bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Deep insight: Navigating the horizons of deep learning in applications, challenges, and future frontiers
Authors: Roshan Rakesh , Rishi Om Prakash , Sridevi Mothukuri
Published: June 2024

Deep learning, a powerful subset of artificial intelligence, has emerged as a transformative force shaping the landscape of technology. This research delves into the multifaceted realm of deep learning, exploring its diverse applications, confronting inherent challenges, and envisioning future prospects that beckon innovation. The journey begins with a comprehensive examination of how deep learning has catalyzed breakthroughs in various domains. In the realm of applications, the study meticulously dissects the impact of deep learning on natural language processing (NLP), computer vision, autonomous systems, medical and healthcare domains, financial forecasting, and more. From deciphering human language nuances to revolutionizing medical diagnostics and propelling autonomous vehicles, deep learning’s applications redefine the possibilities of artificial intelligence. As the exploration of applications and challenges unfolds, the research pivots towards the future horizons of deep learning. It contemplates the trajectory of explainable AI (XAI), the promises held by transfer learning, the integration of deep learning with quantum computing and neuromorphic architectures, and the ethical dimensions that will shape the evolution of AI for the greater good. The abstract encapsulates a panoramic view of “Deep Insight”, where deep learning transcends its current achievements, confronting challenges head-on and embracing a future characterized by responsible innovation. This research invites stakeholders, researchers, and enthusiasts to embark on a journey of exploration, discovery, and contemplation, as the realm of deep learning continues to unfold its vast and captivating horizons.
LINGO Profiles Fingerprint and Association Rule Mining for drug-target interaction prediction
Authors: Mohamed Javeed Muhammad Jaziem , Azlim Khan Azwaar Khan , Ahamed Hassain Malim Nurul Hashimah
Published: June 2024

The prediction of drug-target interactions (DTIs) using machine learning techniques together with the proper representation of compounds can speed up the time-consuming experimental work in predicting DTIs especially when a large dataset is used. Hence, in this paper, we have proposed a new molecular descriptor based on LINGO Profiles known as LINGO Profiles Fingerprint (LPFP). LPFP is used together with machine learning to predict DTIs on a ChEMBL dataset. Dimensionality reduction using Association Rule Mining (ARM) is also introduced to overcome the high dimensionality suffered by LPFP. LPFP managed to reach an equal accuracy reading to the state-of-the-art descriptor called ECFP4 (Δ0.18%), but it suffers in the time taken (Δ27 mins) due to the dimensionality problem mentioned. Hence, three new smaller size LPFPs (s = 60%, s = 70%, s = 80%) were constructed by only extracting the important fragments using ARM and then a benchmark analysis with the original LPFP and ECFP4 fingerprints was done. This study not only solved the dimensionality problem, but also managed to excel in both the accuracy and time taken when predicting DTIs. An increase in the accuracy of over 250 times faster than the original LPFP was observed after the benchmark analysis is performed. Furthermore, an accuracy of over 80% was achieved in three new activity classes that are acquired from ChEMBL, further proving the promising performance of ARM which has made it favourable for LPFPs to be used in DTI prediction and in other drug discovery problems.
White spots around colorectal tumors are cancer-related findings and may aid endoscopic diagnosis: a prospective study in Japan
Authors: Korekawa Kai , Shimoyama Yusuke , Fujishima Fumiyoshi , Nagai Hiroshi , Naito Takeo , Moroi Rintaro , Shiga Hisashi , Kakuta Yoichi , Kinouchi Yoshitaka , Masamune Atsushi
Published: June 2024

Background/Aims: During endoscopy, white spots (WS) are sometimes observed around benign or malignant colorectal tumors; however, few reports have investigated WS, and their significance remains unknown. Therefore, we investigated the significance of WS from clinical and pathological viewpoints and evaluated its usefulness in endoscopic diagnosis.Methods: Clinical data of patients with lesions diagnosed as epithelial tumors from January 1, 2019, to December 31, 2020, were analyzed (n=3,869). We also performed a clinicopathological analysis of adenomas or carcinomas treated with endoscopic resection (n=759). Subsequently, detailed pathological observations of the WS were performed.Results: The positivity rates for WS were 9.3% (3,869 lesions including advanced cancer and non-adenoma/carcinoma) and 25% (759 lesions limited to adenoma and early carcinoma). Analysis of 759 lesions showed that the WS-positive lesion group had a higher proportion of cancer cases and larger tumor diameters than the WS-negative group. Multiple logistic analysis revealed the following three statistically significant risk factors for carcinogenesis: positive WS, flat lesions, and tumor diameter ≥5 mm. Pathological analysis revealed that WS were macrophages that phagocytosed fat and mucus and were white primarily because of fat.Conclusions: WS are cancer-related findings and can become a new criterion for endoscopic resection in the future.
A Randomized and Controlled Study of the Efficacy of Yin Qiao San Combined with Antibiotics Compared to Antibiotics Alone for the Treatment of Feline Upper Respiratory Disease
Authors: Hirsch David A , Shiau Deng-Shan , Xie Huisheng
Published: June 2024

A randomized controlled study was designed to investigate the efficacy of a combined treatment of the Chinese herbal medicine Yin Qiao San and antibiotic medicine (Group B; N = 32) for treating naturally occurring upper respiratory infections in shelter cats, where conventional antibiotic medicine alone was used as the control treatment (Group A; N = 19). A numerical clinical sign scoring system was devised with points given for conjunctivitis, sneezing, nasal discharge, lower respiratory signs, systemic signs and oral cavity involvement. Clinical sign scores for each cat were obtained before treatment and on days 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 after initiation of treatment. The mean clinical scores of each group on days 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 were compared to pre-treatment scores using the Wilcoxon signed rank test to determine the significance of clinical sign score reduction. There was no significant reduction in mean clinical sign scores for Group A on Days 2, 4 and 10, but a significant reduction occurred on Days 6 and 8 (p=0.002 and 0.0006, respectively). On the other hand, by Day 4 in Group B there was a significant improvement (p<0.001), and remained significant throughout Days 6, 8 and 10. No adverse effects occurred. The combination of Yin Qiao and Clavamox or doxycycline resulted in faster and more significant clinical improvement of cats with URI than antibiotics alone and was cost effective and had no adverse side effects.
Quantum Computing
Authors:   Associate Professor,  School of Electronics Engineering [SENSE], VIT-AP, University, Andhra Pradesh, India., Sucharitha Dr. M. , Grace Dr. J. Sylvia ,   Assistant Professor,  Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Sathyabama Institute of Science and technology, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
Published: June 2024

The book Quantum Computing provides an all-encompassing look at the possibilities of Quantum Computing in a wide range of fields. Readers will get a better understanding of how this cutting-edge technology facilitates agility and change in businesses as the book covers almost every possible application area that might profit from Quantum Computing. After an introduction to the fundamental ideas and concepts of quantum computing, this book delves into the specifics of how quantum computers work.
Language mediation during consultations between deaf patients and health care providers at Chivhu Hospital, Zimbabwe
Authors: Matende Tawanda , Svongoro Paul , Phiri Bridget
Published: June 2024

This study examines the extent to which the Covid-19 pandemic exacerbated language barriers between the Deaf community and healthcare providers. Virtual interviews and focus group discussions (FGDs) with Deaf merchants and other Deaf people living in Chivhu, Zimbabwe, were used to gather data for the study. Observation and document analysis were also utilized to supplement these two approaches of data acquisition. The study used critical theory as its theoretical framework in order to better understand the communication difficulties between Deaf and Healthcare practitioners. According to the study's findings, Covid-19 had a significant impact on how Deaf people and healthcare workers interacted, which helped the Deaf population receive health services. In addition, the lack of qualified Sign Language interpreters to close the communication gap between Deaf patients and healthcare professionals made it more difficult for Deaf people to access healthcare facilities. The study suggests, among other initiatives, that during emergency crisis situations like those brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic, the Government of Zimbabwe, the health system, and various stakeholders should provide accessible information and language mediators for the Deaf.
Power of the influencer - the possibilities of using social media to develop the Namibian fashion industry
Authors: Odunlami Ibilola , Ellis Hugh
Published: June 2024

This article explores how social media can be used as a tool to develop the nascent Namibian fashion industry and encourage consumer interest. This research started from the hypothesis that a localised social media platform could be used as a tool to boost industry competitiveness as well as consumer support. The research took on a mixed methods approach where a survey was undertaken, followed by a series of interviews of local fashion industry stakeholders to gain insight into how social media could best serve Namibian fashion. Analysis of results indicates that a localised social media platform could be beneficial for the industry but it is important that such a platform not exclude opportunities of international exposure and networking. Furthermore, for such a platform to work, stakeholders in the Namibian fashion industry will have to embrace the power of influencers on social media, and the idea of ‘co-creation’ with the social media audience.
Austria‘s Action for Annulment
Authors: Quaritsch Luise , Nigl Niklas
Published: June 2024

On 17 June, Austrian Minister for Climate Action and Environment Leonore Gewessler voted in favor of the Nature Restoration Law in the EU Council of Ministers. Although a seemingly unspectacular thing for a minister to do, this set off a political scandal and constitutional dispute in Austria. This blogpost examines whether one of the most ambitious pieces of EU environmental legislation could be struck down by the Austrian federalist system and an angry coalition partner within it. It argues that, given that this is essentially an internal national dispute, an action for annulment before the CJEU does not appear to be the appropriate legal remedy and is unlikely to succeed.
Navigating Pragmatic Barriers: Cross-cultural Communication Challenges between High-context and Low-context Cultures
Authors: Meng Qingjuan , Wang Jing
Published: June 2024

In cross-cultural communication, different cultures’ ways of interpretations of information can result in significant communication barriers. The disparities between high-context cultures, exemplified by Chinese, and low-context cultures, exemplified by English, are typically evident in the context of language use rather than the surface meaning of words. The same words can be interpreted differently across cultural contexts, leading to frequent misunderstandings. These communication misunderstandings can be categorized into three situations: different approaches to handling ambiguous language, the use of referential and non-referential language in different cultures. By deeply analyzing and comparing the pragmatic manifestations of high-context and low-context cultures in these aspects, it is evident that cross-cultural communication problems often stem from distinct cultural backgrounds and language habits. Solving these problems requires not only understanding the words themselves but also deeply grasping the underlying cultural logic and practices.
Research on the Practice Path of Multi-actor Governance in Traditional Village Living Environment: Taking Zhengying Village, the “No. 1 Village in Yunnan” as an Example
Authors: Li Chenyuan
Published: June 2024

Upgrading the living environment of traditional villages and enhancing the quality of life for villagers is a crucial task in implementing the rural revitalization strategy. The sustainable and healthy development of the living environment in traditional villages has become a focus of attention for the society. The multi-actor governance model, as an important approach to drive this process, holds significant theoretical and practical implications. Taking the example of Zhengying Village, known as the ‘First Village in Yunnan’, this article extensively examines the historical context and evolution of livelihoods, delving into the roles and contributions of various actors in upgrading the living environment of traditional villages under the multi-actor governance framework. The study demonstrates that Zhengying Village has effectively implemented multi-actor governance, amalgamating the endeavors of the government, villagers, businesses, and academia to collectively enhance the living environment. Through heightened awareness among villagers, adept regulation by the government and village committees, proactive involvement of businesses, and scholarly backing from academia, the initial initiatives exhibit a notable enhancement in the living environment and an uplift in the quality of life in Zhengying Village. This research presents both theoretical and practical implications for advancing the sustainable development of living environments in traditional villages.
Safety and Effectiveness of Transthoracic Echocardiography and Transesophageal Echocardiography in the Interventional Closure of Atrial Septal Defects in Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Lu Haiyan , Wang Jindong , Zhou Lingjuan , Liu Lian
Published: June 2024

Objective: Through this meta-analysis, a systematic review was conducted on the effects of transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) in the interventional closure of atrial septal defects (ASDs) in children. Methods: We searched papers in the PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, CNKI, Wanfang, Embase, and VIP databases. The search time limit was from the establishment of the database to May 2023. Randomized controlled trials on the effect of TTE and TEE in the interventional closure of ASD in children were screened. The included results were integrated and analyzed, and ReviewManager 5.4 was used for the meta-analysis. Results: Six studies with a total of 253 patients with ASD were included in this meta-analysis. Results showed that the surgical success rate in each study was more than 90%, with no difference between TEE and TTE (p = 0.11; risk ratio (RR) = 0.96, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.89 to 1.04). The surgery time of TTE was significantly shorter than that of TEE (standard mean difference (SMD) = –1.52, 95% CI: –2.30 to –0.74). The fluoroscopy time of TTE was shorter than that of TEE (SMD = –0.69, 95% CI: –1.08 to –0.30). We found no significant difference in complication rates (RR = 0.36, 95% CI: 0.09 to 1.39). Conclusion: The combination of TTE and TEE is important during surgery, and postoperative complications are relatively small. The surgery time and fluoroscopy time of TTE are shorter than those of TEE.
The Effect Of Application Of Wordwall Gamification Media In Accounting Learning On Vocational Students' Learning Interest In Sukoharjo
Authors: Theodora Fausta Ayu Gracia  , Asri Diah Susanti
Published: June 2024

This research aims to examine the effect of the application of gamification learning media in accounting learning on the learning interests of students of SMKN Sukoharjo. The population of this study was the first grade students (class X) of Accounting and at SMKN Sukoharjo. The writer used random sampling technique to choose the sample. There were 36 students of X AKL B as the experimental class and 36 students of X AKL C as the control class. This study uses an experimental method with a quasi experimental approach. The technique of collecting the data was observation and questionnaire. The techniques of analyzing data were paired sample t-test, independent sample t-test, and N-Gain. The results of this study showed that there was a significant difference in students' learning interest. It was proven by the acquisition of paired sample t-test test results with a significance level of 0.000 <0.05. In the independent sample t-test test results obtained a significance value of 0.000 <0.05. In the N-Gain test results obtained in the experimental class showed a score of 0.38 or 0.38> 0.3. In addition, the average learning interest of students in the experimental class after treatment was 79.81 higher than the control class which had an average of 72.19. Thus it can be concluded that gamification media affected the students' learning interest of basic accounting learning at SMKN Sukoharjo.
Shariah compliance and earnings management in India: Insights on reporting transparency and financial stability
Authors: Abraham Manu
Published: June 2024

The present study examines the impact of earnings management on financial stability and reporting transparency among Shariah and Shariah-non-compliant firms in India from 2008 to 2023. The Study uses Kothari and Roychodhury models to estimate earnings management proxies. Earnings manipulation and bankruptcy of the sample firms were estimated using Beneish’s M-score and Altman’s Z-score models. The Study reveals that compared to non-Shariah firms, the Shariah-complaint firms are less prone to earnings management and bankruptcy, and it was also found that they are more transparent in reporting their results. Overall, the study confirms that more than a religious indexation, Shariah screening is effective in maintaining ethical conduct of business practices that enhance the protection of investors. The findings of this study aid managers in policy formulations, and it will be helpful for potential investors in making investment decisions based on Shariah principles.
Exploring Students’ Engagement with Peer-and Teacher Written Feedback in an EFL Writing Course: A Multiple Case Study of Iranian Graduate Learners
Authors:   Department of Foreign Languages, Iran University of Science and Technology, Farsani Mohammad Amini , Aghamohammadi Nahid
Published: June 2024

Recent studies have highlighted the significance of learners’ engagement with written corrective feedback (WCF). However, comparative studies exploring graduate students’ engagement (i.e., cognitive, affective, and behavioral) with peers and teachers’ feedback in an L2 writing course is scarce. Hence, this multiple case study, using various sources such as a semi-structured interview, a narrative inquiry sheet, a peer feedback sheet, and students’ writing tasks, explored Iranian EFL graduate students’ engagement with peer- and teacher feedback. The findings revealed that all of the learners were engaged with the WCF they received from both their peers and instructor. However, the intensity of each dimension of engagement with peer and teacher WCF was different. Specifically, as for peer-feedback engagement, we found that behavioral engagement was the most frequent engagement type. The second most frequent was cognitive engagement and the least common was affective engagement. As for teachers’ feedback engagement, the findings revealed that cognitive engagement was the most frequent engagement type. The second most frequent was affective engagement, and the least common engagement type was behavioral engagement. Implications and recommendations with regards to learners’ engagement with peer and teacher written feedback are discussed in the light of the findings.
A Genre-Based Approach to Listening: Factors and Outcomes
Authors:   University of Southampton, Arizmendi González Graciela
Published: June 2024

In a study of approaches to teaching listening, an experimental group (EG) of seventeen English as a Foreign Language (EFL) undergraduates received genre-based instruction, beginning with a guided analysis of the context of oral production, the language used, the variations and organization of second language (L2) oral texts about films, leading slowly up to an independent reconstruction of another similar text. Data were collected from a pre- and post-listening task, stimulated recalls (SR), and semi-structured interviews (SSI). The results suggest that, in the EG’s post-tasks, the identification of linguistic elements positively influences the participants’ ability to comprehend the structural rhetoric of an oral text. Findings reveal that the analysis of the linguistic elements permits identification of the narrator’s accent, the type of text, and its organization. Overall, the findings indicate that the comprehension of listening texts is affected by the interaction between the various cognitive processes to build meaning, the specific metacognitive strategies used to reconstruct the listening text at hand, and socio-affective strategies. These results are not generalizable due to the small sample size, but they help to understand teaching listening through Genre-Based Approach.
Direct and Indirect Supports in an EFL Academic Writing Classroom: New Rhetorical Genre Perspective
Authors:   Universitas Muhammadiyah Prof. DR. HAMKA, Mulyono Herri , Artarini Shabrina
Published: June 2024

Despite the importance of academic writing skills in higher education, many Indonesian students encounter challenges that constrain their writing success. Earlier studies in the context have shown that many students have little control over the schematic structure of the argumentative text and their linguistics features. In the current paper, we aimed to document a classroom practice where direct and indirect supports were given to the students during the course of academic writing at an English Education program in a private university in Jakarta, Indonesia. From our reflection on the practice, students benefited from the two supports given to them in each stage of a writing activity. Students were shown to have sufficient knowledge about the academic literature, how to search journal articles, and how to comprehend and annotate the articles' contents. Despite the students' positive feedback, we found that the average students’ writings were not satisfactory. While students had sufficient knowledge to select and use appropriate academic words, there appeared substantial issues concerning the development of ideas and arguments to support the idea. We observed that students had limited time to practice, and this inhibited them from producing a good academic essay. The academic writing course syllabus and its timetable thus should be revisited to address such issues.
Listening Comprehension: The Role of Morphological Knowledge
Authors:   English Language Institute United International University, Hasan Md. Kamrul , Nomnian Singhanat ,   Research Institute for Languages and Cultures of Asia, Mahidol University
Published: June 2024

Morphological knowledge has been identified as a significant sub-skill in bilingual listening comprehension, and lexical researchers consider listening comprehension as an essential means for language learning. The current research attempted to examine the crucial four derivative word classes (adverb, adjective, verb, and noun) to represent knowledge of morphology. The objective was to find out if morphological knowledge can predict students’ listening comprehension and investigate the correlation between the four derivative word classes and listening comprehension. The participants of the present study comprised 171 English as a foreign language (EFL) undergraduate university students. This study was quantitative in nature and a multiple regression analysis was administered. Two tests of English language proficiency were conducted: listening comprehension and morphological knowledge. The findings of the research showed that there were positive and significant correlations between all four major derivative word classes and listening comprehension. In addition, verb derivative form not only had the most significant, positive correlation with the dependent variable, (i.e., listening comprehension), but it was also the most statistically significant contributing predictor of listening comprehension.
Sophie’s Choices: One TESOL Professional’s Journey
Authors:   LaGuardia Community College (CUNY), Housel David A.
Published: June 2024

While conducting a qualitative, semi-structured interview study that investigated the role of program administrators and managers in the field of teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL), the author encountered a TESOL professional whose 30-year career as an instructor, administrator, and owner of her own language school was so inspirational as to warrant its own exploration as a continuous professional development case study. Using the conceptual framework of continuous professional development (CPD) through the lenses of critically reflective practice and transformative and transformational learning (Brookfield, 2017; Cranton, 1996; Freire, 2007; Mezirow, 1991) and the methodological framework of the use of narratives in TESOL and teachers’ narrative inquiry as professional development (Johnson & Golombek, 2002; Pavlenko, 2002), the author unravels each step of Sophie’s career as a guidebook for other TESOL professionals who might be contemplating a similar journey. The author’s findings highlight the impetus and decision-making processes behind each transition in her career trajectory and concludes by illuminating what Sophie identified as lessons learned. Since many TESOL professionals aspire to open their own language schools in an English as a foreign language (EFL) context, the lessons learned from that enterprise were delineated separately. The critical roles preservice preparation, CPD, and effective supervision and mentorship play when transitioning into administrative positions were identified as areas for further investigation and research, including how modifications in these areas might foster a more seamless professional evolution into entrepreneurship.
An Analysis of EFL Textbooks in Public Secondary Schools of Ecuador
Authors:   Universidad Técnica de Machala, ELT Innovators Research Group, T. Soto Sandy , Espinosa Cevallos Ligia Fernanda ,   Universidad Regional Amazónica Ikiam
Published: June 2024

This study analyzes three textbooks that have been used to teach English to eighth graders in Ecuadorian public secondary schools from 1993 to midyear of 2019. The textbooks in question included Our World Through English (OWTE) 1, Postcards 1A, and Viewpoints English A1.1. This work provides a descriptive review of how such textbooks supported students´ learning. A checklist was used for the evaluation of the structural elements. Out of the three textbooks, OWTE contained more content than what could be handled beyond instructional time and students’ linguistic background. Postcards and Viewpoints contributed to better conditions for learning English in Ecuadorian classrooms. Both included a more manageable amount of content. Viewpoints provided more guidance and opportunities for students to practice the language in meaningful ways. The study suggests that when designing a textbook for English as a foreign language (EFL) instruction, the decision-makers in Ecuadorian public institutions should use comprehensive criteria that integrate different aspects of a textbook including its length and the elements that compose its units.
Application and Optimization of Various Machine Learning Models in Social E-Commerce Marketing Strategies
Authors: Li Zhen
Published: June 2024

In the context of rapid development in social e-commerce, the optimization of marketing strategies urgently requires new technological approaches. This study investigates the application of four artificial intelligence algorithms—supervised learning, deep learning, unsupervised learning, and reinforcement learning—in Douyin live shopping and Kuaishou platform shopping, proposing a series of innovative marketing strategies. Based on an analysis of 920,000 user behavior records, we evaluate the effectiveness of each algorithm in user behavior prediction, personalized recommendation, advertisement placement optimization, and customer segmentation. The results indicate that the deep learning model achieved a prediction accuracy of 94.8%, enhancing user satisfaction by 19.7%. The supervised learning model achieved a classification accuracy of 89.3%. The reinforcement learning model increased advertisement click-through rates by 24.6%. The unsupervised learning model excelled in customer segmentation. By utilizing hybrid models and improved algorithms, marketing effectiveness was further enhanced, providing new directions and strategies for marketing practices in the social e-commerce sector.
Research on Photovoltaic Power Generation Prediction Based on Ensemble Learning DBO-LSTM-EBRB
Authors: Fu Boyi , Lin Jiayan
Published: June 2024

Photovoltaic power generation represents a pivotal form of renewable energy. Accurate power prediction is therefore of paramount importance to the advancement of the energy revolution. This paper examines the Yumara Solar System PV plant in the central region of Australia as a case study. The research begins with the use of the k nearest neighbor algorithm (KNN) and extreme gradient boosting algorithm (XGBoost) to pre-process the PV power generation data from the PV plant. This is followed by the creation of line graphs, which illustrate the changes in variables in the PV power generation data from the PV plant in 2022. Subsequently, this paper employs the dung beetle optimization (DBO) algorithm to optimize the long short-term memory (LSTM) network and construct the DBO-LSTM model. The DBO-LSTM model is further integrated with the extended belief rule base (EBRB) model under the integrated learning framework. The weight assignments are reasonable, in accordance with the model features, for the purpose of constructing the DBO-LSTM-EBRB model for predicting the capacity of photovoltaic power generation. This paper presents experimental results that demonstrate superior predictive performance of the DBO-LSTM-EBRB model in comparison to the traditional LSTM and EBRB models. The R2 value achieved for the DBO-LSTM-EBRB model ranges from 0.950 to 0.978.
POSSIBILIDADES E DESAFIOS NA IMPLEMENTAÇÃO DE UM MOOC
Authors: Moraes Viviane Carvalho , Irala Valesca Brasil , Piovesan Sandra Dutra
Published: June 2024

O presente artigo visa mapear  as possibilidades e desafios para a implementação de um curso piloto na modalidade MOOC (Curso Online Aberto e Massivo), voltado à temática de vídeos educacionais. Ainda que haja uma vasta literatura internacional recente com ênfase semelhante, há uma lacuna no que se refere à produção nacional voltada a compreender analiticamente propostas dessa natureza. Nesta pesquisa, a ênfase é dada à experiência dos cursistas para validar o ambiente didático e as escolhas dos conteúdos abordados. Com isso, entende-se que a metodologia adotada é um estudo de caso da implementação do curso intitulado “Vídeos Educacionais: tudo o que você precisa saber”, disponível em uma plataforma de testes, Moodle/Moove. A coleta e análise de dados durou um período de quatro meses, com tempo dividido em uma análise qualitativa dos dados primários da literatura e da justificação dos materiais produzidos, além do cruzamento de dados contendo as alterações previstas para a melhoria do curso a partir do relato dos cursistas. Dessa forma, os resultados apontam para as características que os vídeos e os materiais devem apresentar para obter resultados satisfatórios na aprendizagem e nos engajamentos dos alunos. Logo, todo o processo na produção dos materiais tem sua base teórica no que foi posteriormente validado pela implementação de um questionário com os cursistas concluintes. Por outro lado, apresentamos, também, as dificuldades na implementação de um curso nessa modalidade de ensino, sendo uma das principais identificadas, que também são características dos demais cursos MOOC, o problema no número de concluintes no período analisado, demonstrando como possibilidade para futuras pesquisas.
Simulation of strain localisation with an elastoplastic micropolar material point method
Authors: O'Hare Ted , Gourgiotis Panos , Coombs William , Augarde Charles
Published: June 2024

The thickness of shear bands, which form along slip surfaces during certain modes of geotechnical failure, depends directly on the size of the soil particles. Classical continuum models, however, are invariant to length scale, so the strain localisation zone cannot converge to a finite size when employing numerical techniques such as the finite element method. Instead, the present approach adopts the micropolar (Cosserat) continuum, a weakly non-local higher-order theory which incorporates a characteristic length and allows independent rotations of the material micro-structure as well as transmission of couple stresses. As a result, strain can localise naturally in micropolar continua to form realistic finitesized shear bands. By extending an elastic finite-strain micropolar implementation of the material point method (a numerical method well-suited to modelling large deformation problems) with an elasto-plastic constitutive model suitable for geomaterials, this novel combined approach will provide a powerful tool to analyse numerically challenging localisation problems in geotechnics.
Towards simulation of magnet quench using hp-FEM
Authors: Miah S , Ledger P. , Gil A. , Mallet Michael , Ye Tian-Qing
Published: June 2024

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanners rely on superconducting magnets consisting of coils of superconducting material to produce a strong magnetic field across the bore of the magnet as part of the imaging process. To maintain superconductivity, the material needs to be kept very cold in a bath of liquid helium. However, sometimes problems can occur during a process called quench leading to heating of the material and the loss of superconductivity. This work is concerned with predicting quench by solving a coupled system of transient Thermal, Maxwell and Circuit equations.
Mechanics of 3D printed bioresorbable stents: A virtual testbed assessment.
Authors: Okereke Michael , Tabriz Atabak , Khalaj Roxanne , Douroumis Dennis
Published: June 2024

Next-generation stents are expected to be manufactured from fully bioresorbable materials. Such stents can achieve the restoration of patency of occluded atherosclerotic arteries, before hydrolysing in the body following healing. There has been a sustained growth of research in the development of new biomaterials and manufacturing methods for such stents. Three-dimensional printing is one of the exciting fields for the manufacture of coronary BRS. Here, we show a virtual testing approach for the development of 3D printable coronary artery stents based on bioresorbable polymeric biomaterials. In the study, the authors designed 10 novel 3D printable stents and manufactured them using Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) 3D-printing technology. Also, a virtual testing approach based on finite element methods was used to characterize the in vivo structural response of the stents with a view to assessing the suitability of the stent designs for use in the restoration of patency for occluded coronary arteries. The approach presented here can represent a future preoperative management tool for interventional cardiologists to assess the structural performance of bespoke patient-specific 3D printable stent designs prior to manufacture and implantation at the occluded site
Modelling the Liquid Droplet Impact Behaviour of Polymer Materials
Authors: Webb Luke , Tan Wei
Published: June 2024

In this study, we propose a multi-physics phase field model to predict the material degradation of polymer materials under liquid droplet impact. This model employs the Arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian (ALE) technique in conjunction with a predefined multiphysics interface for Two-Phase Flow and Phase Field. The ALE method captures the dynamics of the deforming geometry and evolving boundaries through a moving grid. The boundary between water and air is tracked using the phase-field method. Meanwhile, the deformable solid is modelled using a variety of constitutive models, including linear elastic, Von Mises plasticity, and continuum damage mechanics. The computational model is subsequently validated against the experimental results. The displacement, strain distribution, and strain wave history from both modelling and experiment are compared. Our model demonstrates good qualitative agreement with the experimental results. The plasticity model or fracture model also provides insights into the failure mechanisms. This preliminary work opens a new avenue to model the degradation of polymer materials under extreme conditions.
A higher-order finite element framework for hyper-visco-elastodynamics of soft multifunctional composites
Authors: Kadapa Chennakesava , Hossain Mokarram
Published: June 2024

Smart multifunctional polymeric composites such as electroactive polymers, magnetoactive polymers and active hydrogels find numerous applications in soft robotics, energy harvesting, flexible electronic devices, tactile sensors, precision drug delivery devices etc.. Accurate simulation of large deformation and large-strain response of these composites under different stimuli requires sophisticated formulations to capture multiphysical interactions at the interface between solid mechanics, electromagnetism and chemical transport. Moreover, the viscoelastic characteristics of the underlying polymer and the high-frequency (dynamic) response require different time integration schemes for solving ordinary differential equations of two different orders, resulting in inconsistencies and discretisation errors [4]. This contribution presents a novel unified computational framework for simulating the response of electroactive polymers [1, 4] and magnetoactive polymers [2], including the effects of growth [1, 3], viscoelasticity [2] and elastodynamics [4]. Several benchmark examples and problems of practical interest are presented to demonstrate the performance of the proposed framework.
Reducing Aerodynamic Drag on Flatbed Trailers for Passenger Vehicles Using Novel Appendable Devices
Authors: Connolly Michael , O'Rourke Malachy , Ivankovic Alojz
Published: June 2024

This article presents a study on the aerodynamic drag of a generic dual-axle flatbed trailer and explores ways to reduce the drag using appendable drag-reducing devices. The primary sources of drag originated from the van and trailer’s rear, along with the trailer’s wheels. The most-effective initial device for reducing drag was a full trailer underside cover, which offered a 7% drag reduction. Additionally, ladder racks, dropsides, and rear gates were studied, and it was found that protruding ladder racks significantly increased drag. Rear gates added large amounts of drag and should be removed and stored when not needed. The study also explored novel mid-section devices that increased the van’s base pressure and reduced drag. An axle test revealed that drag for single-, dual-, and triple-axle trailers was very similar in direct flow, but different in yawed flow. A drawbar length test showed a near-linear relationship between drawbar length and drag, manifesting as a 1.7% change in drag per 250 mm change in drawbar length. Several novel modifications were made to the trailer, including fitting six unique appendable devices, which offered a total 7.3% drag reduction. A novel rear van device known as the multi-stage converging cavity was introduced, which reduced drag by nearly 18%. When all the devices were used together, a total 25% drag reduction was observed for the van–trailer combination.
A non-hysteretic simplification to the Glasgow Coupled Model (GCM)
Authors: Mutsvairo Takudzwa , Lloret-Cabot Marti , Hughes Paul , Muguda-Viswanath Sravan , Dias Ana Sofia
Published: June 2024

The Glasgow Coupled Model (GCM) is an established elasto-plastic constitutive model developed to capture the coupled hydro-mechanical response of unsaturated soils. This study highlights the unique capabilities of the GCM in modelling the water retention and mechanical behaviour of unsaturated soils. Namely, its ability to capture the scanning, main wetting and main drying water retention responses, the mechanical response (including volume change and shear strength), and the coupling between the water retention and mechanical behaviour. However, due to the multiple yielding scenarios that a given stress path can trigger, numerical integration of the model is challenging and adjustments towards a more simplified approach are desirable if the model is to be used in geotechnical practice. For this purpose, the capabilities of a simplified non-hysteretic version of the GCM, designed to streamline its formulation, are investigated in this paper. The non-hysteretic model requires less parameters and simplifies the identification of the elasto-plastic mechanism activated by a stress path, at the expense of limiting some of the original modelling abilities.
Isogeometric Analysis for BIM-based Design and Simulation of Segmental Tunnel Lining
Authors: Bui Hoang-Giang , Nguyen Tai-Tien , Pham Van-Vi , Do Ngoc-Anh , Cao Ba-Trung , Ninic Jelena
Published: June 2024

The design and analysis of segmental tunnel lining is today often based on empirical solutions with simplified assumptions. This work showcases the application of Isogeometric Analysis (IGA) for computationally efficient simulations of tunnel linings [1, 2]. In our past research, we developed a design-through-analysis procedure that consists of i) parametric modeling of the segmented tunnel lining; ii) development of an IGA computational framework, iii) reconstruction of the BIM lining model for IGA analysis, and iv) simulation model for lining including a reconstructed IGA model, contact interfaces between the joints, and a non-linear soil-structure interaction model based on the Variational Hyperstatic Reaction Method (VHRM) [3].In this paper, we extend our method for the analysis of subrectangular tunnel linings and demonstrate its efficiency using the example of the Shanghai express tunnel. The advantage of our novel method is the flexibility in adapting the tunnel alignment with the help of NURBS/CAD technology. Employing the high-order geometry definition, convergence of the mesh refinement procedure can be obtained with much faster rate. As a result, the modelling effort and computational time are reduced significantly. Moreover, this approach allows to capture the bending moment with better regularity. The combination with an existing BIM modelling approach via geometry reconstruction leads to a very efficient framework for tunnel lining analysis and design.
Mathematical modelling of pressure induced freezing point depression within soils exhibiting strong capillary pressure effect
Authors: Lgotina Ekaterina , Mathias Simon , Lloret-Cabot Marti , Ireson Andrew
Published: June 2024

Many geotechnical applications are affected by the melting and formation of ice in soils. Current state of practice involves incorporating the presence of ice within hydrological models for unsaturated soils using the so-called generalised Clapeyron equation [1]. This represents a modification of the conventional Clapeyron equation by allowing for the pressure in ice and liquid to be different at an ice-liquid interface. Such an idea has come about due to the effects of surface tension, which become important within the pores of porous materials such as soil and rock. However, a common assumption when using the generalised Clapeyron equation is that the ice pressure remains constant [2], which leads to unrealistic behaviour in the presence of significant pore-water pressure changes. Here we develop a new mathematical modelling framework to explore the impact of pressure induced freezing point depression within soils exhibiting strong capillary pressure effect. We solve the coupled mass and energy conservation problem using method of lines (e.g., [3]) with pressure and enthalpy as the primary dependent variables. Strong non-linear coupling develops through the chemical potential equation accounting for coexistence of ice and water in the presence of surface tension [5]. We present a sensitivity analysis showing how freezing point depression evolves within a porous block subject to temperature surface boundary cooling and varied capillary pressures.
SENT specimen ductile-failure modelling via damage mechanics
Authors: Ali Asif , Gintalas Marius , Alfano Giulio
Published: June 2024

Ductile fracture in metals has been intensively studied over at least 8 decades and a number of relatively well established methods have been developed to characterise the fracture resistance of metal components in terms of critical fracture toughness parameter(s). The most widely used ‘fitness-for-service’ industry standards concerning evaluation of cracks or crack-like-flaws provides correlations to determine critical values of the stress intensity factor or the J integral as a function of temperature and component thickness (or crack front length). The most challenging aspect is how to take into account that the fracture toughness of metals can significantly depend on the degree of constraint characterised by stress triaxiality. On the other hand, damage mechanics is an alternative way of modelling progressive failure in materials. Depending on the damage model used, typically one or more damage variables are introduced at each material point, which range between 0 and 1, with 0 normally representing the undamaged state and 1 representing complete damage, which essentially means that a macro crack has formed or has propagated to the point. In this article, we will present and discuss the results of some finite element simulations conducted for a Single Edge Notched Tension (SENT) specimen using an explicit-dynamics solution procedure and a material model that accounts for ductile damage and plasticity. Due to the very refined mesh at the crack front, mass scaling is used to increase the minimum time increment ensuring stability and the effect of different choices of mass-scaling parameters are discussed.
Difficulties in differential diagnosis of hematological toxicity during therapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors
Authors: Orlova R. V. , Avramenko I. V.
Published: June 2024

Checkpoint inhibitors have radically changed the approach to oncology and have become the new standard of treatment for many solid tumors, significantly increasing the life expectancy of patients. With the advent of a new class of drugs, we are faced with a completely recognized toxicity profile. The spectrum affects other manifestations that affect almost every organ and system of the body. Most often the skin, the secretion of the internal gland, the gastrointestinal tract, lungs, and liver are affected. Complications from the urinary, cardiovascular, muscular-articular, nervous and hematopoietic systems occur less frequently. This article will discuss one of the rare complications that occurs during therapy with checkpoint inhibitors — thrombocytopenia with hemorrhagic syndrome. The main purpose of the article is to increase clinical alertness and highlight the relevance of the problem of rare complications during immunotherapy.