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Rheological measurement system
No full textA system 100 for rheological measurement of a viscoelastic sample 103, comprises; a sample holder 130, an indenter tip 111, a force sensor 104, an indentation mechanism 10, a position sensor 106 for measuring indentation depth of the tip, and a processing system 102; wherein the system is configured to receive a sample into the holder, use the indentation mechanism to urge the indenter tip toward the sample to indent the sample, acquire force data and indentation depth data during indentation of the sample, and using the processing system determine from the force and indentation data one or more rheological properties of the sample. Also disclosed is a temperature-controlled sample holder, in a measurement apparatus, and a method of determining Poisson’s ratio of a viscoelastic sample using force and indentation depth data
Modeling Mo(VI)═O biologically related interactions with oximes and hydroxylamines: implications for uranium seawater extraction
Full text linkMolybdenum enzymes play a crucial role in the nitrogen cycle processes. However, the mechanism of Mo(VI) reduction by hydroxylamine/oximes and its implications for oxime-based sorbents remain unclear. For decades, it has been widely accepted that the reaction of NH2OH with Mo(VI) consistently results in the molybdenum reduction. This study presents evidence that challenges the prevailing view by isolating the first Mo(VI)–oxido–hydroxylamido complex, [MoVI(O)(η2-NH2O)]3+, specifically [MoVI(O)(η1,η1,η1-pidiox-O,N,O′)(η2-NH2O)(H2O)], formed via hydrolysis of (2Z,6Z)-piperidine-2,6-dione dioxime (H3pidiox) by Mo(VI). Τhis discovery enabled us to elucidate the long-standing mechanism of Mo(VI) conversion to MoII–NO through a combination of experimental techniques (NMR, ESI-MS, XPS, FT-IR) and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. This comprehensive approach provided new insight into molybdenum redox behavior and unambiguously confirmed the Mo(II) oxidation state in [MoII(η1,η1,η1-Hpidiox-O,N,O′)(κ1-NO)(η2-NH2O)(OH2)]. In parallel, we show that H3pidiox, a ligand employed in uranyl extraction from seawater, undergoes hydrolysis by [MoVIO4]2– only upon formation of the complex cis-[MoVIO2(pidiox)]+. However, this complex is hydrolytically unstable at pH 8.0, suggesting that [MoVIO4]2– is unlikely to degrade uranium oxime-based extraction materials in seawater. This study provides fundamental insight into molybdenum–oxime reactivity, offering a molecular basis for designing robust oxime-functionalized materials for efficient and durable uranium seawater extraction processes
Multi‐crystal X‐ray diffraction (MCXRD) bridges the crystallographic characterisation gap in chemistry and materials science: application to MOFs
Full text linkStructure determination by X‐ray diffraction is limited by crystal size and can be compromised by radiation damage when using very intense X‐ray radiation. X‐ray structure determination from partial diffraction data sets combined from multiple crystals is a potential solution, but its exploitation in chemistry and materials science is largely unrealized. Here we report the use of synchrotron radiation for multi‐crystal X‐ray diffraction (MCXRD) adapted for structure determination of metal‐organic framework (MOF) materials with crystal dimensions too small for conventional single‐crystal diffraction studies. We further show that radiation‐induced chemical changes and degradation of diffraction quality can be alleviated. Our approach encompasses both rotation‐ and stationary‐MCXRD measurements for 10 to 1000s of crystals with software‐optimized combination of the multiple data sets. We report the crystal structures of six MOFs: MOF‐919(Sc/Cu), MET‐2, MIL‐88B(Cr)‐1,4‐NDC, PCN‐260(Sc), UiO‐66, and UiO‐66‐MoO4 with unit cell dimensions ranging from 18−114 Å and crystal sizes from 0.5−480 µm3. This approach can address the challenges of structure determination in a regime of particle size and sample radiation sensitivity that lies between existing single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction and the emerging field of electron diffraction. MCXRD can provide accurate atomic‐resolution structure determination for some of the most challenging cases in chemistry and materials science
Coordination complexes and polymers of novel hybrid tetrazole‐triazole‐pyrazole ligands: synthesis, structural characterization, and biological evaluation
No full textNew series of triazole/pyrazole and tetrazole/triazole/pyrazole ligands were synthesized and coordinated with various transition metals to yield a diverse library of 14 complexes. All compounds were fully characterized by elemental analysis, mass spectrometry, powder X‐ray diffractometry, and a range of spectroscopic techniques ( 1 H NMR, 13 C NMR, FT‐IR, and UV–visible diffuse reflectance). The crystal and molecular structures were elucidated via single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, and their supramolecular features were explored through Hirshfeld surface analysis. The 57 Fe Mössbauer and magnetic SQUID measurements confirmed the high‐spin nature of the Fe II complex 1 . In the three human cancer cell lines, most metal complexes are somewhat more cytotoxic than the inactive ligands, with Co(II) complexes 2 and 8 being the most potent in two of the cell lines (with IC 50 values in the two‐digit micromolar range). Overall, this study highlights how blending tetrazole/triazole/pyrazole ligands with transition metals can lead to coordination compounds with potential in anticancer research, as a proof of concept. These results add valuable insight to the expanding field of metal‐based therapeutics and could help guide the development of next‐generation, more effective agents
Enablers and barriers toward home-based resistance exercise among older adults who completed a structured program: qualitative study using Reflexive Thematic Analysis
No full textIntroduction:
Sarcopenia is associated with many adverse outcomes such as cardiac and respiratory diseases and mobility issues which in turn may lead to the decreased quality of life and loss of independence. Resistance exercise is recommended for older adults to both prevent and treat sarcopenia. However, very few older adults participate in such exercise. Thus, this study aims to explore enablers and barriers toward home-based resistance exercise (include both body weight and resistance band) for older adults.
Methods:
A subgroup of 10 participants aged 60 years and over (5 male and 5 female) from the 46 participants in the Krill Oil exeRcisE Ageing (KOREA) study were included. Semi-structured interviews were conducted in Glasgow, UK, following a 16-week study period during which participants performed home-based resistance exercises using both body weight and resistance bands. Interviews lasted between 7 and 25 min and were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Reflexive thematic analysis, using an inductive approach, was employed to analyse the data.
Results:
The analysis generated five themes: Flexibility and simplicity of home-based resistance exercise, navigating commitment (e.g., using an exercise log) and the perceived benefits of home-based exercise such as observing improvements in grip strength were identified as enablers for performing home-based resistance exercises. In contrast, learning home-based resistance along with indolence and procrastination were barriers.
Conclusion:
The current data indicate that to improve older adults’ engagement in home-based resistance exercise, programs should prioritise flexibility, simplicity, and opportunities for participants to monitor their own progress. Interventions should combine bodyweight and resistance band exercises with accessible tools such as grip strength monitors or exercise logs to enhance motivation, commitment, and adherence to home-based resistance exercise
Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a nine-week multi-component cycling programme versus an existing single cycling training session: protocol for the Cycle Nation Communities randomised controlled trial
Full text linkIntroduction: Cycling can be beneficial for health, well-being and the environment; however, cycling participation in the UK remains low. Effective and cost-effective strategies are needed to support people in the community to increase cycling. The Cycle Nation Communities randomised controlled trial (RCT) will evaluate whether a 9 week multi-component cycling programme (Cycle Nation) is more effective and cost-effective than an existing national cycle training session on cycling participation, transport use and health and well-being.
Methods and analysis: This pragmatic, single-blinded, two-arm RCT will recruit ≥268 adults who cycle infrequently. Participants will be randomised to the 9 week multi-component individual/social-level group-based Cycle Nation programme or an existing national standard single group-based cycle training session. Both arms will be delivered by community-based cycling organisations in Glasgow. Participants will complete self-reported measurements at baseline, 12 weeks and 12 months. The primary outcome is the proportion of participants cycling at least weekly at 12 months. Secondary outcomes include proportion of participants cycling at least weekly at 12 weeks; change in weekly number of rides and minutes of cycling and use of private car, taxi, public transport and walking at 12 weeks and 12 months; change in motivation, perceptions of cycling safety, confidence to cycle, self-esteem, vitality, health-related quality of life and perceived general physical health at 12 weeks and 12 months. A within-trial economic evaluation from a National Health Service/personal social service and a broader societal perspective will be undertaken. Pending within-trial results, a long-term model may be developed. An embedded process evaluation will use participant and facilitator interviews, participant acceptability questionnaires, facilitator delivery proforma and session observations.
Ethics and dissemination: Ethical approval has been obtained from the University of Glasgow Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences Ethics Committee (11 April 25). Findings will be published in peer-reviewed journals and communicated to stakeholders and the public.
Trial registration number: NCT07005674
Understanding Hindu religious entrepreneurship: a translation perspective
Full text linkHinduism, the world’s third-largest religion, is underexplored in the literature on religious entrepreneurship. While there is a popular association of Hinduism with the renunciation of material pursuits, its prescribed values to orient life (Purusharthas) highlight rightful economic activity (Artha) as one of the key goals. Further, modern entrepreneurship is rooted in the Protestant ethic, which viewed indigenous religions like Hinduism as anachronistic and out of step with modernity, relegating them only to the private sphere. However, in recent years, we have seen a rise in entrepreneurship rooted in the tenets of Hinduism. We examine this contradiction through a qualitative study of 15 Hindu religious entrepreneurs. We develop a model of how Hindu Religious Entrepreneurial Intention (HREI) takes shape and influences subsequent venture formation. We find that HREI formation is shaped by dissonance, decolonization, and Dharma (duty). This, in turn, drives Hindu religious entrepreneurship, wherein the entrepreneurs engage in translation work – contemporizing religious knowledge, importing philosophical foundations, and concretizing contemporization through entrepreneurial expression. This moves Hindu religious narratives across temporal silos in the present time to address anachronisms and across compartments of the colonized mind to make religious tenets relevant for the contemporary world
Advancing innovation ecosystem research: measurement dynamics and contextual intelligence
Full text linkThis integrative editorial introduces the Special Issue (SI) on the evaluation of innovation ecosystem
(IE) performance. While ecosystem perspectives have gained prominence across innovation,
entrepreneurship, and strategy research, the systematic measurement of ecosystem performance
remains theoretically fragmented and methodologically underdeveloped. Drawing on eleven SI
articles, this editorial provides an integrative synthesis that advances understanding of how ecosystem
performance can be conceptualised, operationalised, and evaluated across dynamic and contextual
settings. We aim to identify cross-cutting patterns, unresolved challenges, and emerging research
trajectories by synthesising the SI papers. The paper concludes with suggestions for future research
aimed at fostering a richer conceptualization of innovation ecosystem performance
The Impact of Tightening Finances on Scotland's Universities
Full text linkThis briefing considers the financial challenges faced by Scottish universities, examining the potential root causes of the current situation, the impact on university students and staff, and how the sector might move
forward
A systematic evaluation of the potential of carbon-aware execution for scientific workflows
Full text linkScientific workflows are critical to scientific data analysis and often involve computationally intensive processing of large datasets on compute clusters. As such, their execution tends to be long-running and resource-intensive, resulting in significant energy consumption and carbon emissions. While carbon-aware computing methods have received considerable attention in general cloud contexts, their application to scientific data analysis workflows remains a critical research gap. Our study addresses this oversight by showing how the delay tolerance, interruptibility, and scalability of scientific workflows can be leveraged for a significantly more sustainable execution model.
In this study, we first quantify the problem of carbon emissions associated with running scientific workflows, and then demonstrate the transformative potential for carbon-aware workflow execution. We estimate the carbon footprint of seven real-world Nextflow workflows executed on diverse dedicated cluster and public cloud resources using high-resolution average and marginal grid carbon intensity data from open and commercial data providers. Furthermore, we conduct a systematic evaluation of the impact of carbon-aware temporal shifting, and the dynamic pausing and resuming of the workflow. Moreover, we investigate the impact of resource scaling at both workflow and workflow task levels. Finally, we report substantial potential reductions in overall carbon emissions, with temporal shifting capable of decreasing emissions by over 80%, and resource scaling by 67%
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