Interconnected Problems Research Articles

The influence of increasing doses of mineral fertilizers on the balance of organic carbon in spring wheat crops in the forest-steppe zone of the Trans-Urals

The global community is currently solving several interconnected problems of global climate change and food security. The key to solving these problems is carbon, which is one of the most active greenhouse gases, as well as humic substances, which are the basis of arable land fertility. To implement the adopted "4 ppm" concept, it is necessary to find solutions to increase the absorption of organic carbon by arable soils and select the optimal elements of the farming system for specific soil and climatic conditions. The objective of the study was to study the effect of increasing doses of mineral fertilizers on the balance of organic carbon in spring wheat crops in 2023 in the, Tyumen Region (forest-steppe zone of the Trans-Urals). The scheme of the experiment: control (natural nutrition level) and variants with doses of NP fertilizers calculated for the planned yield: 3.0 t/ha (N95P46); 4.0 t/ha (N153P94); 5.0 t/ha (N211P142) and 6.0 t/ha (N270P190). Carbon dioxide emissions were measured using a chamber method and an AZ77535 infrared gas analyzer. Before harvesting, sheaves were sampled to determine the straw yield in 4-fold repetitions per 1 m2 , after harvesting – soil to determine the amount of root and stubble residues (RCR) using the method of N. Z. Stankov. Subsequently, the organic carbon content in plant residues was determined according to GOST 27980. During the growing season, carbon emissions in spring wheat crops without the use of fertilizers amounted to about 2400 kg/ha. The application of mineral fertilizers increased carbon dioxide production by 28–73 % relative to the control. It was noted that every 10 kg/ha active ingredient of mineral fertilizers increased carbon emission by 40.6 kg/ha in terms of pure carbon. Fertilizers in doses of N95-153Р46-94 did not affect the Corg content in spring wheat straw. The use of higher doses of mineral fertilizers led to a decrease in this indicator by 0.8 %. No reliable effect of mineral fertilizers on the Corg content in RCR was noted, the values of which varied from 41.3 to 42.0 % of dry matter. The return of organic carbon to the soil with plant residues in the control reached 2.2 t/ha, in the fertilized variants this indicator increased to 2.8–3.8 t/ha. When refusing to use fertilizers, a negative carbon balance is observed in the soil – Corg losses over the year of study amounted to 196 kg/ha. Fertilizer application at doses from N95P46 to N153P94 provided an increase in Corg in the soil of 93–96 kg/ha over the study period. Fertilizer application at doses above N211P142 led to a negative balance of Corg in the soil – losses reached 188–350 kg/ha.

(Invited) Characterization of Catalyst Layers in Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Electrolyzers

Polymer electrolyte membrane water electrolyzers (PEMWEs) play a vital role in promoting the widespread adoption of renewable hydrogen. To successfully fabricate and integrate components, develop scalable manufacturing techniques, understand degradation mechanisms, and devise strategies to mitigate degradation, it is essential to thoroughly characterize materials and components in these devices. Due to the complexity of these systems and various interconnected problems, as well as the multitude of relevant scales, the use of multi-technique characterization and the development of novel characterization approaches and methods are crucial.This talk will highlight the complementary nature of electron and X-ray microscopy and spectroscopy methods for investigating surfaces, interfaces, and interactions with focus on catalyst layers (CLs) with an emphasis on analysis of as-prepared, tested and degraded samples. Micro X-ray computed tomography (XCT) provides both 2D and 3D analysis, but its resolution is not sufficient to identify catalyst layer features with enough detail, especially when Pt PTL coatings and low Ir-based catalyst loadings are used. On the other hand, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) coupled with Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (EDS) provides superior resolution and enables the differentiation of PTL coatings and catalysts. Although SEM-EDS provides only 2D information, by employing a combination of top-down and cross-sectional analysis, a comprehensive understanding of catalyst distribution within the PTL can be attained, facilitating the initial assessment of PTLs and PTEs. The parameters extracted from SEM-EDS data can be used for a comprehensive quantitative assessment of the composition and distribution of catalysts, highlighting the differences between fabricated samples across a wide range of fabrication variables. Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) in tandem with EDS is also essential for nanoscale analysis of CLs, and PTEs. However, it is limited by its focus on small areas and necessitates complex sample preparation, especially for degraded samples. To complement these techniques, Time-of-Flight Secondary Mass Spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) has been developed as a promising complementary method to offer chemical insights, particularly valuable in analyzing protective coatings, catalyst layers, and interfaces between different layers. Furthermore, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) has high sensitivity in discerning catalyst evolution and subtle variations at the catalyst-ionomer interface, highlighting its complementary role in elemental and chemical composition analysis, especially in the context of tested and degraded samples.

Fostering interdisciplinary intercultural citizenship with virtual reality in a world language virtual exchange project

Intercultural dialogue is an essential component of intercultural citizenship, i.e., students’ ability to address complex societal issues. With more interconnected problems comes an increased need for students to communicate and collaborate with people from differing backgrounds. This preliminary study combined the framework of Intercultural Citizenship (ICit) and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) with Virtual Reality (VR) and Virtual Exchange (VE) to investigate the students’ development of ICit. Fifteen learners of German, consisting of university students of German in the United States and students studying at a German university, met in dyads or triads in VR over six weeks and worked on their independent projects in which they each addressed a societal environmental problem of their choice. Analyses of the data (pre-project and post-project surveys, weekly journal entries, project presentations) revealed that participants developed their intercultural competence and enhanced their critical language awareness. Some students showed a shift of emphasis: While at the beginning they were more concerned with linguistic elements of the German language toward the end of the project they were focused on the topic of their project. Finally, participants appreciated the VR setting for building relationships, communicating, and developing intercultural competence in an authentic setting. This study underscores the potential of advancing ICit and intercultural communicative competence (ICC) through a VR-VE format, emphasizing VR-VE’s potential in fostering relationships-building between students. It also offers students practical experience in navigating and appreciating the complexities of intercultural communication.

“It’s Trauma on a Deadline”: Change, Continuity and Harm After the “Racial Reckoning”

This article argues that, in an era of digital journalism marked by increased demands for racial and media justice, moves by Australian media institutions to employ Indigenous journalists to demonstrate their commitment to equity and diversity may place these journalists at risk of harm. This is not only because of their increased exposure to harm online, but because the burden of change is placed on these same journalists, while news organisations fail to acknowledge how race continues to structure white newsrooms. We draw on 11 interviews with practising Indigenous journalists in Australia. Following Indigenous methodologies, we work with their shared knowledge to identify a series of interconnected problems: the colonial roots of journalism and norms of white expertise; the paradox of diversity; the burden of change expected of Indigenous journalists; the racialised dynamics of microaggressions, tokenism and exploitation they experience; the traumatic nature of reporting on Indigenous affairs; and the political economy and white cultural norms embedded in news values. We suggest that there is much continuity in the racial structures of newsrooms in the era digitisation and diversity that requires a more substantial epistemological and structural shift within journalism than has thus far been enacted.

Public Service Media and Platformization: What Role Does EU Regulation Play?

Conceived as institutions funded by the public purse and intended to exist devoid of political influence, the mandate of public service media (PSM) entities is to disseminate reliable news content and high-quality audiovisual productions to all demographic segments, inclusive of marginalized communities and audiences that are typically under-served. Over the previous ten years, the rise in prominence of global platforms in national media systems has precipitated many changes in the media sector, including unique challenges for PSM institutions guided by specific public service values. Using a holistic conceptual framework for assessing the implementation of these values, this article analyzes the impact of platformization on Europe’s PSM and discusses how the Union’s policy approaches affect related challenges to PSM. The analysis indicates that while the European Union (EU) has accorded a high priority to PSM within its media policy framework, the role that Brussels plays in protecting the independence and efficacy of PSM has been circumscribed, given that the onus of regulating PSM entities rests with national governments. This has engendered contrasting experiences wherein certain PSM outlets enjoy political independence and command significant public trust while others function as state-controlled propaganda vehicles, advancing the objectives and interests of governing bodies. The EU has addressed global platform power in recent attempts to safeguard its digital future, including the Digital Services Act (DSA), Digital Markets Act (DMA), and the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA). However, these acts do not adequately address PSM’s two central and often interconnected problems: funding challenges and political pressures.

AC‐Driven Plasmon Waveguide Integrated Electroluminescent Device

AbstractPhotonic elements have greater information‐carrying capabilities compared to electronic components, making the development of high‐speed, chip‐integrated optical communication devices crucial for addressing interconnect bottlenecks in high‐speed computing systems. Significant progress has been made in studying light sources and their transmission. Despite these advancements, achieving a satisfactory integration of photonic circuits with both light source and optical waveguide functions has remained a challenge. Here, a silver nanowire (AgNW) waveguide‐integrated light source is demonstrated driven by alternating current (AC) voltage. AgNW functions as both the electrode and waveguide to simplify the device structure, and the 2D transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) monolayer acts as the gain media in device. The electroluminescence (EL) can be tunably modulated via adjusting the frequency and voltage of the AC in this device, and it is also successfully coupled into the waveguide with its transmission distance up to 25 µm. The experiments of electroluminescence and waveguide transmission of different materials and their interlayer excitons have made a preliminary exploration of multiple wavelength transmission. It provides a new research platform forward in the development of chip‐integrated optical communication devices, thereby hopefully addressing the interconnect bottleneck and unlocking the potential for enhanced performance and efficiency in high‐speed computing systems.

Experiences of Senior High School Mathematics Teachers in Out-of-field Teaching

The research article focuses on Out-of-field teaching that demands urgent attention from school leaders and administrators due to its impact on instruction quality and student learning particularly in Leyte Division, Philippines. This study describes the challenges as well as the coping mechanisms of out-of-field mathematics teachers. The phenomenological approach was employed to examine the experiences of fifteen senior high school math teachers. Data were gathered through in-depth interviews, digitally recorded, transcribed, and was analyzed using the Moustakas method. The results showed that mathematics educators faced challenges when teaching subjects outside their expertise due to lack of content and pedagogical knowledge, resources, student motivation, and training. Despite this matter, they overcame these circumstances through self-learning and adaptive methods. This study determined that teaching subjects without adequate knowledge was problematic as it created interconnected problems. Effectively, a retooling and mentoring program led by subject experts would be beneficial in improving the content and pedagogical knowledge of out-of-field teachers. Meanwhile, school leaders and administrators may conduct profiling to identify the needed teachers and should allocate more school funds for teaching, learning resources, and other materials necessary for instructional delivery

Optics-Enabled Highly Scalable Inverter for Multi-Valued Logic.

The rapid advancements in machine learning have exacerbated the interconnect bottleneck inherent in binary logic-based computing architectures. An interesting approach to tackle this problem involves increasing the information density per interconnect, i.e., by switching from a two-valued to a multi-valued logic (MVL) architecture. However, current MVL implementations offer limited overall performance and face challenges in scaling to process data signals with radix (number of logic levels) even just above 3. In this work, a novel concept is introduced for implementation of a highly scalable and fully passive inverter based on the frequency-domain phase-only linear manipulation of the input MVL data signal, which is encoded in the amplitude variations of an electromagnetic wave along the time axis. As a key advantage, this solution is entirely independent of the input radix. The proposed design is implemented using an optical fibre Bragg grating device. Inversion of quaternary signals is experimentally demonstrated, as well as binary and ternary signals, at a remarkable operation speed of 32 GBaud, with an estimated energy consumption of 24 fJ/bit. The proposed method is universal and can be applied to any system that supports transmission and detection of coherent waves, such as microwave, plasmonic, mechanical, orquantum.

Systems perspectives on transforming Swiss housing by 2040: wellbeing, shared spaces, sufficiency, and de-sprawl

The Swiss habitat–buildings and related mobility–faces multiple interconnected problems which can only be solved together. These include high energy consumption, significant climate impact, excessive material use with low circularity, accelerating urban sprawl and ecosystem destruction, high mobility costs, low inclusion, and mixed wellbeing outcomes. Guided by values of wellbeing for all within planetary boundaries, we propose a normative scenario based on a nationwide moratorium on new construction until 2100, coupled with four simultaneous neighborhood-scale interventions: renovating buildings to achieve energy class A with high indoor environmental quality, creating flexible shared living spaces, ensuring essential daily services are available within each neighborhood, and deconstructing unneeded settlements. Action levers, coordinated efforts on multiple system leverage points, are here combined with rethinking needs satisfiers. Our model predicts that full renovation could be accomplished in 14–18 years, significantly reducing labor, energy, materials, and costs both during and after the transition. Furthermore, it could reverse urban sprawl to levels seen in 1935 or even 1885, depending on deconstruction choices. These findings suggest that demand-side policies could be implemented with low risk, enhancing wellbeing, energy resilience, biodiversity, and climate action, thus providing a strong foundation for societal dialog and experimentation.

Understanding in the canine classroom: learning to ‘lean’

ABSTRACT Using an ethnomethodological approach, we examine a particular case of a dog and its handler learning the ‘lean’ command. In this scene of instruction, we come upon a place where the uses of a word are taught to both dog and human. Revisiting Vicki Hearne’s influential book on animal training, we reflect on animals in conversation with their trainers, and the interconnected problems of understanding and of a dog’s specific rights. We describe the establishing of a new command as a body position, location and duration. The opening and closing of a door, as part of learning the new command, poses a puzzle of both instruction and rights for the dog as pupil. Our findings begin to contribute to the ‘missing what’ of dog training and question the limits of animal geographies in relation to the ethics in, and of, training and education with animals. In addition, we show how animal geographers can learn from and describe the public availability of intersubjective practices. Specifically, we describe the witnessable organisation of learning new commands, as part of which, we acknowledge and are attentive to the dog’s work, thereby contributing to studies of animal training, cross-species communication and classrooms.

Can federal grid reforms solve the interconnection problem?

Coordinated, comprehensive planning is sorely needed.

Modern trends in the formation of sports and recreational complexes

Today, in the context of the demographic and environmental crisis in Ukraine caused by military actions, it is extremely important to consider the trend of formation of sports infrastructure facilities as those subjects of the urban recreational network that will take the main position in the post-war period in the task of rehabilitation of the population. The nature of the urban structure makes us look at the modern sports complex as an integrated entity of the general recreational network. As a result, the problem of interconnection of the sports function with other functions in the structure of a single multifunctional complex is becoming more relevant. The article highlights the problems of formation of sports and recreational complexes in modern conditions. The factors that influence the modification of the form of SRC and the vectors of further development of the typology of this type of buildings and structures are identified. The design of sports infrastructure facilities should include a generalisation of modern experience and the application of the method of prospective analysis to determine trends in the development of the form of the SRC. This involves analysing current needs and forecasting future requirements for sports and recreational facilities, taking into account changes in public attitudes, demographic trends and the impact of technological innovations. The study is based on a systematic approach where sports and recreational complexes are considered as an element of the socio-cultural space. The use of a holistic architectural approach involved the application of methods for generalising modern experience in the design of facilities of this type and the method of prospective analysis, which will help to identify trends in the development of the form of sports and recreation complexes. The results of the study can be used to develop and adjust the existing architectural research base and the strategy for the reconstruction of Ukraine. They will contribute to the creation of an effective, modern and sustainable sports infrastructure in modern Ukrainian cities.

Commemorating history, historicising commemoration

This essay offers a combination of historical, editorial and commemorative approaches to the process of historicising the practices of remembering the Easter Rising in Ireland. Considered one of the most defining historical moments that has shaped the present-day Ireland and its relationships with Great Britain, the Easter Rebellion of 1916 was remembered in a series of events comprised within the framework of the “Decade of Centenaries” programme of celebrations. The history of the Easter Rising, spoken and unspoken, was symbolically re-enacted in various commemorative forms and via multiple media: television, radio, theatre, internet and many more cultural institutions. The study deals with crucial interconnected problems concerning the ephemerality of commemoration treated as a historical moment whose aim is to remember the defining historical event and which, paradoxically, itself becomes history. The importance of editorial and typographical considerations, as studied on the basis of selected commemorative texts and media,are important in the way in which commemoration functions and seeks unity in terms of shaping the perceptions of historical events in Ireland. Yet, the editorial, typographic and graphic dimensions of such texts may also question the discourse of practices or, at least, signal inconsistencies. The methodology applied here is that of a case study and comparative examination. Following the temporal confrontative procedure employed in one of the previous coauthored articles (see Koneczniak & Koneczniak, 2022), the research cases involve two historical moments: the analysis conducted and described during the exact commemorative moment, that is, the precise one hundredth anniversary of the Easter Rising, and the state found almost five years after the remembrance series, at the beginning of 2021. The comparative basis involves the same research materials, and it focuses on determining changes in the access to the original commemorative materials available in 2016 and linked to the celebration of the 1916 Rising.

Markov Decision Processes with Observation Costs: Framework and Computation with a Penalty Scheme

We consider Markov decision processes where the state of the chain is only given at chosen observation times and of a cost. Optimal strategies involve the optimization of observation times as well as the subsequent action values. We consider the finite horizon and discounted infinite horizon problems as well as an extension with parameter uncertainty. By including the time elapsed from observations as part of the augmented Markov system, the value function satisfies a system of quasivariational inequalities (QVIs). Such a class of QVIs can be seen as an extension to the interconnected obstacle problem. We prove a comparison principle for this class of QVIs, which implies the uniqueness of solutions to our proposed problem. Penalty methods are then utilized to obtain arbitrarily accurate solutions. Finally, we perform numerical experiments on three applications that illustrate our framework. Funding: J. Tam is supported by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council [Grant 2269738].

Simulations of superconducting quantum gates by digital flux tuner for qubits

Abstract The interconnection bottleneck caused by limitations of cable number, inner space and cooling power of dilution refrigerators has been an outstanding challenge for building scalable superconducting quantum computers with the increasing number of qubits in quantum processors. To surmount such an obstacle, it is desirable to integrate qubits with quantum–classical interface (QCI) circuits based on rapid single flux quantum (RSFQ) circuits. In this work, a digital flux tuner for qubits (DFTQ) is proposed for manipulating flux of qubits as a crucial part of the interface circuit. A schematic diagram of the DFTQ is presented, consisting of a coarse tuning unit and a fine-tuning unit for providing magnetic flux with different precision to qubits. The method of using DFTQ to provide flux for gate operations is discussed from the optimization of circuit design and input signal. To verify the effectiveness of the method, simulations of a single DFTQ and quantum gates including a Z gate and an iSWAP gate with DFTQs are performed for flux-tunable transmons. The quantum process tomography corresponding to the two gates is also carried out to analyze the sources of gate error. The results of tomography show that the gate fidelities independent of the initial states of the Z gate and the iSWAP gate are 99.935% and 99.676%, respectively. With DFTQs inside, the QCI would be a powerful tool for building large-scale quantum computers.

Governing the global fisheries commons

Despite significant advances in understanding the biophysical and institutional causes of overfishing, we have yet to make progress in addressing the depletion of our global fisheries stock. Investigations of potential solutions tend to be too broad (mischaracterizing global fisheries as a singular commons problem to be addressed at the supranational level) or too narrow (focusing on improving management of small fisheries at the micro level). This article attempts to bridge the gap between our scientific understanding of our collective dilemmas and their pragmatic solutions. Building on insights from Nobel laureate Elinor Ostrom, we frame the depletion of global fisheries as a nested set of diverse and interconnected collective action problems organized at different horizontal and vertical levels, where decisions and actions of one jurisdictional unit reinforce and amplify problems (and solutions) for other units. We examine features of the global fisheries system, such as nonstationarity, nestedness, and prohibitive transaction costs. Then, we explore some potential solutions. The success of our conservation goals depends on our ability to craft institutional rules at the lower levels that are adaptive to local conditions, address incentive misalignment issues, and allow for the transfer of positive externalities to adjacent and higher levels.

The split ladder of participation: A literature review and dynamic path forward

Participation of people in decision making and tackling complex problems where there is lack of consensus on the science and relevant values continues to be an important research topic. The 2015 Split Ladder of Participation offered a diagnostic and methodological framework cited in 162 papers. This paper addresses the question: What does a literature review of the Split Ladder of Participation reveal about engaging people in policy problems, effecting transformational change, and how can this diagnostic and strategic tool be improved? A systematic literature review revealed papers that disclose transformational change, or triple loop learning requires: strong social science; social and natural interdisciplinary science; and considerations of uncertainty in environmental science together with uncertainty of values and considerations of power. Policy problems with low levels of trust offer opportunities to engage interest and participation in their resolution. Governments over-utilizing methods limiting participation, may lead to lock-in. Focusing on complex, interconnected problems through participation creates an enduring policy and science, interdisciplinary innovation space. Recognizing participation that is plural, amorphous, and fluid draws attention to power, multiple stakeholder framings of complex issues, advances social learning changing values, norms, power, and the very ethics of science (where social and natural/physical scientists acknowledge and share their power with people), and ultimately advances environmental justice.

Responding to consumer environmental awareness: A variational inequality approach to green manufacturing optimization

In response to increasing consumer environmental awareness, our study introduces a sustainable supply chain optimization model that stimulates competition among multiple green manufacturers within an uncertain market context. Each manufacturer crafts a selection of products showcasing various degrees of greenness, purposefully designed to meet the expanding demand of environmentally conscious consumers. This strategic model emphasizes profit maximization for green manufacturers, necessitating the definition of ideal greenness levels and production quantities for an array of product types. By employing variational inequality theory, we transmute the preliminary optimization model into an interconnected variational inequality problem. We propose an improved Euler algorithm, a proficient tool for attaining equilibrium solutions. Empirical scenarios inspired by the electric vehicle industry lend credibility to our model, indicating that the surge in consumer environmental awareness compels manufacturers to diversify their offerings and accentuate their products’ greenness levels. Intriguingly, the research suggests that escalating competition can incentivize manufacturers to elevate their products’ greenness levels, strategically countering potential profit erosion. In addition, the study reveals that intensifying consumers’ green utility sensitivity doesn’t invariably augment demand for manufacturers, even with significant improvements in product greenness. This paradox highlights the necessity for manufacturers to strategically adjust their production approaches in light of varying consumer preferences. Moreover, when the level of consumer environmental awareness achieves a certain level, the fierce competition might not always be harmful to some manufacturers and the industry if they can adopt effective strategies to improve green utility sensitivity.

Treatment Effects of Introducing the Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics in a Norwegian Residential Treatment Facility for Children Aged 7-13.

This study investigates the impact of the Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics (NMT) in child and adolescent psychiatric care, addressing a gap in current clinical methodologies that tend to focus on single problems rather than the interconnected nature of many real-life mental health issues. The study was conducted in a residential setting over an extended period, including children aged 7-13, to observe the effects of implementing NMT. The children presented with complex symptoms and multiple diagnoses. The methods incorporated the NMT approach, emphasizing individualized treatment plans based on each child's unique brain development, and aimed at addressing multiple, interconnected problems simultaneously. Results from multilevel model analyses of behavioral difficulties, measured using the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), revealed substantial improvements in treatment effectiveness post-NMT implementation. Despite the limitations, such as a non-randomized participant selection and limited sample size, the findings strongly suggest that NMT enhances care effectiveness in real-world clinical settings, particularly for children with complex mental health issues. The study concludes that relationally oriented milieu therapy, and specifically the NMT approach, holds great promise for advancing pediatric psychiatric care, advocating for its broader application and further research to refine and substantiate its efficacy.

Improving the lives of rural Indians through social innovation

India is a country of villages, and a significant proportion of the population lives in the rural area. There are several fundamental challenges in the Indian villages. There is a requirement for a holistic approach to participatory development. This study addresses important facets of the interconnected problems that Indian rural society has experienced in recent decades, highlighting the dysfunctional relationships between an innovation policy that is grounded on an economically and technologically oriented, one-sided understanding of innovation. There are two aspects, first, possibilities within the village or contributions from the local community, and second the state's role in innovation. The social capital, use of local resources, and participation of stakeholders can be seen as a base for the sustainable development of the village. The study recommends the state enable rural areas in the affordable agriculture system and other small occupations, information and communication technology (ICT), communication, vocational skills courses, self-help groups, and microfinance.
 Keywords: Information and communication technology (ICT); rural development; social capital; social innovation.