Preferential Formation Research Articles

Probing the micro-mechanism of precipitate-strengthened alloys with precipitate free zone: An experimental and theoretical study

Precipitate free zone (PFZ) consistently forms near the grain boundaries (GBs) in precipitate-strengthened alloys, significantly weakening the materials because of their intrinsic softness compared to the bulk. However, the influence of PFZ near GBs on deformation mechanism remains largely unrevealed. Here, we systematically investigate the effects of PFZ on the macroscopic mechanical behavior and the microstructure deformation mechanism of the modelled precipitate-strengthened Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy, using a combination approach of experiments, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, and theoretical modeling. Four Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloys with highly different PFZ widths are prepared by tailoring the quenching media and applying the new deformation heat- treatment process proposed by us. Experimental characterizations demonstrate that severe dislocation accumulation occurs at the interface between PFZ and bulk. Meanwhile, MD simulations further reveal that PFZ is prone to plastic deformation during tensile process, contributing to the softening of materials. The PFZ exhibits significant strain concentration, leading to the preferential formation of dislocations within PFZ rather than at GBs. It is found that the level of strain concentration and the degree of dislocation accumulation are not sensitive to the PFZ width. Based on these mechanisms, a PFZ-dependent strength model is developed to quantitatively evaluate the influence of PFZ on tensile strength by considering dynamic strengthening of PFZ. It is predicted that an increase in PFZ width greatly reduces the tensile strength, with a 21 % reduction observed when PFZ width reaches 268 nm, emphasizing the important impact of PFZ width on materials strength.

Protective silicide coating fabricated on ductile VNbTa refractory complex concentrated alloy: Microstructure, high-temperature oxidation and wear behaviors

VNbTa refractory complex concentrated alloy (RCCA) possesses broad application prospects in a wide temperature window owing to its remarkable strength-ductility synergy and super rolling formability, whereas poor oxidation resistance will give rise to excessive wear above 800 ℃. In this contribution, we aim to fabricate a protective silicide coating on VNbTa RCCA for the purposes of enhancing high-temperature oxidation as well as wear resistance. Microstructural characterizations revealed that a uniform and intact coating was obtained under the optimized processing condition of pack cementation. The coating is mainly composed of a single-phase (VNbTa)Si2, along with a thin M5Si3-type interdiffusion zone. Compared with bare alloy, the coated specimens exhibit remarkable oxidation resistance at 1000 ℃ due to the preferential formation of protective SiO2 scale. Meanwhile, the coated specimens maintain desirable wear resistance from 800 ℃ to 1000 ℃. The results of this study would offer a valuable reference to expedite the future engineering applications of RCCAs.

Cs2CO3-Promoted Alkylation of 3-Cyano-2(1H)-Pyridones: Anticancer Evaluation and Molecular Docking.

Herein, a Cs2CO3-promoted N-alkylation of 3-cyano-2(1H)-pyridones containing alkyl groups with diverse alkyl halides to synthesize N-alkyl-2-pyridones over O-alkylpyridines is reported. The use of alkyl dihalides resulted in complex mixtures of N- and O-alkylated products. The primary factor influencing regioselectivity in these reactions is the electronic effects of substituents on the 2(1H)-pyridone ring, as evidenced by the preferential formation of O-alkylpyridines upon the introduction of aryl groups. Remarkably, we efficiently employed CuAAC and Ti(Oi-Pr)4-catalyzed amidation reactions to functionalize N-alkyl-2-pyridones containing propargyl and ester groups, leading to the synthesis of 1,2,3-triazoles and amides, respectively. Moreover, O-alkylpyridines 10 b and 10 d displayed remarkable selectivity toward the A-498 renal cancer cell line with growth inhibition percentages (%GI) of 54.75 and 67.64, respectively. The binding modes of compounds 10 b and 10 d to the PIM-1 kinase enzyme were determined through molecular docking studies.

Are economic preferences shaped by the family context? The relation of birth order and siblings’ gender composition to economic preferences

The formation of economic preferences in childhood and adolescence has long-term consequences for life outcomes. We study in an experiment how both birth order and siblings’ gender composition are related to risk, time, and social preferences. We find that second-born children are typically less patient, more risk-tolerant, and more trusting. However, siblings’ gender composition interacts importantly with birth order effects. Second-born children are more risk-taking only with same-gender siblings. In mixed-gender environments, children seem to identify with the gender stereotype that boys are much more willing to take risks than girls, irrespective of birth order. For trust and trustworthiness, birth order effects are larger with mixed-gender siblings. Only for patience, siblings’ gender composition does not matter.

Forming quality and static properties of self-piercing riveted joints of hot-rolled steel and aluminum alloy sheets

The self-piercing riveting (SPR) Forming and tensile tests of hot-rolled steel sheet BR1200HS and aluminum alloy sheet AA 6082-T6 were simulated by Simufact Forming software. The test results show that the diameter of the rivet leg opening, which is the most important parameter affecting the mechanical properties of the joints, shows a first increase and a second decrease with the increase of rivet length, and the Max. tensile loads of the joints have the same variation law. The larger the diameter of the rivet leg opening, the greater the Max. tensile load of the joint, and the greater the effective plastic strain of the rivet of the joint. The rivet length of the joints in the five preferred SPR formation schemes obtained were all 6.5 mm, and only one scheme had a rivet hardness of H4, the rest were H5. The SPR experiment is used to verify the current finite element simulation data can get the final research conclusion. The finite element simulation (FEM) would greatly reduce the test times of the SPR test, save the test consumables and save the test cost.

Highly Concentrated Asymmetric KTFSI for Aqueous Potassium Ion Batteries

AbstractPotassium imide salt (KCTFSI), featuring cyano (C≡N) and trifluoromethanesulfonyl (TFSI) branches, is reported for the first time as a promising electrolyte for aqueous potassium‐ion batteries (KIBs). In contrast to the limited solubility of symmetric KTFSI (1.5m), asymmetric KCTFSI achieves a high saturation concentration of 32.2m within a “water‐in‐salt” region. Experimental and theoretical studies reveal that the remarkable enhancement of solubility is associated with the asymmetry of CTFSI anions and likely the preferential formation of contact‐ion pairs through C≡N coordination. The 32.2m KCTFSI solution not only extends the electrochemical stability window (3.80 V on Al) but also maintains a liquid state at low temperatures (−15 °C) for an extended period, in sharp contrast to the immediate solidification of potassium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide (KFSI, 30m) and potassium trifluoromethanesulfonate (KOTF, 22m) solutions. Thanks to its wide voltage window and supercooling behavior, KCTFSI demonstrates excellent compatibility with perylene‐3,4,9,10‐tetracarboxylic diimide (PTCDI) anode and KVPO4F (or K2Fe[Fe(CN)6]·2H2O) cathode over a wide temperature range. For instance, full cells of PTCDI/KCTFSI/KVPO4F exhibit reasonable cyclability with an average discharge voltage of 1.7 V over 300 charge/discharge cycles at −15 °C. it is anticipated that this work will inspire new designs of hybrid electrolytes based on CTFSI to advance the realization of viable aqueous KIBs.

Understanding caregiver preferences and technology access to plan improvement of pediatric emergency department discharge instructions.

Approximately 95% of children treated in emergency departments (EDs) in Alberta, Canada, are discharged home. Discharge teaching is an opportunity to provide caregivers with the information that they need to manage their child's condition at home and ensure appropriate follow-up. Our ED lacked a standard discharge instruction process. In preparation for local quality improvement, we sought to understand caregiver preferences regarding discharge instructions by assessing the preferred format, need for translated resources, and ability to effectively access electronic information using a Quick Response (QR) code. This project was completed at a tertiary pediatric ED in Calgary, Alberta in July and August 2021. Caregivers of pediatric patients were invited to complete a survey. Families requiring an interpreter were not eligible; however, this was recorded to estimate translation needs. Survey questions addressed preference of discharge instruction modality (verbal, printed, electronic), primary language spoken at home, ability to use English resources, and ability to use QR codes. Descriptive analyses were performed, and preferences were compared. Of 117 caregivers approached, 104 completed the survey (89%). Caregivers had a strong preference for receiving written discharge instructions, with 98% desiring either electronic or printed resources in addition to verbal instructions. There was a similar likelihood of using printed (75%) versus electronic (79%) resources (p = 0.5). Three percent of families were unable to complete the survey due to a language barrier. Of the 104 participants, 19% noted that their primary language at home was not English but that they would still use English discharge instructions. Eighty percent of participants were able to successfully use the QR code. Caregivers had a strong preference for receiving written discharge instructions, with electronic or paper formats preferred equally. Translated resources will be important for some families. QR codes may be an effective tool for distributing electronic resources to most but not all families.

Towards Building an E-Librarian System: Exploring Recommendation System Preferences Among Ovarian Cancer Patients and Caregivers.

Ovarian cancer (OvCa) patients encounter complex treatment decisions, and often have difficulties in searching and integrating online health information to guide their treatment decision-making. The objective of this study was to explore the preference of online health information among OvCa patients and caregivers, by exploring their preferred content, format, and function features for the design of a personalized recommender system. This study used qualitative research methods to collect data through in-depth interviews with 18 OvCa patients and 2 caregivers. A total of (N=20) face-to-face interviews were conducted, and subsequently analyzed by audio recordings, verbatim transcription, and theory-driven approach with thematic analysis. A total of 5 themes were identified for content-related design, 4 themes identified for system function and one theme identified for frequency format. The results of this study inform the preference and therefore OvCa specific features can be tailor-made in a recommendation system.

Corticotropin-releasing factor and GABA in the ventral tegmental area modulate partner preference formation in male and female prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster).

The mesolimbic reward system is associated with the promotion and rewarding benefits of social relationships. In the socially monogamous prairie vole (Microtus ochrogaster), the establishment of a pair bond can be displayed by a robust preference for a breeding partner and aggressive rejection of unfamiliar conspecifics. Mesolimbic dopamine signaling influences bond-related behaviors within the vole through dopamine transmission and receptor activity in the nucleus accumbens. However, only one experiment has examined how the ventral tegmental area (VTA), a region that produces much of the fore- and mid-brain dopamine, regulates these social behaviors. Specifically, inhibition of either glutamate or GABA neurons in the VTA during a brief courtship promoted a partner preference formation in male prairie voles. The VTA is a heterogeneous structure that contains dopamine, GABA, and glutamate neurons as well as receives a variety of projections including corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) suggested to modulate dopamine release. We used pharmacological manipulation to examine how GABA and CRF signaling in the VTA modulate partner preference formation in male and female prairie voles. Specifically, we used a 3 h partner preference test, a social choice test, to assess the formation of a partner preference following an infused bicuculline and CRF during a 1 h cohabitation and muscimol and CP154526, a CRFR1 antagonist, during a 24 h cohabitation with an opposite-sex conspecific. Our study demonstrated that bicuculline, a GABA A receptor antagonist, and CRF in the VTA promoted a partner preference, whereas low-dose muscimol, a GABA A receptor agonist, and CP154526, a CRFR1 antagonist, inhibited a partner preference in both male and female prairie voles. This study demonstrated that GABA and CRF inputs into the VTA is necessary for the formation of a partner preference in male and female prairie voles.

Manipulating Alkyl Inner Side Chain of Acceptor for Efficient As-Cast Organic Solar Cells.

As-cast organic solar cells (OSCs) possess tremendous potential for low-cost commercial applications. Herein, five small-molecule acceptors (A1-A5) are designed and synthesized by selectively and elaborately extending the alkyl inner side chain flanking on the pyrrole motif to prepare efficient as-cast devices. As the extension of the alkyl chain, the absorption spectra of the films are gradually blue-shifted from A1 to A5 along with slightly uplifted lowest unoccupied molecular orbital energy levels, which is conducive for optimizing the trade-off between short-circuit current density and open-circuit voltage of the devices. Moreover, a longer alkyl chain improves compatibility between the acceptor and donor. The in situ technique clarifies that good compatibility will prolong molecular assembly time and assist in the preferential formation of the donor phase, where the acceptor precipitates in the framework formed by the donor. The corresponding film-formation dynamics facilitate the realization of favorable film morphology with a suitable fibrillar structure, molecular stacking, and vertical phase separation, resulting in an incremental fill factor from A1 to A5-based devices. Consequently, the A3-based as-cast OSCs achieve a top-ranked efficiency of 18.29%. This work proposes an ingenious strategy to manipulate intermolecular interactions and control the film-formation process for constructing high-performance as-cast devices.

Unveiling the GeI2‐Assisted Oriented Growth of Perovskite Crystallite for High‐Performance Flexible Sn Perovskite Solar Cells

Tin perovskites are emerging as promising alternatives to their lead‐based counterparts for high‐performance and flexible perovskite solar cells. However, their rapid crystallization often leads to inadequate film quality and poor device performance. In this study, the role of GeI2 as an additive is investigated for controlling the nucleation and crystallization processes of formamidinium tin triiodide (FASnI3). The findings reveal the preferential formation of a Ge‐rich layer at the bottom of the perovskite film upon the introduction of GeI2. It is proposed that the initial formation of the Ge complex acts as a crystallization regulator, promoting oriented growth of subsequent FASnI3 crystals and enhancing overall crystallinity. Through the incorporation of an optimal amount of GeI2, flexible Sn perovskite solar cells with an efficiency of 10.8% were achieved. Furthermore, it was observed that the GeI2 additive ensures a remarkable shelf‐life for the devices, with the rigid cells retaining 91% of their initial performance after more than 13 800 h of storage in an N2 gas environment. This study elucidates the mechanistic role of GeI2 in regulating the nucleation and crystallization process of tin perovskites, providing valuable insights into the significance of additive engineering for the development of high‐performance flexible tin perovskite solar cells.

A bright Ce-based downshifting luminescence nanoprobe for NIR-IIb vessel imaging

Nanomaterials with unique emission in the second near-infrared window (NIR-II, 1000–1700 nm) are regarded as the promising probes for visualization of tumor vessels and cerebrovascular architecture, because of their superior features such as deep tissue penetration and large imaging resolution. Herein, the new Ce-based fluoride nanoparticles (NPs) with high-efficiency NIR-IIb emission were explored for high-resolution vascular imaging and tumor associated vessel detection. Under the same synthesis conditions, the Ce-based fluoride present the preferential formation CeF3 host and low upconversion (UC) emission, but possess more strong (1.45 times) NIR-IIb downconversion (DC) emission centered at 1525 nm under the irradiation of a 980 nm laser, which is significantly different from the traditional NaYF4:Yb/Er host. Through the efficient cross relaxation between Ce3+ and Er3+, intense NIR-IIb luminescence from Er3+ with high quantum yields were achieved, which make sure the entire mouse body and brain blood vessel imaging with supernal resolution (47.6 μm) were demonstrated. Moreover, the optical imaging in NIR-IIb region guided tumorous vascular visualization was successfully achieved. Therefore, the explored CeF3 NPs with boosting NIR-IIb emission can be employed as new diagnostic bio-probes used in high spatial resolution tumorous vessel detection.

Microscopic growth of pyridinium oxime based amphipathic on graphite: Effect of relative position of substituents

AbstractAmphipathic molecules with surfactant like properties have several applications ranging from healthcare to the chemical industry. Their ability to form thin films on surfaces with ordered and controllable patterns determines their applicability. Here, we report two pyridinium oxime‐based surfactants, which possess similar aggregation properties in solution, but exhibit substantially different assembly on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) surface. The two compounds are regioisomers with the oxime unit placed either in meta or para position of the pyridinium ring. While the para isomer assembled to anisotropic one‐dimensional (1D) islands and long rod‐like structures, the meta isomer formed two‐dimensional (2D) islands on the HOPG surface. This difference is rationalized through molecular level force‐field calculations that show anisotropy in the growth of the para isomer resulting from an effective overlap of the alkyl chains and oxime groups, which is distinctly not feasible in the assembly of the meta isomer. The assembly of these compounds is compared with another oxime‐containing compound of similar structure, but without the charged pyridinium unit. The charged unit seems to be crucial for the preferential formation of multilayer islands even at low coverage.

Preferred knowledge formats in mobile learning in Namibian public universities: a students’ perspective

Purpose The aim of this study is to identify the various knowledge formats suitable for mobile learning in Namibian public universities. Design/methodology/approach Taking a qualitative design, data were collected through focus group interviews of students in two public universities in Namibia. Findings Results suggest that students consume knowledge in various formats, with videos the most preferred format. Furthermore, the results demonstrate that students’ preferences are shaped by various factors such as costs and quantity of information. Research limitations/implications The study was limited to two public Namibian universities. This limited scope, as well as its qualitative nature, means that findings cannot be arbitrarily generalized to other contexts but cardinal as a source of insight in contextually similar environments. Practical implications The findings reveal that teachers should be cognizant of the preferred knowledge formats for mobile learning to achieve its full potential in terms of effective teaching and learning. Therefore, teachers should package learning information for mobile learning in line with learners’ characteristics and preferences. Originality/value There is scant information on knowledge formats suitable for mobile learning. Consequently, this study contributes to the nascent body of knowledge on this important issue. Furthermore, although mobile learning uptake is on the ascendancy in Africa, to the best of our knowledge, no study of this nature has been undertaken in this context thereby leaving knowledge gaps for designers, researchers and practitioners in mobile learning.

P-498 Multicentre two-arm randomised controlled trial of Beyond Fertility: A brief face-to-face psychosocial intervention to promote patients’ healthy adjustment when ending unsuccessful fertility treatment

Abstract Study question Is Beyond Fertility effective in ameliorating the negative impact of ending unsuccessful fertility treatment (EoT) on patients’ quality of life? Summary answer Patients allocated to Beyond Fertility (intervention group) reported higher quality of life six months after EoT than patients allocated to care as usual (control group). What is known already Around four in every ten patients end all IVF/ICSI treatment cycles without achieving a live birth (referred as EoT). Recent mixed-methods research indicates 93.3% of patients want to be prepared for and supported through EoT. Two interventions have been proven to improve the wellbeing of people with an unfulfilled wish for children after they proactively started trying to conceive, but, to our knowledge, no intervention focused on preparing and supporting fertility patients through this experience. Following the Medical Research Council guidelines, we developed Beyond Fertility, a face-to-face psychosocial intervention integrating preventive with early-interventive care to ease patients’ adjustment during EoT. Study design, size, duration Multicentre two-arm parallel-group open-label RCT with 1:1 allocation to intervention (Beyond Fertility) or control (usual mental-healthcare at participating clinics, CaU). Beyond Fertility includes seven therapeutic sessions: one (individual/couple) within one month the last IVF/ICSI cycle (preventive care) and six (individual/couple and group) sessions after EoT (early-interventive care). Participants self-reported on quality-of-life one month before their last reimbursed IVF/ICSI cycle (T1, pre-session 1), two weeks (T2, post-session 1) and six months (T4, post-intervention) after cycle ended. Participants/materials, setting, methods Women patients were consecutively screened and invited to participate with their partners at four public fertility centres in Portugal (Dez 2021-Mar 2023). Inclusion criteria were being adults scheduled to initiate their last reimbursed IVF/ICSI cycle within one month. Primary outcome was quality-of-life, self-reported online with FertiQoL (Melo et al., 2012). Linear-mixed-effect models compared changes in quality-of-life from T1 to T2 and T4 in intervention and control groups. Outcome data were reported for modified intention-to-treat (mITT). Main results and the role of chance From 143 eligible women(90.51% eligibility rate), 74(51.75% consent rate) and 41 partners completed T1 assessment(N=115) and were allocated to Beyond Fertility(n=60) or CaU(n=55). Average age was 38 years. Sixty-four percent were women, 62% had university education, 92% were employed, all were in a heterosexual relationship, and 30% had children. Participants were undergoing treatment for around three years. Fourteen(14.14%) achieved a pregnancy in their last reimbursed IVF/ICSI cycle, 34(34.34%) did not achieve a pregnancy and ended treatment (i.e. faced EoT), and 51(51.52%) did not achieve a pregnancy and continued treatment. Among participants who were allocated to Beyond Fertility and faced EoT, eight(44.44%) withdrew from its early-interventive care mainly due to not accepting the group format, and only four(22.22%) received the full intervention due to practicality issues. Among participants who faced EoT, participation rates for Beyond Fertility and CaU groups were 88.89%(n=16) and 100%(n=16) at T2, and 77.78%(n=14) and 93.75%(n=15) at T4, respectively. Among these participants, those allocated to Beyond Fertility had an estimated mean quality-of-life score around 6 points higher than participants allocated to CaU at T2 (β=6.17, p=0.113) and around 9 points higher (almost one standard deviation above the baseline mean of the total sample) at T4 (β=8.95, p=0.035). Limitations, reasons for caution The trial was not blind, and therefore, response bias cannot be ignored. Attrition was slightly higher in the Beyond Fertility than the CaU group, suggesting that mITT may marginally overestimate the effect of Beyond Fertility. Wider implications of the findings Structured psychosocial care that starts during treatment and continues in its aftermath to support patients who end treatment without achieving pregnancy is effective in ameliorating declines in quality-of-life, suggesting it can ease adjustment during this difficult life transition. Benefits may be maximised by tailoring it to patients’ preferred delivery format. Trial registration number ISRCTN Registry ISRCTN85897617

Selective lithium recovery and regeneration of ternary cathode from spent lithium-ion batteries: Mixed HCl-H2SO4 leaching-spray pyrolysis approach

The recycling of spent lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) is crucial for environmental protection and resource sustainability. However, the economic recovery of spent LIBs remains challenging due to low Li recovery efficiency and the need for multiple separation operations. Here, we propose a process involving mixed HCl-H2SO4 leaching-spray pyrolysis for recycling spent ternary LIBs, achieving both selective Li recovery and the preparation of a ternary oxide precursor. Specifically, the process transforms spent ternary cathode (LiNixCoyMnzO2, NCM) powder into Li2SO4 solution and ternary oxide, which can be directly used for synthesizing battery-grade Li2CO3 and NCM cathode, respectively. Notably, SO42− selectively precipitates with Li+ to form thermostable Li2SO4 during the spray pyrolysis, which substantially improves the Li recovery efficiency by inhibiting Li evaporation and intercalation. Besides, SO2 emissions are avoided by controlling the molar ratio of Li+/SO42− (≥2:1). The mechanism of the preferential formation of Li2SO4 is interpreted from its reverse solubility variation with temperature. During the recycling of spent NCM811, 92% of Li is selectively recovered, and the regenerated NCM811 exhibits excellent cycling stability with a capacity retention of 81.7% after 300 cycles at 1 C. This work offers a simple and robust process for the recycling of spent NCM cathodes.

Heavy Water Microdroplet Surface Enriches the Lighter Isotopologue Impurities.

Water microdroplets promote unusual chemical reactions at the air-water interface. However, the interfacial structure of water microdroplets and its potential influence on chemical processes are still enigmatic. Here, we present evidence of in-droplet fractionation of water isotopologues. Employing a sonic spray, we atomized the heavy water (D2O, 99.9 atom % D) solution of three classes of organic compounds (basic, acidic, and neutral). The analytes were predominantly desorbed from the resulting droplet surface in protonated form rather than deuterated form, as detected by mass spectrometry. This result remained unaltered upon adding formic acid-d2 (DCOOD) to the droplet. Monitoring Dakin oxidation of benzaldehyde at the surface of binary microdroplets composed of 1:1 (v/v) D2O/H218O revealed the preferred formation of phenolate-16O over phenolate-18O. Atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometric analysis of the vapor composition in the sprayed aerosol revealed the preferential evaporation of lighter water isotopologue impurities from the surface of heavy water microdroplets. These results indicate the enrichment of lighter water isotopologue impurities (HOD/H2O) on the surface of heavy water microdroplets, implying possible future developments for water isotopologue fractionation using microdroplets.

Identifying and explaining policy preferences in Swiss water management

Policy preferences are a key element in understanding the policy process. In this article, we conceptualise policy preferences as latent constructs, which can be identified in an inductive way, based on actors’ choice of policy instruments and organisational structures. To inductively identify policy preferences, we take an approach based on principal component analysis, informed by theory on preference formation. Using water supply in Switzerland as a case study, we propose an approach based on policy preference spaces to identify preferences based on clusters of choices. Our results show the presence of three distinct policy preferences: 1) local management with regional support, 2) local autonomy, and 3) strong regional management with local financing autonomy. We investigate the factors affecting the formation of these policy preferences through a regression analysis. Our results indicate that preference formation is affected by actor types and, to a lesser degree, by goal priority. In this way, the article makes two distinct contributions to the field. The first is a methodological contribution, through its proposition for measuring and operationalising policy preferences; and the second is a theoretical contribution, in demonstrating how policy preferences are influenced by actor types and goal priority it highlights the context-dependent nature of policy preferences.

E-learning within the European cystic fibrosis society - A multidisciplinary cross-sectional survey

BackgroundContinuing professional development (CPD) is a component of practice that spans all disciplines within cystic fibrosis (CF). E-learning resources theoretically represent flexible, low cost and time efficient methods of CPD. We aimed to explore European Cystic Fibrosis Society (ECFS) members' and CF health professional communities’ current views, experiences and perceptions of e-learning and the ECFS education platform (ECFS-EP). MethodsAn online cross-sectional survey was developed by the ECFS Education Committee and circulated via the ECFS conference, emails and within the society subgroups between June and September 2023. Results547 responses were received from 58 countries; 57 % of responders were ECFS members. A wide range of specialities were represented from the multidisciplinary team including 36 % clinicians. The majority of respondents (63 %) spent 6 or more hours a week on their professional education. Online platforms were used either weekly (34 %) or monthly (37 %); 54 % of respondents had used the ECFS-EP and this was rated favourably overall, specifically for content quality. Preferred formats for education were articles and medium length (15–30 min) webinars. ConclusionsThis multidisciplinary cohort survey illustrates contemporary practice and opinion relating to e-learning and the ECFS-EP. Strengths include the high number of responses and the wide range of countries and specialities represented. Results suggest the ECFS-EP is valued and highlights priority topics, preferred formats and opportunities to optimise awareness. Results support continued provision and oversight of high quality education via an online platform. Continued success will rely on learning from user experience and feedback to inform future practice.

Some Perceptions Differ, Match Outcomes Do Not: A Multisite Retrospective Cross-Sectional Comparison of Virtual vs. In-Person Recruitment.

Virtual interviewing for residency provides considerable savings. Its impact on match outcomes remains unclear. Evaluate the impact of virtual residency recruitment on program and applicant assessment and match outcomes. Cross-sectional survey, September 2020-July 2021 PARTICIPANTS: Faculty interviewers and 2019 and 2020 PGY-1 classes at three academic internal medicine residencies. Survey items rating effectiveness of interview format, preference for future interview format, and perceived impact on diversity. A total of 247/436 faculty (57%) interviewers responded. Faculty perceived that in-person interviews enhanced applicant assessment (3.23 ± 0.38, p < 0.01) and recruitment of the most qualified applicants (p < 0.01) but did not impact recruitment of a racially or gender diverse class (3.03 ± 0.99, p = 0.95 and 3.09 ± 0.76, p = 0.14 respectively). They also did not demonstrate a preference for future interview formats. A total of 259/364 matched applicants responded, corresponding to a 76% response rate in the in-person cohort and a 66% response rate for virtual. Trainees were equally likely to match at their top choice when interviewing virtually vs. in-person (p = 0.56), and racial/ethnic and gender composition of the incoming class also did not differ (p = 0.81 and p = 0.19 respectively). Trainees perceived many aspects of the institution were better assessed in-person, though the impact varied according to assessment domain. Trainees who interviewed in-person preferred in-person formats. Of those who interviewed virtually, 47% preferred virtual and 54% preferred in-person. There were no predictors of virtual preference for future interview formats. Faculty and applicants who experienced virtual recruitment had no preference for future recruitment format. Virtual recruitment had no impact on the racial/gender diversity of matched classes or on applicants matching at their top-ranked institution. Institutions should consider the potential non-inferiority of virtual interviews with financial and other benefits when making decisions about future interview formats.