Handwritten Text Recognition (HTR) is a challenging task in computer vision and the presence of crossed-out words in handwritten documents significantly impacts the recognition process. In this study, we first analyze the performance of three HTR methods on seven types of cross-outs. We compared HTR models based on Convolutional Recurrent Neural Networks (CRNN), Sequence-to-Sequence (Seq2Seq) architectures, and a Character Spotting (CSpot) approach. We then investigate two strategies to improve recognition of crossed-out words. The first explores improving the HTR models’ performance on different styles of cross-outs by adding crossed-out samples to the training data. The second explores improving HTR model performance by using a cross-out removal method to clean the handwriting. For our experiments, we use word images from the IAM dataset with synthesized cross-outs, as well as a newly created handwritten word image dataset with real cross-outs. The results show that both strategies significantly improve recognition accuracy; however, the best strategy depends on the context. CSpot performed better when trained with crossed-out samples. Cross-out cleaning works best for CRNN and Seq2Seq architectures, but the data requirement to implement this for real collections means it might not be practical for use. Datasets and code will be publicly available.

This study presents a comprehensive framework for evaluating seismic resilience of old Reinforced Concrete (RC) buildings using YouSimulator, an urban earthquake platform enabling macroscopic modeling and analysis of large-scale building regions through nonlinear time-history analysis. The framework estimates resilience curves by calculating key post-earthquake metrics: building damage states, repair/retrofitting costs, workforce demand, Construction & Demolition Waste (CDW), recovery time and CO2 emissions, providing a holistic measure of urban vulnerability and post-retrofit gains. It was applied to 1,252 old RC buildings in central Thessaloniki, Greece, under three earthquake scenarios (frequent, design, and rare). Frequent earthquakes cause minor structural damage but high repair costs, reducing functionality (load-bearing capacity) by 11.9% with two-year recovery and 1,500 workers; post-repair functionality improvement is negligible (0.3%). Design-level earthquakes cause major damage without collapse, reducing functionality by 26.6%, with repair and retrofitting costs averaging 22.4% of replacement value, about five-year recovery and 2,500 workers; retrofitting improves functionality slightly (11.9%). In extreme cases, CDW reaches 290,698 tons, generating 57,558 tons of CO₂. Rare earthquakes cause catastrophic losses (>50% functionality), collapses, and recovery exceeding 12 years with 2,500 workers. CDW management becomes critical, averaging 537,680 tons and about 21.8 months for disposal, with peaks at 936,364 tons generating 185,400 tons of CO₂, comparable to the 2023 Turkey-Syria earthquake. Post-repair and retrofitting can increase city’s functionality up to 46.5% over pre-event conditions. The framework provides a robust tool for citywide seismic assessment, enabling decision-makers to identify vulnerable buildings, evaluate resilience, allocate resources and strengthen urban preparedness.

In metalloenzymes, precise control of metal–metal distance and coordination environment enables challenging catalytic transformations. This often involves hydrogen bonding in the second coordination sphere. Although many homogeneous systems aim to mimic these features, the capture and characterization of transient coordination events remains a challenge. Exploring the first di-iron complex of the rotationally flexible dinucleating ligand 1,1′,5,5′,6,6′-hexamethyl-4,4′-bis(picolinimino)-2,2′-bibenzimidazole, report an unexpected, entropy-driven ligand-exchange equilibrium which we describe by means of variable temperature studies in solution, key species fully structurally characterized in crystallo, and a mechanistic study in silico. This comprehensive experimental and computational characterization of the ligand and complex revealed how the central C–C bond enables adaptation to different metal–metal distances. Cooling a methanol solution of the complex induces a color change from green to blue which is attributed to the reversible substitution of chlorido ligands by methanol. Density functional theory calculations suggest that this ligand exchange is driven by the change in entropy inherent to the reduction of temperature. Under controlled conditions, electrochemical analysis reveals two accessible redox events: a fully reversible redox process at −0.05 V vs Fc/Fc⁺ and a series of irreversible reduction reactions at more negative potentials. The resemblance of these redox features with those in established iron catalysts highlights the potential of this system to support catalytic transformations under certain conditions.

Background: Therapeutic alliance is an important aspect of psychotherapy and has been associated with treatment outcomes, but less is known about how it is experienced and maintained in guided internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy (iCBT), particularly when treatment concerns persistent physical symptoms such as non-cardiac chest pain (NCCP). This study explored how participants in an 8-week guided iCBT programme for NCCP experienced the therapeutic alliance, and how their accounts related to established alliance models.

Methods: This qualitative interview study was conducted alongside a randomised controlled trial evaluating an eight-week guided iCBT programme for adults with NCCP and cardiac anxiety. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 22 participants who had completed the programme. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis informed by Bordin’s model of therapeutic alliance, while remaining open to inductive theme development. Descriptive statistics were used to summarise participant characteristics.

Results: The analysis generated three themes. First, agreement on goals and tasks was shaped by whether participants experienced the programme as personally relevant and whether treatment tasks could be balanced between fit and challenge. Second, the emotional bond between participant and therapist was supported by timely, attuned, and appropriately calibrated written feedback, although participants differed in their preferred level of emotional closeness and professional distance. Third, acceptability of the digital medium for collaboration encompassed the delivery format, the online platform, and the treatment content. Across themes, participants described alliance in the digital context as shaped by processes of negotiation in which therapist responsiveness helped them make sense of the treatment rationale, manage strain, and sustain engagement.

Conclusions: In guided internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy for non-cardiac chest pain, therapeutic alliance appeared to depend not only on agreement about goals, tasks, and emotional bond, but also on the acceptability of the digital medium through which collaboration occurred. The findings suggest that therapists delivering text-based internet interventions may need to actively calibrate task demands, relational tone, and symptom explanations to support engagement and collaboration.

Trial registration: This qualitative study was conducted within the registered parent trial: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06136494; registered on November 13, 2023.

We examine the impact of temperature shocks on the saving behaviour of rural households in Ethiopia. Two rounds of survey data and time-series temperature data from Climate Engine/Terra Climate are used for this analysis. We find that the probability of household saving falls following an increase in temperature anomalies, measured by standardized deviations, and this impact is channelled through time and risk preferences. More specifically, temperature shocks increase risk-taking and impatience, both of which are linked to a reduced probability of saving. As a result, preserving long-term welfare requires the promotion of commitment-based saving instruments, including saving mechanisms with automatic deductions at harvest time. Our heterogeneity analysis demonstrates that, compared to their counterparts, poor households’ saving behaviour and those without credit access are more affected by temperature shocks. Therefore, policies aimed at mitigating the adverse effects of climate change on household financial outcomes, such as saving, should prioritize these groups.

Chitosan-based coatings can be effectively used for tailoring degradation profiles of biomedical magnesium alloys. In this work, chitosan-phosphate coordinated coatings were for the first time deposited on WE43 magnesium alloy by the electrophoretic deposition approach. Scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy were employed to characterize the surface morphology and composition of the coatings, along with dynamic and classical electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were used to evaluate initial stages of their degradation profiles in Hank’s solution. The results demonstrated that incorporation of small amounts of phosphate ions into the chitosan matrix significantly modified the morphology of the coatings and improved their short- and long-time corrosion resistance, with impedance values up 2.0–3.5 times higher than in the case of phosphate-free coatings. Phosphate ions also contributed to the formation of a thin conversion phosphate layer on the surface of Mg substrate during the deposition of the coatings, which also plays important role on corrosion resistance. Obtained results allowed to propose detailed deposition and corrosion mechanisms of the obtained coatings.

Freezing can notably alter the cutting behaviour of wood, yet quantifying its influence is challenging due to variability in wood properties and the interplay of factors such as moisture content (MC), temperature and density. This study uses a tightly controlled design to isolate the effect of freezing on cutting forces of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) in green state. Heartwood and sapwood were analysed separately due to their distinct MC, at four temperature levels: -20C, and −10C, 0C, amd 20C. A data-driven machine-learning approach, combined with SHAP analysis and partial dependence plots, was used to identify and interpret the most influential variables on main cutting force. Results show that heartwood at 30% MC is only slightly affected by freezing, whereas sapwood at over 150% exhibits a pronounced drop in friction between 0 and −10C as free water freezes. This phase change alters the cutting mechanism, reducing friction but increasing resistance when cutting through ice and the ice–wood composite, with the net effect depending on uncut chip thickness. These findings provide mechanistic insight into temperature-dependent cutting behaviour and inform optimisation of sawing strategies for frozen logs in industrial practice

The adoption of IEC 61850 standards in digital substations represents a major step toward interoperability, flexibility, and intelligent grid operation. However, the stringent latency and jitter requirements defined by the standard restrict the use of conventional wireless communication technologies. Although fifth-generation (5G) communication networks offer significant improvements in bandwidth and reliability, their ability to meet IEC 61850 protection performance requirements remains limited even under typical operating conditions.

This paper presents an investigation aimed at enabling reliable protection scheme performance over 5G networks. Real-world measured data of latency and jitter from a 5G standalone (SA) network have been utilized in a detailed simulation model to analyze the influence of various parameters on protection performance. The results identify specific threshold adaptations and configuration strategies required to achieve acceptable protection operation within the 5G communication framework. The findings provide practical insights toward adapting IEC 61850 for future wireless digital substations while ensuring compliance with protection reliability requirements.

Wood is a biobased material that supports long-term carbon storage; however, its suitability for use in healthcare facility interiors remains insufficiently studied. This study assessed surface microbial dynamics and residual diversity in patient rooms with conventional painted wall materials and with designer wooden wall panels. Surface microbial dynamics were evaluated using adenosine triphosphate (ATP) measurements and the swab method with colony-forming unit (CFU) counting. Bacterial and fungal cultures from each patient room were analysed by Sanger sequencing. No significant differences in ATP levels or microbial quantities were observed between rooms. In addition, no correlation was observed between ATP levels and CFU counts within each patient room due to methodological differences. In total, 37 microbial species (24 bacterial and 13 fungal) from 23 genera, all belonging to risk groups 1 and 2, were identified. Significant differences in microbial biodiversity were observed among the patient rooms studied. Fewer unique taxa were detected in the room with wooden walls. This study suggests that the installation of wooden wall panels was not associated with increased surface microbial contamination or altered microbial dynamics under the conditions investigated. The findings support the careful consideration of wood as a finishing material in hospital facilities, while highlighting the need for further replicated studies to confirm these observations.

Circular economy policy has largely been designed and evaluated as though its effects were spatially neutral, despite growing evidence that circular activity depends on agglomeration conditions that are unevenly distributed across regions. The present perspective develops a conceptual framework linking circular economy policy to the geography of agglomeration economies. Drawing on research on agglomeration economies and regional development, the paper argues that regions differ substantially in their capacity to transform circular obligations into productive outcomes. The analysis contributes to emerging debates on the geography of the green transition and highlights the importance of place-sensitive approaches to circular economy policy.

Background:The transition of social health care tools from paper-based to web-based formats is increasingly common in social and health care settings. While digital delivery may improve accessibility, flexibility, and scalability, such transitions require careful adaptation of content, design, and workflows. However, evidence on how these transitions are carried out in practice, and which challenges and strategies are involved, remains fragmented.

Objective:This scoping review aimed to map how social health care tools have transitioned from paper-based to web-based formats and to synthesize evidence on tool characteristics and target groups, adaptations made during the transition, strategies and methodologies used, and reported challenges and solutions.

Methods:A scoping review was conducted following the Arksey and O’Malley framework. Systematic searches were performed in PubMed, PsycINFO, Scopus, and Web of Science to identify English-language empirical studies describing the transition of social health care tools from paper-based to web-based formats. Social health care tools were defined as technologies supporting communication, reflection, or informed decision-making among patients, family caregivers, and/or health care professionals. Two reviewers independently screened studies and extracted data using a standardized form. Targeted gray literature searches were conducted to supplement missing information about the included tools. Findings were synthesized narratively and presented in tables.

Results:Eleven tools were included. Most were delivered as web-based platforms (n=8), with additional tools delivered as mobile apps (n=2) or in a game-based format (n=1). The tools targeted diverse populations, including people with chronic or life-limiting conditions, family caregivers, adolescents, parents, pregnant women, and health care professionals. Reported reasons for transitioning to digital formats included improving accessibility and reach (n=7), enhancing user engagement through interactive features (n=5), and increasing efficiency or scalability (n=3). Across tools, core content was largely retained, while adaptations mainly focused on format and delivery, such as multimedia elements, interactive modules, tailored feedback, and usability improvements. User-centered and participatory design approaches were commonly reported, sometimes combined with iterative or agile development methods. Common challenges included usability issues, low engagement, technical integration difficulties, administrative delays, and resource constraints, with solutions focusing on iterative redesign, clearer instructions, increased interactivity, and hybrid paper-digital approaches.

Conclusions:This scoping review examines the process of transitioning social health care tools from paper-based to web-based formats, rather than focusing solely on effectiveness outcomes. It synthesizes how adaptations are made, which strategies are used, and which challenges arise during digitalization. The findings identify common adaptation patterns and gaps in reporting, particularly regarding target group–specific design and equity considerations. These insights may support developers, researchers, and policymakers in planning more usable, inclusive, and context-sensitive digital transitions in social and health care settings.

This article focuses on gendered organizational structures in the Swedish mining industry, drawing on empirical material from interviews with 16 senior managers. Understanding these managers as occupying a position of “firstness” in an industry recognized for its economic and geopolitical value for Sweden, the article analyzes managers’ accounts of gender, exploring how they describe and make sense of gender (in)equality and gendered practices in organizational settings. The article contributes empirically to previous research on how gender inequality in mining is framed as a question of numerical imbalance and organizational performance, and theoretically by demonstrating how gendered power relations are reproduced through discursive distancing. In managers’ narratives, awareness of gender does not necessarily translate into a constructive critique of, or challenges to, gendered organizational structures and male dominance. Instead, awareness of gender as “an issue” may function as a discursive resource through which men distance themselves from problematic masculinities while leaving the underlying structures intact.

This article presents a study that applies Laban’s Effort theory to detect a musician’s expressive intentions during performance. Laban Effort theory was chosen for its capacity to support the observation, description, and interpretation of expressive movement. The aim was to develop interactive musical systems that learn from the embodied expressivity musicians cultivate through practice. The study adopts a multidisciplinary approach, combining Laban Motion Analysis with interactive machine learning. Gesture data, audio, and video were recorded during a performance of Brahms’s Clarinet Sonata Op. 120 No. 2. The video was then analysed by an expert annotator observing Laban Efforts. The annotated video was then reviewed in collaboration with the performer to incorporate Effort Phrasing that reflects changes in intensity within Efforts. The annotations were then used as training data, together with motion data recorded during the performance, to train a regression model. The model was evaluated against expert annotations and through qualitative video analysis. Unlike the very linear notation of a Laban analyst, the model reflects the dynamism of human motion by capturing the almost humanly unobservable nuances in Effort variations. This points to the possibility of using machine learning models to reflect a performer’s expressive intentions in real-time.

Background:Few children achieve the recommended daily levels of physical activity. Active school transportation (AST) offers a valuable opportunity to increase children’s physical activity. Initiatives promoting AST in early childhood are important and have the potential to reverse the decline in physical activity.

Objective:This study protocol outlines an age-cohort design to evaluate the effectiveness of the Sustainable Innovation for Children Transporting Actively (SICTA) intervention on children’s AST.

Methods:SICTA is a 4-week school-based intervention that incorporates gamification elements to enhance motivation and aims to increase AST in children. The intervention involves children and their parents as gatekeepers, as well as teachers delivering the intervention. All children, parents, and teachers in all schools, from grades 4 to 6 in one municipality in the southern part of Sweden, will be invited to participate in the evaluation. Following the age-cohort design, students at baseline (late fall 2024) will be compared with students of the same age from the same schools 1 year later at follow-up (late fall 2025) after receiving the intervention (implemented in late fall 2025). Using questionnaires at baseline and follow-up, this study will examine the effects of the intervention on children’s levels of AST. Children’s independent mobility and several mediators related to AST in both children and parents, based on the theory of planned behavior, the transtheoretical model of change, and self-determination theory, will also be examined. The intervention will also be evaluated from a sustainable perspective using the sustainable value equation. At follow-up, data collection will include a questionnaire for teachers assessing the feasibility of the intervention.

Results:The project is funded for the period 2024-2026, and follow-up data collection is ongoing following completion of the intervention in late fall 2025. Results will be reported according to the predefined outcomes, including changes in AST, children’s independent mobility, psychosocial determinants among children and parents, and sustainability outcomes, as well as feasibility.

Conclusions:The findings are expected to provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of the SICTA intervention, facilitating knowledge dissemination among end users and policymakers.

The northern Norrbotten ore province, situated within the Fennoscandian Shield, constitutes a major metallogenic domain in Europe and hosts more than 40 iron oxide-apatite (IOA) deposits, including the Kiirunavaara deposit, the type locality for this deposit type. Although extensive mapping, geochemical, geochronological, and structural studies have refined the conceptual understanding of IOA systems at deposit and district scales, a fully integrated three-dimensional framework that synthesizes this knowledge with regional geological and geophysical datasets has not yet been developed. This study presents an integrated 3D model of the northern Norrbotten ore province that incorporates lithological, structural, and petrophysical constraints with inversions of magnetic and gravity data, as well as available magnetotelluric conductivity models. The geological models delineate the architecture of intrusive suites, supracrustal belts, crustal-scale shear zones, and subordinate brittle–ductile second-order structures, implemented in a voxel-based domain for quantitative spatial integration. Mafic to ultramafic intrusions previously linked locally to IOA genesis are consistently coincident with high-density, magnetically anomalous domains and spatially associated with vertically extensive electrical conductors. These features are interpreted as the upper-crustal expression of a deeper transcrustal conduit system that facilitated magma ascent, fluid migration, and heat transfer. IOA deposits are located within second-order oblique structures intersecting or splaying from first-order structures, and their geometry and extent correlate with diagnostic magnetic signatures characterized by steep gradients, localized highs, and adjacent negative side lobes. These findings refine the metallogenic framework for IOA mineralization in the northern Norrbotten ore province and provide a robust 3D geoscientific basis for testing mineral system hypotheses.

To systematically investigate the precipitation and evolution mechanisms of MnS during the solidification of medium-carbon low-alloy steel, in-situ observation experiments using high temperature confocal laser scanning microscopy (HT-CLSM) were conducted. The effect of cooling rate (i.e., 50, 150, and 300 °C/min) in the solidification region on the dynamic precipitation behavior of MnS was performed. The obtained results show that the MnS precipitates mainly exhibit three typical morphologies, i.e., angular, globular, and dendritic after solidification. With the increasing cooling rate, the precipitation starting temperature (Tp,s) of dendritic MnS decreases from 1290.5 to 1235.7 °C, while the finishing temperature (Tp,f) increases from 1053.3 to 1135.6 °C, resulting in a shorter precipitation time. Meanwhile, higher cooling rates can suppress the growth kinetics of MnS, leading to a significant reduction in the maximum inclusion size from 143.3 to 37.3 μm, thereby achieving a pronounced grain refinement. In addition, the increased cooling rate can enhance the microsegregation of Mn and S elements, intensifies the supersaturation level and nucleation driving force of MnS, and consequently promotes an increase of MnS number density during the final stage of solidification. The obtained findings reveal the precipitation kinetics and morphology evolution mechanism of MnS during the solidification range of 1550 to 1400 °C, providing an important theoretical guidance for controlling sulfide precipitates during solidification as well as contribute to the “inclusion/precipitate engineering” concept.

This meta-analysis integrates data from 182 runoff events across 15 Swedish sites representing diverse land uses and seasonal conditions to identify and prioritize metals of concern in urban areas. Using a data-driven risk assessment, we compared concentrations and environmental risks of 20 metal(loid)s against international databases and regulatory thresholds, evaluating both acute and chronic effects while accounting for bioavailability for seven metals. Event- and site-level analyses revealed large temporal and spatial variability in concentrations and risks, reflecting differences in emission sources, land-use characteristics, and seasonal hydrological and physicochemical conditions. Spatially, “Parking/Road”, “Main Road/Highway”, and “Mixed Urban” catchments were the most influential for metal concentrations and associated risks. Seasonally, snowmelt was characterized by higher total concentrations and associated total-based acute/chronic risk quotients, primarily associated with elevated TSS and pH during snowmelt. In contrast, stormwater showed higher dissolved concentrations and potentially resulting in greater dissolved- and bioavailable-based risks during stormwater events. These contrasting pathways highlight the need for dynamic, chemistry-dependent management strategies, while acknowledging variabilities related to sampling approaches and regulatory thresholds. Overall, Zn, Cu, Al, Fe, and Co ranked as the highest-risk metals, followed by Mn, V, Ba, and Ni. Effective mitigation, therefore, requires site- and season-specific control through combining targeted source reduction, solids management, and treatment adapted to metal speciation and runoff chemistry.

Active school transportation (AST) can contribute substantially to children’s daily physical activity, yet AST has been declining. Social norms may influence parents’ decision-making. This study advances the understanding of normative beliefs by including motivation to comply and identification with the referent. The aim was first to describe parents’ normative beliefs about letting their child walk or cycle to school and second, to explore how these beliefs were associated with parents’ intentions. The descriptive and injunctive norm were moderate to relatively high among parents, whereas motivation to comply, identification with the referent, and the aggregated measures were low. Among these normative beliefs, only the descriptive norm was significantly associated with parents’ intentions in the final multivariable model. Interventions should emphasize social approval by making others’ behaviors visible, rather than focusing on parents conforming to social pressure.

Hybrid desalination processes have gained attention for overcoming limitations of conventional membrane desalination. Forward osmosis (FO) systems using thermo-responsive polymer draw solutions are considered promising. In this work, the feasibility for water recovery from a thermo-responsive block copolymer solution (PAGB2000) was investigated using pervaporation (PV) and nanofiltration (NF) membranes. Performance was evaluated on the basis of water flux and PAGB2000 retention. Experiments were conducted below and above the lower critical solution temperature of PAGB2000. Higher feed temperatures increased water flux for both PV and NF membranes, whereas PAGB2000 retention ranged from 98.0% to 99.6%. The results demonstrate the potential of both technologies for water recovery in hybrid FO systems.

Slip is a boundary condition in fluid mechanics, which is essential for understanding fluid behavior at solid–liquid interfaces. Although atomic force microscopy (AFM), especially the colloidal probe AFM (CP-AFM) technique, has been identified as a high-precision method for measuring the slip length, the results often show errors of several nanometers. To reveal the reasons behind this, in this work, the AFM slip length data reported in the literature were collected and analyzed to investigate the effects of factors, such as curvature, roughness, and velocity, on the determination of slip length. Subsequently, an error propagation analysis of the data processing using the original and simplified Vinogradova model was conducted quantitatively, together with further analysis of the interval choice. The results indicate that curvature, surface roughness, velocity, and data interval choice can all introduce significant discrepancies in the slip length, even for the same system. Moreover, both the original and simplified Vinogradova models exhibit an error-amplification trend during the slip-fitting process due to error propagation through intermediate variables such as separation, hydrodynamic force, velocity, etc. This error amplification represents a primary source of the substantial uncertainties observed in slip length determination. Subsequently, this work suggests alternatives, where (1) a resistance-based method using “hydrodynamic force/approach rate” instead of “approach rate/hydrodynamic force”, which converts the error-amplification trend into an error-attenuation trend; and (2) quantitatively determining the fitting interval using the Stribeck interval screening framework is suggested.

Sauna bathing is a culturally significant practice in Nordic countries and is increasingly recogniced as a multidimensional health-promoting behavior. Although its physiological benefits are well-documented, less is known why people engage in sauna bathing and how they perceive its contribution to health and well-being. To investigate why Swedish women and men engage in sauna bathing and to describe their perceptions of sauna bathing as a health-promoting practice. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using an online questionnaire completed by 588 regular sauna bathers (384 women and 204 men). The questionnaire included closed-ended items on health and sauna habits and open-ended questions exploring motivations for sauna bathing. Qualitative data were analysed using inductive thematic analysis, and quantitative data were analysed using descriptive and analytic statistics. Thematic analysis generated a conceptual model of sauna bathing as a health-promoting practice comprising four interconnected themes: mental recovery, social togetherness, purification and physical health. Mental recovery was the prominent motivation among women, whereas social togetherness ranked highest among men. Participants described sauna bathing as promoting relaxation, reflection, social connection, physical recovery, and a sense of cleanliness and renewal. Women reported significantly better perceived sleep quality and reduced perceived bodily pain following sauna bathing, whereas no corresponding significant changes were observed by men. Sauna bathing was perceived as a multidimensional health-promoting practice integrating psychological, social, cultural, and physical dimensions of health. The findings provide a conceptual understanding of why people engage in sauna bathing and support its potential role as a person-centered health promotion strategy. Prospective studies are needed to confirm these self-reported findings.

Rosin is a renewable, bio-based material widely used in industrial applications such as adhesives, coatings, inks, and polymer systems. Its complex composition, structural similarity of resin acids, and variability depending on source and processing conditions make its analytical characterization particularly challenging. This review provides a comprehensive and application-oriented overview of the analytical techniques used for rosin characterization, including spectroscopic, chromatographic, thermal, and advanced analytical methods. Particular attention is given to the selection of analytical techniques based on specific objectives, ranging from rapid quality control to detailed compositional and structural analysis. Spectroscopic methods such as FTIR and NMR enable functional group identification and structural elucidation, while chromatographic techniques, particularly GC–MS and HPLC, play a central role in compositional profiling. Thermal analysis techniques, including DSC, TGA, and pyrolysis-based approaches, provide complementary information on material behavior, degradation processes, and the characterization of complex systems. A key contribution of this review is the development of a decision-oriented framework that supports the selection and integration of analytical techniques. The complementary roles, strengths, and limitations of each method are critically evaluated, highlighting the need for multi-technique analytical strategies. In addition, the relationship between analytical results and industrial specifications is discussed, emphasizing the importance of standardization in translating analytical data into product quality and performance criteria.Finally, current challenges and future perspectives in rosin characterization are addressed, including the increasing relevance of advanced analytical techniques, chemometric approaches, and the need for updated standardization protocols. This review provides a structured and practical guide for both researchers and industry, supporting more effective characterization and utilization of rosin-based materials.

Time–temperature–transformation (TTT) diagrams are essential for defining processing windows in thermoset systems, but become experimentally impractical for nanofiller-containing compositions. Here, DGEBA/TETA-based epoxy systems containing graphene nanoplatelets (GN) or carbon nanotubes (CNT) (0–1 wt%) were investigated using DSC, rheological gelation, kinetic modeling, and machine-learning-assisted interpolation. Cure kinetics were described using a Kamal–Sourour model with diffusion control, combined with Di Benedetto vitrification analysis. Gel activation energies remained within 44–51 kJ·mol−1, and gelation occurred at αg≈0.70–0.88 for all formulations, confirming preservation of the intrinsic single-step autocatalytic epoxy–amine reaction mechanism. In contrast, CNT significantly intensified diffusion control, with log Kdiff decreasing from 5.00 (neat epoxy) to −3.93 (1 wt% CNT). TTT analysis showed that vitrification shift, rather than gel displacement, governs the compression of the compositional cure-time window. At 80°C, neat epoxy exhibited a post-gel processing window (Δt) of ~40–50 min, GN systems showed Δt ≈ 17–28 min, while 1 wt% CNT reduced Δt to ~5–9 min (≈60%–70% contraction). Machine-learning models accurately reproduced TTT slices (MAE = 0.050 log10[min]) and Δt predictions (MAE = 0.037 log10[min], ~9% deviation). This integrated framework converts discrete TTT measurements into continuous compositional cure maps for formulation design and processing optimization.

This review synthesizes current knowledge on water and soil pollution attributed to drainage of conventional rail transportation infrastructure (RTI) considered in three categories: (i) tracks and associated structures, (ii) rail yards, and (iii) passenger stations. Pollutants arise from rolling-stock operation, rainwater washoff of infrastructure materials, and maintenance. Resulting runoff can convey metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), oil and grease, and herbicides. Among metals, zinc is washed off from galvanized steel structures, whereas iron, copper, manganese, and chromium are largely generated by abrasion of rails, wheels, brakes, and overhead wires. PAHs originate in operation of diesel-powered units. Oil and grease loads reflect lubrication of wheel–rail interfaces, switches, and other mechanical components. Herbicides, and particularly glyphosate, remain a focal concern due to potential leaching to groundwater used for drinking water. Experimental evidence and regulatory reviews indicate that risks from glyphosate can be managed with careful applications and exclusion of sensitive zones. Spatially, the highest track-related pollution is typically confined to narrow corridors (< 20 m) running along tracks. Aside from localized exceedances (e.g., herbicides in groundwater immediately beneath tracks, or metals/PAHs in near-track soils), concentrations of pollutants in soils are commonly low. In contrast, rail yards are high-risk industrial sites, with stormwater requiring on-site treatment to prevent releases of petroleum hydrocarbons, metals, and other contaminants to surface water and groundwater. Large urban stations present retrofitting challenges, necessitating drainage upgrades and compliant integration with existing sewer systems. Overall, rails represent an environmentally efficient transport mode, which can be further improved by targeted source controls and site-appropriate stormwater management not interfering with track drainage.

Conventional food packaging materials are mainly derived from petroleum-based plastics, contributing significantly to environmental degradation, waste accumulation and resource depletion. Although several biodegradable alternatives have been investigated, a comprehensive understanding of microbial-derived biopolymers and their potential for sustainable food-packaging applications remains limited. Therefore, this review focuses on the physicochemical characteristics, production processes, and functional performance of key microbial-derived polymers used in sustainable food packaging. Bacterial cellulose, polylactic acid (PLA), polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), fungal mycelium, chitosan, alginate, agar, and xanthan gum are among the important biopolymers that are systematically discussed in this review. Advanced fabrication approaches such as microbial fermentation, electrospinning, and 3D printing are also examined for their role in enhancing material functionality and application potential.

The reviewed studies indicate that these biopolymers exhibited high biodegradability, mechanical strength, barrier properties, and antibacterial activity, contributing to improved food quality and shelf-life. However, challenges related to scale-up, cost competitiveness, material consistency, and regulatory approval remain significant obstacles to commercialization. In conclusion, further interdisciplinary research is required to address challenges related to production scalability, cost-effectiveness, and regulatory acceptance.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, and physical activity (PA) is central to secondary prevention. However, factors associated with PA among individuals with CVDs remain poorly understood, with few studies using accelerometer-based methods. This cross-sectional study examined the associations between accelerometer-measured PA and demographic, socioeconomic, lifestyle factors, and comorbidity in a large Swedish cohort of individuals with CVDs. Participants aged between 50 and 64 years with a confirmed diagnosis of angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, atrial fibrillation and flutter, heart failure, or stroke were included. Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity was measured using hip-worn triaxial accelerometers over seven consecutive days and categorized into tertiles of low, medium and high PA level. Demographic, socioeconomic, lifestyle factors, and comorbidities were assessed through questionnaires and registry data. Associations with PA levels were analyzed using multiple ordinal logistic regression. A total of 1,484 participants (32% women; median age 60.2 years) were included. Being in the oldest age group was significantly associated with lower odds of having a higher PA level (OR = 0.59; 95% CI [0.44, 0.77]), as well as female sex (OR = 0.73; 95% CI [0.59, 0.91]), regular/occasional smoking (OR = 0.37; 95% CI [0.26, 0.52]), and having one (OR = 0.61; 95% CI [0.48, 0.77]) or more comorbidities (OR = 0.45; 95% CI [0.30, 0.68]). A healthy diet was significantly associated with higher PA levels (OR = 1.84; 95% CI [1.46, 2.31]). Financial strain, level of education and alcohol consumption had no association with PA. Using data from a representative sample of middle-aged adults, the findings indicate that engagement in PA is primarily associated with lifestyle factors, demographic characteristics, and comorbidity. These identified characteristics may inform future research aimed at CVD populations with low PA. Further research should investigate mediating and moderating pathways to clarify how these factors influence PA.

The effect of stimulus context on carbon footprint judgments was examined through two competing hypotheses: the assimilation hypothesis, which predicts estimates are drawn toward the surrounding context, and the contrast hypothesis, which predicts they are repelled from it. Participants judged centrally presented target items while exposed to a peripheral surrounding stimulus context that varied in both item number and carbon footprint valence – represented by coloured eco-labels (yellow for high carbon, green for low carbon, and grey for unspecified carbon). Across three experiments, judgments were influenced by the context, with estimates shifting toward the context valence: increasing in a yellow (high carbon) context and decreasing in a green (low carbon) context. These findings supported the assimilation hypothesis over the contrast hypothesis. However, there was some variability in how contextual information was integrated into judgments, and we investigated how assimilation/contrast effects can be influenced by manipulating perceived target-context commonality. 

The Passa Quatro Alkaline Complex (PQAC), located in the central segment of the Cabo Frio Magmatic Lineament (southeastern Brazil), is related to Late Cretaceous–Eocene rifting associated with the final stages of Gondwana breakup. This complex hosts lateritic bauxite deposits developed over alkaline lithologies under tropical weathering conditions. To investigate the internal structure of this lateritic system, a high-resolution audio-magnetotelluric (AMT) survey was conducted using eight closely spaced stations (50 m spacing), integrated with magnetic, gravity, and radiometric data. The AMT results define three main geoelectrical domains: a shallow conductive layer associated with bauxite and colluvial materials; an intermediate resistive unit corresponding to the gneissic basement; and a deeper moderately conductive zone interpreted as fractured quartz–biotite schist affected by fluid circulation. The alkaline complex itself is primarily constrained by magnetic, gravity, and radiometric signatures. The integrated interpretation indicates that the alkaline massif acted as the primary source of aluminum-rich material, later weathered, mobilized, and redeposited along the slope. In addition, the magmatic setting may have contributed to rare earth element (REE) enrichment within the bauxitic profile. These results provide new insights into the architecture and formation of lateritic bauxite deposits over alkaline terrains, highlighting the combined roles of magmatism, weathering, and geomorphological processes, as well as their implications for REE mineralization.

Ferrochrome slag (FCS), a by-product of ferrochrome production, is a largely underutilized industrial residue with strong potential as a supplementary cementitious material (SCM) to reduce clinker demand and support sustainable construction. While FCS has been widely studied as an aggregate and in geopolymer systems, research on its application as a SCM is scarce, and no study has systematically examined how cooling practices, crystalline phases, and glass structure together govern its pozzolanic reactivity. This study investigates the relationships between cooling rate, glass structure, crystalline phase content, and pozzolanic reactivity in FCS. Industrial slag samples cooled by either water granulation or ambient air, were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD) with Rietveld refinement, scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), thermodynamic modeling (FactSage), and isothermal calorimetry-based R3 testing. To isolate phase-specific effects, spinel (A(II)B(III)2O4; MgAl2O4-type) and forsterite (A(II)2C(IV)O4; Mg2SiO4-type olivine) samples were synthesized and tested under the same R3 framework. For the studied ferrochrome slag system, results show that water-granulated slags contain higher amorphous content and more depolymerized glass networks, leading to enhanced pozzolanic activity, whereas spinel and forsterite behave as essentially inert phases. This study systematically quantifies the effects of crystalline phases in FCS and demonstrates that glass chemistry and network depolymerization are as influential as the amorphous fraction in controlling pozzolanic reactivity, highlighting that both the quantity and structure of the glass phase govern slag performance. These findings provide a clear understanding of the factors controlling FCS pozzolanic reactivity and offer practical guidance on slag processing to enhance its performance, supporting its potential use as a sustainable SCM in low-carbon concrete.

Cognitive workload plays a critical role in human performance during complex problem solving and decision making, particularly in machine-assisted environments where excessive workload can degrade efficiency and increase fatigue. This study presents a computational approach for analyzing and classifying cognitive workload from electroencephalography signals by jointly modeling behavioral, neural, and computational characteristics of cognitive processes. The proposed method integrates spectral–spatial feature extraction, functional connectivity modeling, and temporal sequence learning within a unified deep learning framework to capture complementary aspects of brain dynamics. Experimental evaluation is conducted on brain signal data collected from participants performing Arithmetic and Sudoku tasks under varying difficulty levels and assistance conditions. The results demonstrate that the proposed method achieves high classification accuracy (92.3% for Arithmetic and 90.8% for Sudoku) and consistently outperforms strong baseline models. In addition, the analysis reveals that increasing task difficulty leads to degraded performance and increased cognitive demand, while assistance helps restore performance and reduce perceived workload. These findings highlight the effectiveness of the proposed approach for cognitive workload monitoring and its potential for supporting adaptive machine-assisted systems.

The realization of future holographic technologies, including extended reality, the Internet of Things, and autonomous transportation, enabled by next-generation telecommunications, demands sustainable, advanced components capable of operating at sub-terahertz (sub-THz) frequencies. Herein, fully bio-based Fresnel zone plate (FZP) lenses are fabricated as high-performance focusing elements for the sub-THz range using wood-derived cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) and biocarbon (BC) microparticles. The integration of mechanically robust, low dielectric loss CNF network with BC (0–50 wt.%) yields CNF–BC composite films exhibiting tunable thickness, electrical conductivity, and dielectric response, as well as stable structural integrity across a wide range of humidity and temperature conditions. At moderate BC loadings (5–10 wt.%), high tensile strength (>70 MPa) and enhanced ductility (>9%) are preserved, while controlled increases in permittivity and conductivity are achieved without compromising the low dielectric loss required for efficient sub-THz operation. Nested nine-ring FZP lenses constructed from laser-patterned CNF–BC integrated with ultralight CNF aerogel substrates deliver excellent focusing performance. Simulated and experimental results demonstrate high directivities exceeding 30 dBi at 0.3 THz, with gains comparable to or surpassing those of geometrically identical metallic lenses under low-gain waveguide excitation. The CNF–BC composites provide a scalable and sustainable platform for high-performance sub-THz electromagnetic applications.

Conventional coating-load optimization for bamboo finishing is commonly guided by film build or whole-surface adhesion, which may obscure local weak regions in structurally heterogeneous flattened bamboo. To address this limitation, this study proposes a region-aware and weak-zone-oriented coating-load selection framework for flattened bamboo panels using a fixed one-primer–one-topcoat waterborne acrylic system. Four representative regions, namely outer-node, outer-internode, inner-node, and inner-internode regions, were coated at 60, 80, and 100 g·m⁻². Dry film thickness (DFT), cross-cut adhesion, pull-off strength, substrate flexural properties, SEM observations, and comparative finite-element analysis were integrated to clarify how coating load regulates film formation, adhesion response, and interfacial stress development across structural regions. The mean DFT increased from 50.61 μm at 60 g·m⁻² to 60.77 μm at 100 g·m⁻², but this increase was not proportional to the nominal coating-load increase and did not lead to a linear adhesion improvement. Pull-off strength was significantly affected by structural region and by the interaction between structural region and coating load. The inner-internode region showed a non-monotonic response, increasing from 0.11 ± 0.03 MPa at 60 g·m⁻² to 0.47 ± 0.07 MPa at 80 g·m⁻² and decreasing to 0.22 ± 0.05 MPa at 100 g·m⁻². Finite-element analysis further indicated that the experimentally weakest region did not correspond to the highest simulated interfacial shear stress; instead, adhesion sensitivity was governed by the combined effects of local stiffness, porous interfacial structure, coating build, and deformation compatibility. Within the investigated range, 80 g·m⁻² was identified as a weak-zone-oriented balanced load rather than a universal optimum, improving adhesion in the structurally sensitive inner-internode region while avoiding the greater thickness variability and stress-transfer demand associated with 100 g·m⁻². This work shifts coating-load optimization from average-performance maximization toward structurally informed weak-zone control, providing a practical basis for value-added finishing of flattened bamboo panels.

The purpose of this study is to examine awareness about and preferences for avoiding PFAS in different consumer products, exemplified by frying pans, outdoor leisure pants and sunscreen. Survey data is collected via a web panel to a representative sample of 2010 individuals living in Sweden. Individual differences in awareness are measured through a short quiz that were answered before the survey questions were introduced, in which respondents were asked to indicate which products that they believe may contain PFAS (in a list of ten different consumer products that all may contain PFAS). Binary logit and mixed logit models are applied to analyse whether respondents reporting that they use these products are willing to pay a higher price for PFAS-free versions. The results indicate that the choice for a PFAS-free product is affected by prior awareness in the case of frying pans and sunscreen. It is further evident that the convenient function of wind- and water resistance is valued highly for outdoor pants. Nevertheless, the relatively high WTPs for avoiding PFAS in all studied consumer products signal to companies whose products contain PFAS to search for alternative and less harmful substances. In other words, our results indicate that it can be profitable to stop using PFAS in manufacturing and clearly signal this to consumers.

Gauge-mediated supersymmetry-breaking models provide a strong motivation to search for a supersymmetric partner of the tau lepton (stau) with a macroscopic lifetime. Long-lived stau decays produce tau leptons that are displaced from the primary proton-proton interaction vertex, leading to an unconventional signature. This paper presents a search for the direct production of long-lived staus decaying within the CMS tracker volume in proton-proton collisions at √s = 13TeV, performed for the first time with an identification algorithm based on a graph neural network dedicated to displaced tau leptons. The data sample, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 138 fb−1, was recorded with the CMS experiment at the CERN LHC between 2016 and 2018. This search excludes, at 95% confidence level, stau masses, m∼_τ, in the 126–260 (90–425) GeV range for a proper decay length of 50 mm in the maximally mixed (mass-degenerate) scenario, while for m∼τ = GeV, stau proper decay lengths are excluded in the range 21–94 (6–333) mm. These results improve the exclusion limits compared to previous searches, and extend the parameter space explored in the context of supersymmetry.

Hierarchically porous carbon aerogels offer significant potential for next-generation energy storage, yet controlling their structure and electrolyte infiltration remains a key challenge. Here, we develop fully biobased carbon aerogels (CAs) derived from a lignin-cellulose nanocrystal blend via ice-templating and carbonization. The resulting anisotropic hierarchical porous structures are infused with poly(vinyl alcohol)-potassium hydroxide gel polymer electrolyte to form semi-solid composite electrodes. Time-resolved synchrotron X-ray microtomography enables direct visualization of structural evolution during carbonization and three-dimensional electrolyte infiltration. Image-based pore-scale modeling performed directly on reconstructed synchrotron X-ray tomographic volumes reveals how the real hierarchical pore network governs gel electrolyte distribution, accessible porosity, and ion transport pathways. The results show that aligned and interconnected pore networks enable deep, uniform electrolyte penetration, reduce transport tortuosity, and increase electrochemically active volume. The structure-transport-performance relationship is validated by electrochemical testing of symmetric supercapacitors, demonstrating stable capacitance and reduced internal resistance. This work establishes a concept for renewable porous carbon electrodes and introduces a scalable CA-gel electrolyte system for high-performance solid-state energy storage.

Thermal runaway during cure limits robust process design for thick composite laminates, especially when shell curvature and non-uniform heat transfer alter local heat removal. We present a semi-analytical framework for estimating safe curing limits in curved composite shells by reducing the three-dimensional thermo-kinetic problem to a locally one-dimensional through-thickness stability problem evaluated pointwise over the mid-surface. The resulting criterion is expressed in terms of a critical Damköhler number and separates geometry and boundary heat transfer, represented by a stability factor depending on principal curvatures and Biot numbers, from chemistry and processing temperature, represented by Arrhenius scaling and an effective kinetic factor. The geometry-dependent stability factor is obtained from a nonlinear boundary-value problem and represented by compact differentiable response surfaces for symmetric and asymmetric boundary conditions. Validation against fully coupled transient simulations confirms the predicted separation over the investigated parameter range. A complementary analytical and quasi-three-dimensional flux-ratio assessment shows that lateral heat transport remains small for the representative smooth shell geometries studied, with strongly anticlastic regions providing the most restrictive cases. The framework enables rapid curvature-based stability sweeps, identification of critical locations, estimation of safe thickness limits, and practical screening of cure-cycle modifications without full three-dimensional simulation.

The production cross sections of the Υ(1S), Υ(2S), and Υ(3S) mesons are measured in proton-proton collisions at √s = 13.6TeV, using a data sample collected in 2022 by the CMS experiment and corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 37.4 fb−1. The measurement is performed in the µ+µ− decay channels, differentially as a function of transverse momentum in the 20–200GeV range, in the |y| < 0.6 and 0.6 < |y| < 1.2 rapidity intervals.

Access to and benefits from social housing programs in Tirana, Albania, have remained a significant challenge for the most vulnerable families, particularly women. In this context, the present study was conducted to assess the accessibility and relevance of social housing programs in the Municipality of Tirana. Tirana was selected because it is the largest municipality in Albania in terms of population, administrative resources, and the number of applicants to social housing programs. The study employed a qualitative research methodology. A total of 78 participants were involved in the assessment, and primary data were collected through 29 semi-structured interviews with women applicants and representatives of the municipal administration. The findings indicate that only limited measures have been taken to address the needs of citizens. Access to social housing services remains highly restricted, especially for women-headed households and women who are survivors of domestic violence. Participants perceived access to these programs as very low due to insufficient information, complex bureaucratic procedures, limited support from municipal officials throughout the application process, and the costs associated with obtaining the required documentation. Furthermore, only one of the six existing social housing programs was found to be partially relevant to the needs of women-headed households and survivors of domestic violence. Based on these findings, recommendations were developed at both the national and local levels. These include improvements to legislation and regulations, increased assistance from municipal officials throughout the application process, and the development of a more responsive and inclusive system that better addresses the specific needs and circumstances of women.

China’s ongoing Tianwen-2 mission will return samples from a small, rapidly spinning Earth quasi-satellite (469219) Kamoʻoalewa. Previous studies linked Kamoʻoalewa to lunar composition and origin. Here, we propose another scenario. We reanalyze the reflectance spectrum of Kamoʻoalewa and obtain an absorption band center at 1.001 ± 0.028 μm (error is 1σ), consistent with LL chondrites. We then conduct space weathering experiments on meteorites and find that highly space-weathered LL chondrite powder (but not slab) successfully reproduces the reflectance spectrum of Kamoʻoalewa. We further trace the dynamical origin of Kamoʻoalewa and find that it probably originated from the ν6 secular resonance, and more specifically, the Flora family. Kamoʻoalewa exhibits a similar composition to Itokawa and 7 objects in the Flora family, but with a higher degree of space weathering. We, therefore, propose that Kamoʻoalewa probably originated from the Flora family and developed an Itokawa-compositional, more space-weathered, fine-regolith-dominated surface.

Construction sites remain a sparse source of digital information, even though up-to-date knowledge of site conditions underpin planning, progress control, and safety. This paper contributes a field-grounded roadmap toward frequent robotic digitalization of construction sites. It shifts attention from robotic capture capability to the capture-to-consumption chain required for operational use and treats organizational consumption as the primary driver of digitalization frequency. The roadmap is presented as a hypothesis rather than a validated finding and is grounded in a longitudinal embedded single-case study of a large, multi-year renovation project in Sweden. The study included weekly inspections during periods over two years using a quadruped uncrewed ground vehicle (UGV), comparison sprints with helmet-mounted capture, and a test of BIM-anchored digital site utilization plan (SUP) revision. No operational frequency target was aimed for or achieved. Instead, the study aimed to identify capabilities and constraints that must be addressed and tested to enable such operation. In particular, the paper proposes the SUP as a bidirectional interface that both receives robot-derived revisions and provides machine-readable routes, constraints, and reporting requirements for robotic operation.

Turbulent flow around well-submerged, wall-mounted obstacles has been widely studied, but the effects of low relative submergence on the flow field remain less understood. While submergence effects have been examined in experiments, uncertainties persist in the three-dimensional flow characteristics around large obstacles, particularly regarding its role in shaping instream habitats and fish migration pathways. The complex flow generated by such obstacles plays a key ecological role in natural environments (e.g., rapids, tributaries), influencing sediment transport, refuge zones, and turbulence structures that affect aquatic species. However, volumetric time-resolved measurements covering the upstream, side, and wake regions remain scarce. To examine the impact of submergence on the flow field, this study conducts laboratory flume experiments employing 3D Lagrangian particle tracking to assess two submergence levels around a wall-mounted cube. The response of key mean flow parameters, including streamwise and vertical velocities, as well as the production of turbulent kinetic energy, was examined, and time-resolved flow fields were analyzed using power spectra and proper orthogonal decomposition. Major vortical structures around the cube, namely horseshoe and arch vortices, are identified and analyzed. The study reveals that variations in relative submergence and shallow flow conditions strongly influence the flow field, with lower relative submergence being associated with increased flow complexity. These variations affect flow structures that govern habitat formation and fish migration. The insights gained contribute to a better understanding of flow around large obstacles, supporting ecological engineering and habitat restoration efforts in shallow waterways.

Swedish public organizations have well-established processes for risk and vulnerability analyses when procuring software and applications, yet open access to applications categorized as enterprise social networking or online collaboration tools poses security risks. Security managers in those organizations are concerned about employees downloading without prior basic risk and vulnerability assessments. This behavior is attributed to employees’ lack of security knowledge rather than malicious intent. In response to this concern, the idea of supporting inexperienced employees was formulated as “better than nothing.” To investigate the idea, this pre-study examines whether an artificial intelligence (AI) assistant, in the form of a prototype called ProcuRAG, would fill the “nothing gap” by helping inexperienced employees apply a simple risk assessment through AI-generated summaries of extensive service-level agreement texts. The study uses an inductive approach, collecting qualitative data by having respondents, e.g., security managers and CISOs, discuss practice in relation to the prototype. Understanding respondents’ perceptions of the support an AI assistant would provide is central to the study, rather than the prototype’s technical features. The study suggests that an AI assistant like ProcuRAG can help raise security behavior, particularly by guiding users on the types of questions they need to answer. However, the study also indicates that an AI assistant could bypass the formal, established process, potentially reducing the organization’s control over which software or applications are downloaded and used.