Application-oriented Research Research Articles

Investigation into the physical characteristics of the compounds XBiSe2 (X = Li, Na or K).

As new materials, the ternary chalcogenides have recently brought scientists' attention. These materials are a novel class of semiconducting chemical compounds. They allow the increase of the photo-conversion efficiency, the performance, and the cheap energy cost. Such materials also provide a wide range of physical and chemical applications. The used investigation employs Density Functional Theory (DFT) implemented in the Wien2k package to systematically characterize the physical properties of ternary chalcogenide compounds XBiSe2 (X = Li, Na and K). Such method emphasizes their applicability to energy conversion technologies. Scrutinizing their electronic, optical, and thermoelectric properties elucidates the effect of alkali metal substitution on performance metrics. The results not only advance knowledge of these materials' physicochemical behaviors but also reveal their potential for tailored functionalization in next-generation energy and optoelectronic systems, marking a significant stride in material science and application-oriented research.

A risk model for occupational noise-induced hearing loss in workers.

Occupational hearing loss is one of the most common work-related diseases with various risk factors and considerable negative impacts on both physical and mental well-being of affected workers. Occupational noise-induced hearing loss (ONIHL) has a complex interaction with personal, environmental and occupational factors. This study aimed to develop a risk model for ONIHL in workers by identifying risk factors and their interactions. The subjects were 605 males in an industrial factory in Arak, Iran. The study took place between 2022 and 2023. The sociodemographic and occupational characteristics were collected by a health technician using questionnaires and medical records. Hearing status was assessed using audiometry by a qualified audiologist. Hearing loss was analyzed by univariate logistic analysis including age, smoking, medical history, type of occupation, and some workplace hazards. The risk model was generated by logistic regression. Hearing loss in the participants was 44.13% (n = 267). In univariate logistic analysis, age (OR: 2.93,95% CI: 1.848-4.656), smoking (OR: 1.80, 95% CI: 1.224-2.655), work experience (OR: 1.06, 95% CI: 1.016-1.107), previous exposure to noise (OR: 1.60, 95% CI: 1.112-2.312) or vibration (OR: 1.68, 95% CI: 1.150-2.475) and type of occupation (OR: 2.126, 95% CI: 1.055-4.285) were associated with an increased risk of ONIHL (P < 0.05). It was found that vibration exposure, work experience, previous noise exposure, type of occupation as well as age and smoking significantly affected the likelihood of developing ONIHL. This risk model could help management to prevent ONIHL and enhance application-oriented research on the condition.

Supramolecular Logic Gates Based on the Conjugates of Calixarenes and Carbohydrates.

In the era of application-oriented research, laboratory to real life translation is highly regarded and in great demand. This could mean that molecular science developed for sensing and detecting a variety of chemical species awaits conversion to devices. In that, the molecular logic gates are the most promising ones where the information storage and/or data processing can be easily carried out in terms of molecular inputs and electrical response outputs. This would facilitate the simultaneous execution of a diverse array of molecular sensing functions. The recent progress in molecular logic gates based on supramolecular optical receptors, in particular, fluorescent ones, such as calixarene derivatives and carbohydrate conjugates will have a transformative impact on molecular devices and will encourage this science to yield technology. Therefore, this review provides a critical evaluation of recent publications on molecular logic gates based on the derivatives of calixarenes and glyco-conjugates, including several from our own research group, with the view that the corresponding applications are a beneficiary in laboratory-to-device translation. In addition, this review is also expected to assist young researchers in planning their research focus in the broad area of supramolecular-based logic gates targeting some specific applications.

Application-Driven High-Thermal-Conductivity Polymer Nanocomposites.

Polymer nanocomposites combine the merits of polymer matrices and the unusual effects of nanoscale reinforcements and have been recognized as important members of the material family. Being a fundamental material property, thermal conductivity directly affects the molding and processing of materials as well as the design and performance of devices and systems. Polymer nanocomposites have been used in numerous industrial fields; thus, high demands are placed on the thermal conductivity feature of polymer nanocomposites. In this Perspective, we first provide roadmaps for the development of polymer nanocomposites with isotropic, in-plane, and through-plane high thermal conductivities, demonstrating the great effect of nanoscale reinforcements on thermal conductivity enhancement of polymer nanocomposites. Then the significance of the thermal conductivity of polymer nanocomposites in different application fields, including wearable electronics, thermal interface materials, battery thermal management, dielectric capacitors, electrical equipment, solar thermal energy storage, biomedical applications, carbon dioxide capture, and radiative cooling, are highlighted. In future research, we should continue to focus on methods that can further improve the thermal conductivity of polymer nanocomposites. On the other hand, we should pay more attention to the synergistic improvement of the thermal conductivity and other properties of polymer nanocomposites. Emerging polymer nanocomposites with high thermal conductivity should be based on application-oriented research.

SAMSax—An Innovative Living Lab for the Advancement of a Circular Economy through Additive Manufacturing Technologies

The sustainable development of products is of great interest to both industry and consumers due to various factors, such as anthropogenic climate change and the scarcity of resources and materials. In response to this, the simul+ Living Lab Sustainable Additive Manufacturing in Saxony (SAMSax) has been established as a physical experimental space aimed at improving the sustainability of products. This includes selecting resource-efficient manufacturing processes, using renewable materials, reducing energy consumption during use, and designing for recyclability. The innovative approach of the lab also integrates an open innovation process, involving present and potential stakeholders. Collaborating closely with stakeholders from industry, academia, and government fosters idea generation, provides solution approaches, and enhances acceptance and practical implementation. Methodologically, SAMSax focuses on upcycling organic and inorganic residues as well as by-products from industry and agriculture, reintegrating them as innovative components in industrial production using additive manufacturing (“3D printing”). The Living Lab provides a space for networking and active knowledge transfer through digital technologies, analyses, and collaborative developments, enabling the testing and evaluation of innovations in a real-world environment. Several potential waste materials suitable for additive manufacturing and new products have already been identified. In addition to industrial residues, materials, such as paper and wood dust; industrial by-products, such as sand; and agricultural residues, like harvest residues, are being analyzed, processed, and tested using additive manufacturing in the laboratory. In this way, SAMSax can contribute to an integrated and consistent circular economy. The research aims to demonstrate that the SAMSax Living Lab is a crucial driver of innovation in the field of additive manufacturing. Furthermore, this study contributes by presenting the Living Lab as an application-oriented research environment, focusing on innovative implementation in small- and medium-sized enterprises.

Performance Evaluation of Lecturers in Applied Universities in Shaanxi Province: Systematic Literature Review

This study addresses the development of lecturers’ performance evaluation system specifically designed for applied universities. It analyzes the existing lecturer’s performance evaluation system in applied universities in Shaanxi Province and highlights several problems based on facts. The current lecturer performance evaluation system in applied universities is very similar to the system used in research universities, and it is found not suitable for the special requirements of applied universities. The indicators used in the performance evaluation system suffer from problems such as excessive quantification, imperfection, rigidity, and dogmas that lack scientific rigor in practical application. Through the literature, the study found that there are not many researches on applied universities. However, the existing research lacks the following three parts. First, there is a lack of performance evaluation policies for applied university lecturers. Second, the performance evaluation indicators are not in line with the talent training goal of applied university. Third, as a feature of application-oriented undergraduate social service research is also very few. Based on this, the main objective of this study is to develop a performance evaluation system for applied university lecturers, taking into account the educational objectives and characteristics of applied university. In this study, semi-structured interviews are used to collect data from research participants to understand the existing performance evaluation system of applied university lecturers from different perspectives and how they think it can be improved. Then form an applied university lecturer performance evaluation system.

Protonation-mediated DNA tile self-assembly with nuclease resistance characteristic for signal-amplified detection of microRNAs

DNA nanotechnology, developing rapidly in recent years, has unprecedented superiorities in biological application-oriented research including high programmability, convenient functionalization, reconfigurable structure, and intrinsic biocompatibility. However, the susceptibility to nucleases in the physiological environment has been an obstacle to applying DNA nanostructures in biological science research. In this study, a new DNA self-assembly strategy, mediated by double-protonated small molecules instead of classical metal ions, is developed to enhance the nuclease resistance of DNA nanostructures while retaining their integrality and functionality, and the relative application has been launched in the detection of microRNAs (miRNAs). Faced with low-abundance miRNAs, we integrate hybrid chain reaction (HCR) with DNA self-assembly in the presence of double-protonated small molecules to construct a chemiluminescence detection platform with nuclease resistance, which utilizes the significant difference of molecular weight between DNA arrays and false-positive products to effectively separate of reaction products and remove the detection background. This strategy attaches importance to the nucleic acid stability during the assay process via improving nuclease resistance while rendering the detection results for miRNAs more authentic and reliable, opening our eyes to more possibilities for the multiple applications of customized DNA nanostructures in biology, including bioassay, bioimaging, drug delivery, and cell modulation.

Development Competencies of Junior Middle School Physical Education Teachers in Dongguan City

Background and aim: Based on the importance that the party and the country attach to school work; Dongguan's junior middle school physical education teachers shoulder a key role in connecting the past and the next. It is necessary to improve the competencies of Dongguan's junior middle school physical education teachers. Methods and processes: This is application-oriented research. The number of participants in this study was 28 experts. The research process is as follows: (1) Collect relevant literature and materials and draft the "Indicator System for the Competency Development of Junior Middle School Physical Education Teachers in Dongguan City"; (2) Two rounds of Delphi surveys involving 19 experts; (3) 9 experts participate in the appreciation of the indicator system. Result: 1) The positive coefficient of expert participation in the research is close to 90%&gt;70%, Cr ≥ 0.7, the average score of expert opinion exceeds 4 points and exceeds 90%, 0 &lt; W &lt; 1, P&lt;0.05, indicating that experts assume reliability. 2) In the first round of the expert’s questionnaire, the Mean of B11, C26, C28, C33, and C40 is &lt; 3.5, CV &gt; 0.25, and these indicators are deleted. The Mean of the remaining indicators is&gt; 3.5, CV &lt; 0.25, so the remaining indicators are retained.3) In the second round of the expert’s questionnaire, The Mean of all indicators is&gt; 3.5, CV &lt; 0.25, so all the indicators are retained. Conclusion: The study constructed a competencies development index system for junior middle school physical education teachers in Dongguan City, including three dimensions: values, physical education ethics, and key competencies, with a total of 52 indicators.

A Hanbury Brown and Twiss renascence: measurement of photon correlations yields spatio-temporal coherence

Investigations of photon correlations similar to the Hanbury Brown and Twiss experiment are since the advent of quantum optics in the center of both fundamental and application-oriented research. We derive a factorial moment-generating function of the probability distribution of electromagnetic radiation emitted by a source and absorbed by a photodetector from which we calculate an analytical expression for the second-order correlation coefficient g^{(2)} which reflects spatial coherence properties of the emitted light. The measurement of g^{(2)} thus allows to retrieve the spatial coherence parameter of the light source in terms of the combination of source area, source-detector distance, wavelength and detector area. The validity of the concept is proven by investigating g^{(2)} of true thermal light from a Xenon arc lamp and from the sun for various detector areas, in excellent agreement with the theory. Finally, we suggest a novel scheme for determining light source diameters by exploiting the spatially dependent statistics and confirm its validity by exemplary calculations. These results based on radiation thermodynamics and photon statistics give fresh insight into quantum optical properties of classical light sources, photon correlations and photodetection with promising applications perspectives, more than 68 years after the original Hanbury Brown and Twiss experiment.

Experiences in the application of logic models in the context of workplace health promotion – A focus group discussion

Gathering evidence on complex workplace health promotion interventions faces methodological challenges. Therefore, the application of logic models as a theory of change is recommended to support outcome and process evaluations. The present study explores challenges and opportunities of applying logic models in application-oriented intervention research on workplace health promotion. A focus group (n = 6), consisting of scientists and workplace health promotion practitioners, was conducted using a semi-structured interview guide. The recorded qualitative data were transcribed and analysed using the structuring content analysis method. According to the focus group, logic models provide several opportunities for planning and evaluating complex workplace health promotion interventions. Logic models support the communication between science and practice, and have benefits for the provider of workplace health promotion interventions. The main challenges in working with logic models were dealing with the complex and constantly developing intervention and with the derivation and implementation of reasonable evaluation methods. The focus group exposed repeated application and a shared understanding between stakeholders as facilitators for working with logic models. In conclusion, at the science-practice interface, logic models could enhance the integrative understanding and the further development of evidence-based workplace health promotion.

A Systematic Review of INGARCH Models for Integer-Valued Time Series.

Count time series are widely available in fields such as epidemiology, finance, meteorology, and sports, and thus there is a growing demand for both methodological and application-oriented research on such data. This paper reviews recent developments in integer-valued generalized autoregressive conditional heteroscedasticity (INGARCH) models over the past five years, focusing on data types including unbounded non-negative counts, bounded non-negative counts, Z-valued time series and multivariate counts. For each type of data, our review follows the three main lines of model innovation, methodological development, and expansion of application areas. We attempt to summarize the recent methodological developments of INGARCH models for each data type for the integration of the whole INGARCH modeling field and suggest some potential research topics.

Comparative genomics and transcriptomics insight into myxobacterial metabolism potentials and multiple predatory strategies.

Myxobacteria are part of the phylum Myxococcota, encompassing four orders. Most of them display complex lifestyles and broad predation profiles. However, metabolic potential and predation mechanisms of different myxobacteria remains poorly understood. Herein, we used comparative genomics and transcriptomics to analyze metabolic potentials and differentially expressed gene (DEG) profiles of Myxococcus xanthus monoculture (Mx) compared to coculture with Escherichia coli (MxE) and Micrococcus luteus (MxM) prey. The results showed that myxobacteria had conspicuous metabolic deficiencies, various protein secretion systems (PSSs) and the common type II secretion system (T2SS). RNA-seq data demonstrated that M. xanthus overexpressed the potential predation DEGs, particularly those encoding T2SS, the tight adherence (Tad) pilus, different secondary metabolites (myxochelin A/B, myxoprincomide, myxovirescin A1, geosmin and myxalamide), glycosyl transferases and peptidase during predation. Furthermore, the myxalamide biosynthesis gene clusters, two hypothetical gene clusters and one arginine biosynthesis clusters were highly differential expressed in MxE versus MxM. Additionally, homologue proteins of the Tad (kil) system and five secondary metabolites were in different obligate or facultative predators. Finally, we provided a working model for exhibiting multiple predatory strategies when M. xanthus prey on M. luteus and E. coli. These results might spur application-oriented research on the development of novel antibacterial strategies.

A CiteSpace-based Overview of Hot Topics in Chinese Linguistics Research (2011-2021)

This paper retrieves the keywords of “linguistics and counts the relevant articles of Modern Foreign Languages in the past ten years from the database of China Knowledge Network (CNKI) and analyzes the keywords by using CiteSpace, a visualization software. Based on the visualization analysis, it can be found that linguistics research in China has basically formed a development trend of application-oriented research and interdisciplinary intersectional research in the past ten years, among which applied linguistics, systemic functional linguistics, foreign language teaching and cognitive linguistics are the main research hotspots in the field of linguistics in China in the past ten years.

The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Innovation

The current economy's efficiency may be greatly improved by artificial intelligence. We distinguish between automation-oriented applications like robotics and the potential for recent developments in "deep learning" to serve as a general-purpose method of invention, finding strong evidence of a "shift" in the importance of application-oriented learning research since 2009. However, it may have an even larger impact by serving as a new general-purpose "method of invention" that can reshape the nature of the innovation process and the organization of R&amp;D. We suggest that this will likely result in a significant shift away from routine, labor-intensive research and toward research that makes use of the interaction between improved prediction algorithms and passively generated large datasets. In addition, strong incentives for specific businesses to acquire and control crucial large datasets and application-specific algorithms will likely usher in a period of racing as a result of the potential commercial rewards of mastering this method of research. We suggest that in the future, policies that promote transparency and the sharing of core datasets between public and private actors may be essential for boosting research productivity and encouraging innovation-oriented competition.

BUILDING DATABASE IN BALANCING KNITTED GARMENT LINES SOFTWARE IN INDUSTRY

The garment industry is one of the key industries contributing to the economic growth of Vietnam. Industry 4.0 has significantly altered the operational procedures of conventional enterprises. The implementation of technological, digital, and artificial intelligence applications has increased the global efficacy of corporate governance. To successfully assimilate into the regional and global economies, Vietnamese businesses must enhance their management capabilities and maximize both the quantity and quality of their products. In order to achieve this objective, the authors have conducted research to develop a database of sewing line balancing implemented in Assembly Line Balancing software for two common knitted products, namely Polo- Shirts, and T-Shirts. School of Textile-Leather and Fashion, Hanoi University of Science and Technology (HUST) methods compared and evaluated this result of sewing line balancing of 2 Polo-Shirt and T-Shirt products according to the manual, software, and actual calculation method at 3 enterprises: Star Fashion Company Ltd., Regent Garment Factory Ltd., and Hanoi General Textile Garment Joint Stock Company (Hanosimex). Since then, we have completed the sewing line balancing database for Polo-Shirt and T-Shirt products to row sewing lines for cases in which the path of semi-finished products is both straight and zigzag. The findings of this study can be applied to group conjugation lines and suspended lines transporting semifinished goods. The database has been constructed meticulously and standardized to ensure the diversity, richness, and universality of all product technology structure options applicable to garment companies. The database is utilized in the Assembly Line Balancing software developed by the research team; this is an application-oriented research product that will transfer technology to garment enterprises producing knitwear, assisting them in overcoming current challenges. Reasonable production line layout contributes to optimizing existing production conditions, increasing labor productivity and the efficiency of production organization, and laying the groundwork for the application of digital technology.

Morphology Control of PbZrxTi1-xO3 Crystallites under Alkaline Hydrothermal Conditions

Outstanding ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties of PbZrxTi1-xO3 (PZT) make nano and sub-micrometer particles of this material interesting for future nanotechnological applications as well as for fundamental studies of ferroelectricity at the nanoscale. In the present work, the prospects of a new hydrothermal approach were explored to control the particle size, aggregation stage, and composition of the PZT with the target composition of Zr/Ti = 60/40 (x = 0.6). Starting with water-soluble Zr-, Ti-, and Pb-precursors, the PZT formation was examined in the broad base (KOH) concentration range. The PZT particle size and composition were governed by the ratio of KOH with respect to Pb and not by the absolute KOH concentration (cKOH). The incorporation of Zr into the PZT perovskite phase began to decline at KOH:Pb ≤ 1.7 and at KOH:Pb &gt; 20. In the concentration range of 20 ≥ KOH:Pb &gt; 1.5, the PZT particles adopted a cube-like shape, the size of which decreased with a decrease in the KOH:Pb ratio. The smallest (&lt;200 nm) and well-separated PZT particles were obtained at KOH:Pb = 1.7. The prevailing PZT crystal structure at a Zr/Ti composition of around 60/40 was rhombohedral; the tetragonal phase also began to appear in Ti-richer PZT compositions (Zr/Ti ≤ 50/50). The developed understanding established the basis for further tailoring of PZT particle morphologies for application-oriented or fundamental research.

Analysis of the Application of Deep Learning in Model Reconstruction of Ancient Buildings

With the rapid development of interactive 3D graphics technology, as well as the growing demand for virtual reality, digital urbanization and digital cultural heritage protection and time-consuming and inefficient traditional artificial building modeling methods have been far from meeting the rapid and intelligent needs of the application market and automatic. Architectural modeling methods have been paid more and more attention. Architectural modeling is an application-oriented comprehensive research field. According to different application scenarios, its research methods cover many technical fields and disciplines. This paper introduces a method of modeling ancient buildings using depth image estimation, spherical projection mapping, 3D adversarial generation network, and other techniques. The characteristics of architectural modeling methods are discussed from different disciplinary and technical perspectives. Second, the three major schools of architectural modeling technology, mainly the process modeling method, image modeling method, and point cloud modeling method, as well as the inverse process modeling method, which has attracted much attention and challenges in recent years, are summarized in detail. Then, the problem of building modeling is discussed. The problems and challenges of building modeling technology are analyzed, and the future development trend is predicted.

High-pressure materials synthesis - A guideline for the discovery of advanced ceramic nitrides

High-pressure synthesis routes enable the access to a broad variety of novel nitride-based materials with properties far beyond that of the state of the art. The ultimate goal of our studies is to advance the knowledge and understanding of inorganic nitrides, oxynitrides and nitride-based (nano)composites synthesized under high-pressure and high temperature conditions. The discovery of novel nitrides will open space for new fundamental materials science studies on the one hand and application-oriented research on the other hand. Our research is part of the materials driven technology, which is an essential requirement for the future demands with respect to the development of new technologies. Binary, ternary and multinary nitrides or oxynitrides are in the focus of our studies. Theoretical predictions of novel metal or non-metal nitride solid-state structures guide the experimental studies. The use of a large volume press allows to produce new materials in amounts suitable for further mechanical and functional characterization. Molecular single source precursors are synthesized and transformed to inorganic solid nitrides as starting materials. Special emphasis is placed on (i) fundamental questions regarding pressure-temperature phase relations, (ii) nitrides, which have been predicted but not synthesized yet, and (iii) nitride-based (nano)composites which combine at least two binary high-pressure phases in one material. The novel nitrides are evaluated in terms of their challenging and technologically relevant properties including (i) thermodynamic stability/metastability and (ii) structural (hardness) as well as functional (optoelectronic) properties. Finally, our research contributes to extend the “Nitride World” and to deliver perspective materials based on the inorganic nitride family with advanced functionality and exceptional levels of performance for application in the key technologies of the 21st century.

Experiences with Innovation Fund healthcare models in primary care: aqualitative study amongst German general practitioners.

The Innovation Fund was set up in 2015 with the aim of improving medical care in the German statutory health insurance system. Primary care needs to be involved in testing interventions and new forms of care for effectiveness and inclusion in standard care. There has so far been hardly any research on how far Innovation Fund models accommodate the primary care setting, or on the experience general practitioners have had with these models. Between September 2021 and January 2022, 36semi-standardized individual interviews were performed with general practitioners who had already participated in Innovation Fund projects. Eleven regional physician networks in Rhineland-Palatinate, Hesse, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Schleswig-Holstein were involved in the recruitment process. Most of the interviewees associated the Innovation Fund with potential and opportunity including intensification of application-oriented healthcare research, independent financing, and general healthcare involvement. Even so, many general practitioners were unsure as to how far primary care in particular would stand to benefit from the Innovation Fund in the long term. Amostly positive balance was drawn from participation in care models-benefit of intervention as well as cost-benefit ratio. However, some also reported hurdles and stress factors such as documentation requirements and disruption in everyday office routine. Innovation Fund projects will need to be suitable for general practitioners especially regarding medical decision-making leeway, limits to documentation requirements, preserving established office routine, greater involvement in research planning, and improvements to the primary care setting to encourage willingness to participate in Innovation Fund projects amongst general practitioners.

Zwischen rechtlichen Vorgaben, Forschung und praktischer Anwendung – zur Bewertung von Siedlungsflächen im Flächennutzungsplan

The paper analyses the municipal assessment practice for the selection of settlement areas in preparatory land-use planning displays the influence of research results on current planning practice. Based on an analysis of the state of research and the legal framework conditions, the assessment of potential settlement areas for 29 preparatory land-use plans has been analysed. As a result, it was determined that the number of selection criteria and the complexity of the assessment in planning practice has increased significantly in recent years. Furthermore, it became obvious that and to what extend the planning methodology and the criteria applied to select settlement areas differ substantially between the municipalities. Despite extensive application-oriented research in recent years on the assessment and selection of settlement areas, only indirect influences of the research on planning practice can be identified. Nevertheless, the analyses revealed that municipality themselves also created new criteria and procedures.