bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hydrogel and Microgel Collaboration for Spatiotemporal Delivery of Biofactors to Awaken Nucleus Pulposus‐Derived Stem Cells for Endogenous Repair of Disc
Authors: Wang Junwu , Huang Yilong , Luan Tian , Shi Pengzhi , Guo Lanhong , Zhang Qi , Shi Guang , Hao Zhuowen , Chen Tianhong , Zhang Liang , Li Jingfeng
Published: September 2024

Depletion of nucleus pulposus‐derived stem cells (NPSCs) is a major contributing factor to the attenuation of endogenous regenerative capacity in intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD). Introducing a hydrogel drug delivery system is a potential strategy for counteracting endogenous cell depletion. The present study proposes a delivery platform for the spatiotemporal release of multiple drugs by combining sodium alginate hydrogels with gelatin microgels (SCGP hydrogels). The SCGP hydrogels facilitated the initial release of chondroitin sulfate (ChS) and the gradual release of an independently developed parathyroid hormone‐related peptide (P2). The combined action of these two small molecule drugs “awakened” the reserve NPSCs, mitigated cell damage induced by H2O2, significantly enhanced their biological activity, and promoted their differentiation toward nucleus pulposus cells. The mechanical and viscoelastic properties of the hydrogel are enhanced by physical and chemical dual cross‐linking to adapt to the loading environment of the degenerated disc. A rat IVDD model is used to validate that the SCGP hydrogel can significantly inhibit the progression of IVDD and stimulate the endogenous repair of IVDD. Therefore, the spatiotemporal differential drug delivery system of the SCGP hydrogel holds promise as a convenient and efficacious therapeutic strategy for minimally invasive IVDD treatment.
DNA Nanostructures: Advancing Cancer Immunotherapy
Authors: Chen Qianqian , Liu Yanfei , Chen Qiwen , Li Mingfeng , Xu Lishang , Lin Bingyu , Tan Yifu , Liu Zhenbao
Published: September 2024

Cancer immunotherapy is a groundbreaking medical revolution and a paradigm shift from traditional cancer treatments, harnessing the power of the immune system to target and destroy cancer cells. In recent years, DNA nanostructures have emerged as prominent players in cancer immunotherapy, exhibiting immense potential due to their controllable structure, surface addressability, and biocompatibility. This review provides an overview of the various applications of DNA nanostructures, including scaffolded DNA, DNA hydrogels, tetrahedral DNA nanostructures, DNA origami, spherical nucleic acids, and other DNA‐based nanostructures in cancer immunotherapy. These applications explore their roles in vaccine development, immune checkpoint blockade therapies, adoptive cellular therapies, and immune‐combination therapies. Through rational design and optimization, DNA nanostructures significantly bolster the immunogenicity of the tumor microenvironment by facilitating antigen presentation, T‐cell activation, tumor infiltration, and precise immune‐mediated tumor killing. The integration of DNA nanostructures with cancer therapies ushers in a new era of cancer immunotherapy, offering renewed hope and strength in the battle against this formidable foe of human health.
Multifunctional Water Additive Enabling Stable Cycling of Chloride‐Free Magnesium Metal Batteries Based on Carbonate Electrolyte
Authors: Li Guyue , Li Yajie , Lei Meng , Chen Keyi , Li Chilin
Published: September 2024

Rechargeable magnesium batteries (RMBs) face with the challenge of interphase passivation between electrolytes and Mg anodes. Compared with ether electrolytes, carbonate solvents possess the superior electrochemical stability at cathode side, but their incompatibility with Mg metal, high viscosity, and desolvation energy barrier restrict their practical utilization in RMBs. Herein, the “unwanted‐impurity” water with high concentration is revisited and employed as multifunctional additive in carbonate electrolyte to improve the reversibility of RMBs. Water additive enables the localized deep eutectic effect, reduces the viscosity of carbonate electrolyte, and improves the Mg ion conductivity. The water molecules also participate the solvation sheath of Mg ions, resulting in the reduction of Mg deposition overpotential and inhibition of parasitic reaction. Furthermore, the co‐intercalated water molecules in V2O5 cathode layers enable the stabilization of intercalation structure and supply of additional magnesiophilic sites. Cooperated with the binder‐decorated Mg powder anode, the propylene carbonate electrolyte with water additive endows Mg||Mg symmetric cells and Mg||V2O5 full cells with satisfactory cycling performance and high‐voltage stability. This work revisits the impact of impurity water and provides a practical strategy for the utilization of conventional low‐cost carbonate electrolyte family, broadening the design and formulation of electrolytes for chlorine‐free and high‐voltage RMBs.
Next‐Generation Ultrathin Lightweight Electrode for pH‐Universal Aqueous Flow Batteries
Authors: Wu Jiajun , Nie Rui , Yu Lihong , Nie Yizhe , Zhao Yang , Liu Le , Xi Jingyu
Published: September 2024

Aqueous flow batteries (AFBs) are promising long‐duration energy storage system owing to intrinsic safety, inherent scalability, and ultralong cycle life. However, due to the thicker (3–5 mm) and heavier (300–600 g m−2) nature, the current used graphite felt (GF) electrodes still limit the volume/weight power density of AFBs. Herein, a lightweight (≈50 g m−2) and ultrathin (≈0.3 mm) carbon microtube electrode (CME) is proposed derived from a scalable one‐step carbonization of commercial cotton cloth. The unique loose woven structure composed of carbon microtube endows CME with excellent conductivity, abundant active sites, and enhanced electrolyte transport performance, thereby significantly reducing polarization in working AFBs. As a consequence, CME demonstrates excellent cycling performance in pH‐universal AFBs, including acidic vanadium flow battery (maximum power density of 632.2 mW cm−2), neutral Zn‐I2 flow battery (750 cycles with average Coulombic efficiency of 99.6%), and alkaline Zn‐Fe flow battery (energy efficiency over 70% at 200 mA cm−2). More importantly, the estimated price of CME is only 5% of GF (≈3 vs ≈60 $ m−2). Therefore, it is reasonably anticipated that the lightweight and ultrathin CME may emerge as the next generation electrode for AFBs.
Ultraslippery Surface for Efficient Fog Harvesting and Anti‐Icing/Fouling
Authors: Zhang Huayang , Xie Shangzhen , Zhang Wenhao , Wang Fengyi , Guo Zhiguang
Published: September 2024

The conventional Slippery Liquid Infused Porous Surface (SLIPS) encounters challenges such as silicone oil leakage and complex manufacturing of rough substrate structures. Thus, it is crucial to develop a lubricant that is highly adaptable and less prone to loss for surface structures; a temperature‐controlled method of infusing oleogel into a superhydrophobic surface (SHS) is presented in this paper. This approach draws inspiration from the characteristics of Nepenthes pitcher plant structures, albeit without the need for intricate pore‐making or nanowire structures. It is demonstrated that this resulting surface has exceptional fog harvesting capability, with a fog harvesting efficiency of 0.3222 g cm−2 min−1, which is twice as high as that of the laser aluminum (Al) sheet (0.1553 g cm−2 min−1). Moreover, the surface exhibits remarkable anti‐icing properties, significantly prolonging the icing time by 21‐fold compared to the pure Al sheet while maintaining a minimal ice adhesion force of only 0.16 N. Additionally, the surface showcases excellent antifouling performance, because contaminated droplets readily slide off without leaving residue. The environmentally friendly and straightforward preparation process ensures that it is suitable for large‐scale industrial applications.
Super‐Strong, Super‐Stiff, and Super‐Tough Fluorescent Alginate Fibers with Outstanding Tolerance to Extreme Conditions
Authors: Wu Zhongtao , Wang Kang , Chen Jia , Chang Jiahao , Zhu Shanhui , Xie Congxia , Liu Yun , Wang Zhen , Zhang Lei
Published: September 2024

The combination of multiple physical properties is of great importance for widening the application scenarios of biomaterials. It remains a great challenge to fabricate biomolecules‐based fibers gaining both mechanical strength and toughness which are comparable to natural spider dragline silks. Here, by mimicking the structure of dragline silks, a high‐performance fluorescent fiber Alg‐TPEA‐PEG is designed by non‐covalently cross‐linking the polysaccharide chains of alginate with AIEgen‐based surfactant molecules as the flexible contact points. The non‐covalent cross‐linking network provides sufficient energy‐dissipating slippage between polysaccharide chains, leading to Alg‐TPEA‐PEG with highly improved mechanical performances from the plastic strain stage. By successfully transferring the extraordinary mechanical performances of polysaccharide chains to macroscopic fibers, Alg‐TPEA‐PEG exhibits an outstanding breaking strength of 1.27 GPa, Young's modulus of 34.13 GPa, and toughness of 150.48 MJ m−3, which are comparable to those of dragline silk and outperforming other artificial materials. More importantly, both fluorescent and mechanical properties of Alg‐TPEA‐PEG can be well preserved under various harsh conditions, and the fluorescence and biocompatibility facilitate its biological and biomedical applications. This study affords a new biomimetic designing strategy for gaining super‐strong, super‐stiff, and super‐tough fluorescent biomaterials.
Engineering of MnTe/MnO Heterostructures with Interfacial Electric Field Modulation for Efficient and Durable Li–O2 Batteries
Authors: Yin Shuai , Yan Dezhi , Yan Yiyuan , Liu Shen , Lu Qiang , Guan Xianggang , Zhang Qianfan , Xing Yalan , Yang Puheng , Zhang Shichao
Published: September 2024

Design and synthesis of highly active and robust bifunctional cathode catalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) are of vital significance for practical applications of lithium–oxygen (Li–O2) batteries. Herein, a built‐in electric field (BIEF) strategy is reported to fabricate MnTe/MnO heterostructures with a large work function difference (ΔΦ) as a bifunctional cathode catalyst in Li–O2 batteries. The MnTe/MnO heterostructures with nanosheets and microporous structures result in an abundance of exposed active sites and facilitate mass transfer. More importantly, the heterogeneous MnTe/MnO nano‐interface region provides a BIEF that can trigger interfacial charge redistribution, fine‐tune the adsorption energy of oxygen intermediates, and alter the morphology of discharge products to accelerate ORR/OER kinetics. Impressively, the fabricated Li–O2 batteries with MnTe/MnO cathode showcases exhibit excellent electrochemical performances, including low charging overpotential, a high specific capacity of 11930 mA h g−1, and good cycle stability over 350 cycles even with a fixed specific capacity of 500 mA h g−1 at a current density of 500 mA g−1. This work provides an avenue for the rational design of high performance heterostructure electrocatalysts toward practical applications for rechargeable Li–O2 batteries.
Reversible Oxygen Redox With Enhanced Structural Stability Through Covalency Modulation for Layered Oxide Cathodes
Authors: Chen Shuyuan , Cheng Chen , Xia Xiao , Wang Lei , Chen Tong , Shen Yihao , Zhou Xi , Xv Weidong , Zhou Zheng , Zeng Pan , Zhang Liang
Published: September 2024

P2‐type Mn‐based layered oxides have emerged as one of the most promising cathode materials for sodium‐ion batteries owing to their advantages of facile preparation and high theoretical capacity. However, challenges such as phase transition and irreversible oxygen release during cycling often lead to rapid structural distortion and the formation of oxygen vacancies, ultimately resulting in rapid capacity decay. Herein, a covalency modulation strategy is adopted to address these challenges and successfully achieved a stable P2‐type Mn‐based layered oxide by introducing strong covalent Ni─O bonds. The robust Ni─O motif plays a crucial role in maintaining the rigidity of transition metal (TM) layered frameworks, which efficiently alleviates the structural distortion and degradation of the coordination environments of local TM sites, thereby achieving durable structural stiffness over extended cycles. In addition, the strong covalent Ni─O bonds can also stabilize the local oxygen environment, effectively suppressing the irreversible oxygen release. Benefiting from these advancements, the as‐designed Na0.6Mg0.15Mn0.7Ni0.15O2 cathode displays a full solid‐solution behavior with a low volume change of only 0.9% and an enhanced reversibility of lattice oxygen redox (OR) reaction. This investigation emphasizes the crucial role of covalency modulation in regulating OR chemistry and structural integrity to achieve high‐energy‐density Mn‐based layered oxides.
Ten‐Million‐Fold Increase in the Electrical Conductivity of a MOF by Doping of Iodine Into MOF Integrated Mixed Matrix Membrane
Authors: Bedi Swati , Bharti Kamini , Banerjee Debamalya , Biradha Kumar
Published: September 2024

The development of electrically conductive membranes is essential for advancing future technologies like electronic devices, supercapacitors, and batteries. Newly synthesized doubly interpenetrated 3D‐Cd‐MOF (Metal‐Organic‐Framework) containing angular tetra‐carboxylate is found to display very poor electrical conductivity (10−11 S cm−1). However, it exhibits an exceptional ability to adsorb I2 (I2@Cd‐MOF) which shows increased electrical conductivity of the order of 10−8 S cm−1. Following these results, the Cd‐MOF is integrated into the PVDF‐PVP (Polyvinylidene fluoride‐Polyvinylpyrrolidone) polymeric mixed matrix membrane (MMM) and explores their I2 adsorption capabilities and electrical conductivities before and after I2 adsorption. Four polymeric MMMs with the loading of Cd‐MOF 0, 20, 40, and 50% are tested for their I2 adsorption ability and their respective electrical conductivities. The 50% Cd‐MOF‐loaded MMM is found to exhibit higher adsorption of I2 (685 mg g−1) and significant enhancement in conductivity from 10−11 to 10−4 S cm−1. The raise in the electrical conductivity by 10 million times is attributed to the synergistic interactions between I2, Cd‐MOF, PVDF, and PVP polymers as well as the increase in the concentration of charge carriers (holes) within the frameworks. This work serves as blueprint for controlling charge transfer in MMM to tune their electrical conductivity which opens a large window for advanced device applications.
Nanophase‐Separated Block Copolymer Layers Enabling Stable Zinc Metal Batteries
Authors: Yang Xin , Hwang Uiseok , An Zongfu , Baek Jejun , Cho Jaewon , Yang Kaiwei , Park Sul Ki , Kim Soochan
Published: September 2024

Aqueous Zn‐ion batteries are promising and efficient energy storage systems owing to their low cost, high safety, and satisfactory capacity. However, the instability of Zn metal anodes, caused by dendritic growth and parasitic side reactions, hinders their practical application. In this study, a nanophase‐separated block copolymer layer that enhances the reversibility of Zn metal anodes is introduced. This layer consists of two components: a high‐performance engineering‐plastic‐based hydrophobic block exhibiting excellent mechanical properties and chemical stability, and a hydrophilic block that significantly improves the interfacial stability of the anode by selectively permeating Zn ions through the separated nanophase channels. Through an improved electrochemical system and scalable fabrication process, this block copolymer provides a feasible approach for the practical application of Zn metal anodes in aqueous energy storage systems.
Rational Design of Triboelectric Materials and Devices for Self‐Powered Food Sensing
Authors: Bai Yayu , Zhao Tong , Cai Chenchen , Zhang Song , Wang Jinlong , Liu Yanhua , Chi Mingchao , Liu Tao , Du Guoli , Wei Zhiting , Meng Xiangjiang , Shao Yuzheng , Wang Shuangfei , Luo Bin , Nie Shuangxi
Published: September 2024

Against the backdrop of rapid advancements in 5G and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies, there is an urgent need to upgrade food sensing systems to achieve automation, digitalization, and intelligence. However, this transformation process faces numerous challenges. Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs), as an emerging energy conversion and sensing technology, play a crucial role in this context. They not only provide power to functional devices but also serve as sensors in multifunctional self‐powered food sensing systems, capable of detecting various physical and chemical information. This review explores the development of TENGs in the field of food sensing, focusing on the working principles of their self‐powered sensing. The review also systematically organizes and classifies the material and device designs used for TENGs in various food applications. Based on the performance of TENGs, a detailed introduction is provided on the specific applications of self‐powered food sterilization, self‐powered food quality monitoring, and self‐powered taste sensing in the field of food safety. Finally, this paper discusses the challenges and corresponding strategies of TENGs in the food sensing field. The aim is to further promote unmanned and smart services and management in the food sector and to provide new research perspectives.
Multi‐Scale Simulation of Reverse‐Bias Breakdown in All‐Perovskite Tandem Photovoltaic Modules under Partial Shading Conditions
Authors: Aeberhard Urs , Natsch Nelly , Schneider Andrin , Zeder Simon Jérôme , Carrillo‐Nuñez Hamilton , Blülle Balthasar , Ruhstaller Beat
Published: September 2024

Herein, a multi‐scale simulation approach to quantify the impact of nonuniformities in cell‐level performance on the photovoltaic characteristics of monolithically interconnected large‐area all‐perovskite tandem modules under partial shading conditions is presented, addressing a crucial aspect of the up‐scaling challenge for this promising photovoltaic technology. To this end, current–voltage characteristics of small‐area all‐perovskite tandem solar cells are obtained for dark and illuminated cases from a calibrated optoelectronic device model using drift–diffusion simulation coupled to a quantum transport formalism for the band‐to‐band tunneling underlying the Zener breakdown. These current–voltage curves are computed for varying density of mobile ions and subsequently used as local 1D coupling laws connecting the 2D electrodes in a quasi‐3D large‐area finite‐element simulation approach that then provides the module characteristics under consideration of spatial variation in active area quality related to mobile ion density. The simulation reveals the appearance of localized current hot spots for the case where the shaded cell is strongly reverse biased.
Thermodynamic and Kinetic Behavior Study of Gas Bubbles in High‐Temperature Steel Melts
Authors: Zhu Fucheng , Li Jing , Li Yingbo , Yin Yanbin
Published: September 2024

This study provides an exhaustive exploration of the thermal expansion of low‐temperature argon bubbles in high‐temperature molten steel and the resulting dynamic effects. The energy equation of compressible fluid simultaneously with the volume of fluid model under the Euler framework is solved. The generation and rising behavior of bubbles are validated through rigorous physical water model experiments. Findings reveal that, within a heating time of 0.2–0.45 ms, gas bubbles already complete 65–90% of their internal energy increase. The total heat transfer time and heat transfer coefficient of bubbles exhibit distinctive patterns influenced by the initial diameter and temperature of the bubbles. Specifically, under the conditions studied, bubbles exhibit a total heat transfer time of ≈20–60 ms, accompanied by a heat transfer coefficient ranging from 500 to 2600 W (m2 * K)−1. During the thermal expansion process, gas bubbles experience energy transfer and conversion within the two‐phase flow. This article establishes a dynamic model describing bubble thermal expansion in steel melts based on underwater bubble dynamics’ first principles. The model provides a quantitative depiction of instantaneous changes in bubble size, velocity, and kinetic energy under specific conditions.
Emission Impacts of Direct Reduced Iron‐Ore Processing Systems: A Systems Thinking Approach in Case Studies of Canada and Peru
Authors: Aydogdu Kemalcan , Duzgun Sebnem
Published: September 2024

This study presents a novel methodology for quantifying CO2 emissions in direct reduced iron (DRI)‐grade iron‐ore processing plants using system dynamics modeling (SDM) with an emphasis on associated uncertainties. Two plants in Canada and Peru are analyzed, where similar ore grades (34.89% and 39.10%) but different ore types (hematite and magnetite) lead to distinct mineral processing systems. By incorporating the breakdown of power grid generation sources, the annual CO2 emissions are quantified, finding significantly higher emissions in Peru (22,241.63 tCO2e ton−1) compared to Canada (2,252.85 tCO2e ton−1). These results highlight the critical impact of local energy grids on emissions, underscoring the need to consider both ore characteristics and regional energy profiles in developing decarbonization strategies. This study offers a structured approach to assessing the CO2 impact of raw materials in low‐carbon steel production. It emphasizes the effect of the spatial distribution of raw materials in the steel‐making process. The analysis reveals that emissions from the plant in Peru are nearly 10 times higher than those in Canada, highlighting the significant influence of the local energy grid. These results underscore the influence of ore characteristics and regional energy profiles in developing effective decarbonization strategies.
Assessing social connection for long‐term care home residents: A scoping review of measure content
Authors: Liougas Madalena P. , Sommerlad Andrew , O'Rourke Hannah M. , Chapman Hannah , Dewan Neha , McGilton Katherine S. , Bethell Jennifer
Published: September 2024

INTRODUCTION

Social connection comprises distinct but interrelated aspects describing how individuals connect to each other. Various measures have assessed multiple aspects of social connection in long‐term care (LTC) home populations, but they use inconsistent terminology, making it unclear what aspects are measured. This scoping review describes how social connection is assessed by measures that have been used in LTC home residents.

METHODS

This review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta‐Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA‐ScR) guidelines. Two systematic literature searches combining search terms for social connection AND LTC home residents AND measurement properties were conducted in eight electronic databases from inception to April 2022. Included studies reported the development or psychometric testing of measures which assessed social connection in LTC home residents. A content analysis with a deductive‐inductive approach was used to analyze the measures’ content and an adapted Framework Method was used for data management. Findings report each measure's items and the assessed aspects of social connection. Dementia and non‐dementia‐specific measures had content, administration, and scoring compared.

RESULTS

From 8753 records, 58 studies reporting on 14 dementia‐specific and 28 non‐dementia‐specific social connection measures were identified, including complete measures, subscales, and single items. These measures assessed social network (52.4%), social isolation (11.9%), social interaction (47.6%), social engagement (31.0%), social support (33.3%), social connectedness (21.4%), and loneliness (9.5%). A total of 27 (64.3%) of the measures included more than one aspect of social connection. Dementia‐specific measures most often assessed social interaction whereas non‐dementia‐specific measures most often assessed social network, social interaction, and social support. Dementia‐specific measures typically relied on a proxy response, whereas non‐dementia‐specific measures more often used self‐report.

DISCUSSION

Existing social connection measures in LTC home settings operationalize seven aspects of social connection and differ according to the target population (dementia or non‐dementia‐specific). These findings will inform future measure selection and development.

Highlights

Social connection is important to long‐term care (LTC) home residents’ quality of life.

Social connection has been assessed by quantifying/describing relationships.

Existing measures usually assess more than one aspect of social connection.

These aspects cover several interlinked observed or experienced domains.

Dementia and non‐dementia‐specific measures differ in assessing social connection.
Gravity‐driven packed bed filter, with copper‐impregnated activated carbon, for continuous water disinfection in absence of electricity
Authors: Mukherjee Mohana , Ramachandran Shankar , Bandyopadhyaya Rajdip
Published: September 2024

Availability of safe drinking water is a major concern in many parts of the world. While many filtration units operating on various principles are available to combat this, most require electricity, which may not be consistently available in such areas. In the present study, we have designed and demonstrated a water disinfection system that can operate purely on gravity, without any electricity. For this, a potassium hydroxide modified copper‐impregnated activated carbon (KOH‐Cu‐AC) hybrid was used as a filter medium for disinfection, because it is less expensive, with performance comparable to previously reported hybrids containing silver. To maintain a constant water flow rate under gravity, during disinfection, a Mariotte bottle was used as the reservoir of the contaminated water. Using this and a constant head between the bottle and the treated water exit point, the required water‐filter contact time of 25 min (for decontamination) is maintained in the filter column, regardless of tank‐fill level. The demonstrated lab‐scale system can perform disinfection of simulated contaminated water (with an initial concentration of 104 CFU mL−1 Escherichia coli), for at least 6 h, with a flow rate of 150 mL h−1. The disinfection performance from the gravity‐based filter was further validated with the conventional pump‐driven filter, used for continuous disinfection of drinking water. Equivalence of results between pump‐ and gravity‐driven operations helps us to eliminate the need for power, without any compromise in disinfection efficacy. Finally, copper concentration from treated water (106 ppb at steady state) remains very well within the safe limit (1000 ppb as per USEPA guideline). Hence, the lab‐scale design of gravity‐based packed bed filter will be useful for domestic and community‐based supply of safe drinking water in resource‐constrained areas, because it eliminated electricity requirement of conventional power‐driven systems.

Practitioner Points

Cost‐effective KOH‐Cu‐AC hybrid is developed as a disinfection material.

Mariotte bottle used for maintaining constant disinfected water flow rate works without any electrical power supply.

This system can be used for getting on‐spot, continuous disinfected water supply.

The concentration of copper in the treated water is well within the safety limit.

It can be applicable in rural and remote areas (no electric power source) as well as natural calamity‐affected areas.
Social dimensions of climate‐induced flooding in Jakarta (Indonesia): The role of non‐point source pollution
Authors: Kurniawan Tonni Agustiono , Meidiana Christia , Goh Hui Hwang , Zhang Dongdong , Jiang Meihui , Othman Mohd Hafiz Dzarfan , Anouzla Abdelkader , Aziz Faissal , Mahmoud Mohamed , Khan Muhammad Imran , Ali Imran , Khan Md Munir Hayet , Goh Kai Chen
Published: September 2024

Because of its low‐lying location, urbanization, and inadequate infrastructure, Jakarta (Indonesia) has experienced an increase in annual flooding events, rising from an average of five significant floods per year in the 1990s to over 20 annually (2010–2020). With climate change exacerbating extreme weather events, Jakarta encounters escalating risks of flooding. Although the recurrent flooding is exacerbated by non‐point source (NPS) of pollution such as urban runoff and agricultural discharge that contribute to 40% of total pollutants leading to flood‐related issues in Jakarta, none has investigated this research gap. To reflect its novelty, this work explores the implications of climate change on the annual flooding in Jakarta by focusing on NPS and analyzes their impacts from social perspectives. This work also underscores the implications of flooding on livelihoods, health, and social cohesion in Jakarta. Focus group discussion with affected residents was used to shed light on the coping strategies employed in response to recurrent floods, ranging from community‐based initiatives to reliance on informal networks. The empirical findings show that the implications of flooding extend beyond physical damages. Displacement of communities, loss of livelihoods, disruption of essential services, and increased health risks are among the social impacts experienced by local residents. Vulnerable populations, including low‐income communities residing in informal settlements, bear their consequences. Economic losses from flooding amount to USD 500 million annually, impacting over 1 million residents. However, recent interventions have led to a 15% reduction in peak flood levels and a 20% reduction in flood duration in affected areas. Community resilience has also improved, with a 25% increase in flood insurance coverage and a 20% rise in community response initiatives. Overall, this study highlights that climate change exacerbates annual flooding in Jakarta, significantly impacting vulnerable communities through NPS pollution. Addressing the challenges requires integrated approaches combining effective pollution control, resilient infrastructure, and community engagement to mitigate social and long‐term environmental impacts.

Practitioner Points

Climate‐induced flooding disproportionately affects vulnerable communities in Jakarta.

Non‐point source pollution from urban runoff contributes to the severity of flooding in Jakarta.

Waterborne diseases, disruption of livelihoods, and reduced access to clean water are major concerns identified in the study.

The study highlights the importance of community‐based adaptation strategies to mitigate the impact of flooding and pollution.
Iron Selenide Intercalated by Uncharged Molecules: Superconductivity in FeSe(C2H7NO)0.3
Authors: Schöneich Marlo , Johrendt Dirk
Published: September 2024

The charge‐neutral intercalated iron selenide compound FeSe(C2H7NO)0.3 is formed from FeSe(C2H8N2)0.3 through amine exchange under solvothermal conditions. Although the exchanged molecules are of similar size, the distance of the FeSe‐layers increases from 10.68 Å to 13.58 Å. The combination of X‐ray diffraction and DFT calculations suggests a chemically reasonable, albeit somewhat simplified, model for the orientation of the molecules between the FeSe‐layers, which interact via weak hydrogen bonds. The neutral guest species is unable to transfer charge to the FeSe layers, which remain electronically undoped. While the starting compound is non‐superconducting, the resulting product exhibits a transition to superconductivity at Tc=14 K. The topology of the calculated Fermi surface undergoes only minimal alteration with increased layer spacing, a change that is considerably less pronounced than that observed with electron doping. Our findings indicate that undoped FeSe layers become superconducting when the interlayer distance is sufficiently large, while the highest critical temperatures necessitate additional electron doping.
Aren’t We All Human?—On the Illusion of the Extraordinary Academic
Authors: Örtenblad Anders
Published: September 2024

This chapter suggests that academics are as human—in terms of, mainly, striving to appear legitimate—as practitioners are. The author argues that not only practitioners are gaining legitimacy through fashion-followers, but that so are academics. Examples from the literature on, especially, management fashion and academic fashion are used as cases in point, along with a few self-experienced anecdotes. Four assumptions to the relation between the degree to which practitioners’ and academics’ are considered to possess human weakness are suggested: the extraordinary academic assumption, the Übermensch assumption, the ivory tower assumption and the ordinary citizen assumption. The author suggests that quite a few academics have the extraordinary academic assumption, while he himself supports the ordinary citizen assumption. A few implications from each of these two approaches are discussed, and the chapter ends with the author’s own self-reflection.
Existential Explorations of Others and Oneself as a Researcher
Authors: Vasko Pär
Published: September 2024

Researchers in the interpretative fields of management and organization theory often find themselves theorizing about others. Managers, leaders and professional practitioners are in focus on the researchers’ quest to explain, explore and understand their decisions and doings. Staying focused on what others do tends to obscure the researchers own preconceived notions and taken-for-granted assumptions. Thus, this chapter aims to turn the gaze toward the author, in a reflexive way, and explores the researcher—that engages in a research project. Starting from an existential position and the work with a dissertation in becoming, many avenues emerge for reflecting upon what it means to be—and being in the process of becoming a researcher. This chapter explores the existential endeavors of writing a dissertation and aims to wonder about what it means, and does to an aspiring researcher, when embarking on such a grand quest.
“Dragged in the Opposite Direction”: Identity Tensions Facing Women Academics in Management and Organisation
Authors: Black Kate , Ciesielska Malgorzata , Whitton Dawn
Published: September 2024

This chapter offers reflexive-reflective accounts of three women management academics. We draw upon socio-cultural perspectives of identity, to examine who, as management scholars, we think we are and should be—the ontological assumptions that underpin our self—and to what extent we are who we want to be (our assumed identity). We examine the multiple tensions that we have faced as we tried to craft a true self versus that self that has been expected by others, within our institutions and beyond. In our professional life we operate under multiple identity pressures and expectations—not just our own but a wider academic community, neoliberal university economics, students. We thus observe incidents where our assumed identity has been rejected and an identity ascribed to us, which we have accepted to varying degrees. As we have navigated these tensions there is though evidence to suggest that we have simultaneously disciplined ourselves, being complicit in constraining who we can become, and thus who we are as women academics. We note though that such tensions are of course apparent not only within the academy; that we are not in this way, distinct or “special”. We are for sure, not independent of the social pressures and norms that permeate all work. Indeed, such examples as these could undoubtedly be found in the life-worlds of managers and employees across organisations.
Homo academicus and Gender: The Cracking Assumptions of Rationality
Authors: Górska Anna M.
Published: September 2024

This chapter delves into the ontological assumptions underlying academic identities in the fields of management and organization, particularly in the context of New Public Management (NPM). It explores how these assumptions, shaped by the increasing emphasis on research and publishing, influence academics’ self-perceptions and their navigation of the academic landscape. Drawing on in-depth interviews with women academics from the management field, this study uncovers how NPM has reshaped their ontological beliefs about their roles and capabilities, highlighting the gendered dimensions of these shifts. The findings illustrate how the prioritization of research over teaching under NPM not only exacerbates gender inequalities but also leads to a reframing of academic identity, where research is perceived as both a privileged domain and a central criterion for evaluation. This study argues that these ontological shifts have practical implications, resulting in a dual burden for women academics who must balance the demands of research, teaching, and administrative duties in an environment with limited support. The chapter underscores the need for HEIs to reassess performance criteria to foster more equitable and supportive conditions, enabling academics to align their professional practices with their personal academic identities.
Introduction: The New Strange World of Global Elite Migrants
Authors: Isaakyan Irina
Published: September 2024

In 2002, the world was astonished by the appearance of the new opera star Anna Netrebko at the Salzburg Opera Festival. She was young, incredibly talented and smashingly glamorous, almost akin to the legendary Maria Callas. She quickly became the face of the world new opera and also the face of the new Russia and of the post-Soviet space. Like a speeding rocket, she was granted, in 2006, the Austrian citizenship as the soloist of the Vienna State Opera. In a jiff, she became an Austrian citizen, without having undergone long bureaucratic procedures of naturalization in a country with the most restrictive citizenship schemes.
Global Elite Migrations: Mobility, Agency and Networks
Authors: Isaakyan Irina
Published: September 2024

Today more than ever before, we are witnessing complex trajectories of global elite migrations as illuminated by a rapidly increasing stream of elite niched professionals trying to develop their elitist careers abroad. Building their second home at destination, global elite migrants sustain the transnational and highly visible nature of their politically eminent work through their global employment. Their list consists of migrating business executives, athletes, fashion models, actors and artists including ballet dancers and opera singers. Through their migration, transnational employment and integration, they continuously make a global impact by shaping public tastes and values and enriching the world economics.
“The Splendor and Miseries”: The Voice of a Real Person
Authors: Isaakyan Irina
Published: September 2024

It was argued Chap. 1 that the constrained agency of elite migrant-artists has been an under-researched area. This means that there are, in fact, many unanswered provocative questions about the life and work of global elite migrants. While they belong to the category of informants whom scholars view as ‘challenging’. They are highly visible, dependent on their networks and, therefore extremely vulnerable because of their potential exposure to the public and also because of severe network sanctions. They are both privileged and vulnerable. And as noted by the famous French novelist of the nineteenth century Honoré de Balzac, it is not easy to describe in one word ‘the splendor and miseries’ of someone so controversial. Therefore, the question that I would like to ask in this chapter is what would be the best way to study the lives of global elite migrants and the ontogenesis of their migrant agency with the purpose to make their voices heard and their ‘splendors and miseries’ visible. What would be the best way to think about them as professionals, migrants and real people, with all their social skills, ambitions, moments of success but also fears and insecurity? The answer is interpretive biography. Here in this chapter, I, therefore, introduce the method of interpretive biography, explain its nuances and analytical procedures, and justify its application to my case.
Homeland Gravity: The Local, the National and the Global
Authors: Isaakyan Irina
Published: September 2024

In 1960, the world of classic music was witnessing a very strong inter-galactic interaction between the two famous theaters: La Scala and Bolshoi were signing a previously unimaginable pact on the perennial exchange of opera singers and ballet dancers. As a result, a new star generation of Soviet singers and Italian dancers was trained in the herein established inter-galactic stellar nursery throughout the 1960–1980s (Schwartz, 1983). One of them was Maria Bieșu. Originally from a small Moldavian village, Bieșu had started her vocal career in the republic of Moldova before she was selected for the two-year internship in La Scala in 1965 (Vdovina, 1984). It was the turning point in her career, which began escalating upon her repatriation in 1967 and immediate promotion to lead dramatic soprano at Bolshoi. Nostalgic for Italy and feeling sad about the inability to live there, Bieșu was, nevertheless, happy with her Soviet career, rejecting many emigration offers from the West (ibid; Rusakova, 2012). Although her stardom was decades before the era of global elite migrations, she could have indeed become a migrant, seeking political asylum and joining the émigré dissent, if she had wished so. As a star of the Bolshoi, she frequently participated in its tours to Europe and America throughout the 1970–80s, yet always returning to Moscow without a moment of hesitation. In one of her post-Soviet interviews to the press, she noted that she would have never left the Soviet Union for any other country (ibid). As she further explained, the reason for her patriotism had been not her fear of the KGB but the rich symbolism of the Bolshoi, embodying her grand social mobility from peasant to national opera supergiant: “My homeland was always the Soviet Union”, she proudly concluded (ibid).
Conclusions
Authors: Galende Sánchez Ester , Sorman Alevgul H. , Cabello Violeta , Heidenreich Sara , Klöckner Christian A.
Published: September 2024

This book presents ten interdisciplinary contributions addressing key policies of the European Green Deal. The chapters emphasise the need for inclusive participation of all actors, integrating justice in policy design and implementation as well as tackling controversial issues such as deep sea mining and carbon dioxide removal. Overall, the book advocates for 1) Reimagining knowledge transfer, and emphasising mutual learning between the global North and South; 2) Strengthening the integration of diverse knowledge systems to develop robust, people-centric, transformative climate policies; 3) Seeking climate justice and global equity into climate policy to avoid negative impacts beyond EU borders; 4) Promoting accountability and transparency in all decision-making processes, and; 5) Embracing justice and diversity - of voices, of contexts, of knowledges, and of disciplines to tackle one of the most complex collective action problems to date, the climate crisis which involves us all.
Adapting to Heatwaves: Reframing, Understanding, and Translating Strategies from India to the EU
Authors: Menatti Laura , Brenner Anna-Katharina , Chanam Joyshree , Knickel Marina , Sridhar Hari , Bunce Corey
Published: September 2024

Policy Highlights

To achieve the recommendation stated in the title, we propose the following:

Adaptation should be reframed as situated, relational, and long-term processes within socio-ecological systems to maximise the value of nature-oriented, place-based, and community-driven strategies.

Interdisciplinary approaches integrating STEM and SSH perspectives provide better understanding of adaptation strategies and lead to innovative knowledge for guiding adaptation actions.

Adaptation policies in the EU should draw upon the Global South given their long history of adaptation to extreme temperatures.

Translating learning possibilities requires intercultural and intergeographical tailoring of policy according to local options, needs, and resources, and not just mere knowledge transfer.

To foster mutually beneficial global interrelations, the EU should emphasise opportunities for social and epistemic justice, and interconnectedness.
Advancing Epistemic Justice with Local Knowledge: A Process Indicator for EU Climate Adaptation Policymaking
Authors: Bobadilla Hernán , Di Capua Giuseppe , Hesselbein Chris , Peppoloni Silvia , Lampis Federico
Published: September 2024

Policy Highlights

To achieve the recommendation stated in the title, we propose the following:

EU climate adaptation policies need to further integrate local knowledge to advance epistemic justice and ensure their success.

A process indicator is proposed to advance epistemic justice along three main dimensions, namely distributive, participatory, and recognitional epistemic justice.

The indicator serves to assess and evaluate critical ex-ante (problem framing) and ex-post (appraisal of the policy’s initial design) aspects of epistemic justice in policymaking.

The implementation of the indicator will enhance political accountability, fill existing gaps in scientific knowledge at smaller spatial scales, and foster trust among stakeholders.

The inclusion of multiple types of knowledges and disciplines in policymaking leads to more effective and just climate policies.
Dual inflation and bounce cosmologies interpretation of pulsar timing array data
Authors: Li Changhong , Lai Junrong , Xiang Jinjie , Wu Chaofan
Published: September 2024

Abstract

We explore a dual scenario of generalized inflation and bounce cosmologies, producing a scale-invariant curvature perturbation spectrum. Bayesian analysis with pulsar timing array data identifies, for the first time, viable regions from inflation and bounce that simultaneously explain stochastic gravitational wave background (SGWB) signals and CMB anisotropies. Bayes factor calculations strongly favor this dual scenario over conventional sources and provide initial evidence of a duality between inflation and bounce regarding SGWB, offering new insights for early universe model-building and future observations.
Conference contributions by section members of the International Union for the Study of Social Insects (IUSSI) at international IUSSI conferences (1952–2022) are not in accordance with membership numbers
Authors: Buttstedt A. , Pirk C. W. W. , Yusuf A. A.
Published: September 2024

Scientific conferences are of immense importance to scientists, but the resulting benefits are only available to those scientists who can actually attend scientific meetings. So far, research at scientific conferences is mostly presented and discussed by researchers from the Global North, while researchers from the Global South are largely excluded due to various reasons. Over the past 70 years, the International Union for the Study of Social Insects (IUSSI), which is organized in 11 sections based on geography, has organized 19 international congresses. We reveal a non-equitable distribution of members with researchers from Asia and Africa being under-represented among IUSSI members. During the period from 1952 to 2022 conference contributions at IUSSI conferences came from 79 countries across the globe with members from the African and the South American continent being under-represented. Furthermore, we reveal that it does matter where a conference takes place, as contributions from authors with an affiliation to a particular continent always increase when the conference takes place on that continent. The findings suggest a notable lack of representations from certain regions in key scientific gatherings, highlighting the need for greater inclusivity in the academic community.