

Direct lineage reprogramming into dopaminergic (DA) neurons holds great promise for the more effective production of DA neurons, offering potential therapeutic benefits for conditions such as Parkinson's disease. However, the reprogramming pathway for fully reprogrammed DA neurons remains largely unclear, resulting in immature and dead-end states with low efficiency. In this study, using single-cell RNA sequencing, the trajectory of reprogramming DA neurons at multiple time points, identifying a continuous pathway for their reprogramming is analyzed. It is identified that intermediate cell populations are crucial for resetting host cell fate during early DA neuronal reprogramming. Further, longitudinal dissection uncovered two distinct trajectories: one leading to successful reprogramming and the other to a dead end. Notably, Arid4b, a histone modifier, as a crucial regulator at this branch point, essential for the successful trajectory and acquisition of mature dopaminergic neuronal identity is identified. Consistently, overexpressing Arid4b in the DA neuronal reprogramming process increases the yield of iDA neurons and effectively reverses the disease phenotypes observed in the PD mouse brain. Thus, gaining insights into the cellular trajectory holds significant importance for devising regenerative medicine strategies, particularly in the context of addressing neurodegenerative disorders like Parkinson's disease.

Expression of goat poxvirus P32 protein and monoclonal antibody preparation.

P32 protein serves as a crucial structural component of Goat pox virus (GTPV), which causes a highly virulent infectious disease in sheep and goats. Despite the fact that P32 has been widely expressed in the previous studies, it is difficult to obtain recombinant P32 efficiently. This study aimed to achieve soluble expression of P32 recombinant protein and to develop its specific monoclonal antibody. The gene fragment of P32Δ (GP32Δ) was synthesized by optimizing the coding sequence of amino acids 1-246 of the known goatpox P32 protein. Subsequently, GP32Δ was cloned into a prokaryotic expression vector for expression and purification, resulting in the successful production of soluble recombinant protein rP32Δ. Utilizing rP32Δ, an indirect ELISA method was established by immunizing 6-week-old BALB/c mice with inactivated GTPV as the antigen. Through hybridoma technology, three monoclonal antibody hybridoma cell lines secreting anti-goat pox virus rP32Δ were screened, designated as 2F3, 3E8, and 4H5, respectively. These monoclonal antibodies, classified as IgG1, IgG2a, and IgG2b, respectively, with κappa light chains, were characterized following ascites preparation and purification. Indirect ELISA results demonstrated that the ELISA potency of the three monoclonal antibodies exceeded 1:12800. Furthermore, Western blot analysis revealed specific reactivity of both 3E8 and 4H5 with rP32Δ, while immunofluorescence assays confirmed 3E8's ability to specifically recognize GTPV in cells. The preceding findings demonstrate the successful acquisition of the soluble expressed recombinant P32 protein and its specific monoclonal antibody 3E8 in this study, thereby laying a foundational material basis for the establishment of a GTPV detection method.

Pre- and Postgraduate Training in Communication Skills: the Experience of the West Kazakhstan Marat Ospanov Medical University

In the modern system of medical education, the development of communicative competence is a prerequisite for the training of a qualified medical worker. Successful acquisition of communicative skills allows improving the quality of medical care provided to the population. For this, the learning process must be continuous: from student years to practical medical activity. M. Ospanov West Kazakhstan Medical University has extensive experience in teaching communicative skills, both at the pre-graduate and postgraduate levels of education.

Seeding Layer Effect on the Microstructure of Hydrothermally Grown α‐Manganese Dioxide Nanowires on Three‐Dimensional Graphene Foam

AbstractHydrothermal synthesis is a straightforward approach for producing high‐yield manganese dioxide (MnO2) nanostructures with efficient morphological control at low temperatures. This study investigates the microstructural dependency of hydrothermally grown α‐MnO2 nanowires (NWs) on pre‐treatment conditions on the substrate surface. Within this scope, α‐MnO2 NWs were synthesized on chemical vapor deposition (CVD)‐based graphene foam (GF) substrates pre‐treated via potassium permanganate (KMnO4) solution as a seeding layer with different concentrations (0.025, 0.050, 0.075, 0.1 M). A direct α‐MnO2 NWs growth (without pre‐treatment) was also performed on GF by hydrothermal method. The seeding layer effect on the NWs growth was elaborated to comprehend the process‐structure correlations by characterizing the resultant graphene foam/α‐MnO2 nanowires (GF/α‐MnO2 NWs) nanocomposites through Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Raman Spectroscopy, X‐Ray Diffraction (XRD), and X‐Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). SEM, XRD, and Raman Spectroscopy revealed the successful acquisition of highly crystalline α‐MnO2 in one‐dimensional nanowire morphology on the high‐quality GF. Moreover, XPS results confirmed that all nanocomposites comprise α‐MnO2 and graphene without chemical degradation. Consequently, slight changes in solution concentration of seeding layers caused a noticeable alteration in the nanowire's structure, which could ensure effective control of nanocomposite properties without sacrificing the high purity of each component.

The effect of visual speech cues on neural tracking of speech in 10-month-old infants.

While infants' sensitivity to visual speech cues and the benefit of these cues have been well-established by behavioural studies, there is little evidence on the effect of visual speech cues on infants' neural processing of continuous auditory speech. In this study, we investigated whether visual speech cues, such as the movements of the lips, jaw, and larynx, facilitate infants' neural speech tracking. Ten-month-old Dutch-learning infants watched videos of a speaker reciting passages in infant-directed speech while electroencephalography (EEG) was recorded. In the videos, either the full face of the speaker was displayed or the speaker's mouth and jaw were masked with a block, obstructing the visual speech cues. To assess neural tracking, speech-brain coherence (SBC) was calculated, focusing particularly on the stress and syllabic rates (1-1.75 and 2.5-3.5Hz respectively in our stimuli). First, overall, SBC was compared to surrogate data, and then, differences in SBC in the two conditions were tested at the frequencies of interest. Our results indicated that infants show significant tracking at both stress and syllabic rates. However, no differences were identified between the two conditions, meaning that infants' neural tracking was not modulated further by the presence of visual speech cues. Furthermore, we demonstrated that infants' neural tracking of low-frequency information is related to their subsequent vocabulary development at 18 months. Overall, this study provides evidence that infants' neural tracking of speech is not necessarily impaired when visual speech cues are not fully visible and that neural tracking may be a potential mechanism in successful language acquisition.

Functional Electrical Stimulation and Brain-Machine Interfaces for Simultaneous Control of Wrist and Finger Flexion.

Brain-machine interface (BMI) controlled functional electrical stimulation (FES) is a promising treatment to restore hand movements to people with cervical spinal cord injury. Recent intracortical BMIs have shown unprecedented successes in decoding user intentions, however the hand movements restored by FES have largely been limited to predetermined grasps. Restoring dexterous hand movements will require continuous control of many biomechanically linked degrees-of-freedom in the hand, such as wrist and finger flexion, that would form the basis of those movements. Here we investigate the ability to restore simultaneous wrist and finger flexion, which would enable grasping with a controlled hand posture and assist in manipulating objects once grasped. We demonstrate that intramuscular FES can enable monkeys with temporarily paralyzed hands to move their fingers and wrist across a functional range of motion, spanning an average 88.6 degrees at the metacarpophalangeal joint flexion and 71.3 degrees of wrist flexion, and intramuscular FES can control both joints simultaneously in a real-time task. Additionally, we demonstrate a monkey using an intracortical BMI to control the wrist and finger flexion in a virtual hand, both before and after the hand is temporarily paralyzed, even achieving success rates and acquisition times equivalent to able-bodied control with BMI control after temporary paralysis in two sessions. Together, this outlines a method using an artificial brain-to-body interface that could restore continuous wrist and finger movements after spinal cord injury.

A Study of the Determinants of the Successful Mergers and Acquisitions

As studies in recent Merger and acquisition (M&amp;A) research, single determinant is preferred to be analyzed, while this report tend to divide factors into 4 determinants towards successful M&amp;A. This report will analyze the determinants of synergy, valuation, cultural difference and policy with several actual cases to support the objectivity of the analysis. Initially, the effect of 1+1&gt;2 is called synergy which can be split into operating synergy, management synergy and financial synergy that will enhance the coordination internally and attain extra market segments externally. Secondly, as the asymmetry of information, overestimates of valuation may generate unsuccessful M&amp;A, for the goodwill is intangible and easy to be overvalued. Thirdly, the cultural difference in region, belief and corporate experience will impact on the M&amp;A positively or negatively, for the uncertainty of cultural differences will increase the difficulty but also the opportunity in M&amp;A. Lastly, different target company in different regions with different strategies might cause different results. In fact, the 4 determinants have internal relation. The enterprises used to prefer to expand the market or the scale in the industry by vertical M&amp;A and horizonal M&amp;A, but nowadays they tend to make a technical acquisition.

The Importance of Listening and Speaking in a Successful English Language Acquisition in Classrooms: Moroccan EFL Classrooms as a Case Study

The Importance of Listening and Speaking in a Successful English Language Acquisition in Classrooms: Moroccan EFL Classrooms as a Case Study

Unlocking biodiversity awareness: influential factors on bird species knowledge and the links with environmental attitudes and connectedness to nature.

ABSTRACT In the face of accelerating biodiversity loss, there is a need for widespread public support for conservation efforts. To increase the understanding of biodiversity issues, researchers suggest beginning with the acquisition of species knowledge. However, to optimally support the successful acquisition of species knowledge, influencing factors must first be identified. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the relationship between species knowledge, environmental attitudes, and connection to nature, as well as individual variables such as interest, perception, and animal-related activities. Species knowledge was assessed using 50 bird species. A total of 3438 German participants were asked to identify these species in an online survey. Structural equation modelling results indicated that interest in birds and involvement in animal-related activities positively influenced species knowledge. Surprisingly, the perception of birds negatively affected species knowledge, highlighting the complexity of personal biases in environmental education. While connectedness to nature doesn’t directly influence bird knowledge, it emerges as a strong predictor of pro-environmental attitudes. Therefore, promoting species knowledge by stimulating interest and involvement in animal-related activities is essential for raising awareness of biodiversity conservation. Furthermore, connecting people with nature helps to foster pro-environmental attitudes, leading to a more sustainable and eco-centric future.

Do student teachers experience self-worth threats in computational thinking?

TheoryThe successful implementation of computational thinking into primary schools requires that primary school teachers feel safe and confident in teaching this topic to young learners. However, many student teachers face low expectancy of success and heightened anxiety towards computational thinking. Self-worth theory suggests that this may lead to a self-worth threat and in consequence to engagement in self-protective behaviours, hampering the successful acquisition of skills needed to implement computational thinking into their future classrooms. AimsThis study aims to investigate potential self-worth threats as amplifiers of student teachers’ resistance to engage in computational thinking. Method323 student teachers participated in the study. Participants filled out a questionnaire on expectancy of success and anxiety towards computational thinking, and rated how likely they were to engage in self-protective behaviours, i.e., self-handicapping, avoiding novelty, and academic cheating, when learning about computational thinking at the start of the semester. ResultsStudents showed heightened levels of anxiety and low levels of expectancy towards computational thinking. Further, they reported that they would be likely to engage in self-protective behaviours. A structural equation model showed that anxiety towards computational thinking was positively related to self-protective behaviours. Moreover, expectancy had a negative indirect effect via anxiety towards computational thinking on self-protective behaviours. DiscussionStudent teachers might experience self-worth threats when learning about computational thinking and engage in self-protective behaviours that might hamper their success. Our findings caution the impact of possible self-worth threats on teaching methods, thus influencing children's learning in the 21st century.

Perspectives on ESL Acquisition for Adult Learners in Romania

The present paper aims at catching a glimpse of the process of second language learning and acquisition among adult learners in Romania. When talking about adult learners, the focused age group comprises individuals over 24 years old who are no longer enrolled in any type of educational system. On the contrary, they already have jobs, families and lead a busy life. The paper comprises four parts – the introduction presents some factors, like age, psychological and environmental components, which interact in the process of successful language acquisition. The second part discusses motivation which has a pivotal role in the process of language acquisition while in the next part some difficulties Romanian adult learners face when learning English are presented. The paper ends with conclusions, emphasizing that the process of second language acquisition is not at all a simple one, it is a bouquet of factors which influences the final result.

Enhanced oxygen evolution reaction by modulating the electronic states of a flexible van der Waals membranous catalyst with infinite-layer phase

The precise stoichiometry and lattice ordering of perovskite transition metal oxide (TMO) thin films enable the atomic-level catalytic mechanisms in the process of oxygen evolution reaction (OER), accordingly facilitating the creation and refinement potentially effective catalysts. Nevertheless, the fundamental understanding of the interaction between the electronic and structural properties of infinite-layer structured electrocatalysts, as well as their catalytic efficiency, remains lacking. Herein, the successful acquisition of the membranous LaNiO2 catalysts with infinite-layer phase were achieved via topological reconstruction. Subsequent electrochemical testing revealed a decrease in the OER performance of nickelate after reduction, attributed to the diminished bonding strength between catalyst and oxygen intermediates. Given these unexpected findings, this study aimed to leverage surface strains to manipulate electronic states, thereby modulating the OER performance of LaNiO2. Applying either compressive or tensile strains to LaNiO2 enabled the restoration of its performance to pre-reduction levels induced by hydrogen, owing to the reinforced bond strength between catalyst and oxygen intermediates. This research provides both experimental evidence and theoretical guidance for understanding the importance of defect and stress engineering in OER, offering valuable insights for improving OER performance in flexible nano-membranous electrocatalysts with infinite-layer phase for practical applications.

Identification of material by X-ray fluorescence analysis with a pyroelectric X-ray generator

By changing the temperature of Lithium Tantalate (LiTaO3) single crystal at moderate vacuum conditions leads to generation of strong electric field. The uncompensated polarization during the heating or cooling of the crystal causes the ejection of electrons from either the dielectric layer on the surface of the crystal or from a metal target depending on the polarity. The electrons are accelerated and gain energy of up to 100 keV. The energy of these electrons can be determined by measuring the end-point energy of the X-ray spectrum that resulted from the electron interactions with the target. The conception of a pyroelectric accelerator enabled us to develop compact (portable) electron source, which does not require an external high-voltage and the use of hazardous materials. The compact and portable nature of pyroelectric-driven particle sources holds significant promise for applications in materials science, particularly for materials analysis methodologies. The research demonstrates the feasibility of utilizing the X-ray signal generated by irradiation with electrons to identify elements in each sample. It is revealed that employing only the electron beam enables the successful acquisition of quantitative information regarding the sample structure through pyroelectric driven PD-PIXE analysis. These findings set the stage for the development of a compact and versatile apparatus for elemental analysis of materials based on a pyroelectric source.

Direct (D)-Wave Monitoring Enhancement With Subdural Electrode Placement: A Case Series.

Direct-wave (D-wave) neuromonitoring is a direct measure of corticospinal tract integrity that detects potential injury during spinal cord surgery. Epidural placement of electrodes used for D-wave measurements can result in high electrical impedances resulting in substantial signal noise that can compromise signal interpretation. Subdural electrode placement may offer a solution. Medical records for consecutive patients with epidural and subdural D-wave monitoring were reviewed. Demographic and clinical information including preoperative and postoperative motor strength were recorded. Neuromonitoring charts were reviewed to characterize impedances and signal amplitudes of D-waves recorded epidurally (before durotomy) and subdurally (following durotomy). Nonparametric statistics were used to compare epidural and subdural D-waves. Ten patients (50% women, median age 50.5 years) were analyzed, of which five patients (50%) were functionally independent (modified McCormick grade ≤ II) preoperatively. D-waves were successfully acquired by subdural electrodes in eight cases and by epidural electrodes in three cases. Subdural electrode placement was associated with lower impedance values ( P = 0.011) and a higher baseline D-wave amplitude ( P = 0.007) relative to epidural placement. No association was observed between D-wave obtainability and functional status, and no adverse events relating to subdural electrode placement were encountered. Subdural electrode placement allows successful D-wave acquisition with accurate monitoring, clearer waveforms, and a more optimal signal-to-noise ratio relative to epidural placement. For spinal surgeries where access to the subdural compartment is technically safe and feasible, surgeons should consider subdural placement when monitoring D-waves to optimize clinical interpretation.