Strong Orientation Research Articles

Paleomagnetism of late Cretaceous dykes in the Gangdese belt: New constraints on the position and structure of the southern margin of Asia prior to the India-Asia collision

We report paleomagnetic data from late Cretaceous diorite dykes that sub-vertically intrude granodiorites in the eastern Gangdese belt near the city of Lhasa. Our research goals are to provide further constraints on pre-collisional structure of the southern margin of Asia and the onset of the India-Asia collision. Magnetite is identified as the main magnetic carrier in our study. The magnetite shows no evidence of metamorphism or alteration as determined from optical and scanning electron microscope observations. A strong mineral orientation is revealed by anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility analysis both for the intruded dykes and the country rocks. We interpret this AMS fabric to have formed during intrusion rather than deformation. Fifteen of 23 sites yield acceptable site mean characteristic remanences with dual polarities. A scatter analysis of the virtual geomagnetic poles suggests that the mean result adequately averaged paleosecular variation. The paleomagnetic pole from the Gangdese dykes yields a paleolatitude of 14.3°N ± 5.8°N for the southern margin of Asia near Lhasa. The paleolatitude corresponds to an in-between position of the Lhasa terrane during ~130-60 Ma. Furthermore, the mean declination of the characteristic remanent magnetization reveals a significant counterclockwise rotation of 18° ± 9° for the sampling location since ~83 Ma. In the light of tectonic setting of the dykes, the strike of the southern margin of Asia near Lhasa is restored to trend approximately ~310°, which is compatible with the hypothesis that the southern margin of Eurasia had a quasi-linear structure prior to its collision with India.

Barriers and Facilitators to Pediatric Resident Education in the Emergency Department: A Qualitative Study.

Objective Local resident evaluations of the pediatric emergency department (ED) declined over the last five years. Sparse literature exists on resident perspectives of educational experiences. This study explored the barriers and facilitators to resident education in the Pediatric ED. Methods This qualitative study utilized focus groups at a large pediatric training hospital. Trained facilitators performed semi-structured interviews prompting discussion of resident experiences in the pediatric ED. One pilot and six focus groups (38 pediatric residents) achieved data saturation. Sessions were audio recorded, de-identified and transcribed by a professional service. Three authors (CJ, JM, SS) analyzed the transcripts independently using line-by-line coding. Following code agreement, authors identified central themes drawing on grounded theory. Results Six categories emerged: (1) ED environment, (2) consistent goals, expectations, and resources, (3) ED workflow, (4) preceptor accessibility, (5) resident growth and development, (6) ED preconceived notions. Residents value a respectful work environment despite the chaotic nature of the ED. They need clear goals and expectations with a strong orientation. Autonomy, open communication and shared decision-making allowresidents to feel like team members. Residents gravitate toward welcoming, available preceptors that enthusiastically teach. More ED environment exposure increases comfort and efficiency and helps develop medical decision-making skills. Residents admit ED preconceptions and personality traits affect performance. Conclusion Residents self-identified barriers and facilitators to ED education. Educators must provide a safe and open learning environment, clear rotation expectations and goals, consistent positivity supporting shared decision making, and allow residents autonomy to build their practice styles.

Effects of annealing on the structure and microhardness of nanocrystalline Ni–Mn electrodeposits

Nanocrystalline pure nickel and Ni-Mn alloy with 1.2 at% Mn deposits were obtained via pulse current electrodeposition. To understand the effects of annealing on their structure and microhardness, the surface morphology, crystal structure, grain size, microhardness and microstructure of the obtained Ni-Mn and pure Ni deposits were investigated. The results indicated that Ni-Mn alloy exhibited a similar face-centered cubic structure with a strong (111) preferred orientation to that of Ni deposits, but as-deposited Ni–Mn had a smaller crystallite size and substantially higher microhardness compared to as-deposited Ni deposit. During annealing, the crystal grains of Ni deposits grew sharply, resulting in a great decrease in their microhardness, while Ni-Mn deposits showed good thermal stability and annealing induced hardening at 300 °C and 350 °C. Neither precipitate nor clear segregation of Mn was observed on annealed deposits; however, a number of twin boundaries were found. It is suggested that the thermal stability of Ni-Mn was mainly derived from the formation of twin boundaries and the annealing-induced hardening could be ascribed to grain boundary relaxation and annealing twin strengthening.

#strokesurvivor on Instagram: Conjunctive experiences of adapting to disability

This study investigates practices of sharing the experience of stroke on Instagram through use of the hashtag #strokesurvivor. The hashtag brings together people from different cultural backgrounds and professions and those who experience different kinds of healthcare and varying degrees of physical or cognitive impairment. Through a digital ethnography of #strokesurvivor, the conjunctive experiences and communicative practices of the community are reconstructed. Instagram enables specific forms of sociality and sharing, like long-term visual storytelling and influencer dynamics. Adapting to a transformed body and identity is perceived and practiced as a conjunctive experience and a struggle. A strong orientation towards a “normal life” is a recurring theme. Mourning and perseverance are put forward as two modes of coping with and adapting to a transforming body and self.

Conceptions of Recovery and Relapse of Severe Mental Illness from the Perspective of Mental Health Personnel in Mexico City

AbstractThis study explores recovery from severe mental disorders from the perspective of 89 mental health care professionals working in Mexico City, using a mixed method approach. The participants were recruited and interviewed from mental health and addiction treatment facilities in Mexico City using convenience sampling techniques. Transcribed interviews were coded and analyzed for thematic content regarding recovery and relapse of mental illness. On the quantitative level, we used a sample of 11 items from the Mexican adaptation of the Opinions about Mental Illness questionnaire to compare the attitudes of health personnel and consider differences by gender. Of the respondents, 18% did not believe that recovery was possible for individuals with severe mental disorders, but most believed in recovery in at least some cases. The results also indicated a strong orientation toward recovery in the clinical sense, focused on patients’ symptomatology. There were significant differences in attitudes toward mental illness items by gender. Men showed more favorable attitudes than women (F = 6.60, p = .05). However, the small size of our sample limits the generalizability of the findings. Educational strategies based on social contact with persons with mental health problems could be useful in modifying negative attitudes toward mental illness.

Additive Manufacturing of MnAl(C)-Magnets

Permanent magnets are becoming more and more relevant for modern society. As the most widely used permanent magnets contain rare-earth elements, the increased dependence on these strategic elements is worrisome, and the pursuit for rare-earth free alternatives has become a strategic goal in many countries. The metastable and ferromagnetic τ-phase that forms in the MnAl(C) system is one of the most promising alternatives, and since its discovery, major efforts have been made to improve its performance and realize its full potential. One major factor that has prevented a widespread commercialization of MnAl(C) permanent magnets is their relatively low coercivity. Here, we demonstrate that additive manufacturing, using laser powder bed fusion, can be used to produce MnAl in its high-temperature polymorph (ε, hcp), which can be subsequently transformed, through post-heat treatments to the ferromagnetic τ-phase. Although we successfully obtained a preferential orientation of the ε-phase with <001> parallel to the build direction, this did not translate into a strong preferential orientation in the τ-phase, thus indicating that the phase transformation occurs by the migration of incoherent interfaces. The MnAl(C) samples are characterized by a density of ≈4.4 g/cm3, a saturation magnetization of 39.3 Am2/kg, a coercivity of 168 kA/m, and a remanence of 17.5 Am2/kg.

Digitalization as driver to achieve circularity in the agroindustry: A SWOT-ANP-ADAM approach

In the last decades, the agroindustry is facing environmental issues due particularly to food loss and waste, requiring a strong orientation towards sustainability and the circular economy (CE) paradigm. This study carries out an investigation of the role of digitalization in serving as a driver to achieve circularity in the agroindustry.A SWOT analysis was performed to assess the strengths and weaknesses (internal factors) and opportunities and threats (external factors) of digitalization in boosting circularity within agroindustry systems and identifying critical factors (CFs). Through the Analytical Network Process (ANP), an evaluation of these CFs was provided, while the Axial-Distance-Based Aggregated Measurement (ADAM) method allowed for the ranking of the strategic alternatives to better inform management decisions.This study provides valuable results that reveal the crucial role of digitalization in boosting circularity within agroindustry, highlighting the most impactful strategies driving the transition towards a circular economy. Linking the high sustainability performance of products to incentives and increasing consumer inclusion and awareness in business dynamics were found to be the most relevant strategies for making agro-industrial supply chains more circular.This study provides recommendations to lead managers' and practitioners' decisions towards the adoption of strategies, aimed at making the agro-industrial sector more adherent to the principles of circular economy and sustainability.

The effect of innovation orientation on firm performance: evidence from micro and small manufacturing firms in selected towns of Awi Zone, Ethiopia

Innovation in micro and small enterprises is widely regarded as one of the most important sources of sustainable competitive advantage with an embedded purpose of performance improvement in an increasingly changing environment. This study aimed to examine the effect of innovation on the performance of micro and small manufacturing firms in selected towns of Awi Zone, Amhara, Ethiopia. The target population of the study was 643 micro and small manufacturing firms in Injibara, Dangila, and Tilili; a number provided by Awi zone enterprise development office data during 2021. Data were drawn from a sample of 247 manufacturing firms using cross-sectional primary data collected from wood and metal manufacturing firms in selected towns of Awi Zone. The study adopted descriptive and explanatory designs and used correlation and multiple linear regression analysis to estimate the effect of innovation on firm performance. The regression results revealed that product, process, marketing and organizational innovation were positively and significantly related to firm performance, while product innovation was found to have a strong positive effect on the dependent variable firm performance followed by process and organizational innovation, respectively. However, a weak statistical relationship was reported between marketing innovation and the performance of manufacturing firms than other variables. Hence, firms which have a strong orientation towards product, process, organizational and marketing innovation have better performance in manufacturing firms in the study area.

Human–river relationships depend on human–human relationships: River and watershed organizations in three western US states

AbstractHuman–nature relationship concepts are held collectively within society and guide environmentally oriented actions. This article explores the roles played by environmental organizations, particularly those focused on rivers and watersheds, in catalyzing interaction and action driven by human–river relationship goals. Interviews were conducted with representatives from 64 river and watershed organizations in Montana, Utah, and Wyoming in 2022. Organizational representatives were asked about mission focus areas, human–river relationships, the knowledge they draw upon to guide their efforts, and factors and obstacles that enable and constrain their progress and success. These qualitative data reveal a strong orientation toward steward and partner types of human–nature relationship concepts; however, there are discrepancies in conceptual interpretations. For river and watershed organizations in the US Intermountain West, human–river relationship goals depend strongly on human–human relationships in the form of diverse knowledge integration, collaboration, partnerships, trust, and communication in order to achieve their river‐related goals.

Examining the efficacy of non-market and market driving activities of B2B international firms

This study examines the impact of entrepreneurial and branding orientations on the two facets of market driving activities (market and non-market focused) of B2B firms for international market performance. Using empirical data (n = 108) on European firms, this study finds that entrepreneurial orientation influences both facets of market driving activities. Further, these effects are stronger under a strong branding orientation. Market focused aspect of the driving activities fully mediates the effects of entrepreneurial orientation and market performance. Applying resource-based and market orientation theories, and contradicting studies that emphasise the adoption approach of market orientation for business success, our findings suggest that international performance of B2B firms is enhanced using a market driving approach. Unlike market-oriented firms, market-driving companies do not adopt, but instead educate their customers to accept their dominant logic, and by doing so they influence the market structure in their industry. The findings contribute to the non-market, market driving and ambidexterity literature. Managers can learn how entrepreneurial efforts can contribute towards exercising market driving strategies at a global level. They can also learn that strong branding orientation would strengthen the market driving behavior.

Career reorientation during the Covid-19 pandemic: Evidence from fresh graduates of Indonesian colleges

This research aims to examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the career reorientation of fresh graduates at Indonesian universities. This study is necessary to determine the changes in attitudes and perceptions of recent graduates as they seek employment, as measured by indicators of psychological quality, gender, and spiritual level. Three Focus Group Discussion meetings were held to achieve the best results, and questionnaires were distributed to 85 resource people. Furthermore, an interpretive analysis model was used to describe the differences in job attainment experienced by respondents before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the study's findings, several changes occurred in the career orientation of fresh graduates from various universities in Indonesia before, during, and after COVID-19. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, fresh graduates had a strong career orientation, as evidenced by their high absorption of job opportunities. Unlike the results of the COVID-19 pandemic, the impact of COVID-19 on new graduates' careers is significant, affecting mental and physical health as well as social interactions.Keywords: Career reorientation; Fresh Graduates; Higher Education; Human Resources; COVID-19

Effects of grain size and deuteration conditions on the microstructure of erbium deuteride films

Erbium is widely considered as a promising tritium storage material due to its high capacity and stability. In this work, the influences of the grain size of original erbium and the deuteration conditions on the microstructure of erbium deuteride film were studied by SEM, FIB-TEM and XRD. The results indicate that the erbium films with small grains transformed into large grains after deuteration, whereas those with large grains changed to smaller grains. The lattice expansion after the loading of deuterium was measured, which confirmed that the films possess small grains present a weaker expansion (7.7%) than those with large grains (10.8%). All of the as-prepared erbium deuteride films exhibited a strong (111) preferred orientation and the film with smaller change of grain size during deuteration presents much stronger preferential growth. It is demonstrated that the deuteration temperature and pressure have a significant effect on the grain size of erbium deuteride films, which the higher deuteration temperature and pressure would induce a bigger change of grain size. In final, the underlying cause of the effect of grain size and deuteration conditions is discussed based on the thermodynamic and kinetics. The higher reaction rate under high deuteration temperature and pressure would prefer to increase the internal stress and the transformation of grain size.

Coherent diffractive imaging of proteins and viral capsids: simulating MS SPIDOC

MS SPIDOC is a novel sample delivery system designed for single (isolated) particle imaging at X-ray Free-Electron Lasers that is adaptable towards most large-scale facility beamlines. Biological samples can range from small proteins to MDa particles. Following nano-electrospray ionization, ionic samples can be m/z-filtered and structurally separated before being oriented at the interaction zone. Here, we present the simulation package developed alongside this prototype. The first part describes how the front-to-end ion trajectory simulations have been conducted. Highlighted is a quadrant lens; a simple but efficient device that steers the ion beam within the vicinity of the strong DC orientation field in the interaction zone to ensure spatial overlap with the X-rays. The second part focuses on protein orientation and discusses its potential with respect to diffractive imaging methods. Last, coherent diffractive imaging of prototypical T = 1 and T = 3 norovirus capsids is shown. We use realistic experimental parameters from the SPB/SFX instrument at the European XFEL to demonstrate that low-resolution diffractive imaging data (q < 0.3 nm−1) can be collected with only a few X-ray pulses. Such low-resolution data are sufficient to distinguish between both symmetries of the capsids, allowing to probe low abundant species in a beam if MS SPIDOC is used as sample delivery.

Inkjet‐Printing Controlled Phase Evolution Boosts the Efficiency of Hole Transport Material Free and Carbon‐Based CsPbBr3 Perovskite Solar Cells Exceeding 9%

Hole transport material free carbon‐based all‐inorganic CsPbBr3 perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are promising for commercialization due to its low‐cost, high open‐circuit voltage (Voc) and superior stability. Due to the different solubility of PbBr2 and CsBr in conventional solvents, CsPbBr3 films are mainly obtained by multi‐step spin‐coating through the phase evolution from PbBr2 to CsPb2Br5 and then to CsPbBr3. The scalable fabrication of high‐quality CsPbBr3 films has been rarely studied. Herein, an inkjet‐printing method is developed to prepare high‐quality CsPbBr3 films. The formation of long‐range crystalline CsPb2Br5 phase can effectively improve phase purity and promote regular crystal stacking of CsPbBr3. Consequently, the inkjet‐printed CsPbBr3 C‐PSCs realized PCEs up to 9.09%, 8.59% and 7.81% with active areas of 0.09, 0.25, and 1 cm2, respectively, demonstrating the upscaling potential of our fabrication method and devices. This high performance is mainly ascribed to the high purity, strong crystal orientation, reduced surface roughness and lower trap states density of the as‐printed CsPbBr3 films. This work provides insights into the relationship between the phase evolution mechanisms and crystal growth dynamics of cesium lead bromide halide films.

Cone humidity is a strong attractant in an obligate cycad pollination system

Studies of pollination biology often focus on visual and olfactory aspects of attraction, with few studies addressing behavioral responses and morphological adaptation to primary metabolic attributes. As part of an in-depth study of obligate nursery pollination of cycads, we find that Rhopalotria furfuracea weevils show a strong physiological response and behavioral orientation to the cone humidity of the host plant Zamia furfuracea in an equally sensitive manner to their responses to Z.furfuracea-produced cone volatiles. Our results demonstrate that weevils can perceive fine-scale differences in relative humidity (RH) and that individuals exhibit a strong behavioral preference for higher RH in binary choice assays. Host plant Z.furfuracea produces a localized cloud of higher than ambient humidity around both pollen and ovulate cones, and R.furfuracea weevils preferentially land at the zone of maximum humidity on ovulate cones, i.e., the cracks between rows of megasporophylls that provide access to the ovules. Moreover, R.furfuracea weevils exhibit striking antennal morphological traits associated with RH perception, suggesting the importance of humidity sensing in the evolution of this insect lineage. Results from this study suggest that humidity functions in a signal-like fashion in this highly specialized pollination system and help to characterize a key pollination-mediating trait in an ancient plant lineage.

Ceramic ZnO-SnO2-Fe2O3 Powders and Coatings -Effective Photogenerators of Reactive Oxygen Species

Ceramic ZnO-SnO2-Fe2O3 powders and transparent coatings on glasses prepared using the non-isothermal polymer-salt method demonstrate a strong ability to generate chemically active oxygen species under UV and visible irradiation. Crystal structures and morphologies of these materials were studied using the XRD and the SEM analysis. It was found that there are significant differences in the crystal structure of ceramic powders and thin coatings. The powders consist of randomly oriented oxide nanocrystals of size ~47 nm. The strong orientation of the ZnO nanocrystals due to their interaction with the glass substrate is observed in the coating structure. Experimental data show that thin ceramic coatings are transparent (~90%) in the visible spectral range and the band gap of the ceramic material is 3.44 eV. The band gap value of this multi-component ceramic material is described sufficiently using Verlag’s law. Ceramic powders and coatings demonstrate the intensive photogeneration of reactive oxygen species, both in liquid and air. High photocatalytic activity of ZnO-SnO2-Fe2O3 ceramic coatings and powders was observed upon the oxidation of the diazo dye, Chicago Sky Blue. In the presence of transparent photocatalytic coating, the value of the constant rate of the dye photodecomposition was high (k = 0.056 min−1). It was found that, in spite of their short life time, photogenerated reactive oxygen species demonstrate the ability to decompose dye molecules located up to a distance of 0.5 mm from the surface of ceramic coating. Obtained experimental results suggest that the prepared ceramic materials are promising for different practical applications of the photocatalytic materials.

Microstructure and properties of graphene oxide reinforced copper-matrix composite foils fabricated by ultrasonic assisted electrodeposition

In this paper, graphene oxide (GO)/Cu composite (GO/Cu) foils with high thermal and mechanical properties were prepared by ultrasonic-assisted direct current electrodeposition. The effect of ultrasonic power and graphene concentration on the microstructure and properties of the composite foils was systematically investigated. It was found that the average grain size can be refined by both the addition of GO reinforcement and ultrasonic treatment. Under the optimized preparation condition with 120 W ultrasonic power and GO concentration of 0.8 g/L GO in plating solution, the average grain size was about 0.26 μm and illustrated strong crystallographic orientation of (220). In addition, the GO content in the composites was increased from 0.67 wt% without ultrasonic treatment to 1.72 wt%, and it was uniformly dispersed in the composite foil with ultrasonic effect. Compared with pure copper foil, the hardness value of the GO/Cu composite foil nearly doubled to 74.6 HV0.1, the average friction coefficient was decreased from 0.87 to 0.72 and the tensile strength of the composite foil was improved to 239 MPa with an elongation of 17%. Meanwhile, the thermal conductivity with optimized condition increased 39.8% to 556.57 W m−1 K−1. The improved mechanical and thermal properties of the GO/Cu composite foil were mainly ascribed to the grain refinement, change of preferred orientation and the presence of reduced GO reinforcement as a network in the composite foil.

Effect of Power on Structural and Mechanical Properties of DC Magnetron Sputtered Cr Coatings

Cr coatings were deposited on the surface of PCrNi1MoA steel by DC magnetron sputtering. The effects of power (100~250 W) on the structure and mechanical properties of the coating were systematically studied. The results show that all Cr coatings have strong (110) preferred orientation and anisotropic surface morphology, and the cross sections are columnar structures. With the increase in power, the deposition rate increases linearly, the surface roughness and grain size increase gradually, and the nanomechanical properties decrease first and then increase slightly. At 100 W, the columnar grain of the coating is compact and continuous, and the wear resistance and plastic deformation resistance are the best, with the highest binding force of 27.04 N. At 200 W, due to grain growth and tensile stress, internal defects increase, and mechanical properties are poor. The combination of coating and substrates is not tight enough, and it is easy to fall off and fail under the action of external force. When the power reaches 250 W, the higher bombardment rate helps the coating release stress, and reduce porosity.

Structural, physical, and radiation absorption properties of a significant nuclear power plant component: A comparison between REX-734 and 316L SS austenitic stainless steels

Abstract Austenitic stainless steels (SSs) are commonly used as in-core and surrounding structural materials in today’s industrial BWR and PWR systems. Such adaptable steels have also been the primary materials studied and used in several advanced nuclear reactor technologies, such as fast breeding and magnetic fusion reactors. In this study, some critical material properties, such as structural, physical, and radiation-shielding properties of REX-734 and 316L SS, were experimentally evaluated and compared to those of a number of other alloys. In addition to homogeneous element distribution, both alloys exhibit strong crystal orientation. The REX-734 alloy has a tensile strength of 1,259 MPa, whereas the 316L SS alloy has a tensile strength of 495 MPa. Moreover, nitrogen in the REX-734 alloy formed ultra-hard nitrides with Cr, Nb, and Si and precipitated into the structure and increased the strength. According to our findings, the mass attenuation coefficient values of the 316L SS sample were slightly higher than those of the REX-734 sample at all energies. It can be concluded that the REX-734 sample, with its exceptional strength qualities and excellent radiation attenuation capabilities, may be a viable nuclear power plant material for future investigations.

Comparison to Micro Wear Mechanism of PVD Chromium Coatings and Electroplated Hard Chromium

Electroplated hard chromium (EPHC) has been widely used in industry due to its excellent mechanical properties, but the development of this technology is limited by environmental risks. The physical vapor deposition (PVD) process has shown promise as an alternative to EPHC for producing chromium-based coatings. In this research, we investigate the microstructure and wear resistance of pure chromium coatings using two PVD techniques, namely, magnetron sputtering ion plating (MSIP) and micro-arc ion plating (MAIP), which are compared to EPHC. To assess wear resistance, we evaluated factors such as hardness, coating base bonding force, wear rate and friction coefficient via friction and wear experiments. The results show that, in terms of microstructure, while the EPHC coating does not exhibit a strong preferred growth orientation, the PVD coatings exhibit an obvious preferred growth orientation along the (110) direction. The average grain size of the EPHC coating is the smallest, and the PVD chromium coatings show a higher hardness than the EPHC coating. The results of pin-on-disk tests show that there is little difference in friction coefficients between EPHC and MAIP chromium plating; however, the MAIP chromium coating showed an excellent specific wear rate (as low as 1.477 × 10-13 m3/Nm). The wear condition of the MAIP chromium coating is more stable than that of the EPHC coating, indicating its potential as a replacement for EPHC.