Abstract
Software businesses are continuously increasing their presence in the cloud. While cloud computing is not a new research topic, designing software for the cloud is still challenging, requiring engineers to invest in research to become proficient at working with it. Design patterns can be used to facilitate cloud adoption, as they provide valuable design knowledge and implementation guidelines for recurrent engineering problems. This work introduces a pattern language for designing software for the cloud. We believe developers can significantly reduce their R&D time by adopting these patterns to bootstrap their cloud architecture. The language comprises 10 patterns, organized into four categories: Automated Infrastructure Management, Orchestration and Supervision, Monitoring, and Discovery and Communication. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer-Verlag GmbH, DE, part of Springer Nature 2025.

Abstract
Energy communities (EC) and collective self-consumption (CSC) systems can make a significant contribution to reducing dependence on fossil fuels and energy costs. They create mechanisms for the active participation of end-consumers in the energy system by becoming self-producers of renewable electricity and adapting their energy behavior to the needs of the system. CSC also alleviates energy poverty by reducing the energy costs of vulnerable members. The CSC is still in its early stages, and regulation is being developed in several countries along with pilot projects to test different rules and incentives. This chapter discusses the most relevant common definitions of CSC and EC so far, as well as the main challenges in relation to energy sharing rules and the management of EC and CSC. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.

Abstract
Rendering on conventional computers is capable of generating realistic imagery, but the computational complexity of these light transport algorithms is a limiting factor of image synthesis. Quantum computers have the potential to significantly improve rendering performance through reducing the underlying complexity of the algorithms behind light transport. This article investigates hybrid quantum-classical algorithms for ray tracing, a core component of most rendering techniques. Through a practical implementation of quantum ray tracing in a 3D environment, we show quantum approaches provide a quadratic improvement in query complexity compared to the equivalent classical approach. Based on domain specific knowledge, we then propose algorithms to significantly reduce the computation required for quantum ray tracing through exploiting image space coherence and a principled termination criteria for quantum searching. We show results obtained using a simulator for both Whitted style ray tracing, and for accelerating ray tracing operations when performing classical Monte Carlo integration for area lights and indirect illumination.

Abstract

Abstract
Contemporary transformations in the world of work, together with the growing emotional and physical demands in nursing, have led to the emergence of new labor phenomena such as quiet quitting, which reflects changes in professional engagement and in the management of nurses’ well-being. Objective: To translate, culturally adapt, and validate the Quiet Quitting Scale for European Portuguese, evaluating its psychometric properties among the nursing population. Methods: A cross-sectional validation study was conducted following COSMIN guidelines. The process included forward and back translation, expert panel review, and pretesting with 30 nurses. The psychometric evaluation was carried out with 347 nurses from Northern Portugal. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, internal consistency measures (Cronbach’s a and McDonald’s ?), and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) with maximum likelihood estimation to assess construct validity. Results: The Portuguese version (QQS-PT) maintained the original three-factor structure (Detachment/Disinterest, Lack of Initiative, and Lack of Motivation). The model showed satisfactory fit indices (CFI = 0.936; GFI = 0.901; AGFI = 0.814; TLI = 0.905; RMSEA = 0.133). The overall internal consistency was excellent (a = 0.918; ? = 0.922), with subscale a ranging from 0.788 to 0.924. Composite reliability (CR) ranged from 0.815 to 0.924, and average variance extracted (AVE) from 0.606 to 0.859, confirming convergent and discriminant validity. Conclusions: The QQS-PT demonstrated a stable factorial structure, strong reliability, and solid validity evidence. It is a brief and psychometrically sound instrument for assessing quiet quitting among nurses, providing valuable insights for research and management of professional engagement and well-being in healthcare contexts.

Abstract
A flexible wearable sensor utilizing a balloon-shaped interferometer structure, created from a bent standard single-mode fiber and a 3D-printed piece, was introduced and shown for respiratory monitoring. The interferometer is a compact, cost-effective, and easily fabricated sensor. The fiber's curvature causes interference between the core and cladding modes, which in turn results in the sensor operation. In the balloon-shaped curving section, light traversing the core partially escapes and interacts with the cladding. The preliminary results demonstrate an average displacement of 9.3 nm and the capability to evaluate breathing rate.