Unveiling the influence of global innovation networks on corporate innovation: evidence from the international semiconductor industry.

In this study, we investigate the influence of global innovation networks (GINs) on the innovation output of semiconductor firms. Utilizing negative binomial regression and network analysis, we assess how network positions, specifically degree, betweenness, and closeness centrality, affect firms' innovation performance, revealing significant positive impacts. Moreover, our results identify a positive U-shaped relationship between structural holes in GINs and innovation performance, suggesting that while moderate network engagement aids innovation, too much can be detrimental. This research provides key insights into optimizing GIN participation for better innovation results in the competitive semiconductor sector.

Deep Learning-Based Quantitative Blastocyst Assessment.

Selecting the single best blastocyst based on morphological appearance for implantation is a crucial part of in vitro fertilization (IVF). Various deep learning and computer vision-based methods have recently been applied for assessing blastocyst quality. However, to the best of our knowledge, most previous works utilize classification networks to give a qualitative evaluation. It would be challenging to rank blastocyst quality with the same qualitative result. Thus, this paper proposes a regression network combined with a soft attention mechanism for quantitatively evaluating blastocyst quality. The network outputs a continuous score to represent blastocyst quality precisely rather than some categories. As to the soft attention mechanism, the attention module in the network outputs an activation map (attention map) localizing the regions of interest (ROI, i.e., inner cell mass (ICM)) of microscopic blastocyst images. The generated activation map guides the entire network to predict ICM quality more accurately. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method is superior to traditional classification-based networks. Moreover, the visualized activation map makes the proposed network decision more reliable.

Preparation of High-Stability Ceramic Slurry with Gel Behavior for Stereolithography 3D Printing.

Maintaining sufficient uniformity and stability of a ceramic slurry throughout the printing cycle is key to ensuring the performance of ceramic parts in ceramic-slurry stereolithography. In this study, a stable three-dimensional network structure was introduced into a slurry to achieve slurry uniformity and stability based on rheology theory. The effects of the particle size, solid loading, dispersant content, and gelling agent content on the stability of the three-dimensional network structure in the slurry were analyzed. Relatively stable three-dimensional network structures were constructed to achieve 4-week stability of micron- and submicron-size particle slurries by adjusting the contents of the dispersant and gelling agent. Stabilization ideas for different particle size ranges are provided. In addition, an empirical stability model was obtained based on the experimental results. When the predicted empirical stability factor of A was less than 0.035, the slurry exhibited good stability.

[Efficacy and safety of 3% mepivacaine hydrochloride injection for oral local anesthesia].

PURPOSE: To assess the efficacy and safety of 3% mepivacaine hydrochloride injection for oral local anesthesia. METHODS: 68 non-hypertension patients and 36 hypertension patients were randomly divided into 2 groups for local anesthesia. 2% lidocaine with adrenaline in same cartridge was as control group and 3% mepivacaine was as the experimental group. The onset time,duration and pain-free time of 2 anaesthetics were examined. The blood pressure and heart rate change, neural reaction and side effect of 2 groups were observed. SAS software package was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: In the mepivacaine group, the average onset time was 111s, the duration time was 212s and pain-free time was 134 min ,which was similar to those of 2% lidocaine. Immediately after injection, 5 minutes and 10 minutes after injection of anesthesia, and post-operation, there were no significant changes in the systolic blood pressures between 2% lidocaine group and 3% mepivacaine group (P>0.05), but there were significant changes in diastolic blood pressures and heart rate (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: 3% mepivacaine has quick onset, ideal anesthetic effect and little side effect on cardiovascular system.