A spin-out happens when an employee quits a company to start a new venture; however, theories do not agree on whether the ‘spin-out entrepreneur’ will start the company in the same or in a different industry. We investigated a sample of 250 entrepreneurs and 120 spin-out companies to understand what led an entrepreneur or a group of founders to enter a new industry. Our results contribute to theory, suggesting that spin-out entrepreneurs usually move to different and innovative industries owing to recombination of knowledge in founding teams. Our evidence supports the positive effect of different experiences within the team. Full article

Recent years have seen unprecedentedly fast-growing prosperity in the commercial space industry. Several privately funded aerospace manufacturers, such as Space Exploration Technologies Corporation (SpaceX) and Blue Origin have transformed what we used to know about this capital-intense industry and gradually reshaped the future of human civilization. As private spaceflight and multi-planetary immigration gradually become realities from science fiction (sci-fi) and theory, both opportunities and challenges will be presented. In this article, we first review the progress in space exploration and the underlying space technologies. Next, we revisit the K-Pg extinction event and the Chelyabinsk event and predict extra-terrestrialization, terraformation, and planetary defense, including the emerging near-Earth object (NEO) observation and NEO impact avoidance technologies and strategies. Furthermore, a framework for the Solar Communication and Defense Networks (SCADN) with advanced algorithms and high efficacy is proposed to enable an Internet of distributed deep-space sensing, communications, and defense to cope with disastrous incidents such as asteroid/comet impacts. Furthermore, perspectives on the legislation, management, and supervision of founding the proposed SCADN are also discussed in depth. Full article

Fault diagnosis is studied based on the system type, which facilitates the realization of the engineering configuration and improves the diagnosis efficiency. The fault-tolerant control method is unified based on the concept of fault compensation. According to the dynamic characteristics of the system, the method takes the boundary value of no-fault signal fluctuation as the basis for fault detection, then takes the changing intensity of the solenoid valve control signal after the fault occurs as the fault location basis. Finally, it takes the difference or ratio of the signals before and after the fault occurs as the fault estimation. For the basis of fault separation, the integral value of the fitting equation between the fault signal and time is used as the Eigenvalue of fault type separation to comprehend fault separation. A program is written in C++ and combined with MATLAB/S-Fun function to realize fault tolerance. At the same time, the dynamic model calibration and real-time fault diagnosis, and fault-tolerant control process of sensor fault diagnosis are provided, which makes it suitable for general engineering feedforward-feedback systems and has a certain suppression effect on noise. The simulation results verify that the method is not only viable and it is exact. Full article

The antimicrobial activity of metal nanoparticles obtained by biogenic routes has been extensively reported. However, their combined use with other antimicrobial formulations, such as essential oils, remains scarcely explored. In this work, a manganese-ferrite/silver nanocomposite (MnFe₂O₄/Ag-NC) was synthesized in a two-step procedure: first, MnFe₂O₄ nanoparticles were produced by a coprecipitation method, followed by in situ biogenic reduction of silver ions using Galega officinalis. MnFe₂O₄/Ag-NC was characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy equipped with an energy dispersive X-ray analyzer (SEM-EDX), and a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM-SQUID). The antibacterial activity if MnFe₂O₄/Ag-NC was evaluated against Pseudomonas syringae by determining its minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) in the presence of two essential oils: eucalyptus oil (EO) and garlic oil (GO). The fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) was also calculated to determine the interaction between MnFe₂O₄/Ag-NC and each oil. The MIC of MnFe₂O₄/Ag-NC was eightfold reduced with the two essential oils (from 20 to 2.5 µg mL⁻¹). However, the interaction with EO was synergistic (FIC: 0.5), whereas the interaction with GO was additive (FIC: 0.75). Additionally, a time-kill curve analysis was performed, wherein the MIC of the combination of MnFe₂O₄/Ag-NC and EO provoked a rapid bactericidal effect, corroborating a strong synergism. These findings suggest that by combining MnFe₂O₄/Ag-NC with essential oils, the necessary ratio of the nanocomposite to control phytopathogens can be reduced, thus minimizing the environmental release of silver. Full article

This descriptive article discusses the development, delivery, and impact of the “Biography Project”. The project is a research and teaching initiative focused on both enhancing the quality of life of older persons, and providing university students across diverse degree programs the opportunity to learn about and engage first-hand with the challenges that confront older adults living in residential aged care. In accounting for the project and its objectives, the article explores the Buddhist values that underpin the project’s approach to teaching, and the important role of spirituality in training students to engage older people in telling the stories of their lives. Full article

The peritoneal carcinomatosis of prostate cancer without bone or other visceral organ involvement is extremely rare. We report a case of an isolated peritoneal metastasis of prostate cancer in a patient without other metastatic sites and a history of prostate surgery. A 63-year-old male with locally advanced prostate cancer without known distant metastasis on androgen deprivation therapy presented with abdominal distension that had persisted for a month. Abdominopelvic computed tomography (CT) showed gastric wall thickening and a moderate amount of ascites. The gastroscopy showed hyperemic mucosal patches on the antrum body. A cytological examination of the ascites fluid was negative for malignant cells. Diagnostic laparoscopy showed multiple nodules in the peritoneum. A biopsy was performed. Histological findings were compatible with metastatic carcinoma of the prostate, which was immunohistochemically positive for pan-cytokeratin, the androgen receptor, and prostate-specific antigen (PSA). The patient was then treated with abiraterone acetate. After 1 month of treatment, both ascites and the PSA value decreased. We describe an extremely rare case of isolated peritoneal carcinomatosis from prostate cancer without any organ metastasis or history of surgery. Clinicians should be aware of these very rare metastases of prostate cancer. Hormonal therapy may be helpful for such cases. Full article

Health-related quality of life (HrQoL) is a major concern for patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC). We aimed to systematically review the literature comparing HrQol following total thyroidectomy (TT) and hemithyroidectomy (HT) in DTC patients. A systematic review of publications indexed in Medline, Embase, and EBM reviews—Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, which evaluated HrQoL following thyroid surgery for DTC, was conducted. Of 2507 identified records, 25 fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Our results suggest that patients undergoing TT may suffer more impairment in physical and social HrQoL than patients undergoing HT. Psychological-related HrQoL and long-term global HrQoL are, however, equivalent in both groups, which highlights the multidimensional nature of HrQoL and the importance of a multitude of factors aside from treatment modalities and related morbidities, such as the experience of receiving a cancer diagnosis, the fear of cancer recurrence, and other psychosocial factors. Addressing postoperative HrQoL when discussing therapeutic options with patients is an integral part of patient-centered care and informed shared decision-making, and should be approached in a holistic manner, accounting for its physical, psychological, and social aspects. This review supplies evidence regarding HrQoL following thyroid surgery, which can be employed in such decisions. Full article

This study examines the indirect effect of job satisfaction on the relationship between emotional intelligence and life satisfaction among teachers during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Poland. A sample of 322 teachers aged 23–71 (M = 45.37, SD = 8.99) participated in a cross-sectional online survey. The online survey (Google form) contained some demographic information and standardized psychological questionnaires: the Multivariate Emotional Intelligence Scale (MEIS) for measuring emotional intelligence, the Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire (MSQ)—a short form for job satisfaction assessment, and the Life Satisfaction Scale (SWLS). Emotional intelligence is a significant positive predictor of job satisfaction and life satisfaction, and job satisfaction is a strong positive predictor of life satisfaction. Job satisfaction partly mediates the relationship between emotional intelligence and life satisfaction. To maintain the well-being of teachers during a pandemic, schools should implement training to improve emotional intelligence and increase job satisfaction by supporting distance e-learning among teachers. Full article

A new synthesis strategy towards gold-coated silica nanoparticles is presented. The method provides an efficient, reliable and facile-coating process of well-defined star-shaped shell structures, characterized by UV-Vis, TEM, PXRD, DLS and zeta-potential measurements. A marked red shift of the Au-based plasmonic band to the region of the first biological window is observed offering great potential for future research of biological applications. Full article

The human ether-a-go-go-related gene (hERG) potassium channel is a well-known contributor to drug-induced cardiotoxicity and therefore is an extremely important target when performing safety assessments of drug candidates. Ligand-based approaches in connection with quantitative structure active relationships (QSAR) analyses have been developed to predict hERG toxicity. The availability of the recent published cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structure for the hERG channel opened the prospect of using structure-based simulation and docking approaches for hERG drug liability predictions. In recent times, the idea of combining structure- and ligand-based approaches for modeling hERG drug liability has gained momentum offering improvements in predictability when compared to ligand-based QSAR practices alone. The present article demonstrates uniting the structure-based SILCS (site-identification by ligand competitive saturation) approach in conjunction with physicochemical properties to develop predictive models for hERG blockade. This combination leads to improved model predictability based on Pearson’s R and percent correct (represents rank-ordering of ligands) metric for different validation sets of hERG blockers involving a diverse chemical scaffold and wide range of pIC50 values. The inclusion of the SILCS structure-based approach allows determination of the hERG region to which compounds bind and the contribution of different chemical moieties in the compounds to the blockade, thereby facilitating the rational ligand design to minimize hERG liability. Full article

Over the conventional limit equilibrium method and limit analysis method, the finite element method is advantageous, especially for slopes involving complex failure mechanisms where the critical slip surfaces cannot be represented by log spirals and other similarities. In the presence of tension cracks at slope crests, however, the finite element method encounters difficulties in convergence while handling Mohr–Coulomb’s yielding surfaces with tensile strength cut-off. Meanwhile, the commonly used load-controlled method for the system of nonlinear equilibrium equations is hard to bring the slope into the limit equilibrium state. The two drawbacks drag down the finite element method in more extensive applications. By reducing the constitutive integration of plasticity with non-smooth yielding surfaces to the mixed complementarity problem, the convergence in numerical constitutive integration is established for arbitrarily large incremental strains. In order to bring the slope to the limit equilibrium state, a new displacement-controlled algorithm is designed for the system of nonlinear equilibrium equations, which is far more efficient than the load-controlled method. A procedure is proposed to locate tension cracks. Corresponding to the Mohr–Coulomb failure criterion with and without tensile strength cut-off, the failure mechanisms differ significantly, while the difference in the factor of safety might be ignorable. Full article

A lack of security best practices in modern password storage has led to a dramatic rise in the number of online data breaches, resulting in financial damages and lowered trust in online service providers. This work aims to explore the question of how leveraging decentralized storage paired with a centralized point of authentication may combat such attacks. A solution, “Bingo”, is presented, which implements browser side clients which store password shares for a centralized proxy server. Bingo is a fully formed system which allows for modern browsers to store and retrieve a dynamic number of anonymized password shares, which are used when authenticating users. Thus, Bingo is the first solution to prove that distributed password storage functions in the context of the modern web. Furthermore, Bingo is evaluated in both simulation and cloud in order to show that it achieves high rates of system liveness despite its dependence on its users being active at given intervals. In addition, a novel simulator is presented which allows future researchers to mock scheduled behavior of online users. This work concludes that with the rise in online activity, decentralization may play a role in increasing data security. Full article

Several factors affect the relationship between a diabetic patient and a healthcare worker. Among these, there is the well-being of healthcare workers and how they perceive their work environment, especially in the context of the presence or absence of gender inequality. To show the importance of these aspects, a selected sample of healthcare workers who were exposed daily to people (mainly diabetic patients) within the working environment were interviewed. The different opinions of the interviewees show that in an environment where factors that negatively affected their work and personal well-being were minimized, healthcare workers were able to fully express their potential. They expressed great satisfaction with their work involving daily contact with patients, while achieving the type of patient–healthcare worker relationship model desired for a better management of diabetic patients’ care. Full article

We examine the press representation of monk parakeets (Myiopsitta monachus) and their population management in Madrid city. To do this, we analyze mentions of this species in six Spanish newspapers for the case of Madrid. We apply a mixed methodology composed of framing, text analysis, and sentiment analysis. This multi-method approach allows us to further examine the framing and word choice of the newspapers, concluding that the press representation of monk parakeets has been biased and non-ethically led. We discuss this outcome by proposing a media representation guided by non-speciesist ethical framings and avoiding the objectification of nonhuman animals. Full article

The use of fiber-reinforced composite materials has widely spread in various sectors, including aerospace, defense, and civil industry. The assessment of these heterogeneous material systems is important for safer and risk-free applications and has contributed to the need for self-sensing composites. This work is focused on the development of piezoresistive composites, the prediction of their performance and structural health monitoring (SHM). Additionally, this work unpacks the complexity of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) micro-fabrication and the development of piezoresistive and electromagnetic (EM) waves detection electrodes. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to characterize the CNTs structure and morphologies. The manufactured CNTs were incorporated in epoxy systems to fabricate glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP)-CNTs smart composites with piezoresistive properties. The detection of micro-damage onset and its progression was carried out in mode I, to evaluate the sensitivity of the smart composites to damage development. The change in electrical conductivity of the nanotubes-reinforced composite systems due to localized mechanical strains enabled crack propagation detection. The relationship between crack propagation, fracture toughness, and electrical resistivity of the smart composite was analyzed. Full article

In this work, staurozoans of two distinct morphotypes are reported in Kitsunezaki (Ishinomaki City, Miyagi, Japan) in the years following the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami. Staurozoa specimens were collected from Eisenia and Gelidium macroalgal beds at the Kitsunezaki survey site (October 2019–July 2021). Morphological observations indicated that the Kitsunezaki staurozoans represented two species, Haliclystus inabai and Calvadosia nagatensis, but molecular analyses of the genetic markers 16S rRNA and COI suggested that the former actually encompasses two distinct lineages, H. inabai and a cryptic as yet unnamed species. Phylogenetic analysis reveals the two H. inabai lineages are separated by significant divergences for both gene markers. H. inabai lineage 1 includes specimens sampled with molecular sequences from Hokkaido (Japan) and Kitsunezaki (Japan), whereas H. inabai lineage 2 includes sequences from Victoria (Australia), Kitsunezaki, as well as populations that appeared in a lab in Germany and aquariums in Tsuruoka and Kagoshima (Japan) and Québec (Canada). Conversely, C. nagatensis from Kitsunezaki appears to be a species distributed only in the temperate NW Pacific. Observations on early life stages of H. inabai lineage 2 within aquarium tanks permitted confirmation of the presence of “microhydrula” settled larva, frustules, and elongated settled larvae. C. nagatensis was collected from the Kitsunezaki survey site in warm months only, and always exhibited gonads, while H. inabai stauromedusae were collected in most months throughout the year, with gonads usually present irrespective of season. An extensive literature review covering more than 100 years and observations in this study revealed seaweed and seagrass as the primary substrates for these two Staurozoa species. Our findings show C. nagatensis is associated with just two types of algal substrates and seagrass, while H. inabai has a much broader substrate preference, consistent with its wider geographic distribution. These findings have contributed to our understanding of Staurozoa epibiotic associations in exposed bays during the recovery period following a major natural disaster. Full article

This work presents the n^th-Order Comprehensive Adjoint Sensitivity Analysis Methodology for Nonlinear Systems (n^th-CASAM-N), which enables the most efficient computation of exactly determined expressions of arbitrarily high-order sensitivities of generic nonlinear system responses with respect to model parameters, uncertain boundaries, and internal interfaces in the model’s phase space. The mathematical framework underlying the n^th-CASAM-N is proven to be correct by using mathematical induction. The n^th-CASAM-N is formulated in linearly increasing higher-dimensional Hilbert spaces—as opposed to exponentially increasing parameter-dimensional spaces—thus overcoming the curse of dimensionality in sensitivity analysis of nonlinear systems. Full article

Syngas generated from the catalytic dry reforming of methane (DRM) enables the downstream production of H₂ fuel and value-added chemicals. Ni-based catalysts with metal oxides, as both supports and promoters, are widely applied in the DRM reaction. In this review, four types of metal oxides with support confinement effect, metal-support interaction, oxygen defects, and surface acidity/basicity are introduced based on their impacts on the activity, selectivity, and stability of the Ni-based catalyst. Moreover, the structure–performance relationships are discussed in-depth. Finally, conclusive remarks and prospects are proposed. Full article

The use of concrete materials in Portugal, namely reinforced concrete, began in the 19th century. However, during the 20th century, the increase in the application of this composite material, alongside the use of hydraulic binders, led to a disruption of traditional construction techniques and enhanced generalized application in concrete structures, combining aesthetics with functionality. In this paper, the authors will present and discuss several physical and mechanical characteristics of reinforced concrete materials from 12 award-winning architectural buildings constructed between the 1930s and the end of the 20th century in Lisbon, Portugal. These results are vital to evaluate their durability, as those buildings have an undiscussable heritage value in the context of 20th-century buildings’ valorization. Furthermore, the results will contribute to the knowledge of the current state of conservation of these materials and will allow an understanding of the evolution in the application of national regulations during this period. Full article

Some modern alloys, such as high-entropy alloys (HEAs), are emerging with greater acceleration due to their wide range of properties and applications. HEAs can be prepared from many metallurgical operations, but mechanical alloying is considered to be one of the most simple, economical, popular, and suitable methods due to its increased solid solubility, nano-crystalline structure, greater homogeneity, and room-temperature processing. Mechanical alloying followed by the consolidation of HEAs is crucial in determining the various surface and mechanical properties. Generally, spark plasma sintering (SPS) methods are employed to consolidate HEAs due to their significant advantages over other conventional sintering methods. This is one of the best sintering methods to achieve greater improvements in their properties. This review discusses the mechanical alloying of various HEAs followed by consolidation using SPS, and also discusses their various mechanical properties. Additionally, we present a brief idea about research publications in HEA, and the top 10 countries that have published research articles on HEAs. From 2010 to 18 April 2022, more than 7700 Scopus-indexed research articles on all the fields of HEA and 130 research articles on HEA prepared by mechanical alloying alone have been published. Full article

Colorectal cancer screening can contribute to reducing colorectal cancer incidence and mortality. Findings on disparities in the utilization of colorectal cancer screening between migrants and non-migrants have been inconsistent, with some studies reporting lower, and some higher utilization among migrants. The aim of the present study was to examine potential disparities in fecal occult blood testing and colonoscopy among migrants in Germany. Data from a population survey on 11,757 men and women aged ≥50 years is used. Using multivariable logistic regression, the utilization of fecal occult blood testing and colonoscopy was compared between non-migrants, migrants from EU countries and migrants from non-EU countries, adjusting for socio-economic factors and also taking into account intersectional differences by sex and age. The study shows that migrants from the EU (adjusted OR = 0.73; 95%-CI: 0.57, 0.94) and from non-EU countries (adjusted OR = 0.39; 95%-CI: 0.31, 0.50) were less likely to utilize fecal occult blood testing than non-migrants. No disparities for the use of colonoscopy were observed. The findings are in line with studies from other countries and can be indicative of different barriers migrants encounter in the health system. Adequate strategies taking into account the diversity of migrants are needed to support informed decision-making among this population group. Full article

Assessing the trend of sea surface wind is important for understanding the response of the marine environment to climate change. Analysis of wind data reveals that the summer wind direction in the Pearl River Estuary (PRE) shifts anticlockwise at a rate of −0.36°yr⁻¹ over the past 42 years (1979–2020). The mean wind direction in July shifts from 183.6° (in 1979) to 169.3° (in 2020) and is predicted as 142.1° by 2100. How this long-term wind direction change affects the PRE hydrodynamic circulation structure has not been examined yet. A fully calibrated high resolution 3D hydrodynamic model is used to evaluate the response of local hydrodynamics to wind direction shifting in this study. The model results indicate that both the cross-channel wind-driven transport and along-channel seaward flow are weakened as wind direction shifts. Consequently, the lateral circulation is slowed down significantly while the longitudinal exchange flow is weakened slightly. A remarkable increase in stratification occurs in the coastal sea adjacent to the Modaomen where hypoxia has been frequently reported. The residence time of Lingding Bay increases slightly. The Momentum budget indicates the wind direction shifting can cause major changes in the barotropic pressure term, which is mainly balanced by the baroclinic pressure term and diffusion term. Full article

Positron emission tomography is the imaging modality of choice when it comes to the high sensitivity detection of key markers of thrombosis and inflammation, such as activated platelets. We, previously, generated a fluorine-18 labelled single-chain antibody (scFv) against ligand-induced binding sites (LIBS) on activated platelets, binding it to the highly abundant platelet glycoprotein integrin receptor IIb/IIIa. We used a non-site-specific bio conjugation approach with N-succinimidyl-4-[¹⁸F]fluorobenzoate (S[¹⁸F]FB), leading to a mixture of products with reduced antigen binding. In the present study, we have developed and characterised a novel fluorine-18 PET radiotracer, based on this antibody, using site-specific bio conjugation to engineer cysteine residues with N-[2-(4-[¹⁸F]fluorobenzamido)ethyl]maleimide ([¹⁸F]FBEM). ScFv_anti-LIBS and control antibody mut-scFv, with engineered C-terminal cysteine, were reduced, and then, they reacted with N-[2-(4-[¹⁸F]fluorobenzamido)ethyl]maleimide ([¹⁸F]FBEM). Radiolabelled scFv was injected into mice with FeCl₃-induced thrombus in the left carotid artery. Clots were imaged in a PET MR imaging system, and the amount of radioactivity in major organs was measured using an ionisation chamber and image analysis. Assessment of vessel injury, as well as the biodistribution of the radiolabelled scFv, was studied. In the in vivo experiments, we found uptake of the targeted tracer in the injured vessel, compared with the non-injured vessel, as well as a high uptake of both tracers in the kidney, lung, and muscle. As expected, both tracers cleared rapidly via the kidney. Surprisingly, a large quantity of both tracers was taken up by organs with a high glutathione content, such as the muscle and lung, due to the instability of the maleimide cysteine bond in vivo, which warrants further investigations. This limits the ability of the novel antibody radiotracer ¹⁸F-scFv_anti-LIBS to bind to the target in vivo and, therefore, as a useful agent for the sensitive detection of activated platelets. We describe the first fluorine-18 variant of the scFv_anti-LIBS against activated platelets using site-specific bio conjugation. Full article

State-of-charge (SOC) and state-of-health (SOH) of different cell chemistries were investigated using long-time cycle tests. This practical guide illustrates how differential capacity dQ/dU (capacitance) obtained from discharge curves, impedance spectra, and cyclic voltammograms can be used for the instant diagnosis of lithium-ion batteries without fully charging and discharging the cell. The increase of dU/dQ is an early indicator of upcoming heat events and deep discharge. The criterion dQ/dU = dU/dQ = 1 could serve as an indicator for “full charge”. The frequency response of capacitance correlates with the available charge of the battery and reflects overcharge events and deep discharges long before the battery fails. It is not necessary to measure down to extremely low frequencies because the charge transfer pseudocapacitance of around 10 Hz reflects well the SOC. Computer-aided calculation methods for the evaluation of measurements in industrial environments and for the training of students are presented. Full article