bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prediction of the Nominal Side Resistance of Drilled Shafts in Dominantly Cohesive Soils using ANN
Authors: Komla Herve Agbemenou Atsou , Motamed Ramin , Talaei-Khoei Amir
Published: September 2024

The conventional methods used in the design of drilled shafts might not fully consider the multiple sources of uncertainty in the soil such as the geometric and mechanical variability and/or the construction methods. These uncertainties can introduce nonlinearity to the analysis, leading to underestimation or overestimation of the resistance, which can be translated into expensive or even unsafe projects. Because of this, machine learning techniques such as artificial neural networks (ANNs), proven to be effective in solving nonlinear problems, are becoming popular in solving civil engineering problems. Therefore, the objective of this preliminary study is to evaluate a concept for predicting the nominal side resistance of drilled shafts with improved accuracy, using ANN. In this study, 45 load tests were collected from the extended version of the Nevada Deep Foundation Load Test Database and divided into 85% for training and 15% for testing. Then 1,638 ANN models were trained to determine the optimum model with a root-mean-squared error of 2,058 kips and an R-squared ( R2) of 85% on unseen load tests. The model was then benchmarked against the AASHTO predicted side resistance, with an average overall improvement of the prediction accuracy using ANN of 23%. This paper demonstrates that such models could be developed, improved, and used in the industry at an early stage and with limited data as supplemental tools that can help optimize designs in regard to construction safety, time, and cost.
Investigation into the effects of COVID-19 on the Mobility Preferences and Challenges amongst Senior U.S. Citizens: Insights from a Nationwide Survey Study
Authors: Boakye Bernard , Hassan Hany
Published: September 2024

Seniors’ mobility decreases as they age as a result of deteriorating health and restricted travel alternatives. Consequently, it is imperative that their transportation needs be met, particularly when they are at risk because of pandemics like COVID-19. This study aims to examine older U.S. citizens’ (65 years and older) travel behavior and challenges before and during COVID-19 through conducting a nationwide online survey that collected responses from 1,507 senior U.S. citizens. The McNemar-Bowker test and Ordered Probit Modeling were employed to assess the differences in their travel behavior and factors determining their mobility satisfaction during COVID-19. The findings indicate that there was a considerable reduction in the frequency of work-related, shopping, medical, leisure, and social/religious trips during COVID-19. In addition, the frequency of all travel modes usages declined significantly except for paratransit and motorcycle. Senior U.S. citizens’ travel choices during COVID-19 were largely influenced by their safety and security, virus infection concern, and comfort and convenience. Seniors mostly preferred to use their private vehicles during COVID-19. Accessibility, reliability, and flexibility were the greatest concerns of seniors about using public transit. Moreover, seniors’ satisfaction with their mobility depended on their physical mobility challenges, family size, subregional locations, length of driving, decline in their driving skills and abilities as they aged, preference to use private cars as the most affordable and reliable modes, and extra expenditure they made on their travels during COVID-19. Finally, several actionable countermeasures have been suggested in this study to improve the mobility of seniors.
A Strike: Lessons in Solidarity
Authors: Rosenberg Daniel
Published: September 2024

This is an account, by a faculty member, of a successful clerical workers’ strike at Long Island’s Adelphi University that took place in 1989. The author explains that neither the unionized full-time faculty nor the contingent instructors, whose status was quite precarious, could honor the clerical workers’ picket lines. Nonetheless, faculty and other nonstriking employees found numerous ways to support the strike. Student strike support manifestations were equally consistent and varied.

JEL Classification: J51, J52, J30
Valorization of chitosan for sustainable soap production: Development, performance evaluation, and hygiene applications
Authors: Senthil Aishwarya , Sakthivel Vignesh , Amuthan Jayanthi Pavithra , Rahmathullah Azmathullah , Ramachandran Saravanan
Published: September 2024

This study investigates a new method for making soap by using chitosan (CH) obtained from discarded cephalopod waste. This strategy aims to tackle the environmental issues related to trash disposal. Low molecular weight chitosan (LMWCH) was developed by extracting chitin, converting into chitosan and subjecting it to gamma irradiation for reducing the molecular weight. The chitosan has a molecular weight of 982 Da, making it well-suited for being included in soap compositions and providing strong anti-microbial activity. The soap that was produced demonstrated desirable attributes, such as a moisture content of 17.13%, a pH level of 9, and a stable fatty acid content, indicating its potential for successful commercial use. The soap had significant antibacterial activity against common pathogens such as Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Candida albicans ( C.albicans). After 36 h, it produced zones of inhibition measuring 7.7 ± 1.05 mm and 8.4 ± 0.5 mm respectively. The research’s reliability is based on its meticulous experimental technique, which included comprehensive characterization of both the chitosan derivative and the final soap product. Moreover, conducting antimicrobial testing on widely recognized pathogens enhances the credibility of the soap’s possible practical uses in hygiene goods. Overall, this study underscores the feasibility of utilizing waste materials for sustainable soap production while offering potential antimicrobial benefits, thus contributing to both environmental conservation and public health.
Myoclonus After Cardiac Arrest did not Correlate with Cortical Response on Somatosensory Evoked Potentials
Authors: Koek Adriana Y. , Darpel Kyle A. , Mihaylova Temenuzhka , Kerr Wesley T.
Published: September 2024

Purpose

Myoclonus after anoxic brain injury is a marker of significant cerebral injury. Absent cortical signal (N20) on somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs) after cardiac arrest is a reliable predictor of poor neurological recovery when combined with an overall clinical picture consistent with severe widespread neurological injury. We evaluated a clinical question of if SSEP result could be predicted from other clinical and neurodiagnostic testing results in patients with post-anoxic myoclonus.

Methods

Retrospective chart review of all adult patients with post-cardiac arrest myoclonus who underwent both electroencephalographic (EEG) monitoring and SSEPs for neuroprognostication. Myoclonus was categorized as “non-myoclonic movements,” “myoclonus not captured on EEG,” “myoclonus without EEG correlate,” “myoclonus with EEG correlate,” and “status myoclonus.” SSEP results were categorized as all absent, all present, N18 and N20 absent bilaterally, and N20 only absent bilaterally. Cox proportional hazards with censoring was used to evaluate the association of myoclonus category, SSEP results, and confounding factors with survival.

Results

In 56 patients, median time from arrest to either confirmed death or last follow up was 9 days. The category of myoclonus was not associated with SSEP result or length of survival. Absence of N20 s or N18 s was associated with shorter survival (N20 hazard ratio [HR] 4.4, p = 0.0014; N18 HR 5.5, p < 0.00001).

Conclusions

Category of myoclonus did not reliably predict SSEP result. SSEP result was correlated with outcome consistently, but goals of care transitioned to comfort measures only in all patients with present peripheral potentials and either absent N20 s only or absence of N18 s and N20 s. Our results suggest that SSEPs may retain prognostic value in patients with post-anoxic myoclonus.
Adverse Childhood Experiences and Intimate Partner Violence Among Sexual Minority Young Adults: The Roles of Alcohol Consequences and Discrimination
Authors: Grocott Lauren R. , Liuzzi Michael T. , Harris Julia C. , Stuart Gregory L. , Shorey Ryan C.
Published: September 2024

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are associated with intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration. A posited mechanism explaining the link between ACEs and IPV is alcohol use consequences. Yet, few studies have examined this relationship among sexual minority young adults or how chronic and unique discrimination due to their marginalized identity (i.e., minority stress) may influence these associations. This study examined whether alcohol use consequences mediated the relationship between ACEs and IPV perpetration, and whether minority stress moderated this mediated relationship. Sexual minority young adults who used alcohol in the past month ( N = 344; age 18–25) in a dating relationship completed a survey on ACEs, IPV, alcohol and minority stress. We hypothesized: (a) alcohol use consequences would mediate the association between ACEs and IPV perpetration and (b) higher discrimination would moderate the mediation of alcohol use consequences in the relationship between ACEs and IPV perpetration. ACEs ( B  = 0.74, p  = .010) and alcohol use consequences ( B  = 0.64, p  = .007), were significantly associated with psychological, but not physical, IPV perpetration. Alcohol use consequences did not mediate the association between ACEs and any IPV type. In addition, everyday discrimination was not a significant moderator. ACEs and alcohol use consequences contribute to the risk for IPV perpetration among sexual minority young adults. Future research is needed to determine how alcohol use consequences may impact risk for IPV perpetration among those who have experienced ACEs.
Exploring the Meaning of Saudi Women's Traditional Dress Among a Shifting Saudi Cultural Context
Authors: Tawfiq Wijdan Adnan , Paff Jennifer L.
Published: September 2024

Saudi Women's traditional dress had been worn for centuries but has been discarded in favor of Western fashion and regarded as stigmatized since the 2010s. However, various events have occurred over the last four years that have contributed to the possible destigmatization of Saudi women's traditional dress. We explore the shifting meaning of Saudi women's traditional dress in the contemporary Saudi context. We interviewed 14 Saudi women; data were analyzed using constant comparison processes, and four themes emerged: (a) traditional dress as a multifaceted and dynamic symbol in contemporary Saudi culture, (b) motives for wearing Saudi traditional dress in the shifting cultural context, (c) perceptions about the role of micro- and macro-level factors in altering the meanings of and behaviors toward Saudi traditional dress, and (d) asserting agency in constructing and enacting meanings and practices related to traditional dress. Participants’ choices about traditional dress reflected both macro and micro forces.
Trajectories of Breastfeeding-Related Thoughts and Attitudes Among Low-Income Smoke-Exposed Pregnant Women: A Latent Class Growth Analysis
Authors: St Fleur Ruth G. , von Ash Tayla , Alikhani Anna , Dunsiger Shira I. , Risica Patricia Markham
Published: September 2024

Background:

Psychosocial predictors of breastfeeding and changes in those factors during pregnancy, along with the relationship of those changes with both breastfeeding and smoke use and exposure, are not well explored.

Research Aim:

The aim of this study was to identify distinct trajectories of psychosocial determinants of breastfeeding and smoking in pregnant women.

Methods:

We used a longitudinal study design and data from a randomized controlled trial conducted among smoke-exposed pregnant women and their infants. Participants were recruited early in pregnancy and were surveyed at ≤ 16 and 32 weeks gestation, delivery, 3 and 6 months postpartum for breastfeeding intentions, initiation, continuation, and smoke use and exposure. Psychosocial variables associated with breastfeeding were measured at baseline and 32 weeks gestation using the Mitra index, a structured questionnaire that assesses barriers and facilitators of breastfeeding intentions. Latent class growth analysis was performed using Mitra scores to identify distinct subgroups of participants with different trajectories. Sociodemographic characteristics, breastfeeding, and tobacco smoke use and exposure were compared across classes.

Results:

Three or four trajectories were identified for each of the six Mitra scores. Trajectories for all Mitra scores were associated with breastfeeding intention and initiation. Overall, Mitra, knowledge, self-efficacy, social support, and time barrier classes all differed by tobacco smoke use or exposure.

Conclusion:

Trajectories of breastfeeding knowledge, self-efficacy, social support, and time to breastfeed/social barriers are associated with tobacco smoke use and exposure during pregnancy. Encouragement to breastfeed and to cease and avoid tobacco smoke should start early in pregnancy, focusing on these determinants to improve health outcomes.
Mobility for What? Space, Time, Labor, and Gender in South Asia
Authors: Srivastava Abhilasha , Aftab Zehra
Published: September 2024

Questions about women’s safety have gained importance in both India and Pakistan, as gendered and sexual violence in public spaces has risen. This motivates questions about the presence and mobility of women in public spaces in South Asia and their determinants. In this paper, we extend feminist scholarship on space and time, social reproduction, classical patriarchy, and the everyday by unpacking the concept of mobility into two new categories: instrumental and substantive mobility. We use these categories to dig deeper into spatial and temporal patterns of women’s mobility at the national level. Our regression models and tempograms based on nationally representative time-use surveys show that women’s presence in public spaces remains abysmally low in both countries. It increases only temporarily with travel for paid/unpaid labor and education in instrumental ways. However, any mobility that breaks the temporal rhythm of the everyday or norms governing space and time is rarely observed. Our analysis also shows that these mobilities are also affected by social contexts such as marriage, class, and caste, among others. Also, despite popular perceptions, we find no substantial differences in the mobility patterns for women in the two countries. This paper makes a case for reassessing interactions between neoliberal economic regimes and classical patriarchy and how “power geometries” of space, time, and social reproduction impact women’s mobilities in South Asia.
Experimental study of shielding gas concentration on mechanical properties of stainless steel alloy parts using wire and arc additive manufacturing
Authors: Gowthaman P.S. , Jeyakumar S. , Sarathchandra D.T
Published: September 2024

Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM) is an emerging three-dimensional fabrication technology that enables higher deposition rate, material savings, and near net-shape. In this study, various shielding gas concentration (SGC) of argon (Ar) and carbon-di-oxide (CO2) was employed to fabricate 316L using Cold Metal Transfer (CMT) WAAM process. Microstructure characteristics and mechanical properties of thick-walled parts were studied. Microstructure studies show a combination of columnar and equiaxed grains in various regions. Microhardness results exhibit the uneven distribution of hardness value from bottom to top region along the building direction and the values are ranging between185 and 240 HV. Tensile studies indicates the both horizontal and vertical direction samples secures the higher ultimate tensile strength (UTS), yield strength (YS) and elongation (EL) values and confirmed the isotropic properties. Fractography studies prove ductile fracture with the evidence of dimples and enough plastic deformation. From the experimental results, the SGC-2 possesses finer solidification structure and higher mechanical properties than the other samples. The as-fabricated WAAM parts possess higher mechanical properties than the 316L parts fabricated via casting and wrought parts.
Classification of windswept posture in daily life using tri-axial accelerometers
Authors: Sato Haruhiko , Inoue Takenobu
Published: September 2024

An asymmetric windswept posture is often seen in children with severe cerebral palsy (CP). However, it is still unclear how long children with CP remain in the windswept posture in daily life. Thus, we developed a triple-accelerometer system for detecting windswept posture. The aim of this study was to assess the validity of a system for classifying various body postures and movements. We assessed the accuracy of our system in nine healthy young adults (age range, 21–23 years). The participants wore acceleration monitors on the sternum and both thighs, then spent 3 min each in eight different positions and three physical activities. Once accuracy was confirmed, we assessed the posture and movements for 24 h in six healthy young adults (age range, 21–23 years) in their home environments. The body postures and activities were correctly detected: the agreement across the subjects were 100% compatible with the subjects’ activity logs at least 68% of the time, and at least 96% of the time for recumbent positions. We concluded that the proposed monitoring system is a reliable and valid approach for assessing windswept hip posture in a free-living setting.
Taking shared parenting seriously: a comparative study of how family policies accommodate shared physical custody in post-separation households
Authors: Merla Laura , Izaguirre Lorena , Murru Sarah
Published: September 2024

Shared physical custody (SPC) is a care arrangement following parental separation, whereby children alternatively reside with their mother and father. Very little is known about how family policies accommodate SPC, which is all the more unfortunate, as it represents a key opportunity to understand how family policies can efficiently facilitate shared parenting. To address this gap, this article presents a modest attempt at designing a new comparative family policy approach that considers SPC arrangements, by examining the extent to which Belgian, French and Italian family policies accommodate a more equal sharing of parenting post-divorce. In so doing, we encourage studies of defamilialization to take better account of the diversity of contemporary family forms. The theoretical section traces back key feminist debates around defamilialization and proposes to consider SPC arrangements as an ‘atypical’ family configuration that best illustrates contemporary tensions around defamilialization and gender equality. It also takes stock of the few studies of family policy and SPC to highlight key issues at stake. The analysis section starts with the main characteristics of the family law, welfare regime and family policies of the three countries. Then, we examine a selection of emblematic and national-level family policies from the following areas: (1) Family benefits; (2) Financial support to access to services; and (3) Tax measures. Our comparison focuses on three main criteria: scope; entitlement; and shareability of benefits between parents in the context of SPC. Our analysis reveals the variety of approaches to SPC in family polices across countries and policy areas, and the significant lack of support for a more equitable distribution of parenting within SPC. We conclude by highlighting the usefulness of taking SPC into account in reflecting on and evaluating the implementation of defamilialization policies, and by identifying some of the challenges to be met by future research.
Mirrors of Knowledge and Indigenous Knowledge Management
Authors: Dei De-Graft Johnson , Danquah Monica Mensah
Published: September 2024

This study assessed the role of mirrors of knowledge in the management and preservation of indigenous knowledge for sustainability and development in Ghana. The qualitative research design and structured interview were used in this study. The study focused on three categories of mirrors of knowledge: libraries (academic libraries, research libraries, special libraries, and public and community libraries), museums, and archive centers. Thematic content analysis was used to analyze the data collected via the interview. The study established that the managers and officers of the mirrors of knowledge understand and appreciate the concept of indigenous knowledge; there was the availability of technological systems and tools to facilitate the management and preservation of indigenous knowledge; and the mirrors of knowledge played a significant role in the management and preservation of knowledge. However, the absence of a collection development policy on indigenous knowledge; the outdated nature of most of the technological tools; the lack of funding; the lack of appreciation of indigenous knowledge by the staff and community members; etc. affected the quest to effectively manage and preserve indigenous knowledge for sustainable development. This study will serve as a guide for managers and policymakers of all the categories of mirrors of knowledge on the need, role, and importance of a collection development policy for indigenous knowledge, and guide in the identification and deployment of the appropriate technological systems for the management and preservation of indigenous knowledge. It will also inform the managers, policymakers, and stakeholders of indigenous knowledge of the challenges associated with the collection and management of indigenous knowledge and measures that can be deployed to help solve these problems for sustainability and development.
The effect of academic librarians’ trust and relationships on their knowledge-sharing practice using the theory of planned behaviour
Authors: Ahmed Mahfooz , Ahmed Barrie , Saleh Al-Hussaini Abulfathi Ibrahim , Kuyateh Abubakar , Dupe Ayesha Adeleye
Published: September 2024

This study investigates how trust and relationships influence knowledge-sharing practices among academic librarians in Malaysia. Drawing on the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB), the research examines how trust affects librarians’ attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioural control, ultimately shaping their intentions and knowledge-sharing behaviours. Using a quantitative approach, data were collected from librarians in selected public and private university libraries in the Klang Valley region of Malaysia. The findings reveal a significant positive impact of trust and relationships on librarians’ willingness to share knowledge. The study also highlights that trust and positive relationships can indirectly influence knowledge-sharing practices by first shaping librarians’ attitudes, perceptions of social pressure, and confidence in their ability to share knowledge effectively. These results emphasize the importance of fostering a supportive library culture to promote knowledge sharing. Practical steps for libraries to cultivate such an environment are discussed, including (e.g. team-building activities and training programmes). Finally, the implications of these findings are explored, offering valuable insights for future research and library management practices.
Impact of moral resilience and interprofessional collaboration on nurses’ ethical competence
Authors: Amin Shaimaa Mohamed , Atta Mohamed Hussein Ramadan , Khedr Mahmoud Abdelwahab , El-Gazar Heba Emad , Zoromba Mohamed Ali
Published: September 2024

Background

Home care nurses are central in providing holistic and compassionate care to patients in home-based palliative care. Ethical caring competency is essential for home care to sustain nurses’ integrity in the face of moral adversity. Interprofessional collaboration is vital for ensuring ethical decision-making and providing patient-centered care in home-based palliative care settings.

Aim

This study explored the predictive roles of interprofessional collaboration and moral resilience on ethical caring competency among home care nurses in home-based palliative care.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey of 400 nurses was conducted from October to December 2023, utilizing standardized scales to measure interprofessional collaboration, moral resilience, and ethical caring competency. A convenience sample of 400 home care nurses was also included in this study. Correlation and linear regression analysis were used to clarify the associative and predictive findings.

Ethical Considerations

Ethical approval from the ethics committee, institutional permission, and informed consent from the participants were obtained for data collection.

Results

Correlation analysis showed significant positive correlations between the ethical caring competency, interprofessional collaboration, and moral resilience constructs, with coefficients ranging from 0.482 to 0.967. Linear regression revealed that management of collaborative systems and total moral resilience significantly predict ethical caring competency, explaining 14.6% and 36.6% of its variance, respectively. Other variables, such as the effects of collaboration and communication, did not significantly influence ethical caring competency.

Conclusion

The study highlights the significant impact of interprofessional collaboration, particularly the management of collaborative systems and moral resilience, on enhancing ethical caring competency among nurses.

Implications

Enhancing interprofessional collaboration and moral resilience through targeted strategies in nursing practice and education can significantly improve ethical caring competencies. These efforts are essential for delivering high-quality, patient-centered care and for fostering a healthcare environment that respects the ethical principles guiding nursing practice.
Profile of Pulmonary Tuberculosis in People Living with HIV—A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Maddala Shanti Annapurna , Perumal Shalini , Raghumanda Sunil Kumar , Sreerama Praveena
Published: September 2024

Introduction:

The interface between tuberculosis (TB) and HIV is increased in countries like India where both TB and HIV infection are maximally prevalent. Worldwide, TB is the second leading infectious killer after COVID-19. Ten percent of persons infected by both TB and HIV develop TB disease annually and in one-third of them, it turns out to be fatal. HIV- tuberculosis co-infection has an atypical presentation which mostly depends on the degree of immunosuppression.

Aims and Objectives:

To study the socio-demographic profile, clinical manifestations, and radiological presentation with relation to the CD4 count of patients co-infected with pulmonary TB and HIV.

Methodology:

This is a hospital-based observational, cross-sectional study done in 100 HIV-PTB co-infected patients from Nov’2021 to Nov’2023. The study was carried out after getting Institutional ethics clearance and Informed written consent from the participants.

Results:

The majority (74%) were males with 75% belonging to 31–50 years of age. Fifty-eight percent had a CD4 count between 50 and 200 cells/mm 3 . Fever (90%) was the most common presenting symptom followed by cough (85%). Atypical features of TB were present in 52% of the patients.

Conclusion:

CBNAAT must be indicated as a primary diagnostic modality for detecting TB in PLHIV. Atypical presentations of TB on Chest X-rays are common which are attributed to low CD4 count (≤200) in the present study. Awareness regarding HIV/AIDS, safe sex practices and cough etiquette is the need of the hour.
Spatial Interaction Between Leptospirosis and Enteric Fever in Kelantan, Malaysia: A 2016-2022 Notification Registry Analysis
Authors: Mohd Hatta Hazlienor , Musa Kamarul Imran , Mohd Fuzi Nik Mohd Hafiz , Moraga Paula
Published: September 2024

Leptospirosis and enteric fever are prevalent tropical acute bacterial febrile illnesses in Kelantan, Malaysia, that exhibit overlapping features and shared transmission dynamics, yet their spatial relationship remains understudied. This study aimed to analyze their spatial distribution, investigating potential interactions and intersecting patterns. A total of 212 laboratory-confirmed cases of enteric fever and 1106 of leptospirosis between 2016 and 2022, were retrieved from the national e-Notifikasi registry. Point pattern analysis revealed clustering of both diseases in the northern region, but leptospirosis was predominant in the south, exhibiting higher spatial risk. Seven co-infection cases were identified in overlapping hotspot areas. Spatial dependence between the diseases was identified within 4 km distance on average, with varying patterns over time and regions. Recognizing spatial dependence has implications for accurate diagnosis, timely intervention, and tailored public health strategies. The findings underscore the need for multi-disease interventions to address shared risk factors and co-infections in similar geographical contexts.
Transforming work towards social-ecological sustainability: a capability perspective
Authors: Zimmermann Bénédicte , Engelbrecht Sandra
Published: September 2024

Research on sustainable work remains split between social and ecological approaches. That also applies to related policy concepts, such as ‘decent work’, ‘job quality’ or ‘green jobs’. The article argues that to overcome the gap between the social and ecological agendas, we need to reconceptualise work within a normative framework different from the preference-based one that drives capitalist economies. To this end, we explore the potential and implications of the ‘capability’ framework, derived from the capability approach developed by Martha Nussbaum and Amartya Sen. With its focus on justice and deliberative democracy, it makes the political participation of all stakeholders, starting with workers, key to integrating social and ecological sustainability. It requires us to rethink work not only in terms of its means but also its ends, and to revise our understanding of workers and their role in society. On this basis, the article develops a definition of sustainable work and outlines some first elements for its practical operationalisation in an index.
A Fast iterative shrinkage and threshold algorithm-based least-squares deconvolution technique with application to bearing fault signals
Authors: Xu Yuanbo , Wei Yu , Wang Youming , Zhang Ni
Published: September 2024

Bearings are commonly subjected to load, transmission, and impact during operation, resulting in bearing failure that ultimately leads to mechanical breakdown. The low energy level of fault-induced impulsive signals, however, renders it vulnerable to being masked by environmental noise and other disturbances present in the vibration signal. To cope with this issue, this paper investigates the application of the finite impulse response (FIR) filter for bearing fault detection. In this work, the estimation of the FIR is formulated as a least squares optimization problem, aiming to minimize the l 2 norm of the FIR and effectively suppress noise and interference sources. The solutions of the least squares optimization problem are obtained using the fast iterative shrinkage–thresholding (FISTA) algorithm. Furthermore, to better select the regularization parameter in our method, an improved gray wolf optimizer (I–GWO) is employed to conduct the parameter selection. Based on these improvements, the proposed FISTA–LSD technique enables rapid and precise detection of fault characteristics upon their occurrence, thereby mitigating the propagation of faults and preventing accidents from happening. Furthermore, with this automated selection process, engineers can save valuable time that would otherwise be spent on trial-and-error approaches. Through its rapid response capabilities and precise fault detection abilities enabled by the FISTA–LSD technique along with I–GWO integration for automatic parameter selection; this FISTA–LSD technique greatly enhances its practical value. The proposed technique is validated through the utilization of both numerical and experimental data.
Attenuation properties of a meta-pipe: Analytical, experimental, and numerical prediction
Authors: Iqbal Mohd , Singh Sultan , Kumar Anil
Published: September 2024

Flexural vibration characteristics of a meta-pipe are investigated in this paper. Initially, the metamaterial piping system consisting of a homogeneous pipe and periodic flexible supports is designed. Subsequently, the dispersion relationship which is a function of the wavenumber and the frequency is derived employing the transfer matrix method and Bloch’s theorem. The designed system reveals a zero-frequency stopband and a wide passband in the examined frequency range, which are verified by both experimental and numerical results. To enhance the performance of this system, it is essential to effectively control the obtained passband. For this, a single-degree-of-freedom localized resonator is designed, which is subsequently installed at the center of each unit-cell of the pipe. The dispersion properties of this system are first evaluated analytically and then validated using experimental and numerical methods. Finally, the effect of pipe system parameters and resonator properties on the stopband characteristics is studied in depth. It was observed that the stopband properties can be effectively tuned by appropriately designing the piping system and resonators. The results presented in this study offer valuable insights into the propagation characteristics of flexural waves and the strategies devised for controlling vibrations in pipes.
The Vitalistic Ecology of Death: An Autoethnographic Journey Through Bereavement and Loss
Authors: Chemi Tatiana
Published: September 2024

With this autoethnography, it is my intention to explore experiences of bereavement and loss through the diffractive lenses of cultural intra-actions with literary texts, narratives, and sensory affordances. Bringing my own biographic experience of grief into these pages allows me, as a researcher, to make sense of death and its rituals, fundamental for healing purposes. I wonder: What does the affective materiality of bereaving do? My lived experience helps me to connect empathically and compassionately to events by looking at how society went through the impossibility of delivering care to the dead and their families during COVID-19 lockdowns and by questioning the “crisis of care.” To conclude, I reflect on how autoethnography can be a sensemaking process, leading to healing, opening to reflexivity, and reaching out to socially relevant questions about practices and ethics of care.
A graphics processing unit accelerated sparse direct solver and preconditioner with block low rank compression
Authors: Claus Lisa , Ghysels Pieter , Boukaram Wajih Halim , Li Xiaoye Sherry
Published: September 2024

We present the GPU implementation efforts and challenges of the sparse solver package STRUMPACK. The code is made publicly available on github with a permissive BSD license. STRUMPACK implements an approximate multifrontal solver, a sparse LU factorization which makes use of compression methods to accelerate time to solution and reduce memory usage. Multiple compression schemes based on rank-structured and hierarchical matrix approximations are supported, including hierarchically semi-separable, hierarchically off-diagonal butterfly, and block low rank. In this paper, we present the GPU implementation of the block low rank (BLR) compression method within a multifrontal solver. Our GPU implementation relies on highly optimized vendor libraries such as cuBLAS and cuSOLVER for NVIDIA GPUs, rocBLAS and rocSOLVER for AMD GPUs and the Intel oneAPI Math Kernel Library (oneMKL) for Intel GPUs. Additionally, we rely on external open source libraries such as SLATE (Software for Linear Algebra Targeting Exascale), MAGMA (Matrix Algebra on GPU and Multi-core Architectures), and KBLAS (KAUST BLAS). SLATE is used as a GPU-capable ScaLAPACK replacement. From MAGMA we use variable sized batched dense linear algebra operations such as GEMM, TRSM and LU with partial pivoting. KBLAS provides efficient (batched) low rank matrix compression for NVIDIA GPUs using an adaptive randomized sampling scheme. The resulting sparse solver and preconditioner runs on NVIDIA, AMD and Intel GPUs. Interfaces are available from PETSc, Trilinos and MFEM, or the solver can be used directly in user code. We report results for a range of benchmark applications, using the Perlmutter system from NERSC, Frontier from ORNL, and Aurora from ALCF. For a high frequency wave equation on a regular mesh, using 32 Perlmutter compute nodes, the factorization phase of the exact GPU solver is about 6.5× faster compared to the CPU-only solver. The BLR-enabled GPU solver is about 13.8× faster than the CPU exact solver. For a collection of SuiteSparse matrices, the STRUMPACK exact factorization on a single GPU is on average 1.9× faster than NVIDIA’s cuDSS solver.
Use of a quadratus lumborum block in queens undergoing ovariectomy: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Paolini Andrea , Bianchi Amanda , Bucci Roberta , Parrillo Salvatore , Di Giosia Alessandro , Ristori Claudia , Carluccio Augusto , Tamburro Roberto , Vignoli Massimo , Collivignarelli Francesco , Robbe Domenico , Costanzini Giulia , Santoro Francesco
Published: September 2024

Objectives

The aim of the study was to evaluate the perioperative analgesic effect of a quadratus lumborum (QL) block in queens undergoing ovariectomy.

Methods

A total of 37 healthy queens admitted for elective ovariectomy were randomised into two groups: control (CTRL, n = 19) and QL block (QL, n = 18). All cats were premedicated with dexmedetomidine 0.005 mg/kg, alfaxalone 1 mg/kg and methadone 0.1 mg/kg IM. Under general anaesthesia, cats allocated to the QL group received a bilateral ultrasound-guided QL block with 0.4 ml/kg of ropivacaine 0.4% (3.2 mg/kg). No treatment was administered to cats in the CTRL group. Intraoperative rescue fentanyl boluses were administered if haemodynamic and/or respiratory parameters exceeded 30% of the pre-incisional values. Postoperative methadone boluses were administered based on Feline Grimace Scale scores. Demographics, baseline vital parameter values, requirement for rescue analgesia, incidence of hypotension, sialorrhoea, vomiting and dysphoria, and number of cats accepting food at 6 h after extubation were compared between groups.

Results

A higher number of queens required intraoperative fentanyl in the CTRL group (14/18, 77.8%) compared with the QL group (1/19, 5.3%) ( P <0.001). The median total fentanyl dose was 4 µg/kg (range 0–4) in the CTRL group and 0 µg/kg (range 0–4) in the QL group ( P <0.001). No statistically significant difference was found between groups when comparing the number of animals requiring postoperative methadone, total methadone dose, episodes of hypotension, sialorrhoea, vomiting and dysphoria, and number of queens accepting food at 6 h postoperatively. No adverse effect or complication potentially related to the block was recorded.

Conclusions and relevance

The QL block resulted in a lower intraoperative fentanyl requirement in queens undergoing ovariectomy. Further studies are needed to clarify the postoperative analgesic effect of this technique in cats.
Graphene nanoplatelet additive impact on compression and bending strength of S-2 glass face-sheet honeycomb sandwich panels: An experimental study
Authors: Demirci Ibrahim
Published: September 2024

In this study, the three-point bending, edge-wise, and flat-wise strengths of Nomex® sandwich structures with un-doped S-2 glass fiber face-sheet (Neat/S-2/glass) and those with Graphene nanoplatelet-doped S-2 glass fiber face-sheet (GNPs/S-2/glass) were examined parametrically. In the macroscopic images obtained post-experimentation, the damage to the structures’ face layer, core, and interface with GNP (graphene nanoplatelet) additives was visualized. Morphological images depicting the damaged structures were obtained by applying image processing techniques to the macroscopic images. Finally, the fracture mechanisms of fiber/fiber and fiber/matrix interfaces within the shell layers were examined in SEM images. As a result of the study, the addition of GNPs increased the strength of the interfaces between the fiber layers and the fiber core within the face layers of S-2 glass face-sheet Nomex® sandwich structures, leading to a 40% enhancement in bending strength, a 14% improvement in core compressive strength, and a 2.85% increase in edge-wise compressive strength. Moreover, the delamination damage between the face layer and the core, which undermines the structural integrity of the sandwich structure, was not observed in GNPs/S-2/glass sandwich structures. Thus, the damage propagation throughout the sandwich structure contributed to enhancing its load-carrying capacity. The collapse extent of the sandwich structures, determined through image processing, measured 8676 mm in Neat/S-2/glass sandwiches, whereas it amounted to 10,410 mm in GNPs/S-2/glass sandwiches. The inclusion of GNPs additive augmented the collapse strength of the sandwich structure by 19.9%. Utilizing GNPs as a filler in the matrix material has been recognized as a practical approach to enhancing the mechanical strength of sandwich structures.
What are the reported procedural costs of vascular access surgery?
Authors: Edgar Ben , Jones Catrin , Aitken Emma , Stevenson Karen , Jackson Andrew , Gaianu Lucian , Thomson Peter , Kasthuri Ram , Stove Callum , Kingsmore David B
Published: September 2024

Introduction:

Since the inception of arteriovenous grafts (AVG) as a novel technique, there has been greater emphasis on the assessment of outcomes rather than costs. Gross-costing methods over-simplify vascular access surgery and do not reflect the true costs of the service, preventing accurate cost-effectiveness analysis. The aim of this study is to assess the reporting of procedural costs of arteriovenous access creation in economic analyses of vascular access surgery, and to compare the reported costs of the two most performed procedures – arteriovenous fistula (AVF) and arteriovenous graft (AVG).

Methods:

This systematic review included studies reporting a per-procedure cost for AVF or AVG creation. Costs were adjusted from original to target price year using a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) deflator index and converted to 2021 US Dollars using conversion rates based on purchasing power parities.

Results:

The results demonstrate wide discrepancy in the reported procedural costs of arteriovenous access creation. Most of the data represents retrospectively observed costs rather than prospective data collected on an intention-to-treat basis. Charges are frequently presented in lieu of costs, and aggregated gross-costing methodology predominates rather than more accurate micro-costing.

Conclusion:

Future micro-costing studies of vascular access surgery are essential to allow a greater understanding of cost-drivers and allow accurate cost-effectiveness analysis.
Health Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in Lettuce and Spring Onion on Human Health in Kumasi, Ghana
Authors: Adoma Prince Owusu , Amponsah Afia Sakyiwaa , Ankrah Kwarteng Twumasi , Acquah Francis , Amu Hubert , Agjei Richard Osei , Hanson Ruby
Published: September 2024

Introduction:

The demand and consumption of vegetables are significantly increasing worldwide, which has resulted in urban farming on anthropogenic sites. This study assessed the concentrations of some selected heavy metals in lettuce and spring onion in line with the WHO/FAO required standard and its implications on human health.

Methods:

The study was carried out in Kumasi, within moist semi-deciduous forest vegetation, Ghana. The digested samples were analyzed for heavy metals (Cu, Cr, Fe, Mg, Ni, and Zn) using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS Model AA 400p). Analysis of variance was used to test the level of significance at α = .05.

Results:

The study found mean concentrations of chromium and iron in lettuce and spring onion to be below detection level (BDL) in all study sites based on WHO/FAO permissible level. Also, while copper in lettuce was BDL at all the sites, there were higher mean concentration of copper in spring onion at BSGS (131.5 ± 0.31 mg/kg) and BSG (120.8 ± 0.01 mg/kg). The mean concentration of nickel in lettuce (137.15 ± 0.0231) and spring onion (173.55 ± 0.02 mg/kg) at BSGS were higher than WHO/FAO permissible level. Mean concentration of zinc in both lettuce and spring onion were higher than WHO/FAO permissible level in all the study sites, except zinc in spring onion at KT. The ANOVA test statistics showed no significant difference among the concentrations of heavy metals in all sites, except zinc in lettuce and nickel in spring onion. The study found cancer risk factor for nickel, which exceeded the benchmark of 1 × 10−6 for both lettuce and spring onion, indicating that long-term consumption could increase the risk of cancer in consumers.

Conclusion:

The study’s findings call for strict regulation and regular monitoring of heavy metals in vegetables cultivated at anthropogenic sites in urban areas to ensure food safety and consumer health.
An experimental and analytical approach to study the sliding wear performance of epoxy composites with steel wire and glass fiber reinforcement
Authors: Bhoi Subham Kumar , Satapathy Alok
Published: September 2024

This study investigates the sliding wear behavior of hybrid epoxy composites reinforced with alternating layers of glass fiber mats and steel wire mesh. The objective is to enhance the wear resistance of glass fiber-epoxy composites with the incorporation of steel wire mesh. Three composite types with different stacking sequences are fabricated using the hand layup technique. Dry sliding wear tests are conducted using a pin-on-disc test rig under various operating conditions, following to ASTM G99 standard. Taguchi analysis with L25 orthogonal array identifies sliding velocity as the most influential factor on wear rate, followed by normal load. Steady-state wear analysis is performed to evaluate the effect of each significant factor independently. Analysis of variance results show sliding velocity significantly affects wear rates, contributing 67.63% for glass-epoxy composite (G11) and more than 75% for glass-steel-epoxy hybrid composites (G7S4 & G4S7). A regression model, based on experimental data, predicts specific wear rates with error margins of 3.17% for glass-epoxy composite and less than 2% for glass-steel-epoxy composites. Additionally, electron microscopy is used to analyze worn surfaces, revealing the primary wear mechanisms.
An approach for estimating the net change in tourism demand for a destination due to COVID-19
Authors: Voltaire Louinord , Pirrone Claudio
Published: September 2024

Mobility restrictions and fear of COVID-19 infection have led individuals to change their travel behaviours. These changes create the possibility that a destination both attracts tourists it would not have gained without the pandemic (visit-creating effect) while losing others it would have typically attracted (visit-diverting effect). We propose a methodology to estimate the net change in demand due to COVID-19. It involves jointly estimating actual demand (visits or nights completed with COVID-19) and counterfactual demand (visits or nights that would have been completed without COVID-19) within a pseudo-panel data framework. Counterfactual data is constructed by combining actual demand with gained and lost demand attributable to COVID-19, identified through survey data. Focusing on domestic tourism demand in Hauts-de-France, France, we find a slight net decline in visits (−2.2%) but no significant change in nights spent. Ignoring the visit-creating effect or attributing all cancellations to COVID-19 exaggerate the pandemic’s negative effect.