The Mainz University of Applied Sciences (German: Hochschule Mainz), is a 1971-founded university located in Mainz, Germany. The University of Applied Sciences Mainz consists of three faculties: School of Technology, School of Design and School of Business. The common feature of all fields of study is the practical orientation of the university, the short periods of study and the internationally orientated courses.In 2009 the School of Business, the School of Engineering with the departments Geoinformatics and Surveying and the administration of the university moved to the new location "Campus". All other departments will move as well in the near future to the new location "Campus"..
Molecular photoswitches capable of controlling membrane properties under light stimulation represent promising tools for manipulating biomimetic and biological interfaces. We report the synthesis and photophysical characterization of amphiphilic P-type photoswitches exhibiting efficient and reversible E↔Z photoisomerization under both one-photon (1PA: 375/300 nm) and two-photon (2PA: 750/630 nm) excitation. Their incorporation into DPPC monolayers and bilayers enables light-driven modulation of membrane structure. Short-chain analogues (C4 derivatives) remain well-mixed with DPPC and promote curvature upon E↔Z photoisomerization, regardless of the polarity of their headgroup (hydroxyl, OH, or hexaethylenglycol, HEG). In contrast, long-chain derivatives (C12) behave either as light-activated compressants or expanders depending on the strength of their headgroup interactions. The HEG-terminated C12 photoswitch (Sw-HEG-C12) favors anchoring at the interface and induces lateral demixing (microsegregation) and domain stiffening, leading to a decrease in surface pressure in DPPC monolayers and an increase in vesicle size upon E→Z isomerization. Conversely, the hydroxylated analogue (Sw-OH-C12) mixes nearly ideally with DPPC but occupies different depths within the bilayer depending on isomerization state (E near the interface, Z internalized), resulting in an increase in surface pressure and a decrease in vesicle size upon E→Z isomerization. The two-photon-responsive photoswitches reported herein appear thus as versatile tools for the optical control of membrane architecture in biological environments where NIR light is required.
Background:Macrolide antibiotics have immunomodulatory activity and when taken chronically reduce exacerbations of COPD. However, chronic use can cause bacterial resistance. EP395 (glasmacinal), a novel macrolide, is being developed as a treatment to reduce exacerbations of COPD without inducing antimicrobial resistance. Methods:In this double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 2a trial (NCT05572333), patients (≥45 years old, diagnosed with COPD for ≥2 years and stable on at least one maintenance inhaled therapy) were randomised (2:1) to EP395 or placebo daily for 12 weeks. The primary objective was safety, with key secondary objectives assessing pharmacodynamic effects of EP395. Results:A total of 61 patients were randomised (42 EP395, 19 placebo). A 12-week course of EP395 was well tolerated: no serious adverse events were considered related to EP395, and adverse events occurred in similar proportions in both groups (64.3% EP395, 63.2% placebo). Four patients were withdrawn due to adverse events (three EP395, one placebo). Sputum neutrophil elastase and myeloperoxidase, mediators of neutrophil activation, were reduced with EP395 (treatment difference (log scale): neutrophil elastase -0.415 ng·mL-1, 95% CI -0.787 to -0.043 ng·mL-1, p=0.030; myeloperoxidase -0.282 ng·mL-1, 95% CI -0.640 to 0.076 ng·mL-1, p=0.119). Relative changes in neutrophil elastase and myeloperoxidase from baseline with EP395 were 66% and 75%, respectively, of those observed with placebo. Exploratory 16S rRNA sequencing of sputum showed EP395 had no detectable effect on the lung microbiome, including the proportion of pathogenic Proteobacteria species. Conclusion:In patients with stable COPD, EP395 for 12 weeks was well tolerated, demonstrated selective anti-inflammatory activity and had no detectable effect on the lung microbiome.
PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to integrate sustainability and economic factors into a framework for understanding the reshoring decision.Design/methodology/approachThis paper integrates sustainability and economic factors into a reshoring framework through using the theoretical perspectives of the natural resource-based view (NRBV) and transaction cost economics (TCE), and carrying out case study research with a number of firms involved in reshoring in the German automotive industry.FindingsThrough adopting a multi-theory approach, the framework captures the complexities of the reshoring decision and illustrates that reshoring is not a location decision alone, but encompasses a range of sourcing options such as local production in-house, using a local supplier or addressing sustainability problems with the offshore operation. The importance of sustainability capability development as a basis of extending the range of reshoring sourcing options available is highlighted.Research limitations/implicationsUsing the NRBV has allowed to develop value creating drivers in the context of reshoring. Integrating the logic of TCE with this analysis provided an understanding of how cost reducing drivers were present alongside the value creating drivers for reshoring at the case companies. Beyond previous frameworks integrating the RBV and TCE, bringing in the NRBV allowed us to highlight the importance of sustainability capability development as a basis of extending the range of reshoring sourcing options available. While this study's cases were in the automotive industry in Germany, future research could sample for further geographies and industries to cover varying regulatory pressures for sustainability as well as sustainability-related industry initiatives.Practical implicationsThe framework can provide guidance to managers on the conditions that favour the selection of each sourcing option when making the reshoring decision.Originality/valueAlthough there are frameworks in the literature that explain the reshoring decision, limited attention has been given to integrating sustainability issues into the analysis. The findings here contribute important insights into the complementary and contradictory prescriptions of the NRBV and TCE in reshoring decisions, and several propositions are offered outlining these relationships. The resulting framework provides an integrated approach for managerial decision-making beyond economic factors alone.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven chatbots have become integral to digital communication, streamlining interactions across customer service, healthcare, and e-commerce. Despite their widespread adoption and advancements in natural language processing (NLP), chatbot interactions are often challenged by misinformation, which can lead to user frustration, dissatisfaction, and disengagement. While prior research has examined user experience (UX) factors such as usability and dialogue quality, limited attention has been given to the specific impact of misinformation on user frustration in AI-driven conversations. This study investigates how misinformation affects user trust and emotional response, exploring the mechanisms that contribute to negative user experiences. Through an empirical evaluation of chatbot interactions, we analyze user reactions to misleading information and assess the effectiveness of potential strategies, such as fact-checking. The findings highlight the need for user-centered chatbot design that prioritizes accuracy and transparency to sustain engagement and foster trust. This research contributes to the broader discourse on human-AI interaction by offering insights into the psychological impact of misinformation and proposing design considerations for enhancing AI-driven communication.
PurposeThis study describes a short-term project designed for students to develop important skills needed for artificial intelligence (AI) literacy and to understand how the concepts of AI literacy may be viewed in different countries.Design/methodology/approachThis mixed-methods study sets out to investigate students’ perceptions on the use of AI-generated communication in the workplace, particularly the use of ChatGPT for business communication. We discuss student responses to questions regarding AI-generated business communication according to the diamond model of AI literacy.FindingsThis study’s findings reflect students’ awareness of the use of AI at their workplace, their perceptions of the benefits and challenges of AI-generated business communication, as well as their perceived need for institutionalizing policies at their respective companies. The study reports on potential differences in cultural attitudes regarding generative AI.Research limitations/implicationsThis study involved a project with a limited sample. It involved students in the United States of America, Germany and India and was replicated. Despite the sample size, we feel it has relevance for underlining opportunities for AI literacy skills in higher education (HE) institutions, especially in terms of heightening awareness of cultural appropriateness, sensitivity towards data privacy needs and developing students' intercultural communication skills.Originality/valueThe following study addresses the need for institutions of HE to develop students’ AI literacy, including how concepts of AI literacy may be viewed differently and how AI-generated business communication must be adapted to suit diverse environments. The study encourages instructors to incorporate AI tools in their curricula by illustrating one best use-case for developing students’ abilities to utilize this technology for professional business communication.
