bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Collaborative Dialogues Between Souvenirs and Territories: From Evocative Objects to Experience-Objects
Authors: Parente Marina
Published: December 2023

Enhancing the widespread cultural heritages of our territories is not only a moral imperative and respect for the values established over time but an increasingly felt need to direct local development towards more sustainable strategies for the environment and communities.

The culture of design, especially in Italy, has questioned what its disciplinary contribution can be, in addition to the specialist approaches such as exhibition, communication or lighting design. In national financed research carried out precisely on these themes (D.Cult research: Design for the enhancement of cultural heritage. Project strategies, tools, and methodologies, 2002/04), two elements emerged that managed to briefly define the operational and strategic characteristics of design in this field: the planning of experiences and relationships [1].

In this contribution, the attention is to the role of souvenirs in these systems: from iconic objects, often of low material and aesthetic quality, they can instead play a significant role in the processes of use and design-driven enhancement [2].

From an evolved perspective, designing a souvenir means establishing a synergistic and cohesive relationship with the territories and their values. Not only with the tangible cultural aspects of the natural and artificial landscape, historical and artistic testimonies, and material culture but also with the rich intangible heritage made up of knowledge, traditions, and know-how [3, 4]. And it can take on different roles in product, storytelling, communication strategy and activation of experiences.

In this way, the souvenir becomes a “touchpoint” of a territorial development strategy that relates different cultural systems and brings value to local economic and production chains, even those not directly linked to tourism, such as the many forms of material and cultural production, typical of that context [5–7].

Through analyzing some exemplary case studies and presenting some design experiences, we will draw a map of the possible “connective” roles of meaning and actions that a new generation of souvenirs could interpret.
Design Narrative
Authors: Trocchianesi Raffaella
Published: December 2023

The narrative vocation of design represents a crucial key for the interpretation of some contemporary cultural expressions such as making history, representing through different media, archiving and exhibiting.

This essay explores narratives in three different “dimensions”: narrative as a scenario (that envisions new contexts, behaviours, uses, spaces); narrative as a tool (that creates new ways of triggering innovation), narrative as a process (that codifies methodologies dealing with complex issues).

Narrative – be it implicit or explicit - is at the basis of all design interventions as a story is an authorising device, a tool able to systematise each element and direct it to a specific direction.

Creating the strategies for a story as a design infrastructure means generating attention and stimulating memory, as narratives trigger curiosity and cognitive participation in the audience.

Words and pictures are at the basis of imagination, as they design means for envisioning what is not there yet: conversations, dialogues, verbal and visual texts. Cognitive artefacts are media devices able to articulate a narrative repertoire and foster the process of innovation.
The Role of Infographics in the Representation of Design Research
Authors: Cristallo Vincenzo , Mariani Miriam
Published: December 2023

This paper examines what the “narrative task” of Communication Design, in its infographic declination, may be in the different stages of “doing research through design”. That is to say that - crossing simultaneously the fields of theory and praxis - design research is required to elaborate a visual language capable of coherently presenting the entirety of its development (from the meta-design to final products) made up of data processed in the ante, during and post phases. In other words, the actual, useful and inalienable results of doing research must fully include the communicative and visual design of its “process” that unfolds throughout its desk and field actions. The theme of the “representation of research” therefore becomes the core of the paper, which highlights how the descriptive development of the actions and manifestations of research proceeds through visual models known as process and result models. What is proposed, in fact, in this contribution, is a reflection on the visual models that describe research in its phases, through different tools such as scientific drawing, hypothetigraphy and infographic presentation, the latter to be understood as a conceptual and visual synthesis of complex processes.
From Narrative to Phygital. An Experimental Semantic Survey
Authors: Borsotti Marco
Published: December 2023

The concept of narrative has radically changed how the content of events devoted to enhancing cultural heritage is offered. This evolution not only concerns the curatorial but also and above all the design aspects, with a revision of the very realization of exhibition environments. Within the design discipline of exhibition design, the narrative corresponds, therefore, to a conceptual principle of coordinated and relational habitability between space, content, and user, which is structured synchronously as scenario, tool, and process, and finds resonance in the implementation of digitized experiential modes.

Where the narrative and the digital are integrated, the innovative concept of phygital exhibition design develops, based on their mutual interaction.

Here, then, we elaborate on some key concepts and tools (paradigm shifts and semantic statements) whose interaction has generated and consolidated this new scenario, such as:

- the narrative script;

- the storytelling principle;

- the action of transduction;

- the added value of specification and articulation.
Making Value: Storydoing Actions for Cultural and Creative Industries
Authors: Colitti Simona , Liçaj Ami , Mehmeti Lorela , Vai Elena
Published: December 2023

The paper develops a comparative analysis of the cultural and creative competencies within the educational offer of the University of Bologna, using multiple sources and tools. This contribution is based on the hypothesis that the narration around the value of the cultural and creative disciplines in academia needs to be critically reviewed. This path of observation, mapping, narration, and visualisation resulted in being consistent with the critical role that cultural and creative disciplines have played at the University of Bologna since the 1970s; by developing unprecedented educational models and impacting the territory through the generation of new economic models and the development of a diverse system of cultural and creative industries. The methodological approach of the research is based on a comparative analysis of the main documents regulating the cultural and creative economy on the international, national, and regional levels. The second stage of the research process was built on an explorative strategy based on desk analysis to create the dataset. The question arose about how to make a database accessible to a broader audience: the conclusions show that data visualisations, as a creative tool, can enable story-doing processes and thus create awareness and value.
Design in the Metamorphosis of Matter
Authors: De Chirico Michele
Published: December 2023

The contribution refers to the research topic of materials experience by framing a methodology related to the way materials are catalogued and interpreted in design.

The study specifically concerns the design for the sustainable management of production residues in the tanning supply chain and is aimed at their semantic valorisation as material resources.

Starting from the interpretation of by-products as the material legacy of a know-how, the valorisation takes place through the application of a specific method based on the definition of expressive-sensorial parameters. The project prefigures the prototype of a cataloguing system in the shape of a multi-level map.

As a matrix of design possibilities belonging to a territorial culture, the tool intercepts values such as identity and recognisability of a know-how processes, whose by-products become evidence of it and represent the “material” of the project that acquires physical form in the tangible surface of the artefacts.
Counter-Narratives Against Gender-Based Violence. A Twofold Perspective on Choices in Interactive Dramas
Authors: Peracchi Sofia , Mariani Ilaria
Published: December 2023

Regardless of the increasing number of initiatives and activist counter-narratives aimed at fighting the hetero-normative patriarchal beliefs, the current Italian social structure still justifies gender-based violence, while the number of abuses remains chiefly unaltered. Within such a complex framework, this study intends to advance the discussion on how IDNs can contribute to sensitive topics such as Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) to trigger social change, showing the relevance of involving its protagonists for better addressing such a complex and urgent issue, increasing the possibilities of encouraging positive shifts in ideals and behaviours. This study reports on the co-design of an IDN that involved both survivors and volunteers from an anti-violence centre, and how their engagement provided fundamental insights on the necessity to describe survivors’ struggles sensibly and invite bystanders to reconsider their opinion on gender-based violence victims. Building on procedural rhetoric and narrative immersion, the artefact targets non-victims, putting them in women’s shoes to emphasise how violence is never caused by the victim’s choices but by those of the perpetrator. Ultimately, the results of the testing on 83 people who assessed the artefact with pre- and post-experience questionnaires are presented and discussed, showing the IDN effectiveness in tackling the topic and creating a meaningful experience.
Puppets’ Tales. New Design Perspectives for a Multimedia Archive of a Humanity’s Intangible Heritage
Authors: Maselli Vincenzo
Published: December 2023

In 2008 UNESCO has recognized Puppets as expressions of intangible cultural heritage and, since then, thirteen traditions from around the world have been included in the UNESCO intangible cultural heritage list. In the last decades puppets have been object of study and cultural fascination. This paper aims at suggesting an unprecedented perspective in reading, displaying and narrating this priceless intangible cultural heritage, by both outlining its aesthetic, and symbolic values, and enhancing its processual and material features. These thoughts open a research path that applies the point of view and the tools of multimedia design to tell the narratives, the craft and production traditions of objects that have crossed the history of humanity. The aim is to create a multimedia archive filled with audiovisual artefacts produced by hybridizing documentary media (photographs, videos and interviews) with fictional productions (drawings, scripted dialogues and animated sequences). To test the validity of using hybrid languages and visual codes a didactic experiment will be described. Students of a Multimedia design class were asked to design an archive of audiovisual artefacts that stage under a new perspective the cultural roots, materials and production processes of a tradition worthy of being visually narrated.
Sustainable Mobility as a Sport
Authors: Schillaci Domenico , Di Dio Salvatore , Filippi Mauro
Published: December 2023

In recent years many studies focused on steering behavioural change to face the climate crisis. A significant part of these opted to deal with mobility habits, i.e. prompting citizens towards more conscious and sustainable choices. One widely used approach involved game techniques to hack the habit loop by exploiting the similarities that keep players hooked. In this context, narrative can be key in engaging people’s emotions. It can facilitate the integration of game elements and emphasise the tension that arouses emotional reactions and fuels the desire to play. Several examples of games with distinct narratives exist in the context of individual mobility.

After conducting several field research, it emerged that mere game mechanics of ‘prizes for sustainable travel’ would not have been able to generate lasting behavioural change besides severe scalability limitations.

The proposed research originated from previous work and focused on creating an entirely novel narrative able to change the experience of moving around the city by leveraging those values that encourage people to rethink their daily choices. These reflections lead to MUV, a digital game that turns sustainable urban mobility into a sport and citizens into athletes competing in various disciplines such as walking, cycling or public transport. According to their performance, they can level up from amateur to professional, gaining fame and honours. This approach demonstrated significant engagement and impact results, particularly concerning CO2 savings. Therefore, the ‘mobility as a sport’ narrative proved crucial to involve citizens actively, make them feel part of a cohesive movement and nudge them to build greener and healthier habits.
Provocation Through Narratives: New Speculative Design Tools for Human-Non-Human Collaborations
Authors: Casnati Francesca , Ianniello Alessandro , Romani Alessia
Published: December 2023

In a complex and changing world, design is called to act to nurture and provoke critical reflections regarding wicked, complex, and interconnected issues, becoming a sensemaking agent that, exploiting its speculative methods, uses narratives as an inquiry tool, as a co-design tool, and as a provocative tool. Through the presentation and analysis of a provotype designed by the authors, the research aims to define new speculative tools for human-non-human collaborations and highlight how design narratives may be involved within more-than-human discourses.
Designer as Drama Manager: Understanding the Roles of Narrative Within Design Processes for Change
Authors: Ciancia Mariana , Piredda Francesca , Bertolo Maresa
Published: December 2023

This paper aims to propose and stimulate a critical debate on the multidisciplinary aspects of communication design, focusing on the contribution, mutual learning, and synergy of audiovisual storytelling, transmedia design, and game design. We assume the narratives as the common ground for developing design processes and practices for addressing complex socio-economic challenges.

In particular, we focus on the role of design within inclusive and co-design processes proposing the narratives as a framework and the co-created stories as both contemporary cultural expressions and design practices. In light of case studies and examples from our research and educational experiences at the School of Design and Department of Design (Politecnico di Milano), we propose to look at the designer as the drama manager of the design processes, capable of facing the challenges of tomorrow. In doing so, we discuss the gap between authorship and agency that occurs whenever design operates in social innovation contexts, collaborating with non-designers – artists, experts in other disciplines, or people and communities at the margins of society.
Interaction and Verisimilitude. How Narration Can Foster the Design Process
Authors: Di Salvo Andrea
Published: December 2023

The role of narrative in the construction of an interaction design project is relevant since the very beginning of the discipline, when scholars in the 1990s pointed out how the whole dialogue between human and computer was developed like a theater work. Actually, the use of narrative was, and still is, focused on the unfolding of the user experience with a product/service, following the story arc and using analysis and prediction tools like journey maps. If this approach corresponds to the state of the art for many scholars and practitioners, there is a large debate on in the process that involves storytelling techniques, especially during the concept generation and the branching of the interactions between people and artifacts’ system. In particular, design fiction and speculative design give a strong relevance to the creation not only of a story line but, above all, of the world building, where people and artifacts interacts inside a sketched out future scenario, letting the audience free to speculate, for example, on impacts on the society, ethical issues, acceptance levels.

In this situation the narrative approach can be included into the interaction design process during all the phases, in order to foster designers to generate future-able artifacts strictly connected to Personas depicted as they were characters, placed in verisimilitude-based worlds.

The paper will describe the results of this methodological experimentation focusing on the differences occurred to two different projects: basic research, research for a company.
Anonima Castelli. Objects, Design and Cultural Heritage
Authors: Scodeller Dario
Published: December 2023

Anonima Castelli’s historical archive is an interesting resource for studying the industrial production of furniture in Italy between the 1950s and the 1980s.

This article aims to illustrate a preliminary study for a research project dedicated to the archive and the historical production of the Castelli company. The drafting of the research hypotheses was preceded by a few educational experiences carried out as part of the Degree Course in Design at the University of Ferrara, organised in collaboration with the company; these experiences confirmed how worthwhile these archival sources were for inspiring the creative process.

The thesis asserted here is that, as well as historicising the phenomenon of Italian design based on documentary sources, company archives are also able to encourage the revival of production processes with the aim of re-issuing the objects present in historical catalogues.

This way, the original project designs become documents that are useful both for historians and for designers and entrepreneurs interested in making these “memories” operational again.
Ritualisierung und Agency
Authors: Ruther Lilo
Published: December 2023

Eine Arbeit zu Todesritualen kommt nicht darum umhin, sich mit dem Ritualbegriff und seinen Weiterentwicklungen auseinanderzusetzen. Der Ritualbegriff ist mit seinen Weiterentwicklungen für den von mir untersuchten Phänomenbereich der Todesrituale ausserhalb konfessioneller Gemeinschaften unmittelbar relevant, weil diese Rituale im Hinblick auf ihre Strukturierung und ihre wiederkehrenden Elemente eine hohe Flexibilität aufweisen und z. B. bewusst neben der Übernahme von traditionellen Elementen auch die Aussparung solcher Elemente einsetzen. Was als Ritual zu gelten hat, erscheint also nicht mehr als starr und vorab festgelegt, sondern als dynamisch und flexibel.
Korpus
Authors: Ruther Lilo
Published: December 2023

Die Daten der vorliegenden Untersuchung stammen aus dem Kontext der Durchführung von ausserkirchlichen Todesritualen in der Deutschschweiz. Um einen Eindruck von dem Ablauf eines solchen Rituals zu geben und um möglichst anschaulich in das von mir untersuchte empirische Feld einzuführen, stellte ich der Erläuterung des dieser Untersuchung zugrundeliegenden Korpus die Beschreibung eines von mir beobachteten und dokumentierten Rituals voran. Das beschriebene Ritual steht stellvertretend für weitere von mir beobachtete Rituale, auf die in den Interviews immer wieder Bezug genommen wird.
Positionierungen der Ritualleitenden: Überblick
Authors: Ruther Lilo
Published: December 2023

Im Mittelpunkt des vorliegenden Kapitels steht die Rekonstruktion sozialer Positionierungen der Ritualleitenden ausserhalb einer religiösen Gemeinschaft. Die Positionierungsanalyse konzentriert sich empirisch auf die Selbstdarstellungen der Ritualleitenden in den Interviews. Es werden aber ergänzend auch schriftliche Dokumente (wie z. B. Werbe- und Informationsbroschüren und –prospekte und Internetauftritte der Anbieter*innen) und Notizen aus einzelnen Teilnehmenden Beobachtungen an ausgewählten Ritualen hinzugezogen. Mit den Beobachtungsnotizen fliessen auch nicht-sprachliche Erscheinungsformen des Ritualgeschehens mit ein, sofern sie für die Frage der Positionierung interessant erschienen. Es geht dann z. B. um die Frage, wie sich die Ritualleitenden und die Anwesenden im Raum positionieren.
Introduction
Authors: Habbal Fawwaz , Kolmos Anette , Hadgraft Roger G. , Holgaard Jette Egelund , Reda Kamar
Published: December 2023

The world is facing unprecedented challenges, which its inhabitants and governments are struggling to address.
Design for Complexity
Authors: Habbal Fawwaz , Kolmos Anette , Hadgraft Roger G. , Holgaard Jette Egelund , Reda Kamar
Published: December 2023

Design has traditionally been the process of moving from a problem statement, or need, to a solution.
Toward a Comprehensive Pedagogy
Authors: Habbal Fawwaz , Kolmos Anette , Hadgraft Roger G. , Holgaard Jette Egelund , Reda Kamar
Published: December 2023

As we discussed in part 1, humanity is facing many critical challenges, most of which are open-ended and complex systems, and they require broad input and experiences to address. We expect students and educators to be engaged in such societal issues and form multidisciplinary teams to address them. The increased complexity of technical methodologies and know-how expected of future engineers, challenges existing curriculum strategies. The deep learning needed to dig into a discipline, to understand and apply it, must be combined with a learning strategy to increase the ability of students to relate to, and connect with, other disciplines in a meaningful way. It is not a matter of substituting students’ learning of core technical competencies; it is a matter of creating synergy in the learning process so students will experience the inevitable interaction between technical and contextual learning.
Generic Competencies
Authors: Habbal Fawwaz , Kolmos Anette , Hadgraft Roger G. , Holgaard Jette Egelund , Reda Kamar
Published: December 2023

We have learned that technologies are becoming more complex both in terms of technical combinations and in terms of the societal problems that must be solved. But what is often forgotten is that behind the technologies, there are humans. As technology becomes more complex, more humans will have to collaborate and there will be many more boundaries to cross. These include academics with different disciplinary backgrounds and users with different levels of education and social position in society. In this chapter, there is focus on the understandings of competencies and learning necessary for interdisciplinary collaboration.
Concept of s-Numbers in Quaternionic Analysis and Schatten Classes
Authors: Costa João
Published: December 2023

In this paper we introduce an axiomatic approach to the theory of s-numbers in quaternionic analysis. To this end, Pietsch’s approach to s-number theory is adapted to the quaternionic framework, following the works of Colombo and Sabadini on quaternionic spectral analysis. One of the main results of this paper is the uniqueness of s-numbers over quaternionic Hilbert spaces. Moreover, examples are given in the quaternionic framework together with the introduction of nuclear numbers. A consequence of the presented theory is a basis independent definition of the Schatten classes over quaternionic Hilbert and Banach spaces.
Unveiling additively manufactured cellular structures in hip implants: a comprehensive review
Authors: Dias Juliana Marques , da Silva Filipe Samuel Correia Pereira , Gasik Michael , Miranda Maria Georgina Macedo , Bartolomeu Flávio Jorge Fernandes
Published: December 2023

The prospect of improved quality of life and the increasingly younger age of patients benefiting from Total Hip Arthroplasty will soon lead to the landmark of 10 million interventions per year worldwide. More than 10% of these procedures lead to significant bone resorption, increasing the need for revision surgeries. Current research focuses on the development of hip implant designs to achieve a stiffness profile closer to the natural bone. Additive Manufacturing has emerged as a viable solution by offering promising results in the fabrication of implant architectures based on metallic cellular structures that have demonstrated their capacity to replicate bone behavior mechanically and biologically. Aiming to offer an up-to-date overview of titanium cellular structures in hip implants, for both acetabular and femoral components, produced by Additive Manufacturing, including its design intricacies and performance, this comprehensive review meticulously examines the historical development of hip implants, encompassing commercial solutions and innovative attempts. A broad view of the practical applications and transformative potential of hip implants incorporating cellular structures is presented, aiming to outline opportunities for innovation.
Pullback Exponential Attractors with Explicit Fractal Dimensions for Non-Autonomous Partial Functional Differential Equations
Authors: Hu Wenjie , Caraballo Tomás
Published: December 2023

The aim of this paper is to propose a new method to construct pullback exponential attractors with explicit fractal dimensions for non-autonomous infinite-dimensional dynamical systems in Banach spaces. The approach is established by combining the squeezing properties and the covering of finite subspace of Banach spaces, which generalize the method established for autonomous systems in Hilbert spaces (Eden A, Foias C, Nicolaenko B, and Temam R Exponential attractors for dissipative evolution equations, Wiley, New York, 1994). The method is especially effective for non-autonomous partial functional differential equations for which phase space decomposition based on the exponential dichotomy of the linear part or variation techniques are available for proving squeezing property. The theoretical results are illustrated by applications to several specific non-autonomous partial functional differential equations, including a retarded reaction–diffusion equation, a retarded 2D Navier–Stokes equation and a retarded semilinear wave equation. The constructed exponential attractors possess explicit fractal dimensions which do not depend on the entropy number but only on some inner characteristics of the studied equations including the spectra of the linear part and the Lipschitz constants of the nonlinear terms and hence do not require the smooth embedding between two spaces in the previous work.
Effectiveness of permissive weight bearing in surgically treated trauma patients with peri- and intra-articular fractures of the lower extremities: a prospective comparative multicenter cohort study
Authors: Kalmet Pishtiwan , Maduro Cherelle , Verstappen Coen , Meys Guido , van Horn Yvette , van Vugt Raoul , Janzing Heinrich , van der Veen Alexander , Jaspars Coen , Sintenie Jan Bernard , Blokhuis Taco , Evers Silvia , Seelen Henk , Brink Peter , Poeze Martijn
Published: December 2023

Purpose

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effectiveness of a novel approach involving permissive weight bearing (PWB) in surgically treated trauma patients with peri- and intra-articular fractures of the lower extremities.

Methods

Prospective comparative multicenter cohort study in one level 1 trauma center and five level 2 trauma centers. Surgically treated trauma patients with peri- and intra-articular fractures of the lower extremities were included. Permissive weight bearing (PWB) in comparison to restricted weight bearing (RWB) was assessed over a 26-week post-surgery follow-up period. Patients’ self-perceived outcome levels regarding activities of daily living (ADL), quality of life (QoL), pain and weight bearing compliance were used.

Results

This study included 106 trauma patients (N = 53 in both the PWB and RWB groups). Significantly better ADL and QoL were found in the PWB group compared to the RWB group at 2-, 6-, 12- and 26-weeks post-surgery. There were no significant differences in postoperative complication rates between the PWB and RWB groups.

Conclusion

PWB is effective and is associated with a significantly reduced time to full weight bearing, and a significantly better outcome regarding ADL and QoL compared to patients who followed RWB regimen. Moreover, no significant differences in complication rates were found between the PWB and RWB groups.

Level of evidence

Level II.

Registration

This study is registered in the Dutch Trial Register (NTR6077). Date of registration: 01-09-2016.
Danish third, sixth and eighth grade students’ strategy adaptivity, strategy flexibility and accuracy when solving multidigit arithmetic tasks
Authors: Jóelsdóttir Lóa Björk , Andrews Paul
Published: December 2023

In this paper, the multidigit arithmetic-related strategy adaptivity, strategy flexibility and solution accuracy of Danish compulsory school students is examined. Participants, 749 grade three, 731 grade six and 818 grade eight, were drawn from twenty demographically different schools. Drawing on a tri-phase assessment tool, each student completed a series of tasks designed to elicit shortcut strategies. First, students solved each task by means of their preferred strategy; those using shortcut strategies were construed as adaptive for that task. Second, students solved the same tasks by means of whatever alternative strategies they had available; those offering at least two strategies were construed as flexible for that task. Third, for each task, students were asked to indicate which of their strategies they believed was optimal. Across all grades, students were more flexible than adaptive. Overall, sixth graders exhibited higher levels of flexibility than third graders and marginally lower levels than eighth graders. Sixth graders exhibited higher levels of adaptivity than those in either grade three or grade eight. Students’ accuracy, which improved with maturation, was influenced positively by both adaptivity and flexibility, with flexibility having the greatest influence in grade three and adaptivity in grade six. The findings raise further questions concerning, inter alia, culture’s influence on students’ strategy choices and the interaction of adaptivity, flexibility and maturity on accuracy.
Tensile and Shear Creep Behavior of Structural Adhesives: Experiments and Modeling
Authors: Daissè Gilda , Abali Bilen Emek , Wan-Wendner Roman
Published: December 2023

Structural adhesives characterized a turning point in the post-connection of structural elements due to their excellent performances and ability to transfer stress without losing their integrity. These materials are typically particle-reinforced composites made by a thermoset polymer matrix and fillers. During the in-situ application of this material, the thermal activation of the polymer is typically not possible, leading to an undefined degree of cure and therefore to a variation of the mechanical performance over time. This altering means that after applying a sustained load on a bonded anchor system installed at regular temperature, the adhesive changes material properties. Ample studies convince that the progressive increase of the degree of cure of the thermosetting polymer leads to higher strength and stiffness. However, limited studies have been dedicated to the post-curing effects on the long-term behavior. The main goal of this work is to investigate the tensile and shear creep behavior of two commercially available structural adhesives and the influence of curing conditions on their long-term performances. An extensive experimental campaign comprising short and long-term characterizations has been carried out on specimens subjected to three different curing and post-curing protocols, with the scope of imitating relevant in-situ conditions. The results demonstrate that structural adhesives cured at higher temperatures are less subjected to creep deformations. As a material equation, the generalized Kelvin model is utilized to fit the tensile and shear creep data, and two continuous creep spectra have been selected to represent the creep behavior and facilitate extrapolations to the long-term behavior.
Cleansing Investor’s Conscience: The Effects of Incidental Guilt on Socially Responsible Investment Decisions
Authors: Gevorkova Victoria , Sangiorgi Ivan , Vogt Julia
Published: December 2023

This paper explores the effects of incidental guilt on Socially Responsible Investment (SRI) decisions of retail investors. Do investors who feel guilty invest more in SRIs to clear their conscience? Are guilty investors willing to sacrifice returns to restore their moral selves? Using survey data from an online quasi-experiment among a sample of US retail investors, we find that individuals who experience incidental guilt are willing to invest more in SRI funds than those in a neutral state. We show that this effect, albeit moderate in magnitude, cannot be explained solely by differences in retail investors’ moral reasoning, attitudes towards social responsibility, risk tolerance and demographic factors. When presented with a trade-off between sustainability, risk and return characteristics of the funds, guilty investors are more willing to sacrifice returns for greater sustainability than non-guilty participants. Our research provides new evidence of the effect that incidental guilt has on the sustainable investing decisions of retail investors.
Nicorandil Regulates Ferroptosis and Mitigates Septic Cardiomyopathy via TLR4/SLC7A11 Signaling Pathway
Authors: Lu Jin-shuai , Wang Jian-hao , Han Kun , Li Nan
Published: December 2023

This study mainly explored the role of nicorandil in regulating ferroptosis and alleviating septic cardiomyopathy through toll-like receptor (TLR) 4/solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11) signaling pathway. Twenty-four male SD rats were randomly divided into control, Nic (nicorandil), LPS (lipopolysaccharide), and LPS + Nic groups and given echocardiography. A detection kit was applied to measure the levels of lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), cardiac troponin I (cTnI), and creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB); HE staining and the levels of glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), total iron, and Fe2+ of myocardial tissues were detected. Moreover, the expression of TLR4 and SLC7A11 were measured by qRT-PCR and the proteins regulating ferroptosis (TLR4, SLC7A11, GPX4, ACSL4, DMT1, Fpn, and TfR1) were checked by western blot. Myocardial cells (H9C2) were induced with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and transfected with si-TLR4 or SLC7A11-OE. Then, the viability, ferroptosis, and TLR4/SLC7A11 signaling pathway of cells were examined. Nicorandil could significantly increase left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (LVEF) while reduce LV end-diastolic volume (LVEDV) and LV end-systolic volume (LVESV). Also, it greatly reduced the levels of LDH, cTnI, and CK-MB; alleviated the pathological changes of myocardial injury; notably decreased MDA, total iron, and Fe2+ levels in myocardial tissues; and significantly increased GSH level. Besides, nicorandil obviously raised protein levels of GPX4, Fpn, and SLC7A11, and decreased protein levels of ACSL4, DMT1, TfR1, and TLR4. After knockdown of TLR4 or overexpression of SLC7A11, the inhibition effect of nicorandil on ferroptosis was strengthened in LPS-induced H9C2 cells. Therefore, nicorandil may regulate ferroptosis through TLR4/SLC7A11 signaling, thereby alleviating septic cardiomyopathy.
Investigating the Impact of Cumulative Pressure-Induced Stress on Machine Learning Models for Pipe Breaks
Authors: Konstantinou Charalampos , Jara-Arriagada Carlos , Stoianov Ivan
Published: December 2023

Significant financial resources are needed for the maintenance and rehabilitation of water supply networks (WSNs) to prevent pipe breaks. The causes and mechanisms for pipe breaks vary between different WSNs. However, it is commonly acknowledged that the operational management and water pressure influence significantly the frequency of pipe breaks. Pipe breaks occur when the water pressure exceeds the tensile strength of a pipe, or due to repetitive pressure cycles that result in fatigue-related failures. Considering these pipe failure modes, a new metric known as cumulative pressure-induced stress has been introduced. This metric takes into account both static and dynamic pressure components that contribute to pipe breaks, including mean pressure and the magnitude and frequency of pressure fluctuations, respectively. The impact of CPIS on pipe breaks has not been extensively investigated. Consequently, this study investigates and evaluates the impact of this metric when incorporated as an explanatory variable in Random Forest (RF) models that analyse the key causes of pipe breaks in two WSNs. Different RF models were developed both with and without incorporating pressure components. Subsequently, the performance of these models and the significance of each input variable were assessed. The results of this study suggest that CPIS is an important variable, especially in cases where pressure-related factors play a significant role in pipe breaks. Consequently, incorporating CPIS has shown a notable improvement in the accuracy of pipe break models.
Effect of comprehensive rehabilitation on apnea hypopnea index in patients with obstructive sleep apnea: a protocol for randomized controlled trial
Authors: Pawar Mrudula , Venkatesan Prem , Mysore Satyanarayana , Bhat Guruprasad
Published: December 2023

Purpose

The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of comprehensive rehabilitation on apnea hypopnea index (AHI) in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

Methods

Patients diagnosed with OSA and meeting the eligibility criteria will be randomly allocated in the groups. The experimental group will receive comprehensive rehabilitation, and the control group will receive myofunctional therapy. CPAP will be continued by all the participants. Both the groups will receive the interventions for 12 weeks. The primary outcome measures are AHI and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), and secondary outcomes are Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Oxygen Desaturation Index (ODI), Snoring Index (SI), Manual Assessment of Respiratory Motion (MARM), Breath Hold Test (BHT), and Self Evaluation of Breathing Questionnaire (SEBQ). The outcomes will be assessed at baseline and at the end of 12 weeks. A follow-up will be taken at the end of 24 weeks. Power analysis suggests that enrollment of 118 patients will required. Repeated measures ANOVA will be used to analyze the effect of the intervention.

Conclusion

By performing this research, we may develop insights on a novel comprehensive approach for treatment of patients with OSA.

Trial registration

CTRI/2023/10/058486.
Does industrial co-agglomeration promote green energy efficiency? Evidence from spatial panel data of 284 cities in China
Authors: Yang Chongrong , Jiang Wen
Published: December 2023

Industrial co-agglomeration (IC) plays a pivotal role in the development of local and adjacent green energy efficiency across 284 Chinese cities, encompassing both resource-based and non-resource-based urban centers. Based on the panel data of 284 cities in China from 2005 to 2020, this study employs spatial econometric methods to empirically assess the influence of IC and its spillover effects on green energy efficiency, employing a spatial Durbin model. Additionally, the study categorizes the 284 Chinese cities into resource-based and non-resource-based categories, utilizing spatial econometric methods to delve into the heterogeneity of their effects and spillover impacts. The key findings are as follows: (1) The average green energy efficiency across the 284 Chinese cities from 2005 to 2020 stands at 0.5834. The trend in IC indicates growth and concentration towards the central areas, increasing from 2.7396 in 2005 to 2.7658 in 2020. (2) The IC, with a coefficient of 0.0918, promotes the local green energy efficiency. (3) There are spillover effects of local IC on the green energy efficiency in adjacent areas with a coefficient of 0.2550 and an Indirect Effect of 0.4567. (4) In resource-based cities, IC positively impacts local green energy efficiency with a coefficient of 0.1056 but negatively affects green energy efficiency in adjacent areas with a coefficient of −0.1368. In non-resource-based cities, IC enhances green energy efficiency in adjacent cities with a coefficient of 0.1335. Consequently, the study offers pertinent policy recommendations aimed at improving energy efficiency in light of these findings.
Is the perceptual disfluency effect moderated by working memory capacity? Direct replication of Lehmann et al. (2016)
Authors: Weissgerber Sophia C. , Terhorst Denia Indah Permatasari , Rummer Ralf
Published: December 2023

According to an aptitude-treatment interaction experiment (Lehmann et al., Metacognition and Learning,11, 89–105, 2016, N = 47, published in Metacognition and Learning), perceptually disfluent texts facilitated retention and comprehension performance (but not transfer performance) only for learners with higher working memory capacity (WMC). No effects of WMC for a fluent text were found (albeit theoretically, fluency may be more advantageous for learners with lower WMC). The findings of our (pre-registered) direct replication (supervised online sample of N = 96) show a substantial deviation from the original results: In contrast to the interaction effect (disfluency and WMC) of the primary study, we obtained null results for disfluency, WMC, and their interaction for all learning outcomes. Our replication data are not indicative of WMC as a boundary condition moderating the disfluency effect on learning. We discuss discrepancies in the results of the primary study and our direct replication regarding particular methodological and analytical decisions, questioning the robustness and generalizability of Lehman et al.’s results beyond their primary study.
Effects of reading instructions on pre-service teachers’ judgment bias when learning from texts
Authors: Knellesen Jennifer , Händel Marion , Golke Stefanie
Published: December 2023

Learning from texts means acquiring and applying knowledge, which requires students to judge their text comprehension accurately. However, students usually overestimate their comprehension, which can be caused by a misalignment between the cues used to judge one’s comprehension and the cognitive requirements of future test questions. Therefore, reading instructions might help students to use more valid cues and hence to make more accurate judgments. In two randomized experiments, we investigated the effect of application instructions (in contrast to general and memory instructions) on judgment bias regarding memory test performance and application test performance. In Experiment 1, 131 pre-service teacher students read two texts: For the first text (pretest phase), all participants received general reading instructions. For the second text (testing phase), they received one of the three reading instructions. Main results were that the general reading instructions in the pretest phase resulted in underestimation for memory test performance and overestimation for application test performance. Results from the testing phase yielded mixed effects and, overall, no strong evidence that reading instructions, and in particular application instructions, are beneficial for debiasing judgments of comprehension. Experiment 2 (N = 164 pre-service teachers) restudied the effects with the same texts but a different study design. Results replicated the effects found in the testing phase of Experiment 1. Overall, the results indicated that reading instructions without further support are not sufficient to help students to accurately judge their comprehension and suggested that text characteristics might impact the effect of reading instructions on judgment bias.
A new insight to access carbonate reservoir quality using quality factor and velocity deviation log
Authors: Larki Ehsan , Jaffarbabaei Bijan , Soleimani Bahman , Elyasi Ayub , Saberi Fatemeh , Makarian Esmael , Shad Manaman Navid , Radwan Ahmed E.
Published: December 2023

Estimating wave damping in carbonate rocks is complex due to their heterogeneous structure. For this reason, further research in this area is still necessary. Since the identification and evaluation of reservoir quality play an essential role in the optimal use of hydrocarbon resources, efforts are made to provide new solutions to achieve this goal by managing knowledge and accessing information from new tools such as the Vertical Seismic Profile (VSP). Seismic waves are deformed in frequency content and amplitude as they pass through the earth's layers. Part of the reduction in wavelength is related to the nature of the wave propagation and part to the geological properties, including porosity and fracture. Anisotropy and velocity model analysis, rather than the direct connection between reservoir parameters and seismic absorption coefficient, have received the majority of attention in earlier studies on the impact of reservoir parameters and fractures on changes in the quality factor. In this study, the correlation of the quality factor with parameters such as velocity deviation, fracture density, and permeability has been investigated, and an attempt has been made to define the quality factor as a tool to assess the quality of the reservoir. The statistical study using the multiple linear regression method found that fracture density is the most important parameter that follows the trend of the quality factor value. In the analysis, the quality factor showed a relatively good correlation with the permeability of the core data, so in the periods with maximum permeability, the quality factor had the lowest values. According to K-Means Clustering Analysis, 18% of the studied reservoir interval was evaluated as good quality, 33% as medium, 36% as poor, and 12% as hydrocarbon-free. This work provides insight into accessing reservoir quality using quality factor and velocity deviation logs and would be valuable for the development of reservoir quality prediction methods. Based on the study's results, it is recommended to apply this technique for modeling reservoir heterogeneity and assessing 2D and 3D seismic data to predict the reservoir quality of gas fields prior to drilling operations and reduce exploration risks.
Effects of breathing variables on modelled particle lung deposition at physical activity for children and adults
Authors: Linell Julia , Isaxon Christina , Olsson Bo , Stroh Emilie , Wollmer Per , Löndahl Jakob , Rissler Jenny
Published: December 2023

The respiratory tract deposited fraction (DF) is the link between exposure and health effects of airborne particles. Here, we investigate how breathing pattern alterations at increasing physical activity affect DF in different regions of the respiratory tract and compare DF between adults and children (5 and 10 years old). We performed a literature review on the alteration of tidal volume with minute ventilation at increasing physical activity and used the results to model the size resolved (0.001–10 µm) DF, primarily using the deposition models from NCRP and Yeh and Schum (1980), but also MPPD. We found a shift in the deposited size distribution with increasing physical activity—DF of ultrafine particles increased in the alveolar region and decreased in the other regions, while DF of coarser particles decreased in the alveolar region and increased in the extra-thoracic region. Children had a 10–20% higher DF of ultrafine particles in the alveolar region compared to adults. We also present parametrizations of the daily average size resolved (0.005–5 µm) DF, accounting for varying physical activity throughout the day and oral/nasal breathing. These can be applied to any size distribution to estimate deposited doses. We found that deposited mass and number doses were more than twice as high for 5-year-olds compared to adults when normalized for body weight, primarily caused by their higher weight normalized minute ventilation. This demonstrates the importance of studying children’s exposure to air pollution and not only rely on data from adults.