The current business environment characterized by volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity (VUCA) advances numerous challenges for organizations. To respond effectively to these changing demands, traditional approaches to solving problems often prove inadequate in this dynamic context. A new approach, the ProCESS methodology, was developed and tested in the last three years within an Erasmus+ consortium in four European countries. This approach stimulates unconventional thinking and the finding of creative solutions for real-world business challenges. The aim of this perspective paper is to present the research data collected in two Romanian companies by testing ProCESS methodology. In the discussion section, the paper highlights the potential of this methodology that uses various artistic tools like drawing, music, modeling, or meditation to encourage participants to tap into their sensory, emotional, and spiritual sides for finding new and unexpected solutions. The paper also discusses potential influences on organizational culture and employee well-being.

Polymer waste drilling fluid has extremely high stability, and it is difficult to separate solid from liquid, which has become a key bottleneck problem restricting its resource recycling. This study aims to reveal the stability mechanism of polymer waste drilling fluid and explore the destabilization effect and mechanism of ultrasonic waste drilling fluid. Surface analysis techniques such as X-ray energy spectrum and infrared spectrum were used in combination with colloidal chemical methods to study the spatial molecular structure, stability mechanism, and ultrasonic destabilization mechanism of drilling fluid. The results show that the particles in the drilling fluid exist in two forms: uncoated particles and particles coated by polymers, forming a high molecular stable particle system. Among them, rock particles not coated by polymer follow the vacancy stability and Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek (DLVO) stability mechanism, and the weighting material coated by the polymer surface follows the space stability and DLVO stability mechanism. The results of ultrasonic destabilization experiments show that after ultrasonic treatment at 1000 W power for 5 min, coupled with the addition of 0.02% cationic polyacrylamide, the dehydration rate is as high as 81.0%, and the moisture content of the mud cake is as low as 29.3%, achieving an excellent solid-liquid separation effect. Ultrasound destabilizes polymer waste drilling fluid by destroying the long-chain structure of the polymer. This study provides theoretical support and research direction for the research and development of polymer waste drilling fluid destabilization technology.

Molybdenum (Mo) is considered and described as an essential element for living organisms' development. Until now, no studies have been performed on genes involved in the Mo transporter in ancestral Ipomoea species. This study aimed to identify potential Mo genes in Ipomoea trifida and I. triloba genomes using bioinformatics tools. We identified four Mo transporter genes, two in I. trifida and two in I. triloba. Based on the RNA-seq datasets, we observed that Mo genes are expressed (in silico) and present different mechanisms between the tissues analyzed. The information generated in this study fills missing gaps in the literature on the Mo gene in an important agronomic crop.

Objectives: The unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic has intensified the stress on blood banks and deprived the blood sources due to the containment measures that restrict the movement and travel limitations among blood donors. During this time, Malaysia had a significant 40% reduction in blood supply. Blood centers and hospitals faced a huge challenge balancing blood demand and collection. The health care systems need a proactive plan to withstand the uncertain situation such as the COVID-19 pandemic. This study investigates the psychosocial factors that affect blood donation behavior during a pandemic and aims to propose evidence-based strategies for a sustainable blood supply. Study design: Qualitative design using focus group discussion (FGD) was employed. Methods: Data were acquired from the two FGDs that group from transfusion medicine specialists (N = 8) and donors (N = 10). The FGD interview protocol was developed based on the UTM Research Ethics Committee’s approval. Then, the data was analyzed using Nvivo based on the General Inductive Approach (GIA). Results: Analysis of the text data found that the psychology of blood donation during the pandemic in Malaysia can be classified into four main themes: (i) reduced donation; (ii) motivation of donating blood; (iii) trends of donation; and (iv) challenges faced by the one-off, occasional, and non-donors. Conclusions: Based on the emerging themes from the FGDs, this study proposes four psycho-contextual strategies for relevant authorities to manage sustainable blood accumulation during the pandemic: (1) develop standard operating procedure for blood donors; (2) organize awareness campaigns; (3) create a centralized integrated blood donors database; and (4) provide innovative Blood Donation Facilities.

Every production day in Nigeria, and in other oil producing countries, millions of barrels of produced water is generated. Being very toxic, remediation of the produced water before discharge into environment or re-use is very essential. An eco-friendly and cost effective approach is hereby reported for remediative pre-treatment of produced water (PW) obtained from Nigerian oilfield. In this approach, Telfairia occidentalis stem extract-silver nanoparticles (TOSE-AgNPs) were synthesized, characterized and applied as bio-based adsorbent for treating the PW in situ. The nanoparticles were of average size 42.8 nm ± 5.3 nm, spherical to round shaped and mainly composed of nitrogen and oxygen as major atoms on the surface. Owing to the effect of addition of TOSE-AgNPs, the initially high levels (mg/L) of Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) and TSS of 607, 3.78 and 48.4 in the PW were reduced to 381, 1.22 and 19.6, respectively, whereas DO and COD improved from 161 and 48.4 to 276 and 19.6 respectively, most of which fell within WHO and US-EPA safe limits. Particularly, the added TOSE-AgNPs efficiently removed Pb (II) ions from the PW at temperatures between 25 ℃ to 50 ℃. Removal of TOSE-AgNPs occurred through the adsorption mechanism and was dependent contact time, temperature and dose of TOSE-AgNPs added. Optimal remediation was achieved with 0.5 g/L TOSE-AgNPs at 30 ℃ after 5 h contact time. Adsorption of Pb (Ⅱ) ions on TOSE-AgNPs was spontaneous and physical in nature with remediation efficiency of over 82% of the Pb (Ⅱ) ions in solution. Instead of discarding the stem of Telfairia occidentalis, it can be extracted and prepared into a new material and applied in the oilfield as reported here for the first time.

The research issue at hand pertains to the intricate mechanisms of state regulation that govern the economy of Kazakhstan, particularly in the context of the international sanctions that have been instituted by the nations comprising the Eurasian Economic Union. In order to thoroughly investigate this complex subject matter, this scholarly paper employs a variety of sophisticated methodologies grounded in bibliometric analyses of the most recent 90 academic papers that focus on the various mechanisms of state regulation pertinent to the economic landscape of Kazakhstan. As a subsequent phase in this research endeavor, the modeling of higher-order moments is undertaken with the express aim of delineating the multifaceted ramifications that stem from a singular and isolated perturbation affecting one of the key variables encapsulated within the higher-order moments model. This detailed analytical approach facilitates an in-depth exploration of both the immediate outcomes and the subsequent values of the endogenous variables that are under scrutiny. The innovative aspect of this article’s findings lies in the comprehensive analysis dedicated to the state regulation of Kazakhstan’s economy, which is significantly influenced by the international sanctions that have been imposed by member countries of the Eurasian Economic Union. The outcomes of this research provide a methodical and scientifically rigorous framework for understanding the overarching system of state regulation, which is of paramount importance for cultivating sustainable development within the socio-economic dynamics that characterize the nation of Kazakhstan.