Search Results (45)

As the core abrasive in chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) processes, the morphology, size uniformity, and chemical reactivity of CeO₂ nanoparticles (NPs) are crucial factors determining the surface precision and yield of devices. In this work, a KNO₃–LiNO₃ eutectic molten salt was used as the reaction medium. By systematically adjusting key processing parameters (such as the type of cerium source, the species and dosage of surfactants, and calcination conditions), the regulatory effects of these factors on particle growth mechanisms were clarified. This adjustment enabled the controlled synthesis of spherical CeO₂ NPs with customized morphology, particle size, and surface defect states. The multi-stage reaction process of the precursor during calcination was identified by applying thermal analysis techniques, including TG-DSC and TG-FTIR. This process includes dehydration, ion exchange, and thermal decomposition. Microstructural analysis shows that the type and dosage of the cerium source and template agent significantly affect the uniformity of particle size and spherical morphology. Moreover, by using an optimized process with a heating rate of 6 °C/min and maintaining at 400 °C for 3 h, spherical CeO₂ NPs with an average particle size of 60 nm, uniform size distribution, and high sphericity were successfully synthesized via a single-step calcination process. Based on these findings, a further proposal was put forward regarding a crystal growth mechanism mediated by micelle-directed assembly and oriented attachment. This method only requires a single calcination step, has mild reaction conditions, and involves a simple process without the need for specialized equipment—features that show great potential for scalable production. It provides both a theoretical basis and experimental support for the controlled preparation of high-performance CeO₂ abrasives. Full article

Cultural tourism has emerged as a key factor in destination development, but moving from growth-oriented expansion to sustainability necessitates a better comprehension of the psychological processes influencing visitor involvement. Existing studies insufficiently integrate destination-level diversification with tourist psychological identity, particularly within emerging economies. Drawing on a diversified development framework, this study constructs a theoretical model linking economic, cultural, social, and environmental dimensions with tourist psychological identity and sustainable destination development. Questionnaire data from 300 respondents were analyzed using regression analysis to examine direct and indirect effects across influencing factors. Economic development (β = 0.45), government policy support (β = 0.23), and investment orientation (β = 0.32) significantly strengthen sustainable cultural tourism development. Cultural resources (β = 0.51), cultural exchange (β = 0.27), and creative industries (β = 0.18) also exhibit strong positive effects. Tourist psychological identity is shaped by personal economic status (β = 0.42), cultural experience (β = 0.33), and social recommendations (β = 0.35). Moreover, psychological identity exerts a substantial influence on sustainable development (β = 0.56), indicating a reinforcing mechanism between destination diversification and long-term sustainability. Findings demonstrate that diversified development pathways enhance both destination sustainability and tourists’ psychological attachment, offering actionable implications for destination marketing and management. This study contributes to shifting tourism development from a growth paradigm toward a sustainability paradigm, supporting SDGs 8, 11, and 12. Full article

This study addresses the limited integration of place-based education (PBE) into primary science learning, particularly regarding its potential to cultivate both cognitive understanding and emotional attachment to place—key dimensions of education for sustainability. Implemented in a rural Thai primary school, a ten-week (20-h) PBE program engaged Grade 6 students in locally relevant, hands-on activities grounded in Experiential Learning Theory and Social Learning Theory. Mixed-method analysis combined rubric-based scoring of a Sense of Place Assessment with qualitative content analysis of student reflections and group work. Post-intervention results showed that 84.21% of students achieved a high level of sense of place, with the strongest gains in place knowledge, followed by place dependence and place identity. Qualitative findings revealed three developmental pathways: sustained attachment through long-term experiences, growth from surface awareness to active participation, and limited emotional connection despite involvement. These patterns illustrate diverse routes through which PBE can foster environmental stewardship by linking personal meaning-making with collaborative action. Embedding PBE in authentic school contexts can enhance students’ capacity to value, care for, and improve their immediate environments, offering a transferable model for integrating sustainability-oriented learning across curricula. Full article

The scalable synthesis of high-quality single-crystal diamond films remains pivotal for next-generation extreme-performance devices. Iridium substrates offer exceptional promise for heteroepitaxy, yet early-stage growth mechanisms limiting crystal quality are poorly understood. An integrated multiscale investigation combining first-principles DFT calculations, molecular dynamics simulations, and experimental validation is presented to resolve the oriented attachment process governing diamond growth on Ir(100). Robust interfacial bonding at the interface and optimal carbon coverage are revealed to provide thermodynamic driving forces for primary nucleation. A critical angular tolerance enabling defect-free coalescence through crystallographic realignment is identified by molecular dynamics. Concurrent nucleation growth pathways are experimentally confirmed through SEM, AFM, and Raman spectroscopy, where nascent crystallites undergo spontaneous orientational registry to form continuous epitaxial domains. Grain boundary annihilation is observed upon lattice rotation aligning adjacent grains below the critical angle. Crucially, intrinsic atomic steps are generated on the resultant coalesced layer, eliminating conventional etching requirements for homoepitaxial thickening. This work advances fundamental understanding of single-crystal diamond growth mechanisms, facilitating enhanced quality control for semiconductor device manufacturing and quantum applications. Full article

Meditation interventions have important benefits, including potentially helping those with higher attachment anxiety and avoidance enjoy better personal and relational growth. This preregistered and reproducible systematic map sought to identify the extent and scope of experimental evidence investigating the role of mindfulness, loving-kindness, and compassion-based multi-session meditation interventions in (a) moderating the effects of attachment orientations on outcomes over time and/or (b) changing attachment orientations over time. We conducted a systematic map, as the literature on meditation interventions and attachment is nascent. We searched 5 databases, screening 725 studies. We extracted data from four journal articles and one dissertation (five studies in total) which met our inclusion criteria. Four studies examined the effects of meditation interventions on buffering attachment insecurity and one examined attachment security enhancement. All five studies included a mindfulness meditation intervention, and one included a loving-kindness meditation intervention. All studies were conducted in Western cultures. Studies primarily found evidence for interventions benefitting those with higher attachment anxiety, although some evidence emerged for higher attachment avoidance. Our systematic map highlights a critical need for further application of meditation interventions in an attachment and personal growth context, given the promising nature of early work in this area. Full article

The delivery of mesothelial cells by nanofibrous membranes (NFMs) can repair a damaged peritoneal mesothelium and enhance peritoneal healing in patients with chronic renal failure. On the other hand, the orientation of the nanofibers in NFMs may affect cell attachment, proliferation, and the phenotype of mesothelial cells in the nanostructured scaffold. We prepare composite gelatin/chitosan NFMs with aligned or random fiber orientations by electrospinning. We cross-link the nanofibers to maintain the fiber orientation during in vitro cell culture. We then study the cellular response of attached mesothelial cells to fiber orientation in the scaffold. From in vitro cell culture with rat mesothelial cells, the prepared NFMs show high biocompatibility to support cellular growth, regardless of fiber orientation. However, the alignment of electrospun nanofibers in a well-defined geometry can promote cell adhesion and proliferation rates with directional cell organization. The anisotropic arrangement of mesothelial cells in the aligned NFM also coincides with the phenotypic maintenance of the attached mesothelial cells, with biophysical cues provided by the aligned nanofibers. The aligned NFMs may find applications in tissue engineering of a damaged mesothelium layer or in other regenerative therapies where cellular alignment is critical for neo-tissue regeneration. Full article

Myofibers are highly specialized contractile cells of skeletal muscles, and dysregulation of myofiber morphogenesis is emerging as a contributing cause of myopathies and structural birth defects. Myotubes are the myofiber precursors and undergo a dramatic morphological transition into long bipolar myofibers that are attached to tendons on two ends. Similar to axon growth cones, myotube leading edges navigate toward target cells and form cell–cell connections. The process of myotube guidance connects myotubes with the correct tendons, orients myofiber morphology with the overall body plan, and generates a functional musculoskeletal system. Navigational signaling, addition of mass and volume, and identification of target cells are common events in myotube guidance and axon guidance, but surprisingly, the mechanisms regulating these events are not completely overlapping in myotubes and axons. This review summarizes the strategies that have evolved to direct myotube leading edges to predetermined tendon cells and highlights key differences between myotube guidance and axon guidance. The association of myotube guidance pathways with developmental disorders is also discussed. Full article

Three-dimensional (3D) hydrogels provide tissue-like complexities and allow for the spatial orientation of cells, leading to more realistic cellular responses in pathophysiological environments. There is a growing interest in developing multifunctional hydrogels using ternary mixtures for biomedical applications. This study examined the biocompatibility and suitability of human auricular chondrocytes from microtia cultured onto steam-sterilized 3D Chitosan/Gelatin/Poly(Vinyl Alcohol) (CS/Gel/PVA) hydrogels as scaffolds for tissue engineering applications. Hydrogels were prepared in a polymer ratio (1:1:1) through freezing/thawing and freeze-drying and were sterilized by autoclaving. The macrostructure of the resulting hydrogels was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), showing a heterogeneous macroporous structure with a pore size between 50 and 500 μm. Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectra showed that the three polymers interacted through hydrogen bonding between the amino and hydroxyl moieties. The profile of amino acids present in the gelatin and the hydrogel was determined by ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC), suggesting that the majority of amino acids interacted during the formation of the hydrogel. The cytocompatibility, viability, cell growth and formation of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins were evaluated to demonstrate the suitability and functionality of the 3D hydrogels for the culture of auricular chondrocytes. The cytocompatibility of the 3D hydrogels was confirmed using a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, reaching 100% viability after 72 h. Chondrocyte viability showed a high affinity of chondrocytes for the hydrogel after 14 days, using the Live/Dead assay. The chondrocyte attachment onto the 3D hydrogels and the formation of an ECM were observed using SEM. Immunofluorescence confirmed the expression of elastin, aggrecan and type II collagen, three of the main components found in an elastic cartilage extracellular matrix. These results demonstrate the suitability and functionality of a CS/Gel/PVA hydrogel as a 3D support for the auricular chondrocytes culture, suggesting that these hydrogels are a potential biomaterial for cartilage tissue engineering applications, aimed at the regeneration of elastic cartilage. Full article

This study investigated the characteristics of feedback-seeking behavior and the underlying motivational antecedents including the mindsets and achievement goals of Chinese EFL learners. Questionnaire data were collected from 677 learners taking English classes at different levels in China for (1) their beliefs about English learning (a fixed or growth mindset), (2) goal orientation in achievement-related situations (development or demonstration goals), and (3) FSB (whether to seek feedback, by what strategies, and from whom). Results indicated that Chinese EFL learners with a growth mindset or demonstration-approach goals proactively seek feedback through variant strategies (i.e., feedback direct inquiry, indirect inquiry, and monitoring) while those with development-approach goals or a fixed mindset seek feedback by monitoring only due to learners’ different perceptions of the cost and value attached to different strategies. Furthermore, a demonstration approach partially mediated the predictive role of a growth mindset on three FSBs, while the relationships between feedback monitoring and the two mindsets were partially or fully mediated by a development approach. Full article

Single crystalline anatase TiO₂ microspheres with co-exposed {001}/{101} facets were prepared by a facile one-pot hydrothermal method using NaF as a morphology controlling agent. The influences of the NaF amount on the morphology and also on the photocatalytic activity were investigated systematically. The obtained microspheres possessed better morphology when the concentration of NaF was chosen at 0.1 mol/L, and the experimental results indicated that the crystal structure and morphology played important roles on the photocatalytic activity, based on the experimental results it was found that the photocatalytic degradation efficiency of TiO₂ microspheres on Tetracycline hydrochloride could reach 76.4% in 2 h. Finally, a growth mechanism was proposed by investigating the growth process, i.e., a synergistic effect of F ions modified Ostwald ripening and oriented attachment. Full article

Entrepreneurship catalyzes economic growth; it generates jobs, advances the economy and solves global challenges. Hence, it is crucial to understand the factors contributing to entrepreneurship and entrepreneurs’ development. While many studies have investigated intrapersonal factors for entrepreneurial tendencies, the present study focuses on a critical yet often overlooked interpersonal aspect: attachment orientations. Specifically, this article examines the relationship between adult attachment orientations and entrepreneurial tendencies. Three studies across three countries (Israel, the UK, and Singapore) indicated that an anxious attachment orientation in close relationships is negatively associated with enterprising tendencies. In Israel (Study 1) and Singapore (Study 2), avoidant attachment in close relationships was also negatively correlated to such tendencies. Overall, the more people feel secure in close relationships (lower scores on attachment anxiety or avoidance), the higher their enterprising tendencies. Limitations and future research suggestions are discussed. Full article

At present, composite solder pastes are getting a lot of attention, especially composite Sn based solders reinforced by nanoparticles. Indeed, CoSn₃ is a strong nucleating agent of Sn crystal, which has potential application value in the field of electronic packaging. However, there is no reliable synthetic path for CoSn₃ nanoparticles at present. In this article, a chemical synthesis method for CoSn₃ nanoparticles is developed. Here, CoCl₂ and SnCl₂ are reduced by NaHB₄ in triethylene glycol (TEG), dispersed by ultrasonics, and heated to 350 °C in a tube furnace for growth. The CoSn₃ nanoparticles with a diameter of about 150 nm are obtained by heating at 350 °C for 10 min. The CoSn₃ nanoparticles undergo a step reaction in the process of synthesis and go through different stages of merging and annexation during their growth. The crystal growth behavior and the process of orientation change during the nucleation and growth of CoSn₃ nanoparticles are studied, especially the two growth mechanisms, namely OU (orientation unified) and OA (orientation attached). By mixing CoSn₃ nanoparticles with SAC305, we obtain a kind of strengthened composite soldering paste. There are obvious six-fold cyclic twins in the joints made by this soldering paste. Full article

A method of phase-transfer water/toluene synthesis was developed to fabricate mesocrystals of Zeolite Socony Mobil-5 (ZSM-5) that contain both meso-/micropores and nanometer crystallites. The construction of a hierarchical architecture from nanozeolites via oriented attachment growth was achieved by a simple phase-transfer water/toluene synthesis by minimizing classical atom-by-atom crystallization. This opens the way to the cheap, highly efficient engineering of zeolitic morphologies. The physicochemical properties of the crystal were revealed by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), N₂ physical adsorption, inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), ammonia temperature-programmed desorption (NH₃-TPD) and pyridine infrared spectroscopy (Py-IR), indicating that the material has a high specific surface area, mesopore volume and Lewis acid content. The hierarchical ZSM-5 exhibits a prolonged catalytic lifetime in dimethyl ether–methyl ether (DTO) conversion and enhanced selectivity for propylene owing to the enhanced structural properties. The method can be extended to the synthesis of other graded zeolites controlled by the crystallization process and produce crystals comprising traversing mesoporosity and ultrasmall crystallites that are crucial for mass transfer enhancement. Full article

In this study, a CO₂ carbonization method is introduced for the preparation of 1D yttrium oxide powders. Using YCl₃ as the raw material, sodium hydroxide was initially used to completely precipitate Y³⁺ into yttrium hydroxide, and then CO₂ was introduced into the yttrium hydroxide slurry for homogenization-like carbonization to obtain yttrium carbonate precipitation. Then, by studying the effects of carbonization conditions, such as the temperature, CO₂ flow rate, and stirring speed, on the morphology and phases of yttrium carbonate, the temperature was observed to exert a greater effect than the other experimental parameters on the morphology and structure of the carbonized products. Finally, Y₂(CO₃)₃·2H₂O nanoneedles were obtained at optimal conditions. The carbonized crystals of the acicular yttrium carbonate precipitate because of the solution supersaturation and then quickly complete their crystal growth process through the oriented attachment (OA) and Ostwald ripening (OR) mechanisms. After heat treatment, yttrium carbonate retained a good crystal morphology and produced Y₂O₃ nanoneedles with a length of 1–2 μm and a width of 20–30 nm. Full article

Anisotropic ZrO${}_2$ particles with octahedron-, diamond- and plate-like morphologies are successfully synthesized by a facile hydrothermal treatment approach using NaBF${}_4$ as mineralizer. The concentration of mineralizers play a crucial role on the formation of shape-controlled ZrO${}_2$ particles thus affect the particle size. With the increasing concentration of mineralizer, the crystalline sizes of the primary single-crystal and the secondary particle size both increase. With the introduction of NaBF${}_4$, F${}^{-}$ plays an essential role in tuning the crystallinity and size of primary ZrO${}_2$ nanorods along [001] direction. The synergistic effect of F${}^{-}$ and B${}^{3+}$ result in different epitaxial growth rate. And the secondary particles mainly crystallize on the small primary nanoparticles through the oriented attachment mechanism. The as-prepared ZrO${}_2$ particles with different sizes and shapes exhibit different photocatalytic efficiency for the degradation of organic dyes. Under UV irradiation, the highest MB degradation rate of 88% was observed within 60 min for ZrO${}_2$ photocatalyst synthesized with 0.01 mol/L NaBF${}_4$ mineralizer. Full article