bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Italy’s quiet pivot to the Indo-Pacific: Towards an Italian Indo-Pacific strategy
Authors: Abbondanza Gabriele
Published: September 2023

Italy is the only ‘Big Four’ European country and ‘Quint’ North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member ostensibly uninterested in the world’s geopolitical and geoeconomic epicentre. However, a number of developments contradict the assumption that Rome overlooks the importance of the Indo-Pacific. By analysing official policies, naval deployments, new partnerships and evolving trajectories, this article reveals that Italy’s strategic engagement with the Indo-Pacific is already significant and unfolding under three broad areas: (a) economy; (b) security; and (c) norms. It then assesses the benefits and risks of this developing foreign policy, and argues that the former outweigh the latter, a condition which is conducive to the establishment of an official Italian Indo-Pacific strategy. As the first scholarly work on the Italian role in the Indo-Pacific, this research makes a novel contribution to the literature on both Italian foreign policy and the Indo-Pacific security landscape, by investigating a complementary approach to that of existing Indo-Pacific strategies.
Transforming Toxic Materialities: Microbes in Anthropogenically Polluted Soils
Authors: Ng Alicia
Published: September 2023

In this essay, I explore non-human multispecies interactions in soils polluted by electronic waste and subsequently bioremediated by plants and microbes. I argue that regenerative transformation in polluted soil environments is principally through microbial degradation, a significant process for survival amidst disaster. In doing so, I combine two separate research areas – the materiality of electronic waste and of soils – thus contributing to theorization on the persistent problem of anthropogenically polluted soils. I do so by examining the process of bioremediation, which ties anthropogenic pollution with underground soil processes, notably those that occur at the soil interface surrounding plant roots, the rhizosphere. Using empirical examples from scientific literature on the bioremediation of electronic waste-contaminated soils in China, I demonstrate that degradation, symbiosis, and sequestration are instrumental processes in polluted soils. The micro-scaled perspective of these relational processes and their toxic alterlives contributes to materialist, chemosocial understandings of toxic and polluted environments.
Kites, billboards and bridges: Reading the city’s curfew through the glitch
Authors: Nassar Aya
Published: September 2023

This article is an attempt at reading the city through what gets extended and/or suspended in it in a time of an interruption, or a glitch. It does this while thinking about Cairo's curfew during the summer of 2020. I focus on this short pause that disrupted what is perceived to be regular urban life in a place like Cairo. Centering a collaboration with the Egyptian visual artist Azza Ezzat, we read some snapshots of this seemingly minor interruption through three ordinary objects that inhabit the city’s skyline: kites, billboards, and bridges. Through these three objects that suspend at the interstices of a skyline, I trace suspensions and extensions of infrastructure, broadly defined. My contention is that the glitch of the curfew helps to make apparent ongoing processes and infrastructures that keep a post-revolutionary Cairo going (for better or for worse). I propose that the material and affective affordance of the glitch provide a lens that disinvests from the logics of exception and states of emergency that have dominated research on the country and even on the city.
Implementation of a varicose vein module added to Swedvasc, the Swedish National Registry for vascular surgery
Authors: Blomgren Lena
Published: September 2023

Objectives

The addition of a varicose veins (VV) module to the existing Swedish National Registry for Vascular Surgery (Swedvasc) and its impact on quality of care were evaluated.

Methods

Vascular departments and private VV clinics were invited to enter data from 2016.

Results

Registrations were approximately 10,000 yearly but dropped to 5390 in 2022 when a fee was introduced for private clinics due to reduced funding. 88% more interventions were reported to Swedvasc 2020 than to the National Board of Health and Welfare. Regions differed in interventions per 100,000 inhabitants/year from 21 to 233 and in preoperative CEAP C4–6 from 30.8%–90.4%. Follow-up was 9.4%. These data contributed to the decision to prioritize the patient group for national guidelines and pathways of care, which will be monitored by Swedvasc.

Conclusions

A national VV registry with high coverage is possible and can contribute to national quality of care. The main challenge is funding.
Low-grade malignant myofibroblastic sarcoma of the larynx: a case report
Authors: Feng Yu , Du Yongya , Li Maocai , Jia Guotao , Gong Lili , Li Lianqing
Published: September 2023

Low-grade myofibroblastic sarcoma (LGMS) is a rare malignant mesenchymal tumor derived from myofibroblasts. It is commonly identified in the head and neck, and particularly in the oral cavity, but rarely in the larynx. In this case report, we describe a patient who presented with hoarseness and underwent electronic fiber laryngoscopy, which revealed a neoplasm on the surface of his left vocal cord. The vocal cord tumor was resected under general anesthesia, and a malignant LGMS was diagnosed on postoperative pathologic examination. The results of immunohistochemical staining of the sections for vimentin (diffuse +), actin (partial +), and desmin (−) were consistent with this diagnosis. The patient recovered well after the surgery, and there was no recurrence of the neoplasm.
Genetic and clinical characteristics of ZNF408-related familial exudative vitreoretinopathy
Authors: Tao Xueying , He Liying , Cen Chao , Liu Ya , Li Qi , Gong Liyan , Zhou Wenke , Li Chunmei
Published: September 2023

Objective

To analyze the clinical and genetic characteristics of zinc finger protein 408 ( ZNF408)-related familial exudative vitreoretinopathy (FEVR) in a Chinese cohort.

Methods

Ninety families from Chongqing and 16 families from Xinjiang were selected according to fundus lesion characteristics. Peripheral venous blood was collected from patients and their families; genomic DNA was extracted for whole exome sequencing. Relationships between genotype and phenotype in patients with ZNF408-related FEVR were analyzed.

Results

ZNF408 variants were detected in three patients (2.83%, 3/106). ZNF408 variants in these three probands were all missense mutations at novel sites. One proband had a ZNF408 and LRP5 double-gene variant, and two probands had ZNF408 single-gene variants. Patients with double-gene variants did not display more severe clinical manifestations.

Conclusions

This study expands the spectrum of known ZNF408 variants and confirms that ZNF408 variants can cause FEVR. Most variants detected in this study have not been reported in the literature and are suspected pathogenic variants of FEVR. In patients with FEVR, phenotype and genotype do not necessarily display a direct one-to-one relationship.
Verminous pneumonia in European hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus)
Authors: Lehmann Simone , Dervas Eva , Ruiz Subira Andres , Eulenberger Ulrike , Gimmel Angela , Grimm Felix , Hetzel Udo , Kipar Anja
Published: September 2023

The European hedgehog ( Erinaceus europaeus) is a common wildlife species in European countries. Populations are declining due to anthropogenic factors and natural diseases. Verminous pneumonia has been observed as a frequent infectious disease in hedgehogs submitted for diagnostic postmortem examination. This prompted the present in-depth investigation on the lungs of 27 necropsied hedgehogs with confirmed lungworm infections, with or without antiparasitic treatment prior to death. The histological and/or parasitic (fecal samples) examination identified Capillaria aerophila infection in most animals (82%). The parasites were found free in the airway lumen and/or within the airway epithelium, from the larynx to bronchioles. Embedded worms and eggs were associated with epithelial hyperplasia or metaplasia, and long-term inflammation. More than half of the animals (59%) carried Crenosoma striatum, and 41% had a coinfection. C striatum adults were predominantly found free in the lumen of bronchi and bronchioles, and larvae were occasionally seen in granulomas in the pulmonary interstitium, the liver, and the intestine. Independent of the parasite species, a lymphoplasmacytic peribronchitis and, less frequently, interstitial infiltration of eosinophils, neutrophils, and macrophages as well as pneumocyte type II hyperplasia was seen. Interestingly, the extent of pneumonia was not correlated with age, respiratory clinical signs, antiparasitic treatment, or single or coinfection. Verminous pneumonia appeared to be the cause of death in over 25% of the animals, indicating that these parasites not only coexist with hedgehogs but can also be a primary pathogen in this species.
Canine bufavirus (Carnivore protoparvovirus-3) infection in dogs with respiratory disease
Authors: Piewbang Chutchai , Poonsin Panida , Lohavicharn Pattiya , Van Nguyen Tin , Lacharoje Sitthichok , Kasantikul Tanit , Techangamsuwan Somporn
Published: September 2023

Canine bufavirus (CBuV) or Carnivore protoparvovirus-3, a nonenveloped DNA virus belonging to the genus Protoparvovirus, family Parvoviridae, has been identified in dogs with respiratory and enteric diseases. Although CBuV detection has been reported in multiple countries, descriptions of pathologic findings associated with infection have not yet been provided. In this study, the authors necropsied 14 dogs (12 puppies and 2 adult dogs) from a breeding colony that died during multiple outbreaks of respiratory diseases. Postmortem investigations revealed extensive bronchointerstitial pneumonia with segmental type II pneumocyte hyperplasia in all necropsied puppies but less severe lesions in adults. With negative results of common pathogen detection by ancillary testing, CBuV DNA was identified in all investigated dogs using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Quantitative PCR demonstrated CBuV DNA in several tissues, and in situ hybridization (ISH) indicated CBuV tissue localization in the lung, tracheobronchial lymph node, and spinal cord, suggesting hematogenous spread. Dual CBuV ISH and cellular-specific immunohistochemistry were used to determine the cellular tropism of the virus in the lung and tracheobronchial lymph node, demonstrating viral localization in various cell types, including B-cells, macrophages, and type II pneumocytes, but not T-cells. Three complete CBuV sequences were successfully characterized and revealed that they clustered with the CBuV sequences obtained from dogs with respiratory disease in Hungary. No additional cases were identified in small numbers of healthy dogs. Although association of the bufavirus with enteric disease remains to be determined, a contributory role of CBuV in canine respiratory disease is possible.
Performance Measure–Based Framework for Evaluating Transportation Infrastructure Resilience
Authors: Cordero Fernando , LaMondia Jeffrey J. , Bowers Benjamin F.
Published: September 2023

Despite many organizations recognizing the need for more comprehensive resilience planning for transportation infrastructure, the United States still lacks a standardized planning framework to guide these decisions and prioritize improvements. Therefore, this paper develops and demonstrates the application of a flexible resilience framework that supports transportation resilience decision-making across multiple operational and infrastructure systems. This Performance-based Resilience Evaluation Procedure (PREP) framework calculates comparable resilience scores and can be implemented for any type of transportation infrastructure to assist transportation agencies and community stakeholders in making informed decisions in relation to project prioritization, risk mitigation, asset management, and design for more reliable infrastructure. The PREP framework, comprised of 12 steps organized in five phases, calculates resilience as a weighted probability of hazard events and the impacts of such hazards on measures of performance. Having such a framework is crucial because it allows stakeholders to develop the data-driven knowledge necessary to deliver informed management and planning of the entire transportation infrastructure system against disruptive events.
Diagnostic Performance of Belly-Press Angle in Predicting the Severity of Subscapularis Tear
Authors: Kim Hyun Gon , Kim Su Cheol , Park Jong Hun , Kim Jae Soo , Kim Bo Taek , Kim Dae Yeung , Lee Sang Min , Yoo Jae Chul
Published: September 2023

Background:

Neglected partial subscapularis tears often cause functional impairment even after repair of the supraspinatus and infraspinatus tear is done. Numerous physical examinations for detecting partial subscapularis tears have been described in previous studies.

Purpose:

To analyze the relationship between the preoperative clinical features and the severity of a partial subscapularis tear and to provide diagnostic clues for patients requiring subscapularis repair.

Study Design:

Cohort study (Diagnosis); Level of evidence, 2.

Methods:

This retrospective study included 286 patients who underwent arthroscopic shoulder surgery between 2020 and 2022. Preoperative clinical features, including range of motion, functional scores, muscle strength ratio, modified belly-press test (measuring belly-press angle), and bear-hug test, were collected. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) evaluation was done according to the Yoo and Rhee classification. Types of subscapularis tear, supraspinatus lesion, and biceps lesion were recorded during arthroscopic surgery. A comparison of preoperative clinical features between the no-repair group (type 2A or less) and surgical repair group (type 2B or more) was done. The optimal cutoff value of the belly-press angle was determined and the diagnostic performance of the belly-press angle, bear-hug test, and MRI were evaluated using the receiver operating characteristic curve.

Results:

Among 286 patients, 189 (66.1%) had subscapularis tears with type 2A or more. There was a significant difference in muscle strength ratio of the belly-press ( P < .001), belly-press angle ( P < .001), and bear-hug test ( P < .001) between the no-repair group (type 2A or less) and the surgical repair group (type 2B or more). With a belly-press angle of 15° as a new cutoff value, the modified belly-press test showed 67.6% sensitivity, 73.9% specificity, and 69.6% accuracy in detecting type 2B or higher subscapularis tear.

Conclusion:

Patients with type 2A and 2B subscapularis tears (according to the Yoo and Rhee classification) showed differences in belly-press strength ratio, belly-press angle, and bear-hug test. The cutoff value of the 15° belly-press angle showed an accuracy of 69.6% in detecting subscapularis tears with type 2B or higher.
Meniscotibial Ligament Insufficiency Increases Force on the Posterior Medial Meniscus Root
Authors: Melugin Heath P. , Brown Justin R. , Hollenbeck Justin F.M. , Fossum Bradley W. , Whalen Ryan J. , Ganokroj Phob , Vidal Armando F. , Provencher Matthew T.
Published: September 2023

Background:

Posterior medial meniscus root (PMMR) tears are a challenge to assess and treat. However, the forces sustained at the PMMR are yet to be fully characterized. In addition, it has been shown that meniscotibial ligament (MTL) injuries happen before PMMR tears, suggesting that insufficiency of the MTL results in a change of forces acting on the PMMR.

Purpose/Hypothesis:

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the 3-dimensional forces acting on the PMMR in the intact, MTL cut, and MTL tenodesis states. It was hypothesized that the MTL cut state would increase medial shear forces seen at the PMMR, whereas the medial shear force in the MTL tenodesis state would return PMMR forces to that of the intact state.

Study Design:

Controlled laboratory study.

Methods:

Ten fresh-frozen cadaveric knees were tested in 3 states (intact, MTL cut, and tenodesis). A 3-axis load cell was installed below the posterior tibial plateau and attached to the enthesis of the PMMR. The specimen was mounted to a load frame that applied an axial load, an internal torque, and an external torque. The amount of compression-tension, mediolateral shear force, and anteroposterior shear force acting on the PMMR was measured.

Results:

When the joint was loaded in compression, the MTL cut state significantly increased compression of the PMMR ( P = .0368). The tenodesis state did not significantly restore forces of the PMMR ( P = .008). When the joint was loaded in external torque, the MTL cut state significantly increased compression ( P < .0001) and significantly decreased anterior shear on the PMMR ( P = .0003). The tenodesis state did not significantly restore forces on the PMMR to the intact state ( P < .0001). Increased flexion angle significantly increased medial shear forces of the PMMR when the joint was loaded in compression ( P < .007 at every angle).

Conclusion:

When evaluated biomechanically, MTL insufficiency resulted in increased compressive force at the PMMR. A single-anchor centralization procedure did not restore PMMR forces to that of the intact state. Increased knee flexion angle resulted in increased medial shear force on the PMMR.

Clinical Relevance:

The findings in this study provide clinicians information on PMMR forces when the MTL is disrupted. These data can aid in the decision-making for adding an MTL repair to augment PMMR repairs.
Effect of Concomitant Lateral Meniscal Management on ACL Reconstruction Revision Rate and Secondary Meniscal and Cartilaginous Injuries
Authors: Persson Fabian , Kaarre Janina , Herman Zachary J. , Olsson Wållgren Jonas , Hamrin Senorski Eric , Musahl Volker , Samuelsson Kristian
Published: September 2023

Background:

Simultaneous meniscal tears are often present with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries, and in the acute setting, the lateral meniscus (LM) is more commonly injured than the medial meniscus.

Purpose:

To investigate how a concomitant LM injury, repaired, resected, or left in situ during primary ACL reconstruction (ACLR), affects the ACL revision rate and cartilaginous and meniscal status at the time of revision within 2 years after the primary ACLR.

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

Data for 31,705 patients with primary ACLR, extracted from the Swedish National Knee Ligament Registry, were used. The odds of revision ACLR, and cartilaginous as well as meniscal injuries at the time of revision ACLR, were assessed between the unexposed comparison group (isolated ACLR) and the exposed groups of interest (ACLR + LM repair, ACLR + LM resection, ACLR + LM repair + LM resection, or ACLR + LM injury left in situ).

Results:

In total, 719 (2.5%) of the included 29,270 patients with 2 years follow-up data underwent revision ACLR within 2 years after the primary ACLR. No significant difference in revision rate was found between the groups. Patients with concomitant LM repair (OR, 3.56; 95% CI, 1.57-8.10; P = .0024) or LM resection (OR, 1.76; 95% CI, 1.18-2.62; P = .0055) had higher odds of concomitant meniscal injuries (medial or lateral) at the time of revision ACLR than patients undergoing isolated primary ACLR. Additionally, higher odds of concomitant cartilage injuries at the time of revision ACLR were found in patients with LM resection at index ACLR compared with patients undergoing isolated primary ACLR (OR, 1.73; 95% CI, 1.14-2.63; P = .010).

Conclusion:

The results of this study demonstrated higher odds of meniscal and cartilaginous injuries at the time of revision ACLR within 2 years after primary ACLR + LM resection and higher odds of meniscal injury at the time of revision ACLR within 2 years after primary ACLR + LM repair compared with isolated ACLR. Surgeons should be aware of the possibility of concomitant cartilaginous and meniscal injuries at the time of revision ACLR after index ACLR with concomitant LM injury, regardless of the index treatment type received.
Association of Guillain–Barré syndrome following COVID-19 vaccination
Authors: Chowdhury Selia , Chowdhury Samia
Published: September 2023

Background: Among the various side-effects of COVID-19 vaccinations, Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS) has been found to have some interesting association with the vaccinations. This paper mainly focuses on exploring different associations between COVID-19 vaccination and GBS.

Method: A systematic search was conducted on electronic databases including PubMed, Google Scholar, Cochrane, and Embase for case reports published until July 2022. A total of 42 case reports involving 67 individuals from 16 different countries were documented. Reports were analyzed to identify presenting symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and pathophysiological mechanisms related to the relevant issues.

Results: The studies included a diverse range of individuals with ages ranging from 13 to 87 years, with an average age of 51.66 years and a male predominance. The average time between vaccination and symptom onset was 12.67 days. Prominent clinical features observed in the case reports included back pain, facial diplegia, weakness, and paresthesia. Diagnostic studies primarily involved cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis and electromagnetic studies. A key diagnostic clue was the presence of albuminocytological dissociation in CSF. Available treatment options consisted of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), plasmapheresis, and steroids.

Conclusion: This review highlights the diverse and clinically relevant associations between COVID-19 vaccination and GBS. The findings underscore the importance of conducting further studies to explore the causative links in this correlation and gain a better understanding of the relationship.
Perceptions of Acute Care Telemedicine Among Caregivers for Persons Living with Dementia: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Chary Anita , Hernandez Norvin , Rivera Ana Paulina , Ramont Vivian , Obi Tracey , Santangelo Ilianna , Ritchie Christine , Singh Hardeep , Hayden Emily , Naik Aanand D. , Liu Shan , Kennedy Maura
Published: September 2023

Persons living with dementia (PLWD) have high emergency department (ED) utilization. Little is known about using telemedicine with PLWD and caregivers as an alternative to ED visits for minor acute health problems. This qualitative interview-based study elicited caregivers’ perspectives about the acceptability of telemedicine for acute complaints. We performed telephone interviews with 28 caregivers of PLWD from two academic EDs, one in the Northeast and another in the South. Using a combined deductive-inductive approach, we coded interview transcripts and elucidated common themes by consensus. All caregivers reported they would need to participate in the telemedicine visit to help overcome communication and digital literacy challenges. People from racial/ethnic minority groups reported lower comfort with the virtual format. In both sites, participants expressed uncertainty about illness severity that could preclude using telemedicine for acute complaints. Overall, respondents deemed acute care telemedicine acceptable, but caregivers describe specific roles as crucial intermediaries to facilitate virtual care.
Cumulative Ordering as Evidence of Construct Validity for Assessments of Developmental Attributes
Authors: Humphry Stephen , Montuoro Paul , Maxwell Carolyn
Published: September 2023

This article builds upon a proiminent definition of construct validity that focuses on variation in attributes causing variation in measurement outcomes. This article synthesizes the defintion and uses Rasch measurement modeling to explicate a modified conceptualization of construct validity for assessments of developmental attributes. If attributes are conceived as developmental, hypotheses about how new knowledge builds cumulatively upon the cognitive capacity afforded by prior knowledge can be developed. This cumulative ordering of knowledge required to accomplish test items constitutes evidence of a specific form of construct validity. Examples of cumulative ordering appear in the extant literature, but they are rare and confined to the early literature. Furthermore, cumulative ordering has never been explicated, especially its relationship to construct validity. This article describes three of the most complete examples of cumulative ordering in the literature. These examples are used to synthesize a method for assessing cumulative ordering, in which the Rasch model is used to assess the progression of item difficulties which are, in turn, used to review developmental theories and hypotheses, and the tests themselves. We discuss how this conceptualization of construct validity can lead to a more direct relationship between developmental theories and tests which, for practitioners, should result in a clearer understanding of what tests results actually mean. Finally, we discuss how cumulative ordering can be used to facilitate decisions about consequential validity.
Dorothy Smith’s Sociology for People: Theory for Discovery
Authors: DeVault Marjorie
Published: September 2023

Dorothy E. Smith was a second-wave feminist scholar of the 1970s who brought forward an insistent critique of women’s exclusion from knowledge production and the resulting distortions of sociological theory. I offer here a reading of the theory Smith developed as she worked toward a sociology that could move the field beyond those distortions, toward a method of inquiry that could be useful for women and generally for people puzzled by the circumstances of their lives. I highlight Smith’s commitment to knowledge that is anchored in a shared, material world; the originality of her approach to the investigation of textually mediated social organization; and the goal of mapping social organization that underlies her approach.
Effect of an Analogy-Based Approach of Artificial Intelligence Pedagogy in Upper Primary Schools
Authors: Dai Yun , Lin Ziyan , Liu Ang , Dai Dan , Wang Wenlan
Published: September 2023

Artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a prominent topic in K-12 education recently. However, pedagogical design has remained a major challenge, especially among young learners. Guided by the Zone of Proximal Development theory and AI education research literature, this design-based study proposes an analogy-based pedagogical approach to support AI teaching and learning in upper primary education. This pedagogical approach is centered on human–AI comparison, where humans are gradually shifted from an analogue to a contrast to make visible the attributes, mechanisms, and processes of AI. To evaluate its effectiveness, a quasi-experimental study with mixed methods was conducted. The quantitative comparison shows that the participants in the experimental group learning with the analogy-based pedagogical approach significantly outperformed their peers with the conventional direct instructional approach in all three dimensions of AI knowledge, skills, and ethical awareness. Qualitative analyses further reveal its pedagogical benefits, including demystifying AI through relatable and engaging learning, supporting student comprehension and skill mastery, and nurturing critical thinking and attitudes. The analogy-based approach contributes to the field of K-12 AI education with an age-appropriate, child-friendly pedagogical approach. Notably, AI education should prioritize teaching for student understanding, and AI should be recognized as an independent subject with interdisciplinary applications.
Vibration modelling analysis of defective parallel robots as machine tools for aerospace parts machining
Authors: Fan Shuai , Zhang Liping , Hu Bo , Shen Guanyu , Song Guangkui , Qiu Jing
Published: September 2023

The strict machining accuracy and surface finish requirements of manufactured products for aerospace parts make it particularly crucial to analyse the vibration performance of parallel robots as machining tools, which directly affects both of these factors. In this paper, a vibration modelling analysis for parallel robots with fewer-DOFs called defective parallel robots is presented, and the effects of four vibration models are also studied. The traditional spring-damping or elastic vibration models of two systems are presented, and the corresponding uncertain vibration systems are developed by considering the effects of gravity and the uncertain joint clearances. Taking a drilling defective parallel robot as an application example, four vibration models are derived, and the differences in natural frequency and vibration response are explored in numerical and experiment comparisons. The results shows that an uncertain system with six DOFs is closer to the experimental result (approximately 75.49%) than an elastic system (approximately 62.39%), which means that the accuracy has increased by 13.1%. The results of this paper reveal some of the reasons for the performance errors of the different vibration models for defective parallel robots, and the findings of this paper can provide a reference for the simplification and optimization of theoretical vibration models that ignore secondary factors.
Optimization of forming force and Erichsen index using Taguchi design of experiments: Mathematical models and experimental validation
Authors: Ben Fraj Boutheina , Kamoun Taoufik , Hentati Hamdi , Trabelsi Mounir , Ghazouani Nejib , Ahmed Mohd
Published: September 2023

Design of experiments is a statistical approach from which an optimized number of experiments is determined. Taguchi design of experiments, applied on Erichsen tests, is chosen to be considered in this paper. The most important parameters in this forming process, Erichsen index ( IE), and maximum generated force ( Fmax), are experimentally and theoretically determined. Three input factors are selected, at diverse levels, in order to study their influence on Erichsen output results. The considered input factors are sheet thickness, punch diameter, and friction coefficient. New mathematical models which take into account the effects of these factors and their interactions are developed. Moreover, the influence of Erichsen test on the S235 steel microstructural behavior is experimentally examined as function of the sheet thickness. A good agreement between experimental and theoretical findings proves that the proposed models provide a precise prediction and an exact estimation of the Erichsen output parameters ( IE and Fmax). The efficiency of the adopted design of experiments via Taguchi method is well confirmed.
Deformation mechanisms in the cutting process of SiCp/Al composites using the molecular dynamics (MD) approach
Authors: Hao Zhaopeng , Xu Xianglin , Fan Yihang
Published: September 2023

In order to clarify the reasons for the emergence of problems such as high machining difficulty and poor machining surface quality encountered in the machining process of SiCp/Al composites, this paper presents a simulation study of the deformation mechanism occurring during the cutting process of SiCp/Al (SiC particle-reinforced Al matrix composites) by using the molecular dynamics (MD) method. The mechanism of strengthening and hardening occurring during cutting of SiCp/Al composites is discussed in terms of the slip expansion of dislocations and the interaction between different types of dislocations. It is found that the presence of SiC balls hinders the slip and expansion of dislocations in the Al (aluminum) matrix, resulting in the strengthening of the Al matrix between the SiC (silicon carbide) balls, mainly because the dislocations in the workpiece interact with each other during the cutting process to form dislocation tangles, stacking layer dislocations and dislocation locks, which hinder the slip and expansion of dislocations and thus increase the strength of the Al matrix. By analyzing the stress distribution inside the workpiece during the cutting process, it is found that the stress inside the workpiece is mainly concentrated in the area where the tool flank face is in contact with the workpiece, which is the main reason for the occurrence of working hardening in SiCp/Al composites.
A dynamic analytical model on electrical circuit response of magnetorheological clutch
Authors: Wang Shuyou , Ge Yikai , Chen Weixing , Gao Feng
Published: September 2023

Recently, a considerable amount of research has been conducted on MRF-based clutches or actuators due to the significant role such device plays in torque coupling and control applications. It is desired to find an accurate yet quick dynamic analytical model to design the electrical circuit of MR clutch. The previous researches on the dynamic response of MR devices have focused on the magnetic response, while less on the current response, mostly on experimental test aspects. Aim at this issue, considering the combination of driving electronics and excitation coil, this study proposes the analytical model from command voltage to excitation current for electrical circuit of MR clutch for the first time. The analytical model develops first principle and is capable of accounting for driving electronics topology and coil configuration. The feasibility of the model was verified by experimental results. Moreover, the model has been implemented to investigate the effect of specific parameters on the electrical circuit dynamic of MR device. As mentioned above, the proposed analytical model provides comprehensive details for optimal design and improvement of circuit performance of MR devices.
The parametric analysis on angular vibration stability of spiral groove dry gas seal with real gas model
Authors: Xu Hengjie , Zhu Zhi , Song Pengyun , Mao Wenyuan , Deng Qiangguo , Sun Xuejian , Chen Wei
Published: September 2023

To accurately grasp the vibration stability of spiral groove dry gas seals (S-DGSs), the angular vibration stability thresholds of S-DGSs, which vary with the operating and structural parameters, were investigated by using carbon dioxide and hydrogen real gases as lubricants. The numerical results show that the vibration stability of the S-DGS in angular direction is independent of spring stiffness. Under the same conditions, the real gas effect enhances critical transverse moment of inertia and frequency ratio in carbon dioxide case, whereas it reduces both stability thresholds in hydrogen case. A spiral groove number Ng, land-to-groove ratio κ, and spiral angle δ that are too large or too small all contribute to an increased risk of S-DGS angular instability. By considering critical frequency ratio as the target, the optimal range of spiral groove structure parameters have been obtained by using a single factor analysis method.
LBM curved boundary treatments for pulsatile flow on convective heat transfer and friction factor in corrugated channels
Authors: Aslan Erman , Ozsaban Mert , Kucur Murad , Körbahti Banu , Guven Hasan Rıza
Published: September 2023

The present research investigates heat transfer and the flow characteristics of periodically corrugated wavy channels numerically under pulsatile flow conditions. The numerical method used here is Lattice Boltzmann Method (LBM), and the validation of the study is done by Ansys-Fluent which is finite volume based commercial Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) code. For modeling walls, bounce-back method, namely, staircase method and three different curved boundary treatments, which are extrapolation, Filippova-Hänel (FH) and Mei-Luo-Shy (MLS), are used. For modeling constant temperature at walls, staircase method and the same curved wall treatments are used. Corrugated channels have a sharp wavy peak, and its inclination angle is 30°. Two different minimum channel heights are considered, which are 5 and 10 mm in corrugated channels. Flow regime is assumed as laminar (50 < Re < 300) and Prandtl number is kept as 0.7. Four kinds of different sinusoidal pulsatile flows are used with a combination of two different dimensionless frequencies and dimensionless amplitudes. For varying Reynolds number range, Nusselt number and friction factor are calculated. Narrow channel creates higher Nusselt number and friction factor than wide channel. At low Reynolds number, Nusselt number does not changed with pulsatile flow conditions, however at high Reynolds number cases of lower dimensionless frequency and higher dimensionless amplitude produce higher Nusselt numbers. Lower dimensionless frequency cases produce higher Nusselt number than higher dimensionless frequency cases. Pulsatile flow conditions have no effect on friction factor and for narrow and wide channel. Nusselt number prediction of FVM is close to STR and EXT for all cases of narrow channels, and close to the FH, MLS and EXT for all cases wide channel. Correlation equations for Nusselt number and friction factor are constructed by deep neural network (DNN) algorithm.
Analysis and optimization of heterogeneously charged surface features in electrokinetic micromixing of non-Newtonian fluids
Authors: Kumar Bansal Anshul , Dayal Ram , Kumar Manish
Published: September 2023

This study investigates the mixing of non-Newtonian fluids in microfluidic devices using electrokinetic phenomena Micromixing is a crucial operation that finds multiple applications in chemical research and biomedical diagnostics. In order to improve mixing, multiple combinations of heterogeneously charged triangular elements are considered for investigation. The power-law model was used to characterize the non-Newtonian behavior of fluids. The effect of different geometrical parameters (hurdle length, height, number, and shape) and electrical parameters (applied external electric field and zeta potential on hurdles) on mixing are evaluated. The results indicate that the element shape, number, and fluid viscosity significantly affect mixing in microchannels. Moreover, the homogeneity of the mixed fluids increases with the flow behavior index (n). We found that dilatant fluids mix relatively better than pseudoplastic fluids. Finally, the Taguchi technique used to evaluate the combined effect of all factors and obtained optimal mixing conditions for various flow behavior indices (n) of non-Newtonian fluids.
Enhancing vehicle localization by matching HD map with road marking detection
Authors: Zhou Zhe , Hu Zhaozheng , Li Na , Lai Guoliang
Published: September 2023

Accurate and robust vehicle localization, a fundamental task for autonomous driving, is still a challenging problem especially in GPS-denied scenarios. Recently, high definition (HD) map suggests a promising solution. However, the matching between online sensed data and HD map is difficult and time-consuming. In our work, road markings are selected as landmarks due to salient appearance features. Based on the detection results of road markings from the vehicle-borne images, the points of edge lines are employed to fit straight lines with RANSAC for outlier removal. The distances between the ego-vehicle and the fitted edge lines can be computed with camera-vehicle calibration in advance. Subsequently, the point-to-line distances from the sensed data are mapped into global linear constraints on the vehicle’s positions with the support of a lane-level HD map, which provides centimeter-level coordinates of road markings. Finally, the distances and the localization from the integrated navigation system (INS) are fused with the proposed linear Kalman filter based on the second-order Markov model (KF-MM2). The proposed method has been verified in different daily driving scenarios. Experimental results demonstrate that our method can achieve good performance with an average localization error of 0.53 m and a standard deviation of 0.17 m.
Unsteady gasdynamic modeling of double-entry turbine integrated with engine exhaust manifolds
Authors: Xue Yingxian , Yang Mingyang , Wang Xingchen , Ma Chao , Liu Ying , Li Wenlin
Published: September 2023

Pulsating turbocharging system with a dual-entry turbine is always applied for the utilization of pulsating energy and improvement of low-speed torque for the internal combustion engine. With the enhancement of pulsating energy via the pulsating turbocharging system and dual-entry turbine, the interaction between exhaust manifolds and dual-entry turbine cannot be disregarded by either side when confronted by pulsating inflows. This paper proposes a gasdynamic model of double-entry turbine coupling with exhaust manifolds to examine the interaction effect between turbine and exhaust manifolds. This gasdynamic model can predict the propagation of pressure and mass flow rate from exhaust manifolds to the double-entry turbine as well as transient turbine performance. Predictions of this gasdynamic model are validated against detailed 3-D simulation and show good consistency with 3-D results. The performance and energy distribution of the double-entry turbine coupled to exhaust manifolds under various pulsating conditions are thoroughly discussed via this reduced-order model. Results show that with increasing frequency or amplitude of pulsating inflows imposed on inlets of the exhaust manifolds, the performance of the entire system deviates from the quasi-steady hypothesis, particularly the swallowing capacity. This phenomenon indicates that the matched operating point between the turbine and engine deviates from the quasi-steady conditions. In addition, exhaust manifolds geometries have a notable impact on turbine performance and energy distributions in exhaust systems. It is found that with an increase in the volume or length of the exhaust manifolds, the pulse at the turbine inlet is amplified, and available energy at the turbine inlet is increased, even though the inlet conditions of exhaust manifolds remain unchanged. This study may provide a guiding effect for the optimization of the turbo-engine matching process and the development of high-performance turbocharged engines.
Perceptual Generalization of Alcohol-Related Value Characterizes Risky Drinkers
Authors: Kang Sanghoon , Larrabee Grace , Nair Sanya , Goldfarb Elizabeth V.
Published: September 2023

Generalizing from past experiences to novel situations is critical for adaptive behavior, whereas overgeneralization can promote maladaptive responses (e.g., context-inappropriate fear in anxiety). Here, we propose that overgeneralizing alcohol-related associations characterizes risky drinking. We conducted two online experiments assessing generalization of alcohol-related gains (Study 1) and losses (Study 2) among individuals who engaged in light or risky patterns of drinking (Study 1: N = 88, 24–44 years old; Study 2: N = 87, 21–44 years old). After learning to associate cards with alcohol and non-alcohol-related outcomes, participants chose whether to play with cards varying in perceptual similarity to those shown during conditioning. Finally, participants completed a surprise recognition memory test for all outcomes. Although both groups showed comparable conditioning, we found that risky drinkers overgeneralized alcohol-related gains and losses. Risky drinkers also showed a bias toward recognizing alcohol-related images. These results indicate a novel role for overgeneralization of alcohol-related gains and losses as a mechanism associated with risky drinking.
Pro-vaccination personal narratives in response to online hesitancy about the HPV vaccine: The challenge of tellability
Authors: Semino Elena , Coltman-Patel Tara , Dance William , Demjén Zsófia , Hardaker Claire
Published: September 2023

Experimental studies have shown that narratives can be effective persuasive tools in addressing vaccine hesitancy, including regarding the vaccine against the human papillomavirus (HPV), which is transmitted via sexual contact and can cause cervical cancer. This paper presents an analysis of a thread from the online parenting forum Mumsnet Talk where an initially undecided Original Poster is persuaded to vaccinate their child against HPV by a respondent’s narrative of cervical cancer that they describe as difficult to share. This paper considers this particular narrative alongside all other narratives that precede the decision announced on the Mumsnet thread. It shows how producing pro-vaccination narratives about HPV involves challenges regarding ‘tellability’ – what makes the events in a narrative reportable or worth telling. We suggest that this has implications for the context-dependent nature of tellability, the role of parenting forums in vaccination-related discussions, and narrative-based communication about vaccinations more generally.
Can industrial agglomeration affect biodiversity loss?
Authors: Xing Lu , Wang Shuhong
Published: September 2023

Reducing the rate of species extinction and protecting biodiversity are major international concerns. The loss of biodiversity is closely related to international trade as an inevitable result of industrial agglomeration and improvements in green economy efficiency. In contrast to previous studies on biodiversity loss from the perspectives of deforestation, hunting, and fire, this study examines biodiversity loss from an international trade perspective, calculates the biodiversity footprint of each country as an indicator of biodiversity loss, and innovatively elaborates on the theoretical mechanisms of industrial agglomeration, green economy efficiency, and biodiversity loss. An empirical analysis used panel data from 148 countries from 2006 to 2020. This study identifies that industrial agglomeration directly and indirectly aggravates biodiversity loss through green economy efficiency, which mediates the relationship between industrial agglomeration and biodiversity loss. The effects of industrial agglomeration and green economy efficiency on biodiversity loss driven by export trade in developed and developing countries are consistent with the benchmark test results. The effect of industrial agglomeration on green economy efficiency is positive in developed countries and vice versa in developing countries. By region, green economy efficiency can significantly mitigate the embodied biodiversity loss in the export trade in Asia, Africa, and North America, whereas its influence in Europe and North America is insignificant. This study extends the perspective of biodiversity research from the natural to economic fields, delves into the underlying economic causes of the current state of trade-driven biodiversity loss, and provides important evidence for reducing biodiversity losses caused by international trade.
What, for whom, and under what circumstances: Do activation policies increase youth employment in the EU?
Authors: Cefalo Ruggero , Scandurra Rosario
Published: September 2023

Activation measures have assumed a prominent role within policy perspectives aimed at increasing labour market participation to support welfare sustainability. Most comparative studies on active labour market policies (ALMPs) have been conducted at the national level, although several scholars recently stressed the need to consider more carefully the territorial dimension of social policies. This article addresses this research gap by providing quantitative estimates of the territorial effect of national ALMPs provision on youth employment in European regions. We find that regional contextual traits, which can present a variety of configurations, play a significant role in moderating the effects of ALMPs. Divergent outcomes per type and level of education also highlight the complexity of the landscape for ALMPs’ design and implementation. Our analysis helps identify the institutional and contextual conditions that require evaluation when designing and implementing policies targeting young people.