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Paper-based microfluidics has emerged as a promising field with diverse applications ranging from medical diagnostics to environmental monitoring. Despite significant progress in research and development, the translation of paper-based prototypes into practical end-user devices remains limited. This limitation stems from challenges related to devices not being sufficiently portable and autonomous, which paper-based microfluidics is expected to overcome. Yet for this purpose, we note the lack of comprehensive numerical modeling tools capable of simulating the intricate physicochemical phenomena involved in order to optimize the development process; hence, in this study, we introduce porousMicroTransport, a novel simulation package integrated with the open-source platform OpenFOAM®, designed to address these challenges. porousMicroTransport offers efficient solvers for fluid flow and transport phenomena in microfluidic porous media, including capillarity models and (bio)chemical reactions. Moreover, under horizontal flow conditions, porousMicroTransport application field can be extended to any porous media. We demonstrate the software’s effectiveness in two example cases, showcasing its ability to accurately reproduce complex phenomena involved in paper-based devices. By virtue of being an easy-to-use and computationally efficient tool, porousMicroTransport facilitates the design and optimization of devices, potentially enabling more devices to meet the WHO’s REASSURED criteria for point-of-care testing. We anticipate that this tool will accelerate the development and deployment of robust and portable diagnostic devices, bridging the gap between research and practical applications.

Its large intrinsic polarization makes the metastable κ-Ga2O3 polymorph appealing for multiple applications, and the In-incorporation into both κ and β-Ga2O3 allows us to engineer their bandgap on the low-end side. In this work, we provide practical guidelines to grow thin films of single phase κ-, β-Ga2O3 as well as their (InxGa1−x)2O3 alloys up to x = 0.14 and x = 0.17, respectively, using In-mediated metal exchange catalysis in plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy (MEXCAT-MBE). The role of substrate temperature, oxidizing power, growth rate, and choice of substrate on phase formation and In-incorporation is investigated. As a result, the κ phase can be stabilized in a narrow deposition window irrespective of the choice of substrate [(i) α-Al2O3 (0001), (ii) 20 nm of (2̄01) β-Ga2O3 on α-Al2O3 (0001), and (iii) (2̄01) β-Ga2O3 single crystal]. Low growth rates/metal fluxes as well as growth temperatures above 700 °C tend to stabilize the β-phase independently. Lower growth temperatures and/or O-richer deposition atmospheres allow to increase the In-incorporation in both polymorphs. Finally, we also demonstrate the possibility to grow (2̄01) β-Ga2O3 on top of α-Al2O3 (0001) at temperatures at least 100 °C above those achievable with conventional non-catalyzed MBE, opening the road for better crystal quality in heteroepitaxy.

Abstract The relationship between energy reserves of cold-water corals (CWCs) and their physiological performance remains largely unknown. In addition, it is poorly understood how the energy allocation to different metabolic processes might change with projected decreasing food supply to the deep sea in the future. This study explores the temporal and spatial variations of total energy reserves (proteins, carbohydrates and lipids) of the CWC Desmophyllum dianthus and their correlation with its calcification rate. We took advantage of distinct horizontal and vertical physico-chemical gradients in Comau Fjord (Chile) and examined the changes in energy reserves over one year in an in situ reciprocal transplantation experiment (20 m vs. 300 m and fjord head vs. mouth). Total energy reserves correlated positively with calcification rates. The fast-growing deep corals had higher and less variable energy reserves, while the slower-growing shallow corals showed pronounced seasonal changes in energy reserves. Novel deep corals (transplanted from shallow) were able to quickly increase both their calcification rates and energy reserves to similar levels as native deep corals. Our study shows the importance of energy reserves in sustaining CWC growth in spite of aragonite undersaturated conditions (deep corals) in the present, and potentially also future ocean.

The Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) is a preexisting measure of social support. The purpose of this study was to provide validity evidence for scores from the MSPSS obtained from a sample of 267 LGBTQ+ POC. The CFA results and fit indices supported the original three-factor solution.

The digital twin is referred to as a virtual representation of the physical object and its representation of real-world objects in a virtual manner. The recognition of the digital twin is obtained from real-time data with artificial intelligence techniques. Virtual reality is a three-dimensional environment that enables the users to utilize and explore the virtual environment and is achieved through the combination of hardware and software systems. Augmented reality is enabled in the form of text, audio, and video format representations. It only gets in touch with a combination of the physical and the real world whereas virtual reality proceeds in a frictional world. The increasing usage of smart manufacturing systems using digital twin is providing versatile usages. This incorporates physical and virtual environments and is enabled with the obtained data that helps in the modification of the physical counterpart. Incorporating huge amounts is a bigger challenge, therefore augmented and virtual reality is implemented that helps the users to utilize digital data with higher interest through augmented reality.

Introduction: Neoadjuvant radiotherapy is successfully used in rectal cancer to improve overall survival. However, treatment response is both unpredictable and variable. There is strong evidence to show that the phenomenon of tumour hypoxia is associated with radioresistance, however the mechanism(s) behind this are poorly understood. Consequently, there have only been a small number of studies evaluating methods targeting hypoxia-induced radioresistance. The purpose of this systematic review is to evaluate the potential effectiveness of targeting hypoxia-induced radioresistance in rectal cancer and provide recommendations for future research in this area. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was performed following the PRISMA guidelines. This study was registered on the Prospero database (CRD42023441983). Results: Eight articles met the inclusion criteria. All studies identified were in vitro or in vivo studies, there were no clinical trials. Of the 8 studies identified, 5 assessed the efficacy of drugs which directly or indirectly targeted hypoxia and three that identified potential targets. There was conflicting in vivo evidence for the use of metformin to overcome hypoxia induced radioresistance. Vorinostat, atovaquone, and evofosfamide showed promising preclinical evidence that they can overcome hypoxia-induced radioresistance. Discussion: The importance of investigating hypoxia-induced radioresistance in rectal cancer is crucial. However, to date, only a small number of preclinical studies exist evaluating this phenomenon. This systematic review highlights the importance of further research to fully understand the mechanism behind this radioresistance. There are promising targets identified in this systematic review however, substantially more pre-clinical and clinical research as a priority for future research is needed.

Background: Respiratory viral infection covers a significant admission in our Neonatal Intensive care unit. However due to limited diagnostic it is often underdiagnosed. Due to this, neonates are treated like bacterial infection, with unnecessary antibiotics and increased hospital stay. This also exposes other admitted neonates to the viral infection. Aim: The aim of our study is to determine the yield of respiratory BioFire in neonates presenting with respiratory symptoms. Materials and Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted from January 2021 to March 2023 on neonates with respiratory symptoms. Respiratory BioFire panel was performed on nasopharyngeal specimens amongst infants with clinical suspicion of respiratory viral infection Result: During the 16-month study, amongst the 54 neonates for which respiratory BioFire was sent, 55% had positive results. 90% was community-acquired infection, whereas 10% was hospital-acquired infection. Cough and tachypnoea were the common presenting symptoms. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) (60%) was the predominant virus detected. 88% of infants with RSV required respiratory support; out of which 2 out of 18(11%) required high-frequency oscillatory ventilation. Amongst term and pre-term neonates, invasive ventilation was required in 7.7% and 41.2%, respectively, amongst the tested positive, only 13% had blood culture positive, due to which antibiotics were never started in 50% and amongst those in which antibiotics were started stopped before 72 h in 40% neonates. It was seen in our study that most (88.6%) of the virus detected were in the winter months (August–January). Conclusion: Acute viral infections are common amongst neonates admitted with respiratory symptoms. Early recognition can rationalise management and reduce unnecessary use of antibiotics.

Tourists’ sense of place or destination attachment could play an important role in destination branding. Yet, sense of place literature focuses on residents as the concept originates from a long-term residence in one place. This study explores the role of destination attachment based on tourist experience for branding based on a case study in Malaysian Borneo. A qualitative content analysis using QCAmap of 34 blogs extracted 116 blogposts with narratives containing emotional sentiments from international tourists. Findings uncovered six important attributes: namely nature, adventure, environment, culture, conservation, and education associated with destination attachment. Findings show that these attributes are interconnected as the main attribute, nature, produces other attributes. A tourists’ sense of place model for destination attachment is proposed to understand how tourists develop attachment to a place.

Recently, in February 2023, we defined a set of policies to promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) in the evaluation and communication of research in our journal. From that, we imagine that readers may ask themselves: being BAR a business and management journal, what are the reasons that led it to adopt such policies? We would answer… good question!

The economic contribution of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) has been well appreciated and documented in the literature. On the other hand, another domain of studies has concentrated on discovering the key determinants of SMEs' growth and survival. The motivation of the study is to gauge the nexus between financial innovation, technological innovation, clean energy, environmental degradation, and SME performance in Bangladesh for the period 1991-2019. The study has implemented Autoregressive Distributed Lagged (ARDL), Nonlinear ARDL, and the Toda-Yamamoto causality test. Referring to output derived with ARDL, a study has exposed a positive and statistically significant link between explanatory variables, that is, financial innovation, technological innovation, and clean energy consumption and SMEs' contribution to GDP both in the long-run and short-run. At the same time, environmental degradation has been revealed to be adversely connected to SME performance. The results of the standard Wald test have established an asymmetric association between explained and explanatory variables in the long-run and short run. In terms of the directional causality test, the study disclosed bidirectional causal effects running between clean energy and SMEs performance [CEßàSME], foreign direct investment, and SMEs performance [FDIßàSME]. Based on the study findings, the policy suggestions have been introduced in light of future development in SMEs in Bangladesh.