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Stabilizing nanocrystals via interface co-segregation and clustering
No full textNanocrystalline (NC) metals are generally metastable and prone to undergo grain coarsening, which severely impedes their engineering application. A strategy to counteract this phenomenon lies in decreasing the energetic driving force for grain growth, through grain boundary segregation. The natural thought of ‘more segregation is better’, which was exercised over decades to solve this problem, however, does not work because interfaces have only limited solute decoration tolerance. Herein, we propose to solve this long-standing problem by doping with multiple solutes, which creates a synergistic combination of thermodynamic and kinetic stabilization mechanisms without inducing formation of new phases. This is enabled by introducing chemical compositional complexity to GBs, which possibly allows more efficient GB stabilization through segregation, thus drastically reducing alloying costs while retain the original properties of the NCs. We applied this new design approach to NC-Nb and show that we can increase its instability temperature from 873 to 1173 K with as little alloying as only 2 at.% of Co, Ni, Ti and Hf with equal fractions. The material maintains its nanocrystalline structure after annealing at 1173 K for 50 h. Therefore, this work presents a promising design strategy for developing stable dilute NC materials for advanced engineering application
Evaluating the success of coral reef restoration programmes requires consideration of ecosystem functioning
No full textIn the past twenty years, there has been a sharp rise in the establishment of coral reef restoration programmes, which generally aim to restore key services provided by healthy, natural reefs. However, the effect of restoration on arguably more important metrics related to ecosystem functioning is rarely monitored, with most programmes focusing their monitoring on static variables (e.g. coral cover) only. With crucial metrics related to ecosystem functioning left largely unmonitored, it is difficult to assess the outcomes of reef restoration through a truly ecological lens. We therefore propose that ecosystem functioning should be placed at the forefront of reef restoration, and suggest the following focus points for improvements in the field: (1) Implement a set of standardized methods to monitor key functional processes on restored reefs (and neighboring natural reefs), (2) better understand how reef restoration will support ecosystem functioning in a changing ocean, and the identity of organisms that carry most of the “functionality load” on reefs, and (3) adopt a function-centric approach that implements techniques specifically targeted at protecting the respective species and processes of interest
Corporate Accountability and Formalised Corporate Social Responsibility: Insights from India’s Energy Public Sector Undertakings
Get PDFFocusing on corporate accountability, this article offers conceptual and practical insights into the implementation of formalised corporate social responsibility (CSR) by large Indian public sector undertakings (PSUs) in the energy sector Using a cross-case study approach, it examines how legislative and policy interventions, particularly the Companies Act 2013 and its subsidiary rules, supplanted earlier self-regulatory practices, shaping how PSUs—entities balancing profit motives with state ownership—approach CSR. Findings show that while stakeholder accountability is formally embedded, in practice disguised voluntarism persists, creating gaps in accountability and leading to suboptimal allocation of resources. CSR spending often remains concentrated in specific geographies and sectors, limiting wider social impact. The article argues that CSR in PSUs must evolve beyond compliance-driven spending toward transparent, accountable, and stakeholder-responsive practices. By unpacking tensions between state directives, corporate discretion, and community needs, it contributes to debates on strengthening CSR governance and ensuring socially impactful implementation
Being there in sport, exercise and health ethnography: reflections from the bouldering apprentice
No full textThis article explores what it means to be there in ethnographic research within sport, exercise and health contexts. Drawing upon an eighteen-month ethnography of a bouldering community, we conceptualise being there not merely as physical presence, but as a skilled and intentional approach to conducting ethnography. Through a somatic layered account centred on climbing shoes, we illuminate how corporeal immersion facilitates nuanced, reflexive understandings of subcultural practices, identities and sensory codes. In arguing for an embodied, sensuous and apprenticeship-based approach to fieldwork, we contrast our notion of being there with others forms of ethnography highlighting the epistemic depth offered by sensuous participation over more detached modalities. We caution against the increasing institutional and methodological drift toward convenience-driven approaches and instead advocate for purposeful, context-sensitive engagements with the field. In doing so, we reposition being there as a dynamic mode of knowing: active, emplaced and pedagogical. Ultimately, we call on qualitative researchers to prioritise the how rather than the how long of ethnographic presence and to revalue the sweaty, sticky and, at times, painful pursuit of becoming-with others in this form of inquiry
Algorithmic personalization and brand loyalty: An experiential perspective
Get PDFThis article explores the relationship between algorithmic personalization and brand loyalty by examining how personalization experiences are articulated within the context of music streaming consumption. Despite previous acknowledgement of the link between personalization and brand loyalty, an experientially grounded understanding of how this works has yet to be articulated. Building upon the concept of ‘experiential brand loyalty’, the Algorithmic Personalization/Depersonalization Loop highlights the development of brand loyalty through consumers’ interactions with algorithm-backed brands. Being seen and understood by the algorithm sets off an iterative, two-way learning relationship that ultimately heightens the consumers’ experience, activates positive emotions, and deepens the relational bond with the brand, leading to brand loyalty. If, however, the algorithm is unsuccessful in personalizing the service experience, a ‘depersonalization’ process can occur that erodes brand loyalty and can lead to brand switching or even consumer activism
The purification of mesoscopic graphene flakes via eddy current separation
Get PDFThe exceptional properties of graphene are highly sensitive to impurities, which restrict its applications. Nearly all large-scale production methods fail to sufficiently control the impurities introduced during manufacturing. Given the significant differences in electrical conductivity between graphene and non-graphene impurities, we explored the application of eddy current separation for the purification process of graphene. Through numerical simulations and parametric study, our research investigates the eddy current forces, torques, and motion dynamics experienced by graphene flakes of different layers in an alternating magnetic field. The findings demonstrate that eddy current forces can overcome liquid-phase resistance, enabling controlled directional movement of graphene flakes. At a magnetic field frequency of 45 kHz, graphene flakes with fewer layers show enhanced settling velocities and quicker response times, suggesting a potential for statistically significant separation of graphene from impurities under the influence of the alternating magnetic field. This initial study supports the feasibility of integrating eddy current separation technology into the graphene purification process, providing valuable insights for future research in this field
Exceptional strength–ductility combination of heterostructured stainless steel for cryogenic applications
Get PDFHeterostructured materials have been demonstrated as a new route to improve the strength–ductility trade-off of metallic materials. However, their mechanical performance at cryogenic temperatures has been scarcely explored. This study investigates the mechanical properties and phase transformation of a heterostructured and antimicrobial stainless steel (HS&AMSS), 316L+Cu, at a cryogenic temperature of 77 K. By using in-situ neutron diffraction, we revealed real-time phase evolution under tensile deformation. The HS&AMSS demonstrated exceptional mechanical properties at 77 K, including a significantly higher yield strength of 1400 MPa combined with an excellent ductility of 36% compared to conventional stainless steels and heterostructured multicomponent alloys. The outstanding mechanical performance is attributed to the synergistic effect of multiple strengthening and strain hardening mechanisms. These findings suggest that HS&AMSS is a promising material for applications requiring robust mechanical properties in cryogenic environments, such as hydrogen storage, aerospace, superconducting magnets and polar infrastructure
Transformational leadership and performance in sport for development and peace (SDP): Serial mediation through shared leadership and engagement
Get PDFThis study examined how transformational leadership affects job performance among employees in Sport for Development and Peace (SDP) organizations by focusing on the serial mediating roles of shared leadership and job engagement. Survey data were collected from 105 non-executive SDP practitioners worldwide. Results showed that transformational leadership did not directly influence job performance. Instead, it indirectly enhanced performance by promoting shared leadership, which in turn increased employees’ job engagement and ultimately improved their perceived performance. The serial mediation pathway was significant, while individual mediation paths were not supported. These results provide empirical evidence for a process that has been theorized but rarely examined. The study contributes to leadership research by demonstrating that transformational and shared leadership jointly work to shape employee outcomes. It also highlights that leadership effectiveness in SDP organizations should be understood as a multi-layered process. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed for advancing leadership theory in sport management and offering actionable guidance for SDP organizations
Excellence in Interpretation
No full textReporting the results of personal experiences of interpretatio
The Role of Multiple Academic Identities When Implementing UNSDGs Within Marketing Curricula in UK Higher Education
Get PDFAchieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) is considered to be imperative for the future security and sustainability of the world. Universities are viewed as being a key industry to support the achievement of the goals by the target date of 2030. Previous research undertaken has attempted to understand how the goals can be successfully implemented within the university curricula, and although various processes for implementation have been suggested, no previous studies have examined the role of identity or the impact that this may have on the implementation of the UNSDGs. In this study, specific attention has been applied to the existing literature relating to the barriers to implementation, the role of identity, and the impact on implementation to understand the roles that personal, academic, and organizational identities play when implementing UNSDGs within higher education. The research undertaken has employed a qualitative inductive approach focused specifically upon the marketing curriculum. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with the academics working at UK higher education institutions. Findings from the thematic analysis undertaken found that there is a complex interchange between these identities that significantly influences the extent to which the goals have been implemented successfully. In addition, multiple barriers have been identified that prevent successful implementation of the goal