bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Particle-based modelling of laser powder bed fusion of metals with emphasis on the melting mode transition
Authors: Bierwisch Claas , Dietemann Bastien , Najuch Tim
Published: June 2024

The laser-beam powder bed fusion process for metals, commonly abbreviated as PBF-LB/M, is a widely used process for the additive manufacturing of parts. Numerical simulations are useful to identify optimal process parameters for different materials and to obtain detailed insights into process dynamics. The present work uses a single-phase incompressible Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH) scheme to model PBF-LB/M which was found to reduce the required computational time and significantly stabilize the partially violent flow in the melt pool in comparison to a weakly compressible SPH approach. The laser-material interaction is realistically modelled by means of a ray tracing method. An approach to model the effective thermal coductivity of the powder bed is proposed. Excellent agreement between the simulation results and experimental X-ray analyses of the transition from conduction melting mode to keyhole mode including geometric properties of the vapor depression zone was found. These results prove the usability of SPH as a high precision simulation tool for PBF-LB/M.

Graphic abstract
Is There a Foreign Language Effect on Workplace Bribery Susceptibility? Evidence from a Randomized Controlled Vignette Experiment
Authors: Fitzgerald Jack , Stroet Paul , Weißmüller Kristina S. , van Witteloostuijn Arjen
Published: June 2024

Theory and evidence from the behavioral science literature suggest that the widespread and rising use of lingua francas in the workplace may impact the ethical decision-making of individuals who must use foreign languages at work. We test the impact of foreign language usage on individuals’ susceptibility to bribery in workplace settings using a vignette-based randomized controlled trial in a Dutch student sample. Results suggest that there is not even a small foreign language effect on workplace bribery susceptibility. We combine traditional null hypothesis significance testing with equivalence testing methods novel to the business ethics literature that can provide statistically significant evidence of bounded or null relationships between variables. These tests suggest that the foreign language effect on workplace bribery susceptibility is bounded below even small effect sizes. Post hoc analyses provide evidence suggesting fruitful further routes of experimental research into bribery.
The tearing energy threshold of crack growth in rubber exposed to ozone: an experimental–numerical approach
Authors: Peter Ondřej , Stěnička Martin , Heinrich Gert , Robertson Christopher G. , Pawlas Jakub , Stoček Radek , Ondrík Jan
Published: June 2024

The global rubber industry is seeking alternatives to the widely-used antiozonant, N-(1,3-dimethylbutyl)-N′-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine (6PPD), due to its environmental toxicity concerns when used in automobile tires. These substantial research and development efforts on new antiozonants for rubber are hindered by a general inability to characterize the fundamental physical parameter of ozone-induced tearing energy threshold for crack growth, which underlies the practical ozone resistance of rubber products. Therefore, this paper presents, for the first time, a novel experimental–numerical combined approach to determine the tearing energy threshold in rubber exposed to ozone, which is a key criterion for assessing the resistance of rubber to ozone crack growth. The approach is based on in-situ optical analysis of ozone crack growth on the rubber surface and the determination of the crack growth rate when the rubber is stretched. Subsequently, the growth rates form the basis for calculating the energy release rates at the crack tips using the finite element method in Ansys software. By comparing the calculated energy release rates and experimentally measured crack growth rates, the energy release rate interval corresponding to the threshold tearing energy is determined. Based on this approach, the tearing energy threshold for carbon black reinforced natural rubber exposed to ozone was found to be a maximum of 2.12 J/m2. This value is 96% lower than the threshold for the non-ozone-exposed specimens. In conclusion, this novel methodology was able to determine the ozone threshold tearing energy and represents a powerful, unique tool for an efficient future development of environmentally friendly antiozonants.
What Factors Contribute to Effective Online Higher Education? A Meta-Review
Authors: van Dorresteijn Chevy , Fajardo-Tovar Dina , Pareja Roblin Natalie , Cornelissen Frank , Meij Monique , Voogt Joke , Volman Monique
Published: June 2024

Although much research has focused on factors that contribute to effective online education in higher education (HE), insights remain scattered. In this study, we provide a more holistic perspective on how to facilitate effective online HE by concurrently examining factors that were hitherto treated separately. In our meta-review, we synthesized insights from 47 literature reviews and meta-analyses published between 2010 and 2022 concerning factors that contribute to effective online HE. Factors were identified at the level of the course (i.e., a clear structure; challenging, authentic, and inclusive learning activities; high-quality online interaction; and multiple assessment formats), student (i.e., high self-regulation skills, sufficient digital literacy, and a positive attitude towards online education), teacher (i.e., online teaching competences and professional development opportunities), and institution (i.e., an institution-wide vision on online education, adequate technological infrastructure, and accommodating student and teacher support). Further research is needed to better understand how these factors may interact with each other.
Evaluating ChatGPT-4V in chest CT diagnostics: a critical image interpretation assessment
Authors: Dehdab Reza , Brendlin Andreas , Werner Sebastian , Almansour Haidara , Gassenmaier Sebastian , Brendel Jan Michael , Nikolaou Konstantin , Afat Saif
Published: June 2024

Purpose

To assess the diagnostic accuracy of ChatGPT-4V in interpreting a set of four chest CT slices for each case of COVID-19, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and control cases, thereby evaluating its potential as an AI tool in radiological diagnostics.

Materials and methods

In this retrospective study, 60 CT scans from The Cancer Imaging Archive, covering COVID-19, NSCLC, and control cases were analyzed using ChatGPT-4V. A radiologist selected four CT slices from each scan for evaluation. ChatGPT-4V’s interpretations were compared against the gold standard diagnoses and assessed by two radiologists. Statistical analyses focused on accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV), along with an examination of the impact of pathology location and lobe involvement.

Results

ChatGPT-4V showed an overall diagnostic accuracy of 56.76%. For NSCLC, sensitivity was 27.27% and specificity was 60.47%. In COVID-19 detection, sensitivity was 13.64% and specificity of 64.29%. For control cases, the sensitivity was 31.82%, with a specificity of 95.24%. The highest sensitivity (83.33%) was observed in cases involving all lung lobes. The chi-squared statistical analysis indicated significant differences in Sensitivity across categories and in relation to the location and lobar involvement of pathologies.

Conclusion

ChatGPT-4V demonstrated variable diagnostic performance in chest CT interpretation, with notable proficiency in specific scenarios. This underscores the challenges of cross-modal AI models like ChatGPT-4V in radiology, pointing toward significant areas for improvement to ensure dependability. The study emphasizes the importance of enhancing these models for broader, more reliable medical use.
Resistance and susceptibility of different Barbarea (Brassicaceae) species and types to cabbage whitefly (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) and cabbage white butterfly (Lepidoptera: Pieridae)
Authors: Badenes-Pérez Francisco Rubén
Published: June 2024

Several Barbarea spp. (Brassicaceae) have been tested as trap crops for the diamondback moth Plutella xylostella L. (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae). The use of trap crops can be affected by their susceptibility to other pests, especially if the purpose is to reduce insecticide use. Barbarea rupicola Moris, B. verna (Mill.) Asch., and B. vulgaris Aiton (types G and P) (Brassicaceae) were tested for their susceptibility to the cabbage whitefly Aleyrodes proletella L. (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae). The percentage of plants showing infestation by cabbage whiteflies ranged from 50% in G-type B. vulgaris and 8.3% in B. verna to no infestation at all in B. rupicola and P-type B. vulgaris. On the other hand, 95.8% of P-type plants showed symptoms of powdery mildew, Erysiphe cruciferarum Opiz ex L. Junell (Erysiphales: Erysiphaceae), while the G type and the other Barbarea spp. were unaffected by this pathogen. Additionally, the G and P types were used in two-choice oviposition preference tests to compare their attractiveness to the small white butterfly Pieris rapae L. (Lepidoptera: Pieridae). No significant differences in total oviposition per plant were found between the two types, but within-plant differences show that the small white butterfly prefers to oviposit on the adaxial leaf side in the P type. This study indicates that in locations where the cabbage whitefly is an economic pest, B. verna, which can also be used as a dead-end trap crop for the diamondback moth, could be chosen over G-type B. vulgaris.
High-Temperature Rheometric and Melting Experiments of Refining-Type Ladle Slag Systems
Authors: Ślęzak Marta , Migas Piotr , Czech Adam Wojciech
Published: June 2024

Refining ladle slags play an irreplaceable role in the production technology of appropriate quality steel of a given assumed grade. Without good slag, there is no high-quality steel. In this work, we have analyzed the behavior of the slag-forming powder used in industrial conditions, forming a typical refining slag system. The slag-forming powder, Al2O3-SiO2-CaO-MgO-Fe2O3, was examined using a microscope and a high-temperature rheometer. Rheometrical tests were carried out in variable shear conditions, at shear rates of 3–30 s−1 and temperatures in the range of 1451–1500°C. In addition, thermodynamic calculations were performed using FactSage 7.3 databases. Based on the tests performed and the results obtained, it can be concluded that it is impossible to perform rheometric tests of basic slag-forming powder in the analyzed conditions of chemical composition and temperature. In order to obtain rheological characteristics, a slag-forming powder, CaO, was added, modeling the refining slag system. Such a modification of the chemical composition gave the opportunity to perform experiments in the liquid and semi-liquid state.
Targeted Therapies in Low-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancers
Authors: Gonzalez Anna , Nagel Christa I. , Haight Paulina J.
Published: June 2024

Opinion Statement

Low grade serous carcinoma of the ovary has been delineated as a separate entity from its counterpart high grade serous carcinoma of the ovary. Molecular profiling has helped to further characterize this disease process and has led to new and exciting treatment options. Surgery has always been a cornerstone of management both in primary and recurrent disease settings. Chemotherapy has been a long-standing backbone of adjuvant treatment, but its efficacy continues to be questioned. Hormonal therapy for upfront and recurrent disease is an effective treatment option with a high response rate and minimal side effects. Newer therapies including MEK, CDK 4/6, and PI3KCA inhibitors have emerged as exciting options for recurrent disease. Ongoing clinical trials will hopefully lead to additional therapeutic opportunities based on novel biomarkers in this disease.
Allergic Conjunctivitis Management: Update on Ophthalmic Solutions
Authors: Leonardi Andrea , Quintieri Luigi , Presa Ignacio Jáuregui , LLoves Jesús Merayo , Montero Jesús , Benítez-del-Castillo José Manuel , Lestón Francisco Javier Seoane , González-Mancebo Eloína , Asero Riccardo , Groblewska Anna , Kuna Piotr
Published: June 2024

Purpose of Review

The aim of this review, is to present an updated revision of topical management of SAC and PAC, based on the available scientific evidence and focused on the impact of ophthalmic solution formulations on eye surface.

Recent Findings

Physicians treating ocular allergy should be aware of tear film and tear film disruption in SAC and PAC, and how eye drop composition and additives affect the physiology of the allergic eye.

Seasonal and perennial allergic conjunctivitis (SAC and PAC) are the most frequent causes of ocular allergy (OA), and both conditions are underdiagnosed and undertreated. SAC and PAC are immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated hypersensitivity reactions. The additional tear film disruption caused by the release of inflammatory mediators increases and exacerbates the impact of signs and symptoms and may trigger damage of the ocular surface. Comorbidities are frequent, and dry eye disease in particular must be considered. Clinical guidelines for the management of SAC and PAC recommend topical therapy with antihistamines, mast cells stabilizers or dualaction agents as first-line treatment, but care should be taken, as many medications contain other compounds that may contribute to ocular surface damage.
“Be Dog Have Fun”: Narratives of Discovery, Meaning, and Motivation among Members of the Pup Subculture
Authors: Hammack Phillip L. , Wignall Liam
Published: June 2024

The twenty-first century has seen the proliferation of new sexual identity subcultures rooted in creative role-play dynamics, expanding our cultural and scientific understanding of diversity in sexuality and intimacy. In an international sample of 568 people who identified with the kink subculture of pup play, we analyzed responses to open-ended questions about the discovery of pup play and communities, definitions of pup play, and motivations for engagement. Four themes were identified: (1) social technologies as central to discovery of the subculture; (2) constructionist accounts of pup identity development emerging from relationships and exposure to other kink communities; (3) individual psychological benefits of subculture participation, including stress relief, relaxation, and pleasure; and (4) social psychological benefits in identity and community building. We situate these findings in relation to the expansion of diversity in sexual identity and intimacy in the twenty-first century, facilitated by the heightened visibility and opportunities for social and intimate creativity which have accompanied the growth of social media and exposure to new sexual stories.
A Cysteinyl-tRNA Synthetase Mutation Causes Novel Autosomal-Dominant Inheritance of a Parkinsonism/Spinocerebellar-Ataxia Complex
Authors: Liu Han-Kui , Hao Hong-Lin , You Hui , Feng Feng , Qi Xiu-Hong , Huang Xiao-Yan , Hou Bo , Tian Chang-Geng , Wang Han , Yang Huan-Ming , Wang Jian , Wu Rui , Fang Hui , Zhou Jiang-Ning , Zhang Jian-Guo , Zhang Zhen-Xin
Published: June 2024

This study aimed to identify possible pathogenic genes in a 90-member family with a rare combination of multiple neurodegenerative disease phenotypes, which has not been depicted by the known neurodegenerative disease. We performed physical and neurological examinations with International Rating Scales to assess signs of ataxia, Parkinsonism, and cognitive function, as well as brain magnetic resonance imaging scans with seven sequences. We searched for co-segregations of abnormal repeat-expansion loci, pathogenic variants in known spinocerebellar ataxia-related genes, and novel rare mutations via whole-genome sequencing and linkage analysis. A rare co-segregating missense mutation in the CARS gene was validated by Sanger sequencing and the aminoacylation activity of mutant CARS was measured by spectrophotometric assay. This pedigree presented novel late-onset core characteristics including cerebellar ataxia, Parkinsonism, and pyramidal signs in all nine affected members. Brain magnetic resonance imaging showed cerebellar/pons atrophy, pontine-midline linear hyperintensity, decreased rCBF in the bilateral basal ganglia and cerebellar dentate nucleus, and hypo-intensities of the cerebellar dentate nuclei, basal ganglia, mesencephalic red nuclei, and substantia nigra, all of which suggested neurodegeneration. Whole-genome sequencing identified a novel pathogenic heterozygous mutation (E795V) in the CARS gene, meanwhile, exhibited none of the known repeat-expansions or point mutations in pathogenic genes. Remarkably, this CARS mutation causes a 20% decrease in aminoacylation activity to charge tRNACys with L-cysteine in protein synthesis compared with that of the wild type. All family members carrying a heterozygous mutation CARS (E795V) had the same clinical manifestations and neuropathological changes of Parkinsonism and spinocerebellar-ataxia. These findings identify novel pathogenesis of Parkinsonism-spinocerebellar ataxia and provide insights into its genetic architecture.
Analysing Children’s Responses from Multiple Modalities During Robot-Assisted Assessment of Mental Wellbeing
Authors: Abbasi Nida Itrat , Spitale Micol , Anderson Joanna , Ford Tamsin , Jones Peter B. , Gunes Hatice
Published: June 2024

According to the World Health Organization, the early identification of mental wellbeing issues in children is extremely important for children’s growth and development. However, the available health services are not sufficient to address children’s needs in this area. Literature suggests that robots can provide the support needed to promote mental wellbeing in children, but how robots can help with the assessment of mental wellbeing is relatively unexplored. Hence, this work analyses multiple data modalities collected in an exploratory study involving 41 children (8–13 years old, 21 females and 20 males) who interacted with a Nao robot for about 30–45 min. During this session, the robot delivered four tasks: (1) happy and sad memory recall, (2) the Short Moods and Feelings Questionnaire (SMFQ), (3) the picture-based task inspired by the Children Appreciation Test (CAT), and (4) the Revised Children Anxiety and Depression Scale (RCADS). We clustered the participants into three groups based on their SMFQ scores as follows: low tertile (16 participants), med tertile (12 participants), and high tertile (13 participants). Then, we described and analysed the data collected from multiple sources (i.e., questionnaires responses, audio-visual recordings, and speech transcriptions) to gather multiple perspectives for understanding how children’s responses and behaviours differ across the three clusters (low, med, vs high) and their gender (boys vs girls) for robot-assisted assessment of mental wellbeing. Our results show that: (i) the robotised mode is the most effective in the identification of wellbeing-related concerns with respect to standardised modes of administration (self-report and parent-report); (ii) children less likely to have mental wellbeing concerns displayed more expressive responses than children who are more likely to have mental wellbeing concerns; and (iii) girls who are more likely to have mental wellbeing concerns displayed more expressive responses than boys, while boys who are less likely to have mental wellbeing concerns displayed more expressive responses than girls. Findings from this work are promising for paving the way towards automatic assessment of mental wellbeing in children via robot-assisted interactions.
Repurposing FDA-approved compounds to target JAK2 for colon cancer treatment
Authors: Chandrasekhar Bavya , Gor Ravi , Ramalingam Satish , Thiagarajan Anuradha , Sohn Honglae , Madhavan Thirumurthy
Published: June 2024

Colorectal cancer is one of the common cancers worldwide and the second leading cause of cancer-related death. The current treatment has the inherent drawbacks and there is a need of developing a new treatment. Interleukin-6 a pleiotropic cytokine involved in immune regulation and activation of JAK2/STAT3 pathway in colorectal cancer. JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway functions as a critical regulator of cell growth, differentiation, and immune expression. The abnormality in the JAK2/STAT3 pathway is involved in the tumorigenesis of colon cancer including apoptosis. In this study, we identified novel inhibitors for JAK2 protein by performing virtual screening against FDA-approved compounds. To address the selectivity issue, we implemented cross-docking method followed by DFT calculations to understand the chemical reactivity of the identified compounds. Additionally, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were performed for the top FDA compounds against JAK2 to understand the molecular interactions and structural stability of the complex over a period of 200 ns. Our results indicated that ergotamine, entrectinib, exatecan, dihydroergotamine, and paritaprevir can be used as alternative drugs for colon cancer. In addition, ergotamine was found to efficiently lower the cell viability with IC50 values of 100 µM on colon cancer cell lines. The long-term inhibitory effect of the ergotamine led to a decrease in colony size, and the toxicity properties were studied using hemolysis assay. Our study shows the potential of targeting JAK2 as a novel approach to colon cancer treatment, and demonstrate that ergotamine as a promising effects as an anti-cancer drug.

Graphical abstract
Water strategies and management: current paths to sustainable water use
Authors: Han Xuemei , Boota Muhammad Waseem , Soomro Shan-e-hyder , Ali Sher , Soomro Sufi Ghullam Hyder , Soomro Nishan-E-hyder , Soomro Mairaj Hyder Alias Aamir , Soomro Abdul Razzaque , Batool Sahar , Bai Yanqin , Shi Xiaotao , Guo Jiali , Li Yinghai , Hu Caihong , Tayyab Muhammad
Published: June 2024

Freshwater is unquestionably the most crucial resource essential for the sustenance and advancement of humankind. This invaluable entity surpasses all societal, economic, and environmental domains, consequently rendering it a ubiquitous good. Globally, it has been estimated that the industrial sector employs approximately 20% of the available freshwater. The principal aim within the industrial domain is to maximize production efficiency, rather than prioritizing the enhancement of water conservation and efficiency. Research suggests that a favorable association exists between the monetary investments made in technological improvements for industrial water treatment and reuse and a profitable return on investment that is sustained over a prolonged duration. This could plausibly explain the dearth of willingness exhibited by some corporations in dedicating resources to this vital issue. The objective of this study is to explicate the notion of sustainability concerning water management that can be operationalized in the context of Pakistan, while delving into the latest advancements in the sphere of sustainable management practices. This research endeavor shall serve as an instructive source for executives, entrepreneurs, and vested parties in various industrial domains to propel their endeavors toward sustainable practices while simultaneously achieving optimization and surpassing the benchmarks set by national regulations and international establishments. This investigation has illuminated the imperative of executing an all-encompassing water management strategy that incorporates the ecological, financial, and societal dimensions as the essential constituents of viability in industrial water utilization. This work ought to possess a worldwide scope, bearing in mind the ubiquitous character of industrial practices in the epoch of globalization.
Narratives of high school teachers’ identity renewal through teaching a new intercultural curriculum subject
Authors: Browning David , Kriewaldt Jeana , McLeod Julie
Published: June 2024

Contrary to popular myth, teachers do not simply deliver a ready-made curriculum. Rather, they interpret and make meaning of the curriculum. The introduction of a capabilities dimension in the formal curriculum in Australia invites a case study of curriculum innovation in action. Drawing on Clandinin and Connelly’s narrative inquiry approach, complemented by Aoki’s concept of curriculum-as-lived, we offer an analysis of the dilemmas three teachers confronted and the pedagogical decisions they made when implementing a new Intercultural Capabilities (IC) curriculum. We argue that one of the effects of negotiating the new curriculum was a destabilising of teachers’ professional identity. Through the process of re-storying classroom events, these early innovators were forced to confront their own cultural identity. Initially an unsettling or unmooring experience, it became a positive encounter. Teachers reported a sense of identity renewal in which they became more reflexive and flexible in their approach to IC pedagogy as a deliberate response to the unpredictable pedagogical challenges that emerged.
Effect of the phosphate and mineralogical composition on the movement and mineralization of glyphosate in clay soils
Authors: Dotor Robayo M. Y. , Martínez Cordón M. J. , Okada E.
Published: June 2024

Glyphosate is one of the most used herbicides worldwide. In rice paddy fields, it is usually applied for weed control during the pre-planting stage. Phosphate fertilizers may enhance herbicide displacement in the soil matrix. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of monoamoniun phosphate and the mineralogical composition on the movement and mineralization of glyphosate in clay soils (CS1; CS2 and CS3) in Colombia. Glyphosate miscible displacement experiments were performed in disturbed soil columns, with and without the addition of phosphate after the application of a pulse of N-(phosphonomethyl-14C) glycine. Simultaneously, 14C-glyphosate mineralization was measured indirectly by quantifying the amount 14C–CO2 released daily. At the end of the experiment, the columns were divided into six horizontal sections and glyphosate-bound residues were determined in the soil. The addition of phosphate decreased glyphosate retention time (in CS1 and CS2) and increased the total leached amount only in CS1 soil. Overall, more than 95% of the applied glyphosate was retained in the soil columns. Glyphosate mineralization half-life adjusted to a bi-exponential model, implying that one fraction degrades rapidly due to being more bioavailable, and the other fraction presents a slow rate of degradation and, that although high contents of kaolinite clays are important in the adsorption and translocation of the herbicide, the presence of calcites and divalent cations modify this process, favoring the persistence of the molecule in the soil. Glyphosate partitions into an easily degradable fraction and a more recalcitrant fraction adsorbed to kaolinite clays, calcites, and divalent cations. This fraction is less available for biodegradation thus favoring glyphosate persistence in soil.
Do We Need More Structured MD Thesis Programs? A Propensity Score Matched Analysis of the Research Program at the Medical Faculty Dresden
Authors: Bereuter Jean-Paul , Geissler Mark Enrik , Klimova Anna , Geissler Rona , Oswald Corina , El-Armouche Ali , El-Armouche Katja , Günther Lydia , Deußen Andreas
Published: June 2024

Introduction

Conducting a Medical Doctorate (MD) thesis is desired by the majority of medical students. However, the needed scientific competencies are not regularly implemented in medical education. To support students during their MD thesis, a graduate college was implemented. The present study aims to investigate the impact of this structured MD thesis program on the outcome of the MD thesis and the further scientific career.

Methods

An online survey covering 59 items was distributed to all current and former medical students who officially started their MD thesis from 2011 to 2022. The survey investigated the impact of the structured MD thesis program on the scientific development of participating students compared to students outside the structured program.

Results

Based on a total of 370 complete answers, the analysis indicated that participants of the structured program have a significantly better outcome of their MD thesis compared to the control cohort based on objective parameters such as the thesis grade, the number of first-author publications, attendance of congresses, and the number of rewards. Additionally, participation in the program led to a more sustainable integration of students into research measured by the participation or pursuit of clinician scientist programs. Propensity score matched analyses of 60 participants confirmed the results.

Conclusion

Participation in a structured MD thesis program significantly improved the outcome and may support sustainable integration into research. Therefore, the implementation of such programs should be further expanded to secure the education of scientifically trained MD graduates.
Work-life balance during the COVID-19 pandemic. A European perspective
Authors: Alfano Vincenzo , Mariotti Ilaria , Nappo Nunzia , Vecchione Gaetano
Published: June 2024

The EU’s remote working landscape, marked by heterogeneity, underwent significant changes due to COVID-19. We use Eurofound’s longitudinal Living, Working and COVID-19 e-survey to explore work-life balance shifts among remote workers from spring 2020 to spring 2022. Quantitative analysis reveals heightened work-life balance challenges for married, female, parent, and university-educated remote workers. Employer work-life balance intensified post-pandemic, while self-employed workers faced consistent challenges. Countries with less of a history of remote work exhibited reduced remote worker satisfaction through all phases of the pandemic. While sectoral effects were not pronounced, this study underscores nuanced demographic and employment-related impacts of remote work on work-life balance. Its findings provide new insights to the study of EU remote work dynamics, offering implications for workforce well-being and management strategies.
Process Design for Direct Production of Battery Grade Nickel Sulfate
Authors: Kinnunen Päivi , Riihimäki Teppo , Kinnunen Kalle , Salo Marja , Heikola Tiina , Mäkinen Jarno
Published: June 2024

The clean energy transition has increased the global demand of nickel sulfate used in the Li-ion batteries. A short-term solution is to refine the nickel sulfate product from nickel intermediates. In the long-term, new direct nickel sulfate production technologies are needed. This research focused on the modeling-based concept development of a novel direct hydrometallurgical nickel sulfate process consisting of chemical leaching, impurity removal by precipitation, solvent extraction, and crystallization as an alternative to the conventional nickel sulfate production route via a nickel matte intermediate. The conventional process route with the studied nickel concentrate had lower chemical consumption and waste production compared to direct hydrometallurgical process where approximately 60% of iron was leached consuming oxygen, and the following iron precipitation step consuming calcium carbonate resulted in a high amount of iron precipitate together with gypsum. However, hydrometallurgical alternatives are often suitable for lower ore grades or volumes and can recover copper as by-product metal. The biggest impacts on carbon footprint from chemical consumption in the direct hydrometallurgical process were generated in iron precipitation and oxygen use in leaching. With the studied nickel concentrate, pyrrhotite played a key role in both oxygen use and iron precipitation. In the leaching step, 68% of total oxygen consumption was related to pyrrhotite leaching, while in iron removal 73% of total iron originated from pyrrhotite. Thus, especially pyrrhotite removal prior to leaching needs to be developed to reduce the carbon dioxide footprint, when the pyrrhotite content in the material is high.

Graphical Abstract
Performance of different microfluidic devices in continuous liquid-liquid separation
Authors: Oldach Bastian , Chiang Ya-Yu , Ben-Achour Leon , Chen Tai-Jhen , Kockmann Norbert
Published: June 2024

Droplet-based microfluidics exhibit numerous benefits leading to relevant innovations and many applications in various fields. The precise handling of droplets in capillaries, including droplet formation, manipulation, and separation, is essential for successful operation. Only a few reports are known concerning the separation of segmented flows, particularly the continuous separation of droplets, which is of high interest regarding the control of biochemical and chemical reactions or other applications where the contact time of the involved phases is crucial. Here, the separation must be flexible and adjusted to different flow parameters, such as the surface tension, the volumetric flow rates, and their ratios. This contribution presents two novel open-source approaches based on additive manufacturing and mechanical deforming for continuous liquid–liquid separation under various flow conditions. The Laplace pressure is the driving force for the separation, which is adjusted to the flow conditions by adapting the distance of pinning points provided by the design of the devices. Details of the device design and experimental setup are shown along with limitations to promote further development and to increase availability for researchers. With the right parameters, sophisticated separations can be realized by inexpensive laboratory equipment and simple control of them. It was found that the distance between the pinning points needs to enlarged for increasing volumetric flow rates and reduced for higher viscosities of the continuous phase respectively higher amounts of the dispersed phase. The open source approach of this article expands the exploration space in addition to commercially available phase separators only available to a selected group of people.

Graphical Abstract
Unveiling the potential of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) in phytoremediation of heavy metal
Authors: Sahoo Ritwik , Sow Sumit , Ranjan Shivani , Dharminder  , Kumar Rajan , Roy Dhirendra Kumar , Kumar Sunil , Kumar Amrendra , Srivastava Rajeev Kumar , Prasad Rajendra , Padhan Smruti Ranjan , Nath Dibyajyoti
Published: June 2024

Rapid industrialization, modern farming practices, and other human activities are contributing significant amounts of harmful heavy metals to the environment. These metals can accumulate and magnify through food chains, posing substantial risks to human health. Recognizing the global environmental threat and its health implications, researchers have developed cutting-edge methods to address heavy metal contamination. Phytoremediation stands out as the foremost method, offering effectiveness and environmental suitability. Combining plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) with phytoremediation can be a viable option for minimizing contamination. PGPR enhances plant growth and aids in metal cleanup through chemical synthesis, the secretion of chelating agents, redox reactions, and acidification. This review conducted a comprehensive online search across peer-reviewed electronic databases using specific keywords related to PGPR in heavy metal phytoremediation. This review included 129 relevant articles out of the initially identified 187 articles and outcomes were represented with schematic sketches and in-depth tables. The articles selected were focused on the potential of PGPR in phytoremediation, with emphasis on the contribution of rhizo and endophytic bacteria in accelerating the benefits of phytoremediation. There is little information available about the mechanisms involved in plant-PGPR relationships for metal accumulation. The causes and effects of heavy metal toxicity in the environment were examined in this review, along with the usage of PGPR as a different biological strategy to reduce metal contamination and prevent metals from migrating into edible plant parts. Finally, these prospects will provide some perspectives for future studies on these bacteria in agriculture and offer the possibility of major breakthroughs through knowledge expansion and the allocation of trial sites for the transfer of phytoremediation technology to the farmers in a better way.
Research on seismic response of museum cultural relics for shock absorption and seismic isolation
Authors: Huo Yiran , Liu Dewen , Guo Zhongfa , Li Hui , Luo Xiaoxuan , Lei Min
Published: June 2024

Museum cultural relics are valuable heritages of the development and change of the Chinese Nation over thousands of years, so the research on the protection of cultural relics is of great significance. In this paper, for the research on double shockproof of museums and cultural relics showcases in the museum, finite element models of the base fixed structure, base isolated structure and viscous fluid damper structure of the museum are established, modal analysis and time-history analysis are carried out to compare the seismic effect of the three kinds of structures. At the same time, the fixed cultural relics showcase, isolated cultural relics showcase and viscous fluid damper cultural relics showcase are established, and the seismic response analysis is carried out by inputting seismic waves and floor waves of the museums to study the acceleration and displacement response of the showcase countertop. The results show that, compared with the base fixed structure and base isolated structure of the museum, the viscous fluid damper structure of the museum can better reduce the inter-story shear force, inter-story drift and the floor acceleration response of the structure, and more effectively consume the seismic energy input to the structure, with the most obvious effect of shock absorption and seismic isolation; relative to the base fixed structure and base isolated structure, under the action of floor waves of the viscous fluid damper structure of the museum, the isolated cultural relics showcase and viscous fluid damper cultural relics showcase for shock absorption and seismic isolation are very obvious, so the isolated cultural relics showcase and viscous fluid damper cultural relics showcase are placed in the viscous fluid damper structure of the museum, all can achieve the purpose of the double shockproof of the cultural relics.
Negotiating Legality
Authors: Li Ji
Published: June 2024

Despite escalating geopolitical rivalry, the US and China continue to be economically intertwined. Numerous Chinese companies have made substantial investments in the US and are reluctant exit this strategically important market. While the global expansion of Chinese companies has ignited intense policy and academic debates, their interactions with complex host-state legal systems have largely escaped systematic examination. To fill this knowledge gap, Negotiating Legality introduces a dual institutional framework and applies it to analyzing extensive interviews and multi-year survey data, thereby shedding light on how Chinese companies develop in-house legal capacities, engage with US legal professionals, and navigate litigation in US courts. As the first comprehensive investigation of these crucial topics, this book is indispensable for anyone interested in China's rise, its global impacts-especially on legal systems of developed nations like the US-and the intricate dynamics of US-China relations.
A Prefire Approach for Probabilistic Assessments of Postfire Debris‐Flow Inundation
Authors: Liu Tao , McGuire Luke A. , Youberg Ann M. , Prescott Alexander B. , Gorr Alexander N. , Struble William T. , Beers Rebecca
Published: June 2024

Increases in wildfire activity and rainfall intensification are driving more postfire debris flows (PFDF) in many regions around the world. PFDFs are most common in the first postfire year and may even occur before a fire is fully controlled. This underscores the importance of assessing postfire hazards before a fire starts. Evaluation of PFDF hazards prior to fire can help strategize interventions lessening the negative effects of future fires. However, debris‐flow runout and inundation analyses are not routine in PFDF hazard assessments, partially due to time constraints and substantial uncertainties in boundary conditions. Here, we propose a prefire PFDF inundation assessment framework using a debris‐flow runout model based on the Herschel‐Bulkley (HB) rheology (HEC‐RAS v6.1). We constrain model inputs and parameters using Bayesian posterior analysis, rainfall‐runoff simulations, and a debris‐flow volume model. We use observations from recent PFDF incidents in northern Arizona, USA, to calibrate model components and then apply our prefire inundation assessment framework in a nearby unburned area. Specifically, we (a) identify yield stress as the most influential factor on inundation extent and arrival time in a HB model, (b) establish posterior distributions for model parameters suitable for forward modeling by leveraging uncertainties in field observations, and (c) implement a predictive forward analysis in an area that has not burned recently to evaluate PFDF inundation under several future fire scenarios. This study improves our ability to assess postfire debris‐flow hazards before a fire begins and provides guidance for future applications of single‐phase rheological models when assessing PFDF hazards.
Research to Confront Climate Change Complexity: Intersectionality, Integration, and Innovative Governance
Authors: Mach Katharine J. , Jagannathan Kripa , Shi Linda , Turek‐Hankins Lynée L. , Arnold Jeffrey R. , Brelsford Christa , Flores Alejandro N. , Gao Jing , Martín Carlos E. , McCollum David L. , Moss Richard , Niemann Jennifer , Rashleigh Brenda , Reed Patrick M.
Published: June 2024

Climate impacts increasingly unfold in interlinked systems of people, nature, and infrastructure. The cascading consequences are revealing sometimes surprising connections across sectors and regions, and prospects for climate responses also depend on complex, difficult‐to‐understand interactions. In this commentary, we build on the innovations of the United States Fifth National Climate Assessment to suggest a framework for understanding and responding to complex climate challenges. This approach involves: (a) integration of disciplines and expertise to understand how intersectionality shapes complex climate impacts and the wide‐ranging effects of climate responses, (b) collaborations among diverse knowledge holders to improve responses and better encompass intersectionality, and (c) sustained experimentation with and learning about governance approaches capable of handling the complexity of climate change. Together, these three pillars underscore that usability of climate‐relevant knowledge requires transdisciplinary coordination of research and practice. We outline actionable steps for climate research to incorporate intersectionality, integration, and innovative governance, as is increasingly necessary for confronting climate complexity and sustaining equitable, ideally vibrant climate futures.
Symmetric and Antisymmetric Solar Migrating Semidiurnal Tides in the Mesosphere and Lower Thermosphere
Authors: Yamazaki Y. , Siddiqui T. A.
Published: June 2024

Upward‐propagating solar tides are responsible for a large part of atmospheric variability in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere (MLT) region, and they are also an important source of ionospheric variability. Tides can be divided into the parts that are symmetric and antisymmetric about the equator. Their distinction is important, as the electrodynamic responses of the ionosphere to symmetric and antisymmetric tides are different. This study examines symmetric and antisymmetric tides using 21 years of temperature measurements by the Thermosphere Ionosphere Mesosphere Energetics and Dynamics/Sounding of the Atmosphere using Broadband Emission Radiometry. The main focus is on the solar migrating semidiurnal tide (SW2), which is one of the dominant tides in the MLT region. It is shown that symmetric and antisymmetric parts of SW2 are comparable in amplitude. However, their spatiotemporal characteristics are different. That is, the symmetric part is strongest during March–June at 30–35° latitude, while the antisymmetric part is most prominent during May–September with the largest amplitude at 15–20° latitude. The symmetric and antisymmetric parts can be well described by the first two symmetric and antisymmetric Hough modes, respectively. Amplification is observed in the antisymmetric part during the major sudden stratospheric warmings (SSWs) in January 2006, 2009, 2013 and 2019. Atmospheric model simulations for the 2009 and 2019 SSWs confirm the amplification in the antisymmetric part of SW2. The enhanced antisymmetric tidal forcing explains the previously‐reported asymmetric response of the ionospheric solar‐quiet current system to SSWs.
Pore‐Scale Modeling of Carbon Dioxide and Hydrogen Transport During Geologic Gas Storage
Authors: Purswani Prakash , Guiltinan Eric J. , Chen Yu , Kang Qinjun , Mehana Mohamed Z. , Neil Chelsea W. , Germann Timothy C. , Gross Michael R.
Published: June 2024

Geologic storage of CO2 and H2 are climate‐positive techniques for meeting the energy transition. While similar formations could be considered for both gases, the flow dynamics could differ due to differences in their thermophysical properties. We conduct a rigorous pore‐scale study of water/CO2 and water/H2 systems at relevant reservoir conditions in a Bentheimer rock sample using the lattice Boltzmann method to quantify the effects of capillary, viscous, inertial, and wetting forces during gas invasion. At similar conditions, H2 invasion is weaker compared to CO2 due to unfavorable viscosity ratios. Increasing flow rate, however, increases the breakthrough saturation for both gas systems in the range of capillary numbers studied. At isolated conditions of flow rate, viscosity ratio, and wettability, local inertial effects are found to be critical and show consistent increase in the invaded gas saturation. The effect of inertial forces persits for both gases across all field conditions tested.
Multi‐Instrument Analysis of the Formation and Segmentation of Tongue of Ionization Into Two Consecutive Polar Cap Patches
Authors: Ma Yu‐Zhang , Zhang Qing‐He , Zhao Si‐Han , Lyons Larry R. , Oksavik Kjellmar , Xing Zan‐Yang , Wang Yong , Hairston Marc R. , Liu Jian‐Jun , Nanan Balan , Deng Zhong‐Xin , Zhang Qiang
Published: June 2024

This paper investigates the formation and segmentation of the tongue of ionization into two consecutive polar cap patches using multi‐instrument observations from 27 February 2014. We provide insights into how the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) variations influence the formation and segmentation of these patches. Our findings reveal that the entry of dayside dense plasma into the polar cap is predominantly driven by the modified convection near the cusp region, which is controlled by the transition of IMF By or the sudden drop of IMF Bz. Furthermore, we observe a rapid north‐westward plasma flow within the patch segmentation region, accompanied by equatorward‐expanded and enhanced convection near the cusp region. This fast‐moving flow, approximately 1.5 km/s, is characterized by low density and high electron temperature and shows a signature of a Subauroral Polarization Stream. This suggests that the fast‐westward flow, in conjunction with the expansion and contraction of ionospheric convection, plays a crucial role in the segmentation of polar cap patches from the dayside plasma reservoir. This study provides a comprehensive observation of the evolution of polar cap patches, thereby advancing our understanding of the dynamic mechanisms governing patch formation and segmentation.