41 - Developing Nanosecond Pulsed Plasma Sources for Organic Pollutants Removal from Water

The feasibility of a nanosecond pulsed plasma-based technology for degradation of organic pollutants such as Rhodamine-B (Rh-B) and Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in water is evaluated in this study using strip line-like or cylindrical electrode configurations. Sliding discharges or dielectric barrier discharges are generated between the anode and cathode separated by various gases such as air or argon and powered by 200-300 ns, \u3e15 kV pulses at 500 Hz. The Rh-B and/or PFOA decontamination yield were evaluated for multiple cycles of treatment for air or argon. Over 90% degradation of Rh-B was obtained after 9 cycles of treatment of the sliding discharge operated at 0.12 J per pulse or an average power of 60 W using ambient air as the working gas. The impact of the voltage, working gas, and initial concentration of the organic pollutants on the degradation rate and energy efficiency are discussed. Effects of the electrode configurations on the types of the discharge and the resulted decontamination yield are also discussed

The Motives for Mergers and Acquisitions and Their Implications for Research and Practice

Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) have long intrigued scholars given their size, complexity, and frequent failure. Despite an extensive body of research on M&A, a key limitation in M&A research is the lack of focus on the motives underpinning acquisitions, which may explain frequent mixed and inconclusive results. Much of the existing literature struggles to fully capture the complex and multifaceted nature of these motives, limiting the ability to draw consistent conclusions. In this paper, we review academic and practical perspectives on M&A motives, highlighting both discrepancies and methodological challenges. Our key contributions include a comparison of theoretical and practical insights, and a discussion of challenges like construct validity and research bias. We also emphasize the need for future research to explore M&A motives in specific industries and under varying scenarios, such as single versus multiple motives, and to assess how environmental and technological factors impact these motives and their outcomes

Teachers\u27 Perceptions of Their Self-Regulated Learning Practices in Elementary School Classrooms

Self-regulated learning (SRL) is associated with adaptable, critical, lifelong thinking skills. Teachers are essential to promoting SRL in learners, yet infrequently teach these learning strategies in classrooms. We addressed three research questions: (1) How do K–5 teachers implement SRL in their teaching?, (2) How is the use of SRL strategies linked to their self-efficacy or confidence in teaching?, and (3) How do teachers differ in their use of SRL depending on school type (public vs. private)? Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 primary in-service teachers, sampled equally from one public and one private school, to explore their SRL practices. They frequently utilized SRL in implicit ways. Further themes included setting goals based on student needs, monitoring student progress, and thereby adapting instruction. Teachers were largely confident about incorporating SRL into their instruction. Public school participants relied on time management and tracked student progress in more summative ways than their private school counterparts

The Gift of Life

This article does not have an Abstrac

Are Positive and Negative Leader Humor Two Different Coins? A Meta-Analysis

Scholars disagree on the distinction between positive and negative leader humor, which may hinder the integration and advancement of the leader humor literature. Thus, we meta-analyzed the correlation between positive and negative leader humor, as well as their shared nomological networks (k = 161; follower N = 45,759; leader N = 7,820). Our meta-analysis indicates that (1) there is a very small but significant correlation between positive and negative leader humor (ρ = -.07); (2) positive and negative leader humor have differential relationships with most antecedents (e.g., positive affectivity) and outcomes (e.g., innovation and citizenship behavior); (3) positive affect and leader-member exchange intervene independently and in series the relationships between leader humor and follower outcomes, whereas negative affect mediates the effects of positive leader humor but not negative leader humor. These findings improve our understanding of the uniqueness of positive and negative leader humor, and provide important theoretical and practical implications for the leader humor literature

Women and Global Documentary: Practices and Perspectives in the 21st Century

In what innovative ways are women documentary filmmakers seeking to prioritize and promote political awareness, alternative modes of allyship, and advocacy for those most marginalized by patriarchy and global capitalism? Women and Global Documentary answers the urgent need to re-evaluate the significance of women\u27s documentary practices, their contributions to feminist world-building, and to the state of documentary studies as a whole. Bringing together a range of diverse practitioners and authors, the volume analyzes alternative and emergent networks of documentary production and collaboration within a global context. The chapters investigate filmmaking practices from regions such as East Africa, Latin America, South Asia, East Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa. They also examine decolonial practices in the Global North based on Indigenous filmmaking and feminist documentary institutions such as Women Make Movies. In doing so, they assess the global, institutional, political, and artistic factors that have shaped women\u27s documentary practices in the 21st century, and their implications for scholarly debates regarding women\u27s authorship, political subjectivity, and documentary representation. [Amazon.com]https://digitalcommons.odu.edu/communication_books/1032/thumbnail.jp

Electrical Homeostasis of the Inner Mitochondrial Membrane Potential

The electric potential across the inner mitochondrial membrane must be maintained within certain bounds for the proper functioning of the cell. A feedback control mechanism for the homeostasis of this membrane potential is proposed whereby an increase in the electric field decreases the rate-limiting steps of the electron transport chain (ETC). An increase in trans-membrane electric field limits the rate of proton pumping to the inter-membrane gap by slowing the ETC reactions and by intrinsically induced electroporation that depolarizes the inner membrane. The proposed feedback mechanism is akin to a Le Chatelier\u27s-type principle of trans-membrane potential feedback control

A Different Risk-Return Relationship

We challenge the widely accepted premise that the valuation of an early-stage firm is simply the capital invested (USD) divided by the equity received (%). Instead, we argue that this calculation determines the break-even point for the investor; for example, investing USD 1.0 in exchange for a 10% equity sets a firm-level free cash flow target of USD 10.0, resulting in a 0% return for the investor. The design of our study is that of a descriptive analysis of the phenomenon, based on three assumptions: that angel investing is a two-issue negotiation, that negotiation positions are communicated sequentially from capital to equity, and that the capital is fixed to a strategic trajectory. We note that when pausing the negotiation once a strategic trajectory (and thus capital) has been defined, utilizing the break-even point as the main reference point provides a structure that can serve as a guiding barometer for negotiators, as they evaluate their options across the full range of equity greater than 0% and less than 100%. We draw attention to the diminishing benefit of the marginal equity percentage point [diminishing at a rate of (−1/x²)] for the investor to break even on their investment. This relationship tracks to the equation [value = 1/equity], which presents the full option set for any offer, once the capital is determined. Our study provides the practitioner with the subtle benefit of situational awareness and the scholar with a logical foundation for future research

Drug-Induced Leukocytoclastic Vasculitis From an Unreported Source: Daptomycin

Leukocytoclastic vasculitis (LCV) is a rare small-vessel vasculitis caused by immune-complex-mediated deposition on endothelial cells of dermal capillaries. Common triggers include medications, infections, autoimmune disorders, and malignancies. We present a case of a 58-year-old male who developed daptomycin-induced LCV after being treated for Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) endocarditis. The patient experienced painful palpable purpura on his lower extremities, which was diagnosed as LCV by skin biopsy. At the time of the biopsy, warfarin and daptomycin were discontinued, and the patient was transitioned to heparin and ceftaroline. MRSA-induced LCV was ruled out, due to negative blood cultures and adequate source control of his infection at the time of development of the skin lesions. Warfarin-induced skin necrosis (WISN) was ruled out based on histopathological findings. This case is clinically significant as it represents the first reported case of LCV associated with daptomycin use. It underscores the importance of considering the patient\u27s history, clinical presentation, and histopathological findings to ensure prompt recognition and management of this rare drug reaction, allowing for the resolution of LCV

Heterotrophy of Particulate Organic Matter Subsidies Contributes to Divergent Bleaching Responses in Tropical Sclaractinian Corals

Heterotrophic feeding on plankton and particulate organic matter (POM) by tropical Scleractinian corals is known to aid in the resistance and recovery from thermally induced bleaching. However, the relative importance of heterotrophy in promoting bleaching resistance and recovery is likely to vary based on ecological context and the severity of heat stress. In 2019, the Pacific Island of Mo\u27orea experienced mass coral mortality during a widespread marine heatwave. Many Acropora hyacinthus colonies on the shallow reef slope (5 m) were resistant to bleaching, while colonies on the deeper fore reef (14 m) often bleached and subsequently recovered, despite similar thermal stress. The role of heterotrophy in this divergent bleaching response was investigated using fatty acid (FA), isotopic, and elemental biomarkers. Multiple complementary lines of evidence, including feeding proxies, isotopic niche overlap, and putative POM FA biomarkers, indicated that bleaching resistant colonies were likely consuming more POM than their bleached and recovered counterparts. Additionally, although visually recovered, host energetics in recovered colonies remained compromised and exhibited proportionally less monounsaturated and polyunsaturated FAs and less relative nitrogen than resistant colonies. We show that corals that rely more on heterotrophic nutrient acquisition can better resist thermally induced bleaching. Our results also revealed the long‐term energetic costs of bleaching even after visual recovery. Ultimately, these results underscore the vital role of coral nutrition in shaping coral bleaching response and recovery