bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Information-Centric Adoption and Use of Standard Compliant DevSecOps for Operational Technology: From Experience to Design Principles
Authors: Haverinen Henry , Päivärinta Tero , Vänskä Jussi , Joutsijoki Henry 
Published: February 2024

AbstractSecure and agile development of operational technology (OT) and related software in industry is a crucial but challenging issue. Generally recognized standards such as IEC 62443–4-1 set up the requirements for cybersecurity processes for OT and software development. The main challenge of IEC 62443–4-1 resides in its adoption and implementation in practice, which originates from the standard’s complexity. We propose three novel design principles and two subsequent design objectives to be prioritized for future design-research oriented work on standard-compliant DevSecOps. The design principles have been formed after six years of experience and observations in cybersecurity consulting in industry, documented here as a piece of action design research (ADR). As a case study, we describe instantiation of the design principles at Valmet Automation Systems, one of the earliest IEC 62443–4-1 -certified companies. The proposed design principles altogether suggest for the information-centric view on the contextual adoption and use of the IEC 62443–4-1 standard in DevSecOps practices for OT.
Exploring Emotions in Online Team Meetings: Unpacking Agile Retrospective
Authors: Khanna Dron , Aldaeej Abdullah 
Published: February 2024

AbstractEstablishing a psychologically safe work environment is crucial for leading a positive and practical agile retrospective. Emotions are closely intertwined concepts that come under the roof of psychology. Capturing them at the right time helps to detect harmful or favourable online behaviours, hinder or facilitate the software development cycle, and moralize or demoralize the team in a software company. This study aims to identify emotions that appear during the online agile retrospective. Our study asks the research question: How often are different emotions repeated during the online agile retrospective? We conducted a multiple case study with two software companies. We analyzed three recorded online retrospective sessions to seize various emotions. Our findings show that eighteen emotions appear on the agile retrospective. Some of the highest repeated emotions are approval, realization, excitement, relief, disappointment, confusion, optimism, and disapproval.
Carbon Footprint Calculations for a Software Company – Adapting GHG Protocol Scopes 1, 2 and 3 to the Software Industry
Authors: Sipilä Antti , Partanen Laura , Porras Jari 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThrough non-financial reporting, such as CSRD, carbon footprint calculations are becoming mandatory in the software industry. The golden standard for reporting CO2 emissions is based on the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol and its scopes 1, 2, and 3. However, as a producer of purely digital products, the software industry differs from traditional industries in its carbon footprint. The software industry value chain relies heavily on an infrastructure that can contribute most of its emissions. It has been recognized that there is a need for an industry-customized carbon emissions model that considers the software industry's peculiarities. The primary goal of this study is to define the main sources of climate impacts in the software industry and propose a model of the GHG Protocol adaptation to software companies. This research has been done in our Green ICT project and is based on interviews done in that project. The data for this research was collected from five software companies with different demographics and business models. The interviews, with a total amount of 14, were conducted between November 2022 and March 2023 during a service design process of an automated tool that facilitates green transition in software companies. The analysis of the interviews was supplemented with the results from four multi-stakeholder workshops conducted during the service design process, as well as with the analysis of a series of webinars around the topic. As a result of the study, the Software Company Scopes model for the primary sources of greenhouse gas emissions in the software company and its value chain was created, and the GHG Protocol was tailored to the needs of the software industry. Thus, considering its industry-specific peculiarities, we may conclude that the GHG Protocol can be applied to the software industry.
Understanding Cost Dynamics of Serverless Computing: An Empirical Study
Authors: Hamza Muhammad , Akbar Muhammad Azeem , Capilla Rafael 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe advent of serverless computing has revolutionized the landscape of cloud computing, offering a new paradigm that enables developers to focus solely on their applications rather than managing and provisioning the underlying infrastructure. These applications involve integrating individual functions into a cohesive workflow for complex tasks. The pay-per-use model and nontransparent reporting by cloud providers make it difficult to estimate serverless costs, impeding informed business decisions. Existing research studies on serverless computing focus on performance optimization and state management, both from empirical and technical perspectives. However, the state-of-the-art shows a lack of empirical investigations on the understanding of the cost dynamics of serverless computing over traditional cloud computing. Therefore, this study delves into how organizations anticipate the costs of adopting serverless. It also aims to comprehend workload suitability and identify best practices for cost optimization of serverless applications. To this end, we conducted a qualitative (interviews) study with 15 experts from 8 companies involved in the migration and development of serverless systems. The findings revealed that, while serverless computing is highly suitable for unpredictable workloads, it may not be cost-effective for certain high-scale applications. The study also introduces a taxonomy for comparing the cost of adopting serverless versus traditional cloud.
Improving Communication and Collaboration in Enterprise Architecture Projects: Three Propositions from Three Public Sector EA Projects
Authors: Rouvari Ari , Pekkola Samuli 
Published: February 2024

AbstractEnterprise architecture (EA) is infamous for implementation problems and unredeemed promises. Imprecise and unstandardized EA work practices and various definitions make it difficult to comprehend what should be done and how, and to advance digital transformation. Earlier studies have identified communication and collaboration challenges as one of the most common and fatal sources of problems. In this paper, we study how different actions help avoiding and addressing communication and collaboration problems in EA projects. We conduct a qualitative and comparative case study of three public sector EA projects in Finland. Our data is based on ethnographic observations, which were later inductively analyzed. As an outcome, we present a theoretical explanation of the phenomenon and make three propositions to manage and possibly overcome the problem.
Navigating ICT In-House Procurement in Finland: Evaluating Legal Frameworks and Practical Challenges
Authors: Ghezzi Reetta , Korhonen Minnamaria , Vilpponen Hannu , Mikkonen Tommi 
Published: February 2024

AbstractIn-house procurement is a controversial issue in the field of public procurement. Simply put, such procurement allows overlooking certain aspects of fair and equal treatment of vendors. This paper presents qualitative research on in-house ICT procurement within Finnish municipalities. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to gather insights from municipal stakeholders. Using grounded theory approach, data analysis shows intricate dynamics between Finnish municipalities and in-house entities associated with them. Still, it is clear that the legal framework governing in-house procurement remains intricate and debated
.
Gluon scattering in AdS at finite string coupling from localization
Authors: Behan Connor , Chester Shai M. , Ferrero Pietro 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
We consider gluons scattering in Type IIB string theory on AdS5 × S5/ℤ2 in the presence of D7 branes, which is dual to the flavor multiplet correlator in a certain 4d $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 2 USp(2N) gauge theory with SO(8) flavor symmetry and complexified coupling τ. We compute this holographic correlator in the large N and finite τ expansion using constraints from derivatives of the mass deformed sphere free energy, which we compute to all orders in 1/N and finite τ using supersymmetric localization. In particular, we fix the F4 higher derivative correction to gluon scattering on AdS at finite string coupling τs = τ in terms of Jacobi theta functions, which feature the expected relations between the SL(2, ℤ) duality and the SO(8) triality of the CFT, and match it to the known flat space term. We also use the flat space limit to compute D2F4 corrections of the correlator at finite τ in terms of a non-holomorphic Eisenstein series. At weak string coupling, we find that the AdS correlator takes a form which is remarkably similar to that of the flat space Veneziano amplitude.
Asymptotics for singular limits via phase functions
Authors: Nordmann Samuel , Schochet Steve 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe asymptotic behavior of solutions as a small parameter tends to zero is determined for a variety of singular-limit PDEs. In some cases even existence for a time independent of the small parameter was not known previously. New examples for which uniform existence does not hold are also presented. Our methods include both an adaptation of geometric optics phase analysis to singular limits and an extension of that analysis in which the characteristic variety determinant condition is supplemented with a periodicity condition.
Digitale Gesundheitstechnologien – das Recht als Hemmschuh oder Wegbereiter?
Authors: Freye Merle , Buchner Benedikt 
Published: February 2024

ZusammenfassungDer potenzielle Nutzen digitaler Gesundheitstechnologien hängt im Bereich der populationsbezogenen Gesundheitsforschung maßgeblich davon ab, ob und in welchem Umfang sich diese Technologien auf eine Verarbeitung personenbezogener Gesundheitsdaten stützen lassen. Allerdings herrscht erhebliche Unsicherheit bei der Anwendung und Auslegung der einschlägigen rechtlichen Regelungen zur Verarbeitung von Forschungsdaten mittels digitaler Gesundheitstechnologien. Die Praxis der Forschungsdatenverarbeitung ist immer noch maßgeblich vom Primat der Einwilligung als Legitimationsgrundlage für eine Datenverarbeitung geprägt, obwohl das Informationsmodell des deutschen und europäischen Gesetzgebers mit seinen ambitionierten Anforderungen an die freiwillige und informierte Einwilligung realitätsfern ist. Auch die Konzepte des Broad Consent, Dynamic Consent und Meta Consent, die Alternativen zur klassischen Einwilligungslösung darstellen, können nicht sämtliche Defizite des Einwilligungsmodells beheben.Um die informationelle Selbstbestimmung der betroffenen Personen zu gewährleisten und gleichzeitig die Interessen der Forschung im Public-Health-Bereich im Blick zu behalten, muss der Forschungsdatenschutz weiterentwickelt werden. Lösungen müssen dabei nicht nur am Einwilligungsverhalten selbst ansetzen, sondern auch eine Legitimation der Datenverarbeitung ganz ohne Einwilligung in den Blick nehmen oder auf eine unwiederbringliche Aufhebung des Personenbezugs der Daten abzielen. Dieser Diskussionsartikel beleuchtet die ambivalente Rolle des Rechts im Hinblick auf digitale Gesundheitstechnologien und zeigt, dass der oftmals als Hindernis verstandene Gesundheitsdatenschutz – bei entsprechender Weiterentwicklung – durchaus den Weg für digitale Gesundheitstechnologien bereiten kann.
Breeding progress of nitrogen use efficiency of cereal crops, winter oilseed rape and peas in long-term variety trials
Authors: Laidig F. , Feike T. , Lichthardt C. , Schierholt A. , Piepho H. P. 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Key message
Grain yield and NUE increased over time while nitrogen yield did not drop significantly despite reduced nitrogen input. Selection for grain and nitrogen yield is equivalent to selection for NUE.

Abstract
Breeding and registration of improved varieties with high yield, processing quality, disease resistance and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) are of utmost importance for sustainable crop production to minimize adverse environmental impact and contribute to food security. Based on long-term variety trials of cereals, winter oilseed rape and grain peas tested across a wide range of environmental conditions in Germany, we quantified long-term breeding progress for NUE and related traits. We estimated the genotypic, environmental and genotype-by-environment interaction variation and correlation between traits and derived heritability coefficients. Nitrogen fertilizer application was considerably reduced between 1995 and 2021 in the range of 5.4% for winter wheat and 28.9% for spring wheat while for spring barley it was increased by 20.9%. Despite the apparent nitrogen reduction for most crops, grain yield (GYLD) and nitrogen accumulation in grain (NYLD) was increased or did not significantly decrease. NUE for GYLD increased significantly for all crops between 12.8% and 35.2% and for NYLD between 8% and 20.7%. We further showed that the genotypic rank of varieties for GYLD and NYLD was about equivalent to the genotypic rank of the corresponding traits of NUE, if all varieties in a trial were treated with the same nitrogen rate. Heritability of nitrogen yield was about the same as that of grain yield, suggesting that nitrogen yield should be considered as an additional criterion for variety testing to increase NUE and reduce negative environmental impact.
Policies for young adults with reduced work capacity. Labour market impact in Sweden and Norway
Authors: Hall Caroline , Hardoy Inés , von Simson Kristine 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe rising numbers of young people with disability pension concerns many advanced economies. We present results from a comparative analysis of the neighbouring countries Sweden and Norway on the impacts of differing policy mixes aimed at enhancing the employability of the work disabled. Using rich longitudinal data, we follow unemployed young adults (ages 25-29) with work-impairment up to four years after they became unemployed to investigate the effect of different types of labour market policies. Our results indicate that, despite differences in programme composition and strategies, there are surprisingly small country differences in treatment effect patterns and signs of estimated impacts. In line with previous studies, we find strong lock-in effects of both workplace-related programmes and training/educational programmes. After participation, workplace-related programmes about double the likelihood of entering regular employment or education. Participating in training courses also increases this likelihood, but effect sizes are smaller.
Long-term unemployment subsidies and middle-aged disadvantaged workers’ health
Authors: Garcia-Pérez José Ignacio , Serrano-Alarcón Manuel , Vall-Castelló Judit 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThis paper examines the labour market and health effects of a non-contributory long-term unemployment (LTU) benefit targeted at middle-aged disadvantaged workers. To do so, we exploit a Spanish reform introduced in July 2012 that increased the age eligibility threshold to receive the benefit from 52 to 55. Our results show that men who were eligible for the benefit experience a reduction in injury hospitalisations by 12.9% as well as a 2 percentage points drop in the probability of a mental health diagnosis. None of the results are significant for women. We document two factors that explain the gender differences: the labour market impact of the reform is stronger for men, and eligible men are concentrated in more physically demanding sectors, like construction. Importantly, we also find evidence of a program substitution effect between LTU and partial disability benefits. Our results highlight the role of long-term unemployment benefits as a protecting device for the (physical and mental) health of middle-aged, low-educated workers who are in a disadvantaged position in the labour market.
Tailored laser beam shapes for welding of copper using green laser radiation
Authors: Kaufmann Florian , Roth Stephan , Schmidt Michael 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
The rapid development of laser beam sources and adapted welding technologies in recent years lead to an increased use of laser welding techniques in automated production nowadays. Especially its precision and local energy input are key features for joining applications in electric vehicle components, where joints have to meet both mechanical and electrical requirements as current-carrying connections. However, the copper materials used are difficult to weld due to their physical properties, making a stable process with fewest seam imperfections only feasible within a limited process window. Recently available beam sources emitting visible laser radiation have proven to overcome the low absorptivity at process start, but spattering is still a prone defect significantly affecting process efficiency and quality. Literature approaches for modifying the energy input point to laser beam shaping as a method for reducing process imperfections, which, however, has not been extensively researched in copper processing using green laser radiation.
Thus, this study investigates the influence of a shaped intensity profile for visible laser radiation created with a reflective diffractive optical element in laser beam welding with laser powers up to 3 kW. A characterization of the process dynamics is performed by use of high-speed imaging, and metallographic analysis is used to elaborate benefits of the applied beam shapes. With beam shaping, an enlarged heat conduction welding regime and an advantageous seam shape are found. Furthermore, a decrease in spatter formation during deep penetration welding is detected for the elliptical beam profile, which correlates with an oscillation movement of the capillary.
A novel fault location method for the active distribution network based on dynamic quantum genetic algorithm
Authors: Wen Juan , Qu Xing , Liu Jie , Lin Siyu , Xiao Qiankang 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe fault location of an active distribution network is a vital analysis to prevent major outages in the power system. Considering the influence of renewable distributed generations on fault characteristics, this paper proposes a novel location method based on a dynamic quantum genetic algorithm to solve for fault locations in active distribution networks. In the method, the fault current code is measured based on feeder terminal units. A universal switching function is presented to convert the feeder switch status into an uploaded fault current code. The fault location model is defined as an optimization problem that presents the evaluation objective function with an anti-false-positive factor. The dynamic quantum genetic algorithm is developed to locate the fault feeder according to the uploaded fault current code of the feeder terminal unit. The algorithm adopts dynamic rotating gate strategy and adaptive quantum crossover strategy to satisfy the requirements of quickness and accuracy for fault location. Moreover, the method avoids easily falling into a local optimum by integrating the discrete quantum mutation. The proposed fault location technique is tested and compared to other existing techniques on a 33-bus active distribution network. The simulation results show that the proposed fault location method can locate fault feeders accurately with fast computational times under conditions of single or multiple faults and with an information distortion of the feeder terminal unit.
Critical evaluation of the potential of ICP-MS-based systems in toxicological studies of metallic nanoparticles
Authors: Fernández-Trujillo Sergio , Jiménez-Moreno María , Rodríguez-Fariñas Nuria , Rodríguez Martín-Doimeadios Rosa Carmen 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe extensive application of metallic nanoparticles (NPs) in several fields has significantly impacted our daily lives. Nonetheless, uncertainties persist regarding the toxicity and potential risks associated with the vast number of NPs entering the environment and human bodies, so the performance of toxicological studies are highly demanded. While traditional assays focus primarily on the effects, the comprehension of the underlying processes requires innovative analytical approaches that can detect, characterize, and quantify NPs in complex biological matrices. Among the available alternatives to achieve this information, mass spectrometry, and more concretely, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), has emerged as an appealing option. This work critically reviews the valuable contribution of ICP-MS-based techniques to investigate NP toxicity and their transformations during in vitro and in vivo toxicological assays. Various ICP-MS modalities, such as total elemental analysis, single particle or single-cell modes, and coupling with separation techniques, as well as the potential of laser ablation as a spatially resolved sample introduction approach, are explored and discussed. Moreover, this review addresses limitations, novel trends, and perspectives in the field of nanotoxicology, particularly concerning NP internalization and pathways. These processes encompass cellular uptake and quantification, localization, translocation to other cell compartments, and biological transformations. By leveraging the capabilities of ICP-MS, researchers can gain deeper insights into the behaviour and effects of NPs, which can pave the way for safer and more responsible use of these materials.
Graphical abstract
Mycofiltration of Aqueous Iron (III) and Imidacloprid Solutions, and the Effects of the Filtrates on Selected Biomarkers of the Freshwater Snail Helisoma duryi
Authors: Mnkandla Sanele M. , Mosoabisane Mafereka Francis Tyson , Basopo Norah , Otomo Patricks Voua 
Published: February 2024

AbstractTo alleviate the burden of water contamination, a newly developed form of bioremediation known as mycofiltration can be employed. Mycofiltration is an environment-friendly technology involving the treatment of contaminated water by passing it through a network of saprophytic fungal mycelium. A mycofilter made of Pleurotus ostreatus was used for the removal of iron (III) and imidacloprid from aqueous solutions. Batch mycofiltration, at a dosage of 1 g of mycofilter per 50 mL, was performed on iron (III) solutions of different concentrations (0.99, 10.7, 22.9, and 27.72 mg/L) and pH (3.3, 7 and 11). For column mycofiltration, the mycofilter was packed into pyrex columns (3.3 × 15 cm) to desired bed heights. Iron (III) and imidacloprid solutions of 18.99 mg/L and 234.70 ng/L, respectively, were filtered at a constant flow rate. Thereafter, Helisoma duryi snails were exposed for 96 h to the respective filtrates, and their catalase and acetylcholinesterase activities were assessed. Batch mycofiltration showed iron (III) removal rates as high as 85%. Column mycofiltration showed removal rates of 94 and 31% for iron (III) and imidacloprid, respectively. Catalase activity was significantly reduced (p < 0.05) in the snails exposed to iron (III) or imidacloprid filtrates, compared to the snails exposed to the non-mycofiltered media. A significantly higher acetylcholinesterase activity was induced by iron (III) filtrates in comparison with the non-mycofiltered media (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences in acetylcholinesterase activity (p > 0.05) in the snails exposed to mycofiltered and non-mycofiltered imidacloprid media. Mycofilter characterisation using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrophotometry revealed significant changes in transmittance intensity in the mycofilters used for the iron (III) vs the ones used for the imidacloprid solutions. Mycofiltration was found to improve water quality although iron (III) was removed more effectively than imidacloprid.