Transformation Happens Research Articles

Exploring Transformative Travel Experiences of Southeast Asian Female Solo Travelers

The focus of the tourism industry has shifted to travel experiences that transform self-values, perspectives, and behaviors to positively contribute to an individual’s well-being and society. This study aims to explore the transformative travel experiences of Southeast Asian female solo travelers. It focuses on understanding how transformation happens from the perspectives of female solo travelers. This study adopted a qualitative semi-structured interview method to explore the perspectives of 15 Southeast Asian female solo travelers. Three themes were identified: the need for solitude, differences as a transforming catalyst, and self-realization and self-improvement. The findings of this study not only contribute to the growing research on travel transformation and Southeast Asian female solo travelers but also highlight critical factors of transformative solo travel experiences to assist practitioners in designing tourism experiences.

High strength-high ductility combination in a low-density medium Mn steel prepared by a highly efficient route

Medium Mn steels are the primary candidates in the fields of automobile, construction machinery et al. due to the advantages of high strength-ductility combination, and low costs. By now, the balance of good performance and high preparation efficiency is still a critical issue to be unsolved, which restricts their further applications. This work designs a novel Al-contained medium Mn low-density steel and explores the effect of a short intercritical-annealing process. The microstructure evolution of multi-scales, especially the austenite characteristics and Mn partitioning behaviors is analyzed, and the relationship between austenite and tensile properties is discussed. The results indicate Al can broaden the annealing processing window and improve the annealing temperature. When annealed at 780 °C, the austenite reverted transformation happens quickly and after annealing for 3 min, the austenite volume fraction maintains stable in the range of 52.4–56.7 vol%, but the morphology and Mn concentration are very different. A large amount of blocky austenite with a coarse size of more than 1 μm and a low Mn concentration of 8–9 wt% forms at the longer annealing time of 20 min, while the austenite almost presents a lath-like shape with a high Mn concentration exceeding 10 wt% at annealing time of 4 min. The tensile properties are closely related to the volume fraction and mechanical stability of austenite, and the sample annealed for 4 min exhibited the best performance with tensile strength of 1192 MPa and total elongation of 33 %, due to its slow TRIP effect.

Exploring the transformative travel process: testing the moderating role of travel motivation and the mediating role of self-reflection of solo travelers

ABSTRACT This study focuses on understanding how transformation happens and the emergence of different dimensions, including existential transformation, learning transformation, and behavioral transformation from solo travelers’ perspectives. The hypotheses were drawn from sparse literature review and were tested based on validated measurement scales. A questionnaire was distributed and successfully collected 336 valid online responses, which was then analysis using SmartPLS 3.0. The findings reveal significant direct relationships between transformative travel experiences and their dimensions. The paper provides useful insights for transformation theory about the influence of different dimensions, namely, travel motivation, self-reflection on the transformation process of solo travelers.

Transformation happens in the unbelievable: Using participatory modelling to pave realistic paths towards idealistic futures

Sustainability transformation is necessary. Since “business as usual” is no longer an option, unbelievable future visions are needed to spark change and steer collective action. We discuss how modelling, with its scientific rigor, and inclusive participation, with its sensitivity to power dynamics, can be brought together to complement one another and make unbelievable future visions come true.

823 The Dilemma of Managing the Thyroid Gland After Incidental Diagnosis of Malignant Struma Ovarii, Is Radical Thyroidectomy and Radioactive Iodine Necessary? a Case Report and Literature Review

Abstract Background Struma Ovarii is a unique type of ovarian teratoma which occurs when thyroid tissue constitutes 50% or more of the tumour. Most of these tumors are benign, however malignant transformation happens in less than 3%. Thyroid carcinomas can occur as distal metastasis with malignant struma ovarii (MSO) however, their diagnosis and treatment remain debatable. Case We report on a case of a 48-year-old woman whose MSO was discovered accidentally during a clinical trial. An ultrasound (US) depicted a complex left adnexal mass, which an MRI subsequently confirmed. The mass measured 4.5cmx 2.5cmx 5.0cm, a strong Doppler blood flow, and nodularity were noted. Salpingo-oopherectomy, omentectomy, appendicectomy, and left pelvic and para-aortic lymph node dissection were performed. The postoperative histopathological assessment of the tumour confirmed the diagnosis of MSO. The patient was then reviewed by a head and neck multi-disciplinary meeting. A 6mm thyroid nodule was located on the left lobe, and the cytology was reported as negative on fine needle aspiration (FNA). Nonetheless, the patient was treated with a radical thyroidectomy and radioactive iodine. Post-operative histopathology reported thyroid carcinoma, despite the negative cytology on FNA. No recurrence was noted. Conclusions This case highlights the importance of radical treatment of the thyroid in patients with MSO. Accurate preoperative diagnosis of thyroid carcinoma secondary to MSO is difficult, since pathological diagnosis is the gold standard. Our case showed that a radical treatment of thyroid with surgery and radioactive iodine minimises the risk of local and distal recurrences.

Paradoxical Connections in Sarah Ruhl’s Dead Man’s Cell Phone

The paper examines different types of paradoxical connections in Sarah Ruhl’s Dead Man’s Cell Phone with respect to contemporary characteristics of American theatre. It is so clear that the play has a smooth transformation or connection between paradoxical states or situations. The transformation happens due to spatial, and temporal conditions, and different humankind values. The play is full of different types of connections due to social ties, contradictive life situations, death and life, the whole and the parts, the spatial and the temporal transformation, truth and lies, happiness and misfortune, fancy and facts, and humanity with technology. The study is qualitative depending on the study of the cases within the play that are contradicting each other, yet they serve in deepening the meaning and the understanding of the cases. The paradoxical issues to be studied in a comparative way, these comparative situations serve higher thematic issues in a philosophical dimension in very carefully woven relations between the characters and situational environment as well. The common sense that the play made is to accept the philosophy of black and white as positive paradoxical relation, that the black helps to see the pure white and vice versa. Common unanswered questions are to be presented in a rhetorical and philosophical manner; targeting these questions is the way of being closer to a bunch of truths about the complicated fabric relationships which link the characters all together.

A TREND ANALYSIS ON DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION RESILIENCE CAPABILITY: THE CASE OF MALAYSIA

Digital transformation happens perpetually, albeit with macro and micro-level disruptions. Countries must possess strategic capabilities to counter disruptions caused by economic, technological, and health crises, enabling and halting digital transformation initiatives. The capability of countries to be digitally resilient is crucial in sustaining digital transformation. This research examined the digital resilience capabilities of nine selected countries with the Covid-19 pandemic as the disruption context. Using the Institute for Management Development’s (IMD) secondary data, the research conducted a trend analysis on the digital resilience capabilities of nine countries (as denoted through the Human Development Index ranking 2021) over the period 2017 to 2021. With Malaysia being the focal point of the analysis, the result showed that Malaysia’s high digital resilience capabilities had enabled sustained digital transformation. With a significant investmentin knowledge, technology, and future-readiness, Malaysia has maintained its digital transformation initiatives across the pandemic’s onslaught. A sustained level of macro and micro initiatives is necessary to keep digital transformation afloat. At a high level, this research has identified how Malaysia’s concerted policies have enabled its digital transformation.

Highlights of Urban Entomology 2021: Chemical, Nonchemical, and Alternative Approaches to Urban Pest Management as We Adapt, Advance, Transform.

The 2021 annual meeting of the Entomological Society of America with the theme of "Adapt. Advance. Transform" guided the highlight compilation of urban entomology papers. Integrated pest management of urban pests relies on techniques and tools that adapt, advance, and transform over time to develop into new usable tactics and technologies; the review covers the following three themes: first, how science, researchers, and pest management professionals adapt to the changing environments; second, how urban pest management approaches and technologies advance using conventional and alternative strategies; and last, how transformation happens, leading to technological advances and sustainable pest management success. I selected papers on four groups of urban pests-ants, termites, bed bugs, and cockroaches-that were in the context of pest management in this highlights publication. Emphasis was placed on research regarding the efficacy of chemical (e.g., conventional pesticides, insect growth regulators), nonchemical, and alternative approaches (e.g., the use of heat, naturally derived compounds) for urban pests that help improve and implement sustainable pest management plans. These papers demonstrate the achievements of the urban entomology community while emphasizing the current challenges that we face from the far-reaching impact of climate change and insect pest adaptation and what should be prioritized.

Engage with empathy: Improving customer experience with artificial intelligence

Change is inevitable, and sometimes transformation happens gradually. At other times, as the global pandemic showed us, it happens without warning. Either way, traditional marketing tactics have no place in modern customer experiences (CX). So how can brands build trust and develop deeper relationships through ever-changing sentiment or market conditions? They need to show customers that they understand their unique situation and can provide tangible value. Marketing and customer engagement practitioners can achieve true one-to-one engagement with artificial intelligence (AI)-powered, ‘always-on’ models that continuously engage customers during calculated ‘moments of need’. Legacy marketing techniques will no longer be sustainable in a rapidly evolving business landscape riddled with data constraints, regulatory challenges and labour shortages. Organisations need to move away from data silos and channel-specific strategies and instead rely on a single ‘brain’ that helps orchestrate engagement with each customer. Brands can survive only by moving beyond sales and mixing additional messages that support retention, service, nurture and resilience actions into their marketing framework; only then can they deliver truly personalised customer experiences across channels while always remaining sensitive to their circumstances.

Digital transformation as distributed leadership: Firing the change agent

Literature has tended to describe digital transformation (the implementation and use of new digital technologies to enable major business improvements) as a strategic and rational process with clear roles, the most important one being a Chief digital officer or Chief digital information officer, who is often an individual appointed as a temporary position to undertake the digital transformation. This study has testified to a less rational, more emergent process, where the digital transformation happens without a Chief digital officer and instead is managed conjoint in the top management team. Based on this study, it is argued that digital transformation can be understood as distributed leadership, which enables a more holistic approach to mobilizing and sustaining digital transformation.

A Thorough Review of Pedagogical Content Knowledge (PCK) in TOBACCO framework

Pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) has been given a lot of attention in the academic field in recent years, in particular in studies of teacher cognition and teacher knowledge. It was first put forward by Shulman as part of the knowledge base required of teachers for teaching, and has provided a crucial way of thinking for many scholars when conducting deeper study into the relationship between teachers and teaching. Therefore, more empirical studies in various contexts have been encouraged to understand teachers’ PCK and to offer suggestions for teacher education. Shulman also argued that PCK is the special mixture of content and pedagogy that represents teachers’ personal understanding of the profession, and that teachers’ teaching competence enables them to transform content knowledge into specific teaching methods for students from various backgrounds at different levels; however, he did not explain how this transformation happens. Thus, based on this research gap, the current review brought together the following key fields: teacher cognition, teacher knowledge including PCK, and teacher education and development. It argues that teachers’ pedagogical knowledge intersects content knowledge from five different perspectives: teachers’ views on knowledge base, language, learning, teaching, and reflection (TOBACCO framework) and proffers suggestions for English-language teacher education and development in China.

Effect of environmental pH values on phase composition and microstructure of Portland cement paste under sulfate attack

The degradation of material induced by sulfate attack is major durability problem facing cementitious materials. In this paper, to illustrate the nanoscale chemical degradation, Portland cement samples were exposed to 5 wt% NaSO4 solution with different pH values (pH = 13, 8 and 5) as the function of corrosion ages (28 and 180 days). The effects of pH value on the hydrate phase, morphology and microstructure of cement hydration products under sulfate attack were characterized in combination with XRD, SEM-EDS, 1H, 27Al and 29Si NMR. The results demonstrate that reducing pH value of sulfate solution facilitates the formation and precipitation of columnar and platelet gypsum crystals in cement paste, whereas inhibiting the ettringite formation. A slight increase in the proportion of deleterious micropores larger than 1.6 μm as the sample exposed to sulfate with low pH value. The ettringite induced by sulfate attacking is transformed to AFm at early period and reversal transformation happens at later period. Reduction of the pH value of sulfate solution accelerates the transformation reaction of the hexa-coordinated aluminate phases. 29Si NMR test revealed that with pH reducing from 13 to 5, the hydration degree increase nearly 18%, the mean silicate chain length increase by 66.2% and Al[4]/Si ratio increase by nearly 30%. Also, the silicate polymerization enhancement is closely related with Al3+ ions extraction at early sulfate-attack period and re-entering at late sulfate-attack period. This research might provide nanoscale insights to guide more durable cement-based material in detrimental environment.

Effect of Magnetic Field, Heat Treatment and Dry Wear Analysis on Electroless Nickel Deposits

This investigation reports the effect of magnetic field during coating on the mechanical properties of the electroless Ni–P deposits. Magnetic field strength has been varied between 0 and 3A. The heat treatment was found to be more responsive for the sintering temperature between 300 and 400 °C. Micro hardness of the electroless Ni–P deposits was measured with a diamond indenter. Magnetic method produced more hardness (above 1250 VHN) than the conventional method (below 1000 VHN). The amorphous phase to crystalline transformation happens at this range of sintering. The pin-on-disc wear tester was used to measure the wear resistance of the deposits. The coated sample has a maximum weight loss of 0.077 mg at the end of the wear test (after 35 min) and 0.052 mg for magnetic field sintered sample at the same condition. Subsequently, with respect to increase in sintering temperature, the weight loss found decreased from 0.077 to 0.051 mg for as coat to 350 °C, respectively. It is also noticed that, the specific wear rate is 0.062 (kg/Nm3) for magnetic field sintered sample and 0.119 (kg/Nm3) for conventional sample. The characteristics of deposits produced in presence of magnetic field were found to be superior from those produced using conventional deposition techniques. Magnetic field has doubled the performance than the conventional techniques. Enhancements in properties were correlated with modified crystallinity and the conversion of Ni–P in to possible phosphides in the presence of magnetic field.

Description, measurement, and automatic classification of the Plasmodium berghei oocyst morphology during early differentiation in vitro

After colonization of the mosquito midgut by the malaria parasite, Plasmodium differentiates from an invasive, motile ookinete to a multiplicative, sessile oocyst. Despite their importance in establishing the infection and increasing its population, relatively little is known about the early morphological transformation associated with these changes in function. Oocyst differentiation begins with the formation of a spherical protrusion near the center of the crescent-shaped ookinete. As this protuberance grows, it engulfs the content of the two distal ends, thus rounding the cell. In this work, scrutinized observations of the overall changes in shape, coupled with the migration of the malaria pigment granules and the nucleus into the protuberance, revealed that the movement of the cell content happens in an anteroposterior manner. The resulting data, formalized as morphometric measurements, led to the identification of 5 transitional stages and to the development of a computer training algorithm that automatically classifies them. Since cell differentiation has been associated with redox fluctuations, the classification algorithm was tested with parasites stained with a glutathione-specific fluorescent probe. This revealed changes in the glutathione content during differentiation that are suggestive of a redox modulation during transformation. • Plasmodium ookinetes differentiate into reproductive oocysts after mosquito invasion. • Visual scrutiny of the transformation led to the recognition of 5 transitional stages. • Transformation and organelle migration happens in an anteroposterior manner. • A machine learning algorithm was developed to automatically classify these stages. • The discretization into stages allowed the determination of GSH oscillations.

Effects of free antibiotic resistance genes in the environment on intestinal microecology of mice

The rapid spread of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) is a great challenge to the ecological safety and human health. The intestine of humans and animals is an important site for the increase and spread of ARGs due to the great diversity and abundance of microorganisms in the intestinal microecology. ARGs, including the intracellular (iARGs) and the extracellular (eARGs) ARGs, are usually introduced into the intestinal tract through the diet, and the iARGs are colonized and spread in the intestinal microbiota with the help of the host bacteria. However, whether the eARGs can enter the intestinal microorganisms in the absence of host bacteria is not known. Here, we show the transformation and the diffusion of the ampramycin resistance gene (Ap) carried by the free plasmid RK2 in the intestinal microbiota of mice. After two days of consecutive gavage with free RK2, the intracellular Ap gene increases from days 0–8 in the feces of mice, and has remained constant. Bacterial transformation happens in the small intestine, including proximal and distal jejuna and proximal and distal ilea, at the early stage (first two days), and the intracellular RK2 is diffused into the intestinal microbiota of mice by conjugation on days 2–8 day, which is based on the distribution of eARG and iARG and the mRNA expression levels of trbBp, trfAp, korA, korB, and trbA. The characteristics of ARGs susceptible microbiota for transformation are analyzed using 16s rRNA gene sequencing, transmission electron microscopy, and flow cytometric. The ingestion of RK2 affects the composition of intestinal microbiota especially for Proteobacteria, and the antibiotic residue promotes the increase in Escherichia coli. These findings are important to assess the risk of ARGs, especially the eARGs in the intestinal microecology.

STRAIN INDUCED PHASE TRANSFORMATION IN Ti-15Mo β ALLOY

β-Ti alloys have been chosen for biomedical applications attributed to a combination of high strength, high fatigue resistance, good corrosion resistance and more importantly low modulus closer than other metallic materials for implants and osseointegrated prosthesis to the cortical elastic modulus (4-30 GPa). However, the phase constituents and phase transformation are still under dispute. A Ti-15Mo alloy after severe cold plastic deformation is studied to reveal the phases and phase transformation by TEM techniques. Athermal ω phase was observed in all samples evidencing the high stability of ω phase compared to β phase. However, the β to ω transformation does not proceed to a completion in heat treatment. Strain induced phase transformation happens in cold-draw wires through a coordinated shuffle of atoms along the {2 1 1}planes of β phase leading to the reduction on the <1 1 1> directions. The atomic level of shear causes the transformation of β to ω. The transformation of β to athermal ω under a train is not in a stable state but having a variable crystal structure between β and ω.

Sintered ZrO2–TiO2 ceramic composite and its mechanical appraisal

This work mainly considered the effect of different TiO2 additions and of sintering temperatures on the structural change, densification and mechanical properties of ZrO2–TiO2 ceramic composites obtained by cold compaction and subsequent sintering. The results demonstrated that the structural transformation happens from pristine monoclinic zirconia into tetragonal zirconia, amount of cubic phase in as-obtained ZrO2–TiO2 specimens could be distinguished as well. The increasing concentration of TiO2 addition facilitated lower the sintering temperature and densification of ZrO2 matrix. The grain growth and bulk density of ZrO2–TiO2 ceramic composites varied with the sintering temperatures and dopant concentrations. Full evaluation of the role of TiO2 addition and sintering temperature on the mechanical properties of ZrO2–TiO2 samples was carried out in terms of Vickers hardness, flexural strength and fracture toughness. In particular, the ZrO2 matrix with a value of 5 wt % TiO2 generated the desired flexural strength and fracture toughness at the sintering temperature of 1400 °C.

The time delay between star formation quenching and morphological transformation of galaxies in clusters: a phase–space view of EDisCS

AbstractWe explore the possible effect of cluster environments on the structure and star formation histories of galaxies by analysing the projected phase–space (PPS) of intermediate-redshift clusters (0.4 ≤ z ≤ 0.8). HST I−band imaging data from the ESO Distant Cluster Survey (EDisCS) allow us to measure deviations of the galaxies’ light distributions from symmetric and smooth profiles using two parameters, Ares (‘asymmetry’) and RFF (residual flux fraction or ‘roughness’). Combining these structural parameters with age-sensitive spectral indicators ($H_{\delta \rm {A}}$, $H_{\gamma \rm {A}}$, and Dn4000), we establish that in all environments younger star-forming galaxies of all morphologies are ‘rougher’ and more asymmetric than older, more quiescent ones. Combining a subset of the EDisCS clusters, we construct a stacked PPS diagram and find a significant correlation between the position of the galaxies on the PPS and their stellar ages, irrespective of their morphology. We also observe an increasing fraction of galaxies with older stellar populations towards the cluster core, while the galaxies’ structural parameters (Ares and RFF) do not seem to segregate strongly with PPS. These results may imply that, under the possible influence of their immediate cluster environment, galaxies have their star formation suppressed earlier, while their structural transformation happens on a longer time-scale as they accumulate and age in the cluster cores.

Additive manufacturing – digitally changing the global business landscape

Purpose Additive manufacturing, that is, layer-based manufacturing technologies, is thought to change supply chain operations from global to local, while also affecting design processes and product structures. As this transformation happens, a power struggle among various actors relating themselves to additive manufacturing has emerged. The purpose of this paper is to discuss and explain the development of additive manufacturing from a power dependence point of view. Design/methodology/approach The paper is based on data collected from a number of seminars hosting a total of 620 industry experts representing 102 companies in the area, and reflecting every step of the supply chain. Findings The paper points out how measures to deal and create power imbalances occur also related to indirect parties, and how the disruptive character of the supply chain leads to exercised power. Originality/value The power struggle provides new insights into how an emerging technology is realised and the effect of protectionism on such attempts. Specifically related to additive manufacturing, the paper illustrates the business side from various actors’ point of view, which adds to technological perspectives on additive manufacturing, as well as studies viewing the supply chain from a bird’s-eye perspective.

Microstructure Characterization of Quenching and Partitioning Steels

A steel containing Fe-0.2C-2Mn-Si-Al was annealed using intercritical Q&P cycles. Quenching temperature and partitioning time at 440°C was varied. Analysis of microstructure evolution during such Q&P treatments was performed using different characterization tools: FEG-SEM, EBSD, dilatometer and saturation magnetization measurements. Especially, phenomena taking place during partitioning were investigated. The microstructure was analyzed at the end of soaking, before and after partitioning and at the end of the annealing cycle. It was found that bainite transformation happens during partitioning and has a significant effect on the final retained austenite fraction. Quenching temperature has an important effect on both martensitic transformation during cooling and subsequent bainite transformation during partitioning.