A systematic sequence of materials was investigated to develop phytic-acid (Phyt)–based flame retarded poly(lactide acid) (PLA), while factoring in molecular weight (MW), crystallinity and mechanical properties. Synergistic approaches were developed based on combinations with lignin and expandable graphite (EG), as well as by applying different Phyt salts of melamine (Mel), piperazine (Pip), and arginine (Arg). Compounds were twin screw extruded, injection molded, hot pressed and investigated with thermal analysis, size exclusion chromatography, infrared spectroscopy, tensile testing, limited oxygen index (LOI), UL 94, cone calorimeter, and scanning electron microscope. 16.7 wt.% flame retardant (FR) slightly enhances crystallization while MW remains unchanged in PLA Phyt Arg and PLA Phyt Mel. LOI was improved to 43.7 vol.% for PLA Phyt Arg, UL 94 V0 achieved for PLA Phyt Pip. Cone calorimeter results show total heat evolved reduced by 14 %, maximum average rate of heat emission 43 % lower, and peak heat release rate reduced by 50 % for PLA Phyt Mel. Phyt Mel combined with EG increased the char yield of PLA to 20 wt.% and 15.5 wt.% at 600 and 900 °C, respectively. Phyt is exploited to enhance char yield, stabilize the intumescent char, and lower the apparent effective heat of combustion. The combination of Phyt Mel and EG was proposed as an efficient FR for PLA via an evidence based developing route.

This study explores the unique operating behavior of an alkaline water electrolysis cell equipped with an ion-solvating membrane, operated with a diluted alkaline electrolyte, specifically 1-M potassium hydroxide (1M KOH), in anode feed mode. Our investigations reveal several key insights. Charge transport: In an ion-solvating membrane, charge transport occurs through both the cations and anions of the electrolyte. Due to electro-osmosis, cation transport to the cathode results in a combined hydrogen-electrolyte discharge from the cathode compartment of the electrolysis cell. The discharged electrolyte is more concentrated than the electrolyte supplied to the anode. The concentration and flow rate of the electrolyte increase with current density and electrolyte temperature. Current density dependence: Since only a fraction of the total charge is transferred by hydroxide ions within the membrane, current density strongly depends on the electrolyte flow through the anode compartment. Membrane stability and performance: The membrane’s mechanical and chemical stability enables operation at high temperatures, up to 80 ◦C. This stability enables increased current density at a given cell voltage. Effects of catalyst use: Using cathode catalysts with high surface areas, such as Raney-Ni, enhances current density because highly concentrated liquid potassium hydroxide forms at the cathode during operation. Anode catalysts with high surface areas increase current density, but only if the flow of hydroxide ions is not impeded. Otherwise, the jV-curve exhibits transport-limited behavior.

This study examines the effectiveness of digital nudging in enhancing email marketing strategies for non-profit organizations (NPOs) involved in emergency and disaster relief (EDR). Specifically, it aims to explore the potential of digital nudges to convert one-time and occasional donors into regular contributors. By investigating whether, and to what extent, digital nudging can facilitate this conversion, the research provides insights into optimizing donor engagement. Based on literature, four digital nudges were developed and tested in a quantitative field experiment conducted in partnership with the German emergency and disaster relief organization, Caritas international. The findings reveal that the phantom decoy and identity coherence nudges are particularly effective in increasing click-through rates on recurring donation buttons in emails from NPOs focused on EDR, highlighting their potential as tools for improving donor retention.

Evidence syntheses, such as systematic reviews, aim to summarise the current state of research in a field, often using the publication language of a study as a criterion for inclusion or exclusion. However, this has serious implications for capturing evidence from a wider range of geographical areas, and the potential for linguistic bias. In order to explore this issue, a trilingual tertiary mapping review of 446 evidence syntheses within the field of educational technology (EdTech) and published in English, Spanish and German was undertaken, analysing the frequency of multi- and monolingual evidence syntheses, reasons for language choice by research teams, and the composition of research teams in multi- and monolingual evidence syntheses. Items were included if they were a form of evidence synthesis with an explicit method section, indexed within ERIC, Scopus, Web of Science, Dialnet, FIS-Bildung, or Google Scholar, education-related, and published between 1983 and May 2022. The results showed that only eight languages were considered in published syntheses, only five languages were used to construct search strings, most evidence syntheses included research published in English without explaining why, and multilingual research team composition did not predict multilingual evidence syntheses. The findings suggest the need to address publication languages not only as a formal criterion but as an integral aspect of methodological approach, influencing the content and scope of syntheses in educational research.

Abstract - Shape memory polymers (SMP) can be used in numerous applications, for example in medical engineering, control technology, or in the automotive industry. Various triggers can be used to "remember" a programmed shape, such as temperature, pH value, humidity or light. One example of SMP is polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), which is characterised by biocompatibility, high hydrophilicity and non-toxicity as well as efficient shape memory behaviour. PVA reacts to the stimulus of temperature. In this work, the influence of incorporated nanoparticles on the shape memory effect of PVA will be investigated. For this purpose, the glass transition temperature of PVA containing different iron nanoparticles is determined and compared by means of Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). In addition to the impact of the integrated nanoparticles on the switching temperature, consideration is also given to the quality of the resetting characteristics linked with the shape memory effect. These studies employ thermomechanical analysis as a tool to gain insights into this phenomenon. The inclusion of iron nanoparticles has been observed to result in a slight alteration of the switching temperature, while significantly influencing the shape memory effect and reducing the strain recovery rate by approximately 15%. The strain fixity rate simultaneously increases by approximately 50%. However, the size and structure of the iron nanoparticles showed no discernible impact on the observed phenomenon.

In order to tackle today's grand challenges in society and reach sustainable development goals, innovation needs to take a comprehensive look at value creation and human well-being. Social systems theory suggests that value creation and well-being can be addressed from the perspectives of various functional systems that attribute meaning on the basis of different social operations, such as economy, health, art, etc. On the example of smart services as a key digital technology, we study how science fiction affects the number of these functional systems referenced in design. We compare smart service design activities performed during eight ideation and prototyping workshops. Half of the workshops used a conventional value proposition canvassing approach to address customer tasks, pains and gains. The others used science fiction plots for dramatic storytelling about smart services. Overall, 29 separate smart service design projects were performed during the workshops. Using qualitative content analysis, references to different functional systems are identified. The findings indicate that science fiction inspires references to more functional systems and highlights tensions between different forms of value creation and aspects of well-being that are essential for tackling grand challenges.

A common language facilitates exchange in international business (IB). The People’s Republic of China is a global player of significant economic and geopolitical importance. Thus, we can expect Chinese language capital to play a major role in IB. This article conceptualizes its importance from a Western (German) and Eastern (Chinese) point of view. Western concepts such as Positive or Constructive Management, the four-side communication model, language and power, and Chinese concepts such as 182 harmony, guanxi, and xinren explain the important role Chinese language skills play for a beneficial Sino-Western business relationship.

Synchronous online learning is situated in synchronous webinars, virtual classrooms, and videoconferences, in which students and teachers communicate live over the Internet across distant geographical locations. Shared virtual platforms with voice-over-IP technology and webcams are used to interact ubiquitously and synchronously in real-time. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of synchronous online learning environments in primary, secondary, higher, and continuous education has grown massively. In this chapter, we aim to identify design recommendations that help increase the effectiveness of synchronous online learning. First, we provide an overview of recent meta-analyses on the effectiveness of synchronous online learning compared to synchronous face-to-face and asynchronous online learning. Second, we use this empirical evidence to develop design principles that can guide teachers, trainers, and educators in designing effective synchronous online learning environments. Third, we discuss a research agenda for future studies on synchronous online learning, webinars, and videoconferences in education, and we reflect on some practical affordances, including the use of webcams and breakout rooms.