Studies on metal gluconic acid complexes

The presence of organic complexants, such as gluconic acid, in an intermediate-level radioactive-waste (ILW) repository may have a detrimental effect on the sorption of radionuclides, by forming organic complexes in solution. In order to assess this, stability constants are required for the complexes formed with radionuclides at high pH. This study reports the stability constants for the reactions of metals with gluconic acid (Gl). The metals studied were Cd, Ce, Co, Eu, Fe(II), Fe(III), Ho and U(VI) at pH 13.3; and Ce, Co and U(VI) at pH 7. The constants were measured by the Schubert (ion-exchange) or solubility product methods. Stoichiometries of the complexes were also determined. At pH 7 each complex was of the form M1Gl1, with log β values suggestive of salt formation. The M2+ log β values were between 13 and 20. For M3+, there was less consistency. The M2Gl1 complexes (Ho & Ce) had values of 49.8 and 43.9, whereas the M1Gl1 type (Fe(III) & Eu) range from 24 to 38. The constants have enabled speciation calculations to be performed showing the effect of gluconic acid on the metal’s solubility. Solubility is predicted to increase in the presence of gluconic acid from pH 9 to 13.5, suggesting that gluconic acid may have an impact on radionuclide behaviour. The largest increases in solubility are for Cd, Co, Eu, Ho and Ni, the smallest is with U(VI)

Degradation of tetraphenylphosphonium bromide at high pH and its effect on radionuclide solubility

Recently, tetraphenylphosphonium bromide (TPPB) has been used to remove technetium from some radioactive waste streams. However, before TPPB could 15 be approved for use it was necessary to show that TPPB and its degradation products would not have a significant detrimental effect on post-closure performance of a radioactive waste repository. TPPB is known to be stable at neutral pH, however, under alkaline conditions it degrades by an alkaline hydrolysis mechanism to triphenylphosphonium oxide (TPPO). Degradation can 20 also occur by radiolysis to produce triphenylphosphine (TPP). The kinetics of the alkaline hydrolysis degradation of TPPB is described and the solubility of europium, iodine, nickel, technetium(VII) and uranium(VI) in aqueous solutions of TPPB and its degradation products is reported. These results were used to support the use of TPPB in removing technetium from some waste streams

Digital interventions for subjective and objective social isolation among individuals with mental health conditions: a scoping review

Background: Social isolation encompasses subjective and objective concepts. Both are associated with negative health consequences and are more prevalent among people with mental health problems than among the general population. To alleviate social isolation, digital interventions have potential as accessible alternatives or adjuncts to face-to-face interventions. This scoping review aimed to describe the types of digital interventions evaluated for feasibility, acceptability and effectiveness in alleviating social isolation among individuals with mental health problems, and to present an overview of the quantitative evidence yielded to inform future intervention design. // Methods: We searched five electronic databases for quantitative and mixed methods studies published between January 2000 and July 2020. Studies were included if they evaluated digital interventions for individuals with mental health conditions, had subjective and/or objective social isolation as their primary outcome, or as one of their outcomes if no primary outcome was specified. Feasibility studies were included if feasibility outcomes were the primary outcomes and social isolation was among their secondary outcomes. A narrative synthesis was conducted to present our findings. The protocol was registered on Open Science Framework (doi:https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/CNX8A). // Results: Thirty-two studies were included for our review: 16 feasibility studies, seven single-group studies and nine effectiveness trials. There was great variation in the interventions, study designs and sample populations. Interventions included web-based programmes, phone-based programmes, blended interventions, socially assistive robots and virtual reality interventions. Many were feasibility studies, or otherwise not fully powered to detect an effect if one were present, thus preventing clear conclusions about clinical effectiveness. Satisfactory feasibility outcomes indicated potential for future trials to assess these interventions. // Conclusion: Our scoping review identified a range of digital approaches utilized to alleviate social isolation among individuals with mental health disorders. Conclusions regarding clinical effectiveness cannot be reached due to variability of approaches and lack of large-scale randomized controlled trials. To make clear recommendations for digital social isolation interventions, future research needs to be based on rigorous methods and larger samples. Future studies should also focus on utilizing theory-driven approaches and improving existing approaches to advance the field

Magnetopause Reconnection as Influenced by the Dipole Tilt Under Southward IMF Conditions: Hybrid Simulation and MMS Observation

Using a three‐dimensional (3‐D) global‐scale hybrid code, the Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) reconnection event around 02:13 UT on 18 November 2015, highlighted in the Geospace Environment Modeling (GEM) Dayside Kinetic Challenge, is simulated, in which the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) points southward and the geomagnetic field has a −27° dipole tilt angle. Strong southward plasma jets are found near the magnetopause as a result of the dayside reconnection. Our results indicate that the subsolar magnetopause reconnection X line shifts from the subsolar point toward the Northern Hemisphere due to the effect of the tilted geomagnetic dipole angle, consistent with the MMS observation. Subsequently, the reconnection X lines or sites and reconnection flux ropes above the equator propagate northward along the magnetopause. The formation and global distribution of the X lines and the structure of the magnetopause reconnection are investigated in detail with the simulation. Mirror mode waves are also found in the middle of the magnetosheath downstream of the quasi‐perpendicular shock where the plasma properties are consistent with the mirror instability condition. As a special outcome of the GEM challenge event, the spatial and temporal variations in reconnection, the electromagnetic power spectra, and the associated D‐shaped ion velocity distributions in the simulated reconnection event are compared with the MMS observation.Key PointsSubsolar magnetopause X lines shift toward the Northern Hemisphere due to the effect of the negative tilted geomagnetic dipole angleThe hybrid simulation magnetic fields and plasma date match MMS3 observations well during the magnetopause crossingMirror mode waves appear in the middle of the magnetosheath downstream of the quasi‐perpendicular shockPeer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/162687/2/jgra55909_am.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/162687/1/jgra55909.pd

Digital interventions for subjective and objective social isolation among individuals with mental health conditions: a scoping review

Background: Social isolation encompasses subjective and objective concepts. Both are associated with negative health consequences and are more prevalent among people with mental health problems than among the general population. To alleviate social isolation, digital interventions have potential as accessible alternatives or adjuncts to face-to-face interventions. This scoping review aimed to describe the types of digital interventions evaluated for feasibility, acceptability and effectiveness in alleviating social isolation among individuals with mental health problems, and to present an overview of the quantitative evidence yielded to inform future intervention design. // Methods: We searched five electronic databases for quantitative and mixed methods studies published between January 2000 and July 2020. Studies were included if they evaluated digital interventions for individuals with mental health conditions, had subjective and/or objective social isolation as their primary outcome, or as one of their outcomes if no primary outcome was specified. Feasibility studies were included if feasibility outcomes were the primary outcomes and social isolation was among their secondary outcomes. A narrative synthesis was conducted to present our findings. The protocol was registered on Open Science Framework (doi:https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/CNX8A). // Results: Thirty-two studies were included for our review: 16 feasibility studies, seven single-group studies and nine effectiveness trials. There was great variation in the interventions, study designs and sample populations. Interventions included web-based programmes, phone-based programmes, blended interventions, socially assistive robots and virtual reality interventions. Many were feasibility studies, or otherwise not fully powered to detect an effect if one were present, thus preventing clear conclusions about clinical effectiveness. Satisfactory feasibility outcomes indicated potential for future trials to assess these interventions. // Conclusion: Our scoping review identified a range of digital approaches utilized to alleviate social isolation among individuals with mental health disorders. Conclusions regarding clinical effectiveness cannot be reached due to variability of approaches and lack of large-scale randomized controlled trials. To make clear recommendations for digital social isolation interventions, future research needs to be based on rigorous methods and larger samples. Future studies should also focus on utilizing theory-driven approaches and improving existing approaches to advance the field

Opportunities for Competency Support of Virginia Cooperative Extension Professionals at the Colleague Stage

This study focused on the professional development needs of Cooperative Extension agents and specialists with between four and seven years of experience, placing them roughly within the colleague career stage. Data were collected through focus groups and validated through member checking and the use of a modified World Café approach. A research team collaborated, increasing the reliability of the findings through intentional reflection in the development of the findings. Areas of competency strength and weakness vary for agents and specialists, and specific topic areas within competencies vary. While many of the emergent competencies identified in this study fit within the competency framework of Harder et al. (2011) and previous competency studies, more specific topic areas were identified. However, the top priorities identified for professional development focus included communication, educational design, leadership, and budget and fiscal management. Attention to these areas can increase the ability of these professionals to work more effectively and productively. Providing professional development in areas of need for both agents and specialists can support the development of collegiality within the Extension organization. Supporting professionals in this stage of their career growth will position them well for advancing to additional career stages within Cooperative Extension

“No powers, man!”: A student perspective on designing university smart building interactions

Smart buildings offer an opportunity for better performance and enhanced experience by contextualising services and interactions to the needs and practices of occupants. Yet, this vision is limited by established approaches to building management, delivered top-down through professional facilities management teams, opening up an interaction-gap between occupants and the spaces they inhabit. To address the challenge of how smart buildings might be more inclusively managed, we present the results of a qualitative study with student occupants of a smart building, with design workshops including building walks and speculative futuring. We develop new understandings of how student occupants conceptualise and evaluate spaces as they experience them, and of how building management practices might evolve with new sociotechnical systems that better leverage occupant agency. Our findings point to important directions for HCI research in this nascent area, including the need for HBI (Human-Building Interaction) design to challenge entrenched roles in building management

Work-Life Balance Starts with Proper Deadlines and Exemplary Agencies

Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs can only be implemented successfully if proper work-life balance is possible in Heliophysics (and in STEM field in general). One of the core issues stems from the culture of "work-above-life" associated with mission concepts, development, and implementation but also the expectations that seem to originate from numerous announcements from NASA (and other agencies). The benefits of work-life balance are well documented; however, the entire system surrounding research in Heliophysics hinders or discourages proper work-life balance. For example, there does not seem to be attention paid by NASA Headquarters (HQ) on the timing of their announcements regarding how it will be perceived by researchers, and how the timing may promote a culture where work trumps personal life. The same is true for remarks by NASA HQ program officers during panels or informal discussions, where seemingly innocuous comments may give a perception that work is expected after "normal" work hours. In addition, we are calling for work-life balance plans and implementation to be one of the criteria used for down-selection and confirmation of missions (Key Decision Points: KDP-B, KDP-C).Comment: White paper submitted to the Decadal Survey for Solar and Space Physics (Heliophysics) 2024-2033; 6 page