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1 - 5 of 62018
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ArticleCourting the Sharks: The Influence of CEO Narcissistic Admiration and Rivalry on New Venture Funding(INFORMS, 2025-05-12)We draw from the social psychology literature to introduce an alternative conceptualization of executive narcissism—narcissistic admiration and rivalry. In the context of chief executive officers (CEOs) pitching to investors, we theorize how narcissistic CEOs may use distinct behavioral strategies to pursue status, thereby shaping investor sentiment and ultimately affecting investors’ funding decisions. Using Shark Tank data, we find evidence that narcissistic admiration and rivalry are associated with opposing patterns in new venture funding, as shaped by investor sentiment. Specifically, CEO narcissistic admiration is positively associated with new venture funding by increasing investor sentiment, whereas CEO narcissistic rivalry is negatively associated with new venture funding by decreasing investor sentiment. These results highlight the need to separate narcissistic admiration and rivalry in executive narcissism research and illustrate the underlying mechanisms through which executive narcissism shapes organizational outcomes. Overall, this study provides new insights into two pathways of executive narcissism and offers evidence consistent with the idea that executive narcissism matters in entrepreneurial contexts.
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ArticleInvestigation on effects of LiCl, KCl and polyethylene oxide on electrochemical properties of cement-based capacitors(Elsevier Ltd, 2025-05-06)In this paper, cement-based capacitors fabricated using cement, nickel foam electrodes, and additives were investigated to achieve the integration of mechanical performance and energy storage capacity. The effects of the additives, including polyethylene oxide (PEO), lithium chloride (LiCl), and potassium chloride (KCl), on the cement hydration process were characterized, and the micromorphology of the cement-based capacitors was examined. The compressive strength, ionic conductivity, and impedance of the cement-based capacitors were assessed. An in-depth analysis of electrochemical properties of the cement-based capacitors was conducted. The results show that both the mechanical and electrochemical properties of the cement-based capacitors were enhanced by the addition of 2 mol/L KCl solution. Although LiCl improves electrochemical performance, its positive effect may weaken when its concentration exceeds a certain threshold. Moreover, the microstructure analysis also reveals a denser structure of the cement-based capacitor with 2 mol/L KCl. Additionally, the incorporation of 10 % PEO enhances specific capacitance, but fails to increase the ionic conductivity or compressive strength. These findings indicate the high potential of cement-based capacitors for developing energy storage capacity for self-powering, sustainable, and smart civil infrastructure.
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ArticleRecycled carbon fibre/cement-based triboelectric nanogenerators toward energy-efficient and smart civil infrastructure(Elsevier Ltd, 2025-05-05)This study investigated the development of recycled carbon fibre (rCF)-reinforced cementitious composites for cement-based triboelectric nanogenerators (CBTENGs), marking a novel integration of rCF into cementitious systems for energy-harvesting in buildings and civil infrastructure. By incorporating rCF into cement matrices, the electrical conductivity and mechanical properties of the composites were significantly improved, addressing the limitations of traditional cementitious materials. A comprehensive series of tests evaluated the electrical, mechanical, and triboelectric performance of CBTENGs with rCF contents ranging from 0 to 5 % by weight of the binder. The results revealed that an optimal rCF content of 0.5 % yielded the highest triboelectric output, with a peak power density of 281 mW/m2, a short-circuit current of 7 μA, and an open-circuit voltage of 250 V. However, higher rCF concentrations led to fibre agglomerations, reducing both mechanical strength and electrical performance. The results demonstrated practical applications, including a laboratory-scale simulation in which a CBTENG interacted with a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)-covered wheel, generating measurable electrical outputs. In a field-scale simulation, the CBTENGs successfully charged a 10 μF capacitor to nearly 4.0 V over 1200 wheel passes, powering 26 LEDs. These findings highlight the potential of rCF-reinforced CBTENGs as sustainable, renewable and, cost-effective solutions for energy-harvesting in buildings and civil infrastructure, paving the way for smart and energy-efficient construction materials.
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ArticleHeterogeneous Condensation on Simplified Viral Envelope Protein Structures(American Chemical Society, 2025-05-03)Elucidating the mechanisms of heterogeneous condensation on viral and bacterial envelopes is crucial for understanding biothreat transport phenomena and optimizing capture efficiency in condensation-based detection devices. We investigate the impact of viral envelope geometric parameters [e.g., surface structure pitch-to-diameter ratio (p/d)] due to protruding glycoproteins and surface wettability [via liquid–solid interaction intensity (f)] on heterogeneous condensation using molecular dynamics simulations. Complex glycoprotein structures were modeled as cylindrical pillars to analyze condensation rates and active surface areas across a range of p/d ratios (1.0, 1.2, 1.3, 1.7, 2.0, and ∞) and contact angles (θ = 15°, 75°, and 105°, corresponding to f = 3.0, 2.0, and 1.5) to address envelope geometries for a wide variety of viruses. The results indicate that initial condensation rates on surfaces with intermediate p/d ratios (e.g., 1.2–1.3) are significantly higher due to increased active surface area and droplet cluster formations. The rapid initial condensation fills up the gap between the pillars, reducing the active surface area and leading to a gradual decrease and a plateau in the condensation rate. The increased peak condensation rates are not observed as p/d increased to and above 1.7, as the exhibited behavior is like condensation on the unstructured surface. An increase in surface hydrophilicity (θ = 15°, f = 3.0) leads to faster nucleation and higher peak condensation rates compared to hydrophobic surfaces (θ = 105°, f = 1.5). The influence of viral envelope geometries and surface wettability on the heterogeneous condensation mechanisms offers foundational insights required to understand airborne biothreat transmission, which is particularly important in the atmosphere and respiratory tract, and improve biothreat detection methods utilizing condensation-based capture devices.
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ArticlePerineal Urethrostomy Enables Susceptibility of Bull Calves as a Natural Host Model for Bovine Trichomonosis(Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI), 2025-05-03)Tritrichomonas foetus is a sexually transmitted protozoan that causes early embryonic death in cattle. A challenge in trichomonosis research is that in vivo studies of treatments, diagnostic strategies, and vaccines are severely hampered by the logistical challenge and cost of maintaining adult bulls. Since natural infections are diagnosed in postpubescent animals, the paradigm is that only mature breeding bulls can be infected. In this study, we hypothesized that prepubescent bull calves could be artificially infected with T. foetus trophozoites for the purpose of conducting research trials. Initial attempts to directly infect bull calves with two different parasite isolates resulted in the sporadic and transient detection of parasite DNA but not culturable trophozoites. In vitro and in vivo studies suggested that urine directly inhibited trophozoites, likely by osmotic damage and mechanical flushing action. Studies utilizing a perineal urethrostomy to remove urine flow from the prepuce resulted in the ability to colonize the prepuce, with live organisms being cultured for as long as 15 days post-inoculation. Future studies optimizing this technique have the potential to accelerate the pace of bovine trichomonosis research and may have applications in the study of human trichomoniasis.