Emergence Tech Limited (United Kingdom)

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are among the often identified pharmaceutical residue pollutants due to their common use and persistence. In this study, a magnetic nanocomposite comprising layered double hydroxides intercalated with polydopamine-modified carbon dots (m–Mg-Al LDH_PDA@CDs) was developed for the recognition of trace levels of NSAIDs in environmental water samples. The polydopamine functionalization enhanced the surface activity and stability of the carbon dots, while intercalation into the layered double hydroxide’s structure suppressed aggregation and improved photoluminescence and adsorption efficiency. The synthesized materials were thoroughly characterized using FTIR, XRD, HR-TEM-EDS, FESEM, XPS, BET, VSM, and photoluminescence spectroscopy, confirming their structural integrity, high surface area, and magnetic and sensing properties. The m–Mg-Al LDH_PDA@CDs were further utilized for the detection of commonly detected NSAIDs (diclofenac, aspirin, mefenamic acid, naproxen, and ibuprofen) by spectrofluorometric analysis. The sensor showed dynamic quenching in the presence of NSAIDs. The developed sensor demonstrated excellent analytical performance, with a wide linear detection range of 1.2–16 nM, low limits of detection ranging from 0.42–0.63 nM, and high recovery rates between 94.23–100.51% across different matrices (aqueous and pharmaceutical samples). The material showed high selectivity toward NSAIDs, along with good repeatability and reusability over five cycles. Moreover, the current approach exhibits a BAGI score of 77.5. This work presents a green, efficient, and magnetically retrievable sensing platform, offering significant potential for the environmental monitoring of pharmaceutical contaminants.

This issue's In-Dialogue represents the intentional epitomization of many conversations the Editorial Team has been having since JASC’s inception around what we mean by 'transformative'. As convenors of the dialogue Oliver Koenig and Megan Seneque invited a small group of individuals who, in their ongoing work, have been deeply immersed in exploring research and praxis paradigms that respond ethically, critically, and creatively to the intersecting crises of our time. Together, the group set out to explore the integrity of 'research' and 'practice', their critical entanglement and co-dependence, and the nature of practices that enable worlds to be created in certain ways. Rather than attempting to arrive at a consensual understanding, the dialogue that unfolds can be seen as a mirror of the world-making practice(s) that are characteristic of transformative research

SMEs need to cultivate the spirit of budgeting irrespective of size and type of firm. This study discusses; fundraising techniques SMEs can adopt, outlines avenues for shopping money and details essential budgets that businesses can practice in order to compare, control, review, grow and measure performance periodically. The projected or budgeted statement of financial position is recommended for SMEs that intend to grow faster and compete with big (large) enterprises. Through qualitative research approach, data was extracted with the aid of search tool based on strata of keywords centered on the topic. The study lightens; entrepreneurs, investors and management spirit on the different fundraising techniques and avenues. For successful fundraising and budgeting practices, SMEs should adhere to sound and observable guidelines in order to be successful, sustainable, competitive, and to grow to big enterprises.

Les entreprises qui s’intègrent dans un contexte international sont nécessairement confrontées à des questions de langues. Les observations réalisées montrent qu’elles les traitent en général de manière empirique, le plus souvent en ayant recours à l’usage de l’anglais, fréquemment imposé. Ce mode de traitement affecte les conditions de travail et engendre des conflits. Nous analyserons un cas de figure devenu emblématique, celui d’une filiale du groupe américain General Electric. Nous reconstituerons l’histoire du conflit tel qu’il est transmis dans la mémoire de l’entreprise et au travers des discours institutionnels qu’il a générés. On verra ainsi comment s’est construite l’action syndicale face à un processus d’anglicisation, comment s’est dénoué ce conflit, par le recours à la justice d’abord, puis par un Accord auquel finalement direction et représentants des salariés ont abouti. Nous essaierons de comprendre les motivations de l’entreprise qui restent en grande partie opaques, examinerons les difficultés qu’il y a à construire une action syndicale et à formuler des revendications sur des questions de langues. Nous nous interrogerons enfin sur ce que peut représenter la notion de « droits linguistiques » dans un contexte où le « droit à la langue » est intimement lié aux droits sociaux et au droit du travail.

Federation of computing resources imposes challenges in service management not seen in simple customer-supplier relationships. Federation is common in e-Infrastructure and growing in clouds through the growth of hybrid and multiclouds. Relationships in federated environments are complex at present, and must be simplified to allow structured service management to be improved. Input can be taken from commercial service management techniques such as ITIL and ISO/IEC20000 but special features of federated environments, such as complications in inducement and enforcement must be considered.

PurposeThe objective of this article is to explore and challenge the concept of leadership by presenting a perspective on leadership as identity construction. The perspective presented is based on premises from the complexity sciences.Design/methodology/approachThe article is based on a conceptual discussion.FindingsLeadership is better understood as identity construction. This is because leadership emerges in the interaction between people as the act of recognising and being recognised. Leaders' images of themselves are therefore social constructions and the development of a leadership self (and thereby leadership) is coupled to the interaction between leaders and followers.Research limitations/implicationsThe research is limited to a conceptual discussion. The findings need to be further explored and challenged by other methods. The discussion is focused on organisational leadership.Practical implicationsLeaders do not always have the control that mainstream leadership theory suggests. The act of leadership is therefore better understood as identity construction. In the article the authors suggest a conceptual framework for reflecting on leadership identity because self‐images influence people's acts as leaders. The concept of leadership is hence the ability to mobilise the discipline necessary to develop one's self by reflecting on identity in different contexts and coupling this to the acts of leadership.Originality/valueThe principal contribution is a conceptual discussion on the concept of leadership. This contribution provides managerial ideas and insights into the act of leadership in organisations faced with increasing complexity.