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An efficient hole-transporting layer (HTL) based on functionalized two-dimensional (2D) MoS2-poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) composites has been developed for use in organic solar cells (OSCs). Few-layer, oleylamine-functionalized MoS2 (FMoS2) nanosheets were prepared via a simple and cost-effective solution-phase exfoliation method; then, they were blended into PEDOT:PSS, a conducting conjugated polymer, and the resulting hybrid film (PEDOT:PSS/FMoS2) was tested as an HTL for poly(3-hexylthiophene):[6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (P3HT:PCBM) OSCs. The devices using this hybrid film HTL showed power conversion efficiencies up to 3.74%, which is 15.08% higher than that of the reference ones having PEDOT:PSS as HTL. Atomic force microscopy and contact angle measurements confirmed the compatibility of the PEDOT:PSS/FMoS2 surface for active layer deposition on it. The electrical impedance spectroscopy analysis revealed that their use minimized the charge-transfer resistance of the OSCs, consequently improving their performance compared with the reference cells. Thus, the proposed fabrication of such HTLs incorporating 2D nanomaterials could be further expanded as a universal protocol for various high-performance optoelectronic devices.

PurposeThis study investigates the effects of vertical direction and rotation of English loan brand names in East Asian languages (Chinese and Korean) on processing fluency, perceived product quality and purchase intention.Design/methodology/approachFour experiments were conducted in China and Korea, employing a 2 (vertical direction: downward vs upward) X 3 (rotation: 0°/marquee vs 90° clockwise vs 90° counterclockwise) between-subjects factorial design.FindingsThe findings showed that when the English loan Chinese brand name was displayed downward, the marquee format was preferred, while counterclockwise rotation was favored when displayed upward. In Korean, clockwise rotation was preferred for downward presentation, while counterclockwise rotation was favored for upward presentation. The effects on purchase intention were mediated by processing fluency and perceived product quality.Practical implicationsThis research provides practical implications for global manufacturers and retailers, offering guidance on presenting brand names in East Asian languages and optimizing product packaging designs. For Chinese consumers, the marquee format is recommended for downward-oriented brand names, while counterclockwise rotation is effective for upward orientation. For Korean consumers, clockwise rotation is favored for downward presentation and counterclockwise rotation is preferred for upward presentation. Understanding linguistic habits allows the tailoring of brand presentations, enhancing brand perception and consumer responses.Originality/valueThis study contributes to understanding the role of cultural and linguistic influences on consumer information processing and product perception in vertical presentations of brand names.

From late 2008 to 2014, oil and equity returns were more positively correlated than in other periods. In addition, we show that both oil and equity returns became more responsive to macroeconomic news. We provide empirical evidence that these changes resulted from the zero lower bound (ZLB) on nominal interest rates, consistent with the theoretical predictions of a model that includes the ZLB. Although the ZLB alters the economic environment in theory, supportive empirical evidence has been lacking. Our paper provides clear evidence of the ZLB altering the economic environment.

If “information” is a central concept for library and information science, then “questions” are fundamental, for information “informs” relative to the question. But research focusing on questions as a central theoretical concept has been stymied by the paradox of the question, which observes that in order to ask one must know enough to know what one does not know (Flammer, 1981). This dissertation proposes that this paradox results from the limitations of the cognitive approach to questions as indications of individual information need, and that the paradox can be resolved by reframing questions as social epistemological tools of inquiry within knowledge domains. The questions posed by three knowledge domains – neuroscience, literature, and computer engineering – on the common topic of “memory” are analyzed in order to investigate how the domains’ question formulations compare and what the comparisons convey about how to answer and the assumptions upon which question and answer are constructed. A method is developed for identifying the implicit questions that motivate and organize scholarly inquiry by analyzing dissertation abstracts as knowledge products of inquiry. The comparative question analysis of neuroscience, literature, and computer engineering dissertations’ question formulations about “memory” supports the proposition that knowledge domains ask different questions and ask them differently. What they ask, the content of their questions, communicates the indeterminate epistemic situation that each domain has of memory, while the mode of presentation of the question, its form, conveys the epistemic structure of inquiry and the production of knowledge. A social epistemological model of domains’ question formulations is developed that proposes that question content reflects domain ontologies, question form reflects domain epistemologies, and determinations of question relevance reflect domain sociality, which model has implications for document relevance, question negotiation, information retrieval design, and inquiry-based learning.

Despite the considerable attention paid to the need to increase the information literacy of high school students in preparation for the transition to college, poor research skills still seem to be the norm. To gain insight into the problem, library instruction environments of nineteen high schools were explored. The schools were selected based on whether their graduates did well or poorly on information-skills assignments integrated in a required first-year college course. The librarians in the nineteen schools were asked to characterize their working relationships with teachers, estimate their students’ information-literacy achievement, and provide data on their staffing and budgets. Findings suggest that school librarians are seldom in a position to adequately collaborate with teachers and that their opportunities to help students achieve information literacy are limited.

As virtual reference services (VRS) have become vital alternatives to traditional face-to-face (FtF) and phone reference, guidelines for best practices emerged to ensure that users are being well served across different modes of service delivery. Yet much remains to be understood about whether and how the essential process of query clarification occurs in the live chat reference environment. This study is among the first large-scale analyses of chat transcripts from libraries of different types, sizes, and world-wide geographic regions. It reports results from a qualitative analysis of a random sample of 850 transcripts from Question Point, a 24/7/365 cooperative reference service administered by OCLC Online Computer Library Center with one thousand plus member libranes across the world. A Query Clarification Coding Scheme was developed as part of the analysis by using the constant comparative method. Close reading and evaluation of the transcripts revealed that librarians ask clarifying questions heavily before searching, while users generally offer clarification of their information need more often during the searching process. Both groups clarify to seek or offer information about the query topic and background; search history; and extent, depth, and type of resource needed. They also clarify to verify understanding and correct misunderstanding. Results indicate that accuracy was enhanced for librarians who used clarifying questions in answenng ready reference (factual) questions. Although highly recommended query clarification techniques, especially using the follow-up question before logging off, are generally prescribed to improve accuracy, only 50 percent of libranans used follow-up questions and 33 percent of all questions asked to users were open questions. These findings suggest that emphasis on increasing these two techniques during VRS librarian training will improve the effectiveness of chat reference. Additionally, users with queries related to school, academic, or work-related information seeking were found to compuse 26 percent of the analyzed transactions, suggesting important implications for further research efforts as well as VRS librarian training and practice.

Statin medications have been suggested for widespread use in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We studied the dose effectiveness and tolerability of pravastatin in SLE. We compared 41 SLE subjects in a two-month open-label dose-titration study of pravastatin to 22 SLE controls. Lipids, ALT, CPK, CRP, adverse effects were assessed. Linear mixed models assessed changes in lipids and CRP, comparing pravastatin subjects to controls. After 1 month of pravastatin 10 mg a day, total cholesterol decreased by 16% (+/-12.1%) and LDL by 24% (+/-17%), compared with 1.8% (+/-7.5%) and 2.6% (+/-8.6%) decreases in controls (P < 0.001). CRP did not decline. Glucocorticoids appeared to decrease pravastatin effectiveness. Serum CPK increased in one subject. Pravastatin reduced LDL and total cholesterol levels approximately the same degree observed in normal individuals, but the effect appeared blunted in those on modest doses of glucocorticoids and those with higher BMI.