Ozone-induced free polyamine response in scots pine in northern Finland

The study aimed to assess the ozone-induced response in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) needles by measuring free polyamine concentrations. An open-top chamber experiment with realistically elevated ozone concentrations was carried out in northern Finland. A carry-over effect was detected: the concentrations of free polyamines, especially putrescine, were decreased at the beginning of the next growing season in the ozone-exposed trees. This indicates that the free polyamine pathway was not activated by ozone stress in Scots pines in northern conditions.     

Wet oxidation of recalcitrant lignin water solutions: experimental and reaction kinetics

The purpose of the research was to study the behavior of lignin degradation under different conditions (T 110–190°C, pO₂ 0.5–1.5 MPa, pH 5, 9 and 12) and to develop a predictive model. Temperature increase improved lignin removal from 75% at 110°C to 100% at 190°C (experimental). Increasing the pH enhanced the lignin removal efficiency from 30 to 97% (experimental). The developed model predicted the lignin degradation and changes in COD, BOD and TOC. The model agreed well with the experimental data (R ² = 0.93 at pH 5 and 12).     

COVID-19 and individual performance in global virtual teams: The role of self-regulation and individual cultural value orientations

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, global virtual teams (GVTs) have become increasingly important. Drawing on conservation of resources theory and self-regulation theory, we examined the mechanism and process underlying individuals' performance in GVTs in this specific situation. We posit that the local severity of the pandemic has a negative effect on individuals' performance in GVTs and that self-regulation functions as a coping mechanism in times of pandemic-related ambient stress, reducing its negative effect on performance. We suggest that three cultural value orientations, that is, uncertainty avoidance, collectivism, and long-term orientation, explain different levels of self-regulation, which in turn moderates the relationship between the local severity of the pandemic and individual performance in GVTs. Based on a sample of 2727 individuals from 31 countries participating in an international business consulting project during the early stage of the unfolding pandemic, we show that (a) the local severity of the pandemic had a negative effect on individuals' performance, (b) the negative effect of the pandemic on performance is weaker for individuals with high self-regulation, and (c) uncertainty avoidance and long-term orientation are positively associated with self-regulation, which mediates the moderating relationship between the cultural value orientations and the relationship between the COVID-19 pandemic and individual performance in GVTs.