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Rapport-building in extreme environments:the case of astronauts in space and support crew on the ground
No full textThis paper explores the ways in which conversation partners demonstrate and develop familiarity and rapport with each other from a distance when one partner, an astronaut, works in the isolated, confined, and extreme environment of a spacecraft. Employing methodologies of pragmatics and pragmatic act theory, I explore radio communication between astronauts on missions in space and support crews on the ground. The audio-recorded conversations (189 » h) took place between mission control centers on earth and astronauts on board the International Space Station. The findings reveal that rapport-building in space-to-ground communication occurs through a range of strategies, including stylistic playfulness, recognition of familiarity between speakers, reassurance, and self-deprecating humor. What distinguishes this exploration from existing research is its focus on the coexistence and intertwining of rapport-building with task-oriented communication in the extreme environment of human space flight.</p
A dual-purpose knowledge mobilization laboratory: exploring interactions and processes for mobilizing research in occupational health and safety practices
No full textResearch institutions produce a substantial amount of scientific research every year hoping to stimulate improvements to worker’s health and safety. Despite of a large research output, the rate of OHS research knowledge that ultimately impact worker’s health and safety is low (Dugan and Punnett, 2017, Schulte et al., 2017, Guerin et al., 2022). Challenges relate to all activities in the knowledge translation chain, from access to knowledge over assessment and adaptation to application (Kothari et al., 2009), as well as to the practical relevance (Proctor et al., 2011). Challenges in bridging OHS research and workplace practice reduce the potentials of OHS research to improve worker’s health and safety, with implications for sick leave and work longevity. In Europe and North America, policy makers and research funding agencies place increased weight on the use and impact of OHS research knowledge at workplaces (Lavis et al., 2003, Pedersen, 2017, CIFHR, 2012). Extant research emphasizes the need for more knowledge about dissemination and uptake of evidence-based OHS practices in policy and practice (Guerin et al., 2022). A wide selection of models and frameworks have been developed to theorize how this might happen (Graham et al., 2006, Cunningham et al., 2020, Van Eerd, 2019, Schulte et al., 2017, Guerin et al., 2022). There is, however, a need to generate insight in how the process of mobilizing research knowledge to practical application look in practice (Cunningham et al., 2020). Spaapen and Van Drooge’s (2011) notion of productive interactions argue that insight into the process of making evidence-based research work for workplaces at ground-level is valuable to understand the social impact of research (Spaapen and van Drooge, 2011)
Reasoning with Generative AI
No full textBased on a case study of ChatGPT-4’s ability to solve a third-semester BA exam question in Logic and Argumentation Theory, this article argues that students should be encouraged to reason alongside ChatGPT. Echoing previous findings, we confirm that while ChatGPT demonstrates impressive linguistic abilities, including skills in formalizing arguments, it often makes basic mistakes. However, these errors can be advantageous in a teaching setting focused on logic and argumentation. The article argues that, instead of viewing generative AI as a threat, teaching students critical thinking with ChatGPT can embolden them by clarifying the difference between their role and AI.</p
Virtual Tissue Microarrays for Validating Digital Biomarker Analysis in Colorectal Carcinoma
No full textTissue microarrays (TMAs) are used for high-throughput biomarker discovery and validation. Although TMAs have numerous advantages, they may not always be representative of the tissue heterogeneity present in whole tissue sections (WTS) leading to inadequate biomarker quantification. In this pilot study, we studied biomarker expression in 50 randomly selected colorectal cancers and 36 microsatellite unstable cases with or without BRAF variants. We used virtual TMAs to determine the minimum number of tissue cores needed to quantify biomarkers with the same precision as when using WTS. Paraffin sections were immunohistochemically stained for markers of T cells, B cells, cancer-associated fibroblasts, and macrophages. Digitized WTS were divided into tumor center (TC) and invasive margin regions. The minimum number of virtual TMA cores in each region was determined by Bland-Altman plots with 95% limits of agreement. Bland-Altman plots showed substantial disagreement between TMAs and WTS, being highest for 3 cores and decreasing with increasing core numbers. However, even when using 8 cores, the limits of agreement between TMA and WTS were wide, indicating a high degree of measuring uncertainty using TMAs. When using 3 or 4 cores, TMAs underestimated the expression of all the biomarkers in the TC; similarly, levels of macrophage markers in the TC, and levels of B cells in both the TC and the invasive margin remained considerably underestimated, even when using the maximum number of cores possible. However, 3 cores were sufficient to adequately classify biomarkers into categoric low and high expression groups. Microsatellite unstable tumors were characterized by high heterogeneity, which was further increased in the presence of BRAF variant(s). The virtual TMA technique is a useful method to establish the minimum number of cores to be included when constructing tumor TMAs for biomarker analysis. Our results emphasize the importance of TMA validation for a specific biomarker prior to conducting larger clinical studies.</p
Membrane Technologies in Medical and Pharmacological Industries
No full textWith the rapid advancement of membrane technology, its application in the medical,pharmaceutical, and personal care product industries has become increasingly widespread.Currently, over 4000 pharmaceutical compounds are available worldwide (Yanget al., 2025). Fig. 15.1A provides a classification of medical and pharmaceuticalcompounds (MPC) based on their use. The production and separation of MPC oftenrequire advanced separation technologies, including membrane filtration systems. At thesame time, significant quantities of MPC and their byproducts are released into waterbodies annually, where they are detected in groundwater, surface water, wastewatereffluents, and even drinking water. These contaminants enter natural water systemsthrough various sources, such as pharmaceutical wastewater, hospital effluents, andhousehold discharges. MPCs are classified as “micropollutants” due to their presence attrace concentrations, typically ranging from nanograms per liter (ng/L) to microgramsper liter (μg/L). This low concentration makes their detection, analysis, and removalfrom wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) particularly challenging
Measurement of Electrical Conductivity of Human Tissue: A Feasibility Study of a Novel Time-Domain Approach
No full textA straightforward, non-invasive experimental approach to the extraction of electrical conductivity of human tissue using the transient electromagnetic field coupling between two loop antennas is presented. The main objective of this initial study is to demonstrate the feasibility of the new time-domain (TD) methodology. The designed loop antennas and the experimental setup with its instrumentation are described. The presented results show that the proposed method is capable of obtaining accurate values of the electrical conductivity of human tissue
Amorphous material based heterostructures with disordered heterointerfaces for advanced rechargeable batteries
No full textAdvanced rechargeable batteries are critical for enabling effective energy storage. A promising strategy to improve the electrochemical performance involves tailoring heterostructures (HSs) with heterointerfaces (HIs) in the active battery components. The HIs between two heterogeneous materials can facilitate localized “space charge effect” to enhance the capacity output and accelerate mass/charge transfer kinetics. Compared to crystalline HSs and HIs, amorphous material (AM) based HSs possess disordered HIs, which exhibit unique characteristics, such as larger free volume for storing ions and more open channels for fast ion transport. These HSs allow for easier release of stress and adjustment of interface band structure. In this review article, the advantages and classification of AM-based HSs with HIs as well as their synthesis and structural characterization methods are first described. Then their potential applications in different types of rechargeable batteries are elaborated. The designed HSs with HIs should supply sufficient ion storage sites, boost charge/mass transfer kinetics, and possess structural stability. The key challenges for developing AM-based HSs with HIs are outlined, such as their low ionic and/or electronic conductivity, poor mechanical properties, and high interface resistance. At the end, solutions are proposed for enabling large-scale implementation.</p
Unpacking dimensions of a tiering typology:delegation, direction and strength
No full textWithin environmental assessment (EA), tiering between higher-tier strategic environmental assessment at the plan and program level and lower-tier environmental impact assessment at the project level creates effective communication, ensuring that insights are not isolated to the planning level in which they were derived, but can inform and guide other levels. Tiering can travel in many directions – ensuring that strategic goals make it into implemented projects and that information gained in project levels inform future strategic planning. This research extends the tiering concept along three dimensions, ‘delegation’, ‘direction’ and ‘strength’. It does so to further existing conceptual understandings and gain a nuanced understanding of the role that especially strategic levels have in ensuring meaningful tiering. To illustrate the new conceptual tiering typologies, the research draws upon a case study of three Danish EA reports on spatial planning to understand how tiering is delegated between planning levels. The illustrative case study concludes that a procedurally effective referral of information between planning tiers calls for tiering practice that is explicit and is both delegated and successfully implemented in the appropriate planning levels. Consequently, this paper not only furthers theoretical perspectives; it also demonstrates how the proposed typology can be applied and opens for further reflection on the potentials and limitations of the typology as well as avenues for future research