Phase transitions of Ge12Sb88 thin films on high- and low-thermal-conductivity substrates and their potential applications in storage

This study examined the phase-change Ge12Sb88 films that are fabricated through radio-frequency reactive magnetron sputtering to substrates with varying thermal conductivity. The in situ resistance was measured, and X-ray diffraction was conducted to investigate the phase-change behavior of the films under adjustments to the heating and annealing temperature. Differences in the films’ band gaps were determined by a spectrometer. The results were as follows: (1) The initial resistance levels of the films on low-thermal-conductivity substrates were higher than those on high-thermal-conductivity substrates. Resistance ratios were in the range of 102 to 103. The substantial changes in resistance influenced the characteristics of accelerating switching time and reduced the power consumption of the investigated materials. (2) Because of the partial crystallization of the films, an additional phase transition (from FCC1 to FCC2) was observed among thin films on low-thermal-conductivity substrates. This phase transition can be leveraged in the development of data storage devices.

A Spinel (FeNiCrMnMgAl)3O4 High Entropy Oxide as a Cycling Stable Anode Material for Li-Ion Batteries

Recently, high entropy oxides (HEO) with special stabilization effects have been widely investigated as new anode materials for lithium-ion batteries. However, the lithium storage mechanism of HEO is still under debate. In this work, we applied a modified solution combustion synthesis method with a subsequent ball milling refinement process to prepare a six-component (FeNiCrMnMgAl)3O4 spinel high entropy oxide (6-SHEO). The novel 6-SHEO anode features outstanding electrochemical performance, enabling a stable capacity of 657 mAh g−1 at a current rate of 0.2 A g−1 after 200 cycles, and good high-rate capability with 350 mAh g−1 even at 4 A g−1. In addition, the lithium storage behavior of this 6-SHEO anode was explored in detail through in-situ XRD and ex-situ TEM approaches. Surprisingly, a reversible spinel to rock salt phase transition behavior and spinel phase residue phenomenon was firstly observed by this route. Furthermore, for better understanding of the phase change behavior in this 6-SHEO anode, a high-energy ball milling approach was applied to induce a similar spinel to rock salt phase transformation for the first time, which generates fresh insight into the mechanism of the phase change behavior in this 6-SHEO anode.

How Does Information Sharing of a Supervisor Influence Proactive Change Behavior of an Employee? The Chain Mediating Role of Family-Like Employee–Organization Relationship and Relationship Energy

The proactive change behavior of an employee is the key to promoting organizational innovation. However, the proactive change has a certain risk, and many employees are unwilling to implement initiatively. How to promote the occurrence of a proactive change behavior of an employee has become a hot issue in the theoretical and practical areas. Based on the self-disclosure theory, this study uses the questionnaire survey method, containing a total of 32 items, and uses the 5-point Likert scale (1 = strongly disagree and 5 = strongly agree), with the Mplus and SPSS statistical software to analyze the impact mechanism of work-related information sharing of supervisors on the proactive change behavior of employees through the structural equation model. The regulatory effect of non-work information sharing of leaders is analyzed using the latent regulatory structural equation method. The conclusions are as follows: work-related information sharing positively of supervisors influences the family-like employee–organization relationship of employees; the family-like employee–organization relationship and relationship energy play serial mediating roles in the relationship between work-related information sharing of supervisors and the proactive change behavior of employees; non-work information sharing of supervisors moderates the serial mediating path by enhancing the positive influence of work-related information sharing of supervisors on the family-like employee–organization relationship. Theoretically, this study has complemented and enriched the research on the influence mechanism between the information sharing of supervisors and the proactive change behavior of employees. Practically, this study has important implications for supervisors to promote the proactive change behavior of employees by sharing work-related information and non-work information with employees.

Silica-Based Core-Shell Nanocapsules: A Facile Route to Functional Textile

In this work, we present a surfactant-free miniemulsion approach to obtain silica-based core-shell nanocapsules with a phase change material (PCM) core via in-situ hydrolytic polycondensation of precursor hyperbranched polyethoxysiloxanes (PEOS) as silica shells. The obtained silica-based core-shell nanocapsules (PCM@SiO2), with diameters of ~400 nm and silica shells of ~14 nm, reached the maximum core content of 65%. The silica shell had basically no significant influence on the phase change behavior of PCM, and the PCM@SiO2 exhibited a high enthalpy of melt and crystallization of 123–126 J/g. The functional textile with PCM@SiO2 has been proposed with thermoregulation and acclimatization, ultraviolet (UV) resistance and improved mechanical properties. The thermal property tests have shown that the functional textile had good thermal stability. The functional textile, with a PCM@SiO2 concentration of 30%, was promising, with enthalpies of melting and crystallization of 27.7 J/g and 27.8 J/g, and UV resistance of 77.85. The thermoregulation and ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) value could be maintained after washing 10 times, which demonstrated that the functional textile had durability. With good thermoregulation and UV resistance, the multi-functional textile shows good prospects for applications in thermal comfort and as protective and energy-saving textile.

Three-dimensional Change of Elastomeric Impression Materials During the First 24 Hours: A Pilot Study

SUMMARY Objectives: To evaluate the three-dimensional (3D) changes of three elastomeric impression materials using a novel measurement method for the first 24 hours after preparation. Methods and Materials: Three impression materials consisting of a low-viscosity polyvinyl siloxane (PVS) (Aquasil LV, Dentsply Sirona, Charlotte, NC, USA) and two vinyl polyether silicone (VPES) materials consisting of a light body (EXA’lence LB, GC America, Alsip, IL, USA) and monophase (EXA’lence Monophase, GC America) materials were used in this study. All materials were prepared following manufacturer’s recommendations with approximately 1–2 millimeters of material placed on the measurement pedestal of a calibrated noncontact, video imaging based, volumetric change measuring device (AcuVol ver 2.5.9, Bisco, Schaumburg, IL, USA). Data collection was initiated immediately, with measurements made every 30 seconds for 24 hours. Each material was evaluated 10 times (n=10). Evaluated parameters included were 24-hour mean shrinkage, mean shrinkage at time of recommended first pour, mean shrinkage between recommended first pour and 24 hours, mean maximum shrinkage, and the time of maximum shrinkage. Mean data, both within and between each group, was evaluated using Kruskal–Wallis/Dunn’s tests at a 95% level of confidence (α=0.05). Results: All three materials were found to have significant differences (p<0.001) in volumetric shrinkage over 24 hours. Aquasil LV and EXA’lence LB polymerization shrinkage rates were statistically similar all through the 24-hour evaluation (p=0.92). All three materials demonstrated similar (p=0.19) shrinkage between 10 and 15 minutes after preparation, while between 5 and 16 hours both EXA’lence Monophase and low-viscosity materials demonstrated similar polymerization shrinkage values (p=0.22). EXA’lence Monophase demonstrated significantly greater 24-hour mean shrinkage (p<0.008) as well as shrinkage between recommended first pour time and 24 hours (p=0.003) than Aquasil LV and EXA’lence LB. EXA’lence Monophase demonstrated significantly greater (p=0.002) shrinkage at the recommended time of first pour as compared to Aquasil LV and EXA’lence LB that displayed similar shrinkage (p=0.89). Furthermore, all materials demonstrated increasing polymerization shrinkage values that reached a maximum between 16 for Aquasil LV and 20 hours for EXA’lence LB, after which some relaxation behavior was observed. However, EXA’lence Monophase did not display any relaxation behavior over the 24-hour evaluation. Conclusions: Under the conditions of this study, volumetric polymerization shrinkage was observed for one polyvinyl siloxane (PVS) and two vinyl polyether silicone (VPES) materials for up to 24 hours. All impression materials exhibited fast early volumetric shrinkage that continued past the manufacturer’s recommended removal time. Dimensional change behavior was not uniform within or between groups; resultant volume change between the manufacturer recommended pouring time and 24 hours might represent up to from 20% to 30% of the total material shrinkage. It may be prudent to pour elastomeric impressions at the earliest time possible following the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Do Pro-environmental Appeals Trigger Pro-environmental Behavior in Hotel Guests?

Appeals to people’s pro-environmental values have been shown to trigger pro-environmental behavior across a range of contexts. The present study tests the potential of such interventions in a hedonic context where behavioral change does not generate utilitarian benefits (tourism). Results from a field experiment in a four-star hotel in Slovenia indicate that appeals to people’s pro-environmental values fail to significantly increase tourists’ hotel towel reuse and decrease room electricity consumption, suggesting that interventions in hedonic contexts—such as tourism—may require the use of more tangible benefits in order to change behavior.

Impact of Virtual Reality on Healthcare Provider Empathy for Older Adults with Sensory Impairment

Virtual reality (VR) is an innovative technology that can simulate dual sensory impairment so that healthcare providers can experience this affliction common in older adults. The current study investigated whether VR simulation could increase empathy among healthcare workers. Empathetic care is linked with improved patient satisfaction, compliance, and outcomes. The study used a one-group pre/posttest study design implemented with healthcare providers at a hospital in the Mid-Atlantic region. All participants experienced a 7-minute VR scenario from the viewpoint of “Alfred”, a 74-year-old with macular degeneration and high frequency hearing loss on a commercial VR headset (Oculus Rift). A survey assessed participants’ self-reported knowledge, empathy, and behavior change. Empathy was measured using the validated tool Kiersma-Chen Empathy Scale (KCES). Analyses included descriptive statistics and paired t-tests. Survey results showed that participants increased their knowledge of macular degeneration and hearing loss, and that 9 of 14 empathy items had statistically significant increases (average absolute change = .41 points). Additionally, 97% of participants agreed or strongly agreed that they would utilize the information learned in their work with patients. Evidence suggests VR is an effective intervention to increase empathy and positively change behavior to support persons with sensory impairment.

Impact of Virtual Reality on Healthcare Provider Empathy for Older Adults With Sensory Impairment

Virtual reality (VR) is an innovative technology that can simulate dual sensory impairment so that healthcare providers and others can experience this affliction common in older adults. This study investigated whether VR simulation could increase empathy among healthcare workers. Healthcare providers experienced a 7-minute scenario from the viewpoint of “Alfred”, a 74-year-old with macular degeneration and high frequency hearing loss on a commercial VR headset (Oculus Rift). Using a one-group pre/post-test study design, we measured knowledge, changes in empathy, and assessed participants’ self-reported behavior change. Results showed that participants increased their knowledge and that 9 of 14 empathy items had statistically significant increases. Additionally, 97% of participants agreed or strongly agreed that they would utilize the information learned in their work with patients. In conclusion, evidence suggests VR is an effective intervention to increase empathy and positively change behavior to support persons with sensory impairment.