bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cushing's Syndrome in the Elderly
Authors: Zdrojowy-Wełna Aleksandra , Valassi Elena
Published: May 2024

Management of Cushing’s syndrome (CS) can be particularly challenging in older
patients, compared with younger individuals, due to the lack of several clinical
features associated with cortisol excess along with a greater burden of
associated comorbidities. Moreover, the interpretation of diagnostic tests could
be influenced by age-related physiological changes in cortisol secretion. While
mortality is higher and quality of life is more impaired in the elderly with CS
as compared with the younger, there is currently no agreement on the most
effective therapeutic options in aged individuals, and safety data concerning
medical treatment are scanty. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge
about age-related differences in CS etiology, clinical presentation, treatment,
and outcomes and describe the potential underlying mechanisms.
Infección asociada a fractura ¿Qué nos dice la literatura?
Authors: Pineda Tomás , Fuentealba Andrés , Zamorano Álvaro
Published: May 2024

La infección asociada a fracturas (IAF) es una de las complicaciones más frecuentes y desafiantes del trauma ortopédico, sin embargo, su importancia ha sido subestimada existiendo históricamente una falta de estandarización en su manejo. En los últimos años la evidencia científica disponible ha ido en aumento, y a consecuencia de ello múltiples guías clínicas y consensos de expertos han sido publicados.

El objetivo de este trabajo es proporcionar una actualización, dirigida principalmente a especialistas en Ortopedia y Traumatología, buscado estandarizar criterios diagnósticos y de tratamiento basado en evidencia científica reciente.
A Narrative Review of Neurological Complications of SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination
Authors: Bithal Parmod K. , Rajagopalan Vanitha
Published: May 2024

Adverse reactions to the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccine depict a tropism for neural structures. This narrative review was aimed to discuss published data on the spectrum of neurological side effects of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines, which were accorded emergency use authorization. The majority of the neurological manifestations of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination are usually mild, brief, self-limiting, and easily manageable. Rarely, these side effects can be of serious nature and require hospitalization. High vigilance helps in early identification and treatment of these complications leading to good outcomes. The reported incidence of neurological complications in vaccinated population is a miniscule, and the overall benefits of the vaccine outweigh the risks of side effects. However, it is crucial to conduct larger collaborative multicenter studies to prove or reject the causal association between the SARS-CoV-2 vaccines and the postvaccination neurological side effects. Herein, we have tried to summarize the various neurological manifestations related to SARS-CoV-2 vaccines published in the literature from 2021 to mid-2023.
Tracking Wall Characteristics of Necrotic Pancreatic Fluid Collections in Acute Pancreatitis on Serial Contrast-Enhanced Computed Tomography
Authors: Bhatia Harsimran , Johnson Joseph , T. Pallavi , Gupta Pankaj , Gulati Ajay , Shah Jimil , Singh Anupam , Jearth Vaneet , Samanta Jayanta , Mandavdhare Harshal , Sharma Vishal , Sinha Saroj K. , Dutta Usha , Kocchar Rakesh
Published: May 2024

Background Encapsulated pancreatic fluid collection (PFC) is a requisite for endoscopic drainage procedures. The 4-week threshold for defining walled-off necrosis does not capture the dynamic process of encapsulation. We aim to investigate the changes in the wall characteristics of PFC in acute necrotizing pancreatitis (ANP) by comparing baseline contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) with follow-up CT scans.

Methods This retrospective study comprised consecutive patients with ANP who underwent a baseline CECT within first 2 weeks and follow-up CECT in the third to fifth weeks of illness. Presence, extent, and encapsulation thickness (defined as enhancing wall around the collection) on baseline CECT were compared with follow-up CT (done in the third–fifth weeks of illness).

Results Thirty patients (19 males and 11 females; mean age 41.5 ± 13.5 years) were included in the study. The mean time to first CECT was 10 ± 3.6 days. There were 58 collections. The most common site was the lesser sac (n = 29), followed by the left pararenal space (n = 15). At baseline CT, 52 (89.7%) collections had varying degree of encapsulation (15.3%, complete encapsulation). Complete encapsulation was seen in 52 and 82.6% collections in third and fourth week, respectively. All collections in fifth week and beyond were encapsulated. The wall was thicker on follow-up CECT scans (p < 0.01). The mean wall thickness was not significantly associated with the degree of encapsulation (p = 0.417). There was no significant association between the site and degree of encapsulation (p = 0.546).

Conclusion Encapsulation is dynamic and collections may get “walled off” before 4 weeks. Walled-off collections should be defined based on imaging rather than a fixed 4-week revised Atlanta classification threshold.
Tratamiento de la contractura en flexión de rodilla en parálisis cerebral
Authors: Martinez Gino , Segovia Javier , Cariola Martín
Published: May 2024

La extensión completa de la rodilla es esencial para la marcha. Los pacientes con parálisis cerebral infantil con frecuencia pueden tener déficit de extensión de distinta magnitud, lo que compromete la marcha e incluso la bipedestación. El tratamiento de la contractura en flexión de rodilla parte por tratar la espasticidad de los músculos comprometidos y con fisioterapia. Cuando el flexo es estructurado, el tratamiento es quirúrgico mediante distintas técnicas, dependiendo de la magnitud de la contractura y de la edad del paciente. Las técnicas sobre partes blandas incluyen alargamientos funcionales de isquiotibiales y transferencias musculares. Cuando la contractura es capsular, es preferible realizar cirugía ósea, la cual extiende el fémur proximal, ya sea en forma progresiva, mediante fisiodesis anterior en pacientes pediátricos, o en forma aguda, mediante osteotomía extensora del fémur distal. Con frecuencia existe una patela alta, la cual hay que corregir en el mismo acto quirúrgico para mantener la eficiencia del aparato extensor.
Framework for a savanna burning emissions abatement methodology applicable to fire-prone miombo woodlands in southern Africa
Authors: Russell-Smith Jeremy , Yates Cameron , Vernooij Roland , Eames Tom , Lucas Diane , Mbindo Keddy , Banda Sarah , Mukoma Kanembwa , Kaluka Adrian , Liseli Alex , Mafoko Jomo , Lekoko Othusitse , Beatty Robin , Kaestli Mirjam , van der Werf Guido , Ribeiro Natasha
Published: May 2024

Background and aims To assess development of a robust emissions accounting framework for expansive miombo woodland savannas covering ~2 million  km2 of southern Africa that typically are burnt under relatively severe late dry season (LDS) conditions. Methods A detailed site-based study of fuel accumulation, combustion and greenhouse gas (GHG) emission factor parameters under early dry season (EDS) and LDS conditions along a central rainfall-productivity and associated miombo vegetation structural and floristics gradient, from lower rainfallsites in northern Botswana to higher rainfall sites in northern Zambia. Key results Assembled field data inform core components of the proposed emissions reduction framework: fuel and combustion conditions sampled across the vegetation/productivity gradient can be represented by three defined Vegetation Fuel Types (VFTs); fuel accumulation, combustion and emissions parameters are presented for these. Applying this framework for an illustrative case, GHG emissions (t CO2-e) from EDS fires were one-third to half those of LDS fires per unit area in eligible miombo VFTs. Conclusions Our accounting framework supports undertaking EDS fire management to significantly reduce emissions and, realistically, burnt extent at landscape scales. We consider application of presented data to development of formal emissions abatement accounting methods, linkages with potential complementary woody biomass and soil organic carbon sequestration approaches, and necessary caveats concerning implementation issues.
OTUB2 silencing promotes ovarian cancer via mitochondrial metabolic reprogramming and can be synthetically targeted by CA9 inhibition
Authors: Nan Yabing , Wu Xiaowei , Luo Qingyu , Chang Wan , Zhao Pengfei , Zhang Lingqiang , Liu Zhihua
Published: May 2024

Ovarian cancer is an aggressive gynecological tumor characterized by a high relapse rate and chemoresistance. Ovarian cancer exhibits the cancer hallmark of elevated glycolysis, yet effective strategies targeting cancer cell metabolic reprogramming to overcome therapeutic resistance in ovarian cancer remain elusive. Here, we revealed that epigenetic silencing of Otubain 2 (OTUB2) is a driving force for mitochondrial metabolic reprogramming in ovarian cancer, which promotes tumorigenesis and chemoresistance. Mechanistically, OTUB2 silencing destabilizes sorting nexin 29 pseudogene 2 (SNX29P2), which subsequently prevents hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α) from von Hippel–Lindau tumor suppressor-mediated degradation. Elevated HIF-1α activates the transcription of carbonic anhydrase 9 (CA9) and drives ovarian cancer progression and chemoresistance by promoting glycolysis. Importantly, pharmacological inhibition of CA9 substantially suppressed tumor growth and synergized with carboplatin in the treatment ofOTUB2-silenced ovarian cancer. Thus, our study highlights the pivotal role of OTUB2/SNX29P2 in suppressing ovarian cancer development and proposes that targeting CA9-mediated glycolysis is an encouraging strategy for the treatment of ovarian cancer.
Strigolactones promote flowering by inducing the miR319-
LA
-
SFT
module in tomato
Authors: Visentin Ivan , Ferigolo Leticia Frizzo , Russo Giulia , Korwin Krukowski Paolo , Capezzali Caterina , Tarkowská Danuše , Gresta Francesco , Deva Eleonora , Nogueira Fabio Tebaldi Silveira , Schubert Andrea , Cardinale Francesca
Published: May 2024

Strigolactones are a class of phytohormones with various functions in plant development, stress responses, and in the interaction with (micro)organisms in the rhizosphere. While their effects on vegetative development are well studied, little is known about their role in reproduction. We investigated the effects of genetic and chemical modification of strigolactone levels on the timing and intensity of flowering in tomato (
Solanum lycopersicum
L.) and the molecular mechanisms underlying such effects. Results showed that strigolactone levels in the shoot, whether endogenous or exogenous, correlate inversely with the time of anthesis and directly with the number of flowers and the transcript levels of the florigen-encoding gene
SINGLE FLOWER TRUSS
(
SFT
) in the leaves. Transcript quantifications coupled with metabolite analyses demonstrated that strigolactones promote flowering in tomato by inducing the activation of the microRNA319-
LANCEOLATE
module in leaves. This, in turn, decreases gibberellin content and increases the transcription of
SFT
. Several other floral markers and morpho-anatomical features of developmental progression are induced in the apical meristems upon treatment with strigolactones, affecting floral transition and, more markedly, flower development. Thus, strigolactones promote meristem maturation and flower development via the induction of
SFT
both before and after floral transition, and their effects are blocked in plants expressing a miR319-resistant version of
LANCEOLATE
. Our study positions strigolactones in the context of the flowering regulation network in a model crop species.
Magnetic hysteresis mechanism in Lu0.9Sr0.1Cr0.5Fe0.5O3 studied by Monte Carlo simulations
Authors: Lurgo Florencia E , Sánchez Rodolfo D , Carbonio Raúl E , Billoni Orlando V
Published: May 2024

In this work we report magnetic properties of the orthorhombic perovskite Lu0.9Sr0.1Cr0.5Fe0.5O3 synthesized by a wet chemical method. As in LuCr0.5Fe0.5O3 the compound with Sr shows the magnetization reversal phenomenon, but the magnetic order and the compensation temperature occur at higher temperatures. Interestingly, in M vs H curves a hysteresis loop is observed when Cr4+ and Cr3+ ions coexist as a consequence of the aliovalent substitution of Lu3+ by Sr2+ in the B sites of the perovskite. To explain this behavior, we performed numerical simulations with a magnetic model for Lu1−x
Sr
x
Cr0.5Fe0.5O3 perovskites with x= 0 and x = 0.1. We found that the ferromagnetic coupling of Fe3+ and Cr4+ through superexchange interactions (according the empiric Goodenough–Kanamori–Anderson rules) increases the magnetization at high fields and that the presence of ferromagnetic clusters explains the hysteretic behavior found in simulations.
Coupled quintessence scalar field model in light of observational datasets
Authors: Patil Trupti , Ruchika  , Panda Sukanta
Published: May 2024

We do a detailed analysis of a well-theoretically motivated interacting dark energy scalar field model with a time-varying interaction term. Using current cosmological datasets from CMB, BAO, Type Ia Supernova, H(z) measurements from cosmic chronometers, angular diameter measurements from Megamasers, growth measurements, and local SH0ES measurements, we found that dark energy component may act differently than a cosmological constant at early times. The observational data also does not disfavor a small interaction between dark energy and dark matter at late times.
When using all these datasets in combination, our value of H
0 agrees well with SH0ES results but in 2.5σ tension with Planck results. We also did AIC and BIC analysis, and we found that the cosmological data prefer coupled quintessence model over ΛCDM, although the chi-square per number of degrees of freedom test prefers the latter.
Probabilistic stimulation mapping from intra-operative thalamic deep brain stimulation data in essential tremor
Authors: Vogel Dorian , Nordin Teresa , Feiler Stefanie , Wårdell Karin , Coste Jérôme , Lemaire Jean-Jacques , Hemm Simone
Published: May 2024

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a therapy for Parkinson’s disease (PD) and essential tremor (ET). The mechanism of action of DBS is still incompletely understood. Retrospective group analysis of intra-operative data recorded from ET patients implanted in the ventral intermediate nucleus of the thalamus (Vim) is rare. Intra-operative stimulation tests generate rich data and their use in group analysis has not yet been explored. Objective. To implement, evaluate, and apply a group analysis workflow to generate probabilistic stimulation maps (PSMs) using intra-operative stimulation data from ET patients implanted in Vim. Approach. A group-specific anatomical template was constructed based on the magnetic resonance imaging scans of 6 ET patients and 13 PD patients. Intra-operative test data (total: n = 1821) from the 6 ET patients was analyzed: patient-specific electric field simulations together with tremor assessments obtained by a wrist-based acceleration sensor were transferred to this template. Occurrence and weighted mean maps were generated. Voxels associated with symptomatic response were identified through a linear mixed model approach to form a PSM. Improvements predicted by the PSM were compared to those clinically assessed. Finally, the PSM clusters were compared to those obtained in a multicenter study using data from chronic stimulation effects in ET. Main results. Regions responsible for improvement identified on the PSM were in the posterior sub-thalamic area (PSA) and at the border between the Vim and ventro-oral nucleus of the thalamus (VO). The comparison with literature revealed a center-to-center distance of less than 5 mm and an overlap score (Dice) of 0.4 between the significant clusters. Our workflow and intra-operative test data from 6 ET-Vim patients identified effective stimulation areas in PSA and around Vim and VO, affirming existing medical literature. Significance. This study supports the potential of probabilistic analysis of intra-operative stimulation test data to reveal DBS’s action mechanisms and to assist surgical planning.
FetchEEG: a hybrid approach combining feature extraction and temporal-channel joint attention for EEG-based emotion classification
Authors: Liang Yu , Zhang Chenlong , An Shan , Wang Zaitian , Shi Kaize , Peng Tianhao , Ma Yuqing , Xie Xiaoyang , He Jian , Zheng Kun
Published: May 2024

Objective. Electroencephalogram (EEG) analysis has always been an important tool in neural engineering, and the recognition and classification of human emotions are one of the important tasks in neural engineering. EEG data, obtained from electrodes placed on the scalp, represent a valuable resource of information for brain activity analysis and emotion recognition. Feature extraction methods have shown promising results, but recent trends have shifted toward end-to-end methods based on deep learning. However, these approaches often overlook channel representations, and their complex structures pose certain challenges to model fitting. Approach. To address these challenges, this paper proposes a hybrid approach named FetchEEG that combines feature extraction and temporal-channel joint attention. Leveraging the advantages of both traditional feature extraction and deep learning, the FetchEEG adopts a multi-head self-attention mechanism to extract representations between different time moments and channels simultaneously. The joint representations are then concatenated and classified using fully-connected layers for emotion recognition. The performance of the FetchEEG is verified by comparison experiments on a self-developed dataset and two public datasets. Main results. In both subject-dependent and subject-independent experiments, the FetchEEG demonstrates better performance and stronger generalization ability than the state-of-the-art methods on all datasets. Moreover, the performance of the FetchEEG is analyzed for different sliding window sizes and overlap rates in the feature extraction module. The sensitivity of emotion recognition is investigated for three- and five-frequency-band scenarios. Significance. FetchEEG is a novel hybrid method based on EEG for emotion classification, which combines EEG feature extraction with Transformer neural networks. It has achieved state-of-the-art performance on both self-developed datasets and multiple public datasets, with significantly higher training efficiency compared to end-to-end methods, demonstrating its effectiveness and feasibility.
Development of a floating Vertical Axis Wind Turbine for the Mediterranean Sea
Authors: Ghigo Alberto , Petracca Ermando , Mangia Gabriele , Giorgi Giuseppe , Bracco Giovanni
Published: May 2024

Differently from Horizontal Axis Wind Turbines (HAWTs), which are the reference technologies in the wind market for their reliability and maturity, Vertical Axis Wind Turbine (VAWT) applications are related to small-scale contexts, such as providing electricity in isolated areas or urban settings. Consequently, the capacity of VAWTs results significantly lower than the order of megawatts and does not exceed a few tens of kilowatts. A promising field of application for VAWTs is the floating offshore: among the main advantages there are an increased static stability, by placing the rotor-nacelle assembly (RNA) at the base of the VAWT and reduced operational and maintenance (O&M) costs. Moreover, the different wake dynamics allows to reduce the aerodynamic losses, allowing closer turbine installations. However, to be competitive with floating HAWTs, it is necessary to have numerical models for the analysis and simulation of multi-megawatt VAWTs. This paper aims to introduce a time domain model of a floating vertical axis wind turbine, developed within the Matlab-Simscape environment. The model comprises an aerodynamics module, based on Double Multiple Stream Tube theory while hydrodynamics is modelled using WEC-Sim. A case study, involving a Darrieus H-rotor VAWT tested in the Mediterranean Sea and supported by a semi-sub foundation, the OC4-DeepCwind, is introduced. The results obtained are compared with those from QBlade, an software developed by TU Berlin, demonstrating a good agreement between the two codes.
A polyurethane solid-solid composite phase change material based on modified graphene oxide for efficient thermal management
Authors: Yang X , Liao Y N , Li J , Mao Y , Chen S S , Sun K , Li M , Zheng Y J
Published: May 2024

Solid-solid phase change materials (SSPCMs) are potential materials for energy storage and thermal management, and improving mechanical property and heat transfer performance is the key to practical application. After modified graphene oxide (TGO) was prepared by toluene diisocyanate, a kind of super-tough, form-stable and leak-proof polyurethane composite phase change material (PU-TGO) was constructed by the two-step polymerization of isophorone diisocyanate and 1, 4-butanediol using polyethylene glycol and TGO. TGO has more uniform and stable dispersion than traditional graphene oxide, and its chemical crosslinking with polyurethane phase change materials makes the composite have better shape stability, mechanical strength, thermal conductivity and flexibility. PU-TGO has thermal conductivity and elongation at break up to 0.3072 W/(m•K) and 540%, respectively, and maintains excellent thermal stability and 72.09 J/g enthalpy after 500 thermal cycles. PU-TGO prepared by chemical crosslinks in this paper further demonstrates the great potential of phase change materials in the field of thermal management of new electronic devices.
Fabrication and properties of SiC-based accident-tolerant fuel with precisely-regulated TRISO particles dispersion
Authors: Shao Zongyi , Zhao Yumeng , Feng Shuaishuai , Meng Ying , Chen Chen , Lui Wentao , Liu Wei , Cai Zhenfang
Published: May 2024

The ceramic-based coated particle dispersed fuel (CDF) has arrested worldwide attention as a kind of promising accident-tolerant fuel since the Fukushima-Daiichi accident in 2011. To improve safety and in-pile performance, regularly-distributed CDF was formulated. A novel fabrication method was developed to accurately target TRistructural-ISOtropic (TRISO) particles to preset positions in the SiC matrix via a self-developed precise TRISO-controlled moulding equipment. After sintering, the samples were observed by SEM and X-μCT, which showed that the TRISO particles were uniformly and regularly arranged in the SiC matrix, and were almost intact with little extrusion and breakage. The density, thermal conductivity, and thermal shock performance of the prepared samples were examined and proved to be consistent with those of the pellets with randomly-distributed TRISO particles, which could satisfy the safety requirements. Small batch manufacturing was realized and production efficiency was enhanced. This new technology offers a promising pathway to produce high-reliability ceramic-based CDF with precisely-located TRISO particles, which promote the development of advanced accident-tolerant fuels.
Drag reduction in a minimal channel flow with scientific multi-agent reinforcement learning
Authors: Wälchli D , Guastoni L , Vinuesa R , Koumoutsakos P
Published: May 2024

We study drag reduction in a minimal turbulent channel flow using scientific multi-agent reinforcement learning (SMARL). The flow is controlled by blowing and suction at the wall of an open channel, with observable states derived from flow velocities sensed at adjustable heights. We explore the actions, state, and reward space of SMARL using the off-policy algorithm V-RACER. We compare single- and multi-agent setups, and compare the identified control policies against the well-known mechanism of opposition-control. Our findings demonstrate that off-policy SMARL reduces drag in various experimental setups, surpassing classical opposition-control by up to 20 percentage points.
Switching between slow light and fast light by static magnetic field in a degenerate four-level atomic system at room temperature
Authors: Van Phu Nguyen , Bang Nguyen Huy , Nga Luong Thi Yen , Doai Le Van
Published: May 2024

The optical response of a magnetic-degenerated four-level atom system to the two left and right circular polarization components of the probe field is represented at room temperature. The absorption spectrum and group index for the two polarization components of the probe field are controlled according to the static magnetic field and the coupling field under electromagnetically induced transparency condition. By varying the strength of the static magnetic field, the optical response of the atomic medium can be changed from transparency to absorption or vice versa and hence the amplitude of group index also changes from positive extreme to negative extreme or vice versa. The same phenomenon also occurs when changing the coupling field intensity. In addition, temperature also significantly influence on the optical response of the atomic medium, which changes not only the amplitude but also the sign of the group index as the temperature increases. Our analytical results can be useful for experimental observation and related applications of light group index/velocity at room temperature.
Role of chalcogen vacancies and hydrogen in the optical and electrical properties of bulk transition-metal dichalcogenides
Authors: Khalid Shoaib , Janotti Anderson , Medasani Bharat
Published: May 2024

Like in any other semiconductor, point defects in transition-metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) are expected to strongly impact their electronic and optical properties. However, identifying defects in these layered two-dimensional materials has been quite challenging with controversial conclusions despite the extensive literature in the past decade. Using first-principles calculations, we revisit the role of chalcogen vacancies and hydrogen impurity in bulk TMDs, reporting formation energies and thermodynamic and optical transition levels. We show that the S vacancy can explain recently observed cathodoluminescence spectra of MoS2 flakes and predict similar optical levels in the other TMDs. In the case of the H impurity, we find it more stable sitting on an interstitial site in the Mo plane, acting as a shallow donor, and possibly explaining the often observed n-type conductivity in some TMDs. We also predict the frequencies of the local vibration modes for the H impurity, aiding its identification through Raman or infrared spectroscopy.
Voltage stability assessment of the power system using novel line voltage collapse index
Authors: Gupta Santosh Kumar , Mallik Sanjeev Kumar , Kumar Dhananjay , Kumar Shashi
Published: May 2024

Nowadays, for the maximum utilization of the power available, power systems are operated at their maximum stability limit due to the scarcity of natural resources. In this situation, quick monitoring and control of the power systems are very necessary for the electrical operators. This paper presents a novel line voltage stability index based on V-Q sensitivity. The index is created utilizing the network’s ABCD parameters and is based on an exact transmission system model. The new index is evaluated in terms of ABCD parameters from the reactive power equation of the power system. The proposed line index can predict the voltage collapse under heavy MVA loading, heavy reactive loading, randomly chosen heavy reactive loading, and different N-1 contingencies conditions. This has also the capability to predict voltage stability under different contingencies. The proposed method is compared with four existing methods named line stability index (Lmn), fast voltage stability index (FVSI), line stability factor (Lqp), and line voltage stability index (LVSI). Results show that the critical situation of the power system that has been investigated by the proposed approach is more accurate than these four existing methods under different operating scenarios. The accuracy and applicability of the proposed method are investigated on IEEE 14-bus and IEEE 118-bus systems.
Surface roughness estimation using vibration characteristics extracted by variational mode decomposition in turning
Authors: Guleria Vikrant , Kumar Vivek , Singh Pradeep K
Published: May 2024

This study presents an approach that combines variational mode decomposition (VMD) and relevance vector machine (RVM) as a prediction technique for surface roughness during turning. The method helps machinists detect irregularities during machining, such as looseness in machine parts or tool wear. The study uses work hardened EN8 steel and extracts vibration signal features into five modes. PSO optimized RVM prediction models are developed using these modes with and without combining cutting parameters. The most sensitive mode is selected for accurate surface roughness prediction. The results show that the first mode of decomposition when combined with cutting parameters provides the least mean square error of 0.1095. Surface roughness was found to be primarily influenced inversly by cutting speed and directly by feed rate respectively. The signal with high surface roughness value has high amplitude noise scattered over the large frequency range. The first decomposed mode of vibration signal increases noise with a large amplitude as surface roughness increases. The approach can be integrated into a microcontroller to regulate machine settings based on vibration data.
The rutting performance of cold bitumen emulsion mix using ground granulated blast furnace slag and lime as fillers
Authors: Prasad Deepak , Suman Sanjeev Kumar
Published: May 2024

Rutting is a worldwide recognized distress in bituminous pavement caused by repetitive passage of traffic loads at high temperature. High air voids and poor early strength of cold bitumen emulsion mix (CBEM) can cause rutting deformation even at lower temperatures, making it undesirable to practitioners. The CBEM can be effectively modified by using hydraulic materials as filler. The present study examines the effect of ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) and lime as fillers on rutting characteristics of CBEM at varying temperatures (i.e., 40, 50, 60 °C). The conventional stone dust (SD) filler was partially replaced by GGBFS. For further modification, lime was added in CBEM containing GGBFS. Initially mix were selected for rutting test based on the results obtained by Marshall stability, indirect tensile strength, retained Marshall stability, and tensile strength ratio tests. Based on these results, 80% of GGBFS was optimized for CBEM production. Incorporating 20% lime with 80% GGBFS in CBEM further improved the properties mentioned above. Both mixes were selected for the rutting test, along with CBEM containing 100% SD and CBEM containing 20% lime, which were also selected for comparison purposes. Wheel tracking device was used for rutting test on CBEM at varying temperatures. Based on results, it was found that increasing testing temperature increases the rutting deformation. However, the CBEM containing GGBFS and lime by 80% and 20% of total weight of filler in the mix, respectively, gave better rutting resistance at each testing temperature and provide less temperature sensitivity. So, this paper introduces the blended GGBFS and lime as a new composition in CBEM that provides improved laboratory strength, moisture susceptibility resistance, and rutting resistance.
Experimental study of thermal contacts for the enhancement of interfacial heat transfer
Authors: Asif Mohammad , Kumar Alok , Kamal Faiez Rashid , Hussain Taliv
Published: May 2024

The thermal management in high-performance electronic devices demands the enhanced rate of heat dissipation for controlling operational temperatures and achieving optimal functioning. There are many interfaces in the heat dissipation circuit where thermal interface materials are applied to enhance heat transfer rate. An experimental investigation is presented on metallic contacts to study the interfacial heat transfer with and without a thermal interface material. Thermal contact conductance is known to be an important parameter estimated for the analysis of interfacial heat transfer across the thermal contacts. Therefore, the thermal contact conductance has been evaluated to identify an effective thermal interface material suitable for the present range of contact pressure and heat flux conditions. Silicone grease is a widely used thermal interface material in electronic industry. Thus, commercially available Silicone grease is evaluated in different boundary line thicknesses for a range of contact pressure and mean interface temperatures. Further, a novel composite thermal paste has been prepared by mixing cupric oxide nanopowder and Silicone grease in three different mass concentrations. Eventually, the results for the new thermal paste showed improved thermal contact conductance and lower interfacial temperature drops as compared to Silicone grease for similar test conditions with few limitations.
Victims and the Labour of Justice at the International Criminal Court
Authors: Ullrich Leila
Published: May 2024

Victim participation at the ICC has routinely been viewed as an empty promise of justice or mere spectacle for audiences in the Global North, providing little benefit for victims. Why, then, do people in Kenya and Uganda engage in justice processes that offer so little, so late? How and why do they become the court’s victims and intermediaries, and what impact do these labels have on them?

Victims and the Labour of Justice at the International Criminal Court offers a response to these poignant questions, demonstrating that the notion of ‘justice for victims’ is not merely symbolic, expressive, or instrumental. On the contrary — the book argues — the ICC’s methods of victim engagement are productive, reproducing the Court as a relevant institution and transforming victims in the Global South into highly gendered and racialized labouring subjects. Challenging the Court’s interplay with global capitalist relationships, the book makes visible the hidden labour of justice, and how it lures, disciplines, and blames both victims and victims’ advocates.

Drawing on critical theory, criminological analysis, and multi-sited ethnographic fieldwork in The Hague, Kenya, and Uganda, Victims and the Labour of Justice at the International Criminal Court illuminates how the drive to include victims as participants in international criminal justice proceedings also creates and disciplines them as blameworthy capitalist subjects. Yet, as victim workers learn to ‘stop crying’, ‘be peaceful’, ‘get married’, ‘work hard’, and ‘repay debt’, they also begin to challenge the terms of global justice.
Introduction
Authors: Ullrich Leila
Published: May 2024

The International Criminal Court (ICC) provides victims with extensive rights to participate in the legal proceedings and to receive reparations, yet few scholars have been impressed. Legal scholars contend that these participatory measures interfere with the Court’s legal procedures while failing to offer anything meaningful to victims. Critical scholars argue that the ICC mobilizes ‘idealized’ and ‘passive’ victim figures to raise money and build its legitimacy with audiences in the Global North, while ‘real’ victims in the Global South are marginalized in the Court’s processes. This chapter problematizes both perspectives by showing that the ICC is more about victims than perpetrators, more about the Global South than the Global North, more about inclusion than exclusion, and more about labour and debt than about justice and punishment. Building on the insights of critical ideology theory and Marxist-Feminism, the chapter sketches how the Court’s victim engagement creates ‘victim labourers’ in its African situation countries who are ‘ready’ for their partial and precarious integration into global capitalist social relations.
International Legal Framework for the Protection of Geographical Indications in Africa
Authors: Schneider Marius , Ho Tu Nam Nora
Published: May 2024

This chapter examines the international legal framework of World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and World Trade Organization (WTO)-administered treaties for the protection of geographical indications (GIs). It mentions the Paris Convention, the Lisbon Agreement and the Geneva Act, in particular highlighting the relevant African member states. The chapter also focuses on the obligations imposed on states by the TRIPS Agreement for the protection of GIs. The chapter further describes the continental initiatives by the African Union to promote GIs and the inclusion of GIs under regional and/or bilateral trade agreements negotiated by the United States and the European Union with African states.
The African Regional Intellectual Property Organization
Authors: Schneider Marius , Ho Tu Nam Nora
Published: May 2024

This chapter discusses the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO), which is one of the two regional intellectual property organizations in Africa. Most member states of ARIPO are anglophone countries found in Eastern and Southern Africa. ARIPO member states may become member to a number of protocols that each govern a specific intellectual property (IP) right: the Harare Protocol on Patents and Industrial Designs; the Banjul Protocol on Marks; the Swakopmund Protocol on Protection of Traditional Knowledge and Expressions of Folklore; and the Arusha Protocol for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants. The chapter details the various initiatives undertaken at the ARIPO in relation to GI. Till now, no GI protocol has, however, been adopted. The chapter outlines the mechanisms available in each member state to protect a GI and the possibility of using the Banjul Protocol on Marks.
Algeria
Authors: Schneider Marius , Ho Tu Nam Nora
Published: May 2024

This chapter focuses on Algeria, which is located in the Maghreb region in northwest Africa. Algeria is the fourth largest economy in Africa, relying heavily on the hydrocarbon industry. Through its history as a proeminent wine producer, Algeria has played an important role in the French Appellation d’origine contrôlée, which is itself closely linked to the current European wine policy of Protected designation of origin. Algeria is not a member of the World Trade Organization. It is a member of the Lisbon Agreement for the Protection of Appellations of Origin and their International Registration (Lisbon Agreement) of 1958. In Algeria, agricultural products and products of agricultural origin with qualities linked to their geographical origin may be registered as appellations of origin and geographical indications (GIs). Goods and services may also be registered as collective marks to guarantee their origin. This chapter looks at the registrability of names, the procedure and requirements for registration of both local and foreign GIs and collective marks, the term of protection , the rights of the owner against infringers and customs enforcement. The chapter ends by looking at whether Algeria is party to any bilateral agreements touching on GIs.
Angola
Authors: Schneider Marius , Ho Tu Nam Nora
Published: May 2024

This chapter discusses Angola, which is found in southwest Africa. Angola follows the Portuguese civil law tradition. It is a member of the World Trade Organization since 23 November 1996. There is no sui generis legislation regarding geographical indications (GIs) currently in force in Angola, although collective marks are available. This chapter looks at the registrability of names, the procedure and requirements for registration of both local and foreign GIs as collective marks, the term of protection of collective marks, the rights of a collective mark owner against infringers and customs enforcement. The chapter ends by looking at whether Angola is party to any bilateral agreements touching on GIs.
Nigeria
Authors: Schneider Marius , Ho Tu Nam Nora
Published: May 2024

This chapter highlights Nigeria, which is located in West Africa. Nigeria is a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO), although the extent to which the WTO Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights provisions are directly applicable in Nigeria is debatable. In the absence of a sui generis system, it is not possible to register a geographical indication (GI). Certification marks are however available. The chapter discusses the registrability of names, the procedure and requirements for registration, the term of protection, the rights of the owner against infringers and customs enforcement of certification mark. The chapter ends by looking at whether there are any bilateral agreements regarding GIs to which Nigeria is a party.
Editorial Introduction
Authors: Heitlinger Sara , Foth Marcus , Clarke Rachel
Published: May 2024

This editorial preface introduced the edited collection “Designing More-than-Human Smart Cities: Beyond Sustainability, Towards Cohabitation.” It offers a summary of the editors’ overall thinking and rationale for the way this book demonstrates how more-than-human concepts are being brought into emergent design practices to support planetary wellbeing. Authors and their chapters are briefly introduced and include researchers and practitioners from urban planning, architecture, environmental humanities, geography, design, arts, and computing. Together, they illustrate key concepts using case studies that respond to the complex relationships between human and non-human others (such as animals and plants, as well as soil, rivers, data and sensors) in urban space. Drawing from existing theory, policy, practice and speculative design about how cities may evolve, the book makes a timely contribution to contemporary debates on sustainable smart cities and alternative forms of urban co-habitation.
From ‘Smart City’ to Wise City?
Authors: Jones Owain
Published: May 2024

This chapter seeks to explore a number of questions relating to smart city thinking and water. It points out that cities in ecological and in many more specific ways are ‘stupid spaces’, rife with a whole range of systemic shortcomings. The obvious attraction of smart technologies is the hope of addressing at least some of those shortcomings. But for cities to be wise, rather than smart, and deeper, an ecological view of sustainability is required. This will require pushing ideas of smartness, or wisdom, to embrace the non-human, ecological and the underpinning elemental flows of water which sustain all life.
Designing Data Dramas to Build Empathy to Nature through Collective Acts
Authors: Wolff Annika , Pässilä Anne , Owens Allan , Kantola Lasse
Published: May 2024

Environmental data may play a part in urban planning, especially to evidence negative impacts of proposed development on nature. However, its utility is only as good as people’s capability and willingness to make sense of it. Data storytelling is a common communication technique, but still places the audience in a passive role. In this chapter we explore data drama as an active and collective way for embodying and understanding data. We locate this arts-based genre in relation to the fields of applied drama and theatre and drama education, critical pedagogy, arts-based research, and data science. The imagination, emotions, and feelings are as central to the arts as cognition and rationality are to data science. We thus demonstrate how data drama may be used to build empathy towards the hidden concerns that the data can reveal and thus help explore more-than-human aspects of urban development.
A City of Good Ancestors
Authors: Graham Mary , Maloney Michelle , Foth Marcus
Published: May 2024

This chapter explores the future of more-than-human cities from a long-term perspective. Amid pressing issues such as climate change, social justice, and technological advancements, we consider how one might contemplate the development of cities and human settlements over the next 10,000 years. Drawing inspiration from Australian Aboriginal societies, known for their stable and spiritually rich governance systems, the chapter delves into foundational principles like the Relationist Ethos and Custodial Ethic. Part 1 introduces these pan-Aboriginal principles, emphasising the need for a relationist city focused on regenerative habitats and social justice. In Part 2, we explore how the Relationist Ethos can transform urban praxis by looking at the Greenprints framework, which facilitates the harmonious coexistence of cities and nature. Our exploration challenges urban governance professionals to build cities that serve as good ancestors for future generations of humans and more-than-humans.
More-than-Human Biographies
Authors: Wakkary Ron
Published: May 2024

In this chapter, I aim to glimpse the future of cities by focusing on the endings of designed things that make up our cities and the multispecies gatherings around things. I rely on the more-than-human concept of biography from the design theory of designing-with. The concept refers to the combined agentic forces of designer and thing, what they inscribe into the world, and what they leave behind. I discuss the biographies of a water-lily pond and a traffic intersection, and the human and non-human gatherings that participate in their making and unmaking. The chapter extends the idea of biographies to reveal the capacities of non-human agencies and temporalities in designing; the fragility, breakdown, and shifting ontologies of waste that are central to the making and remaking of cities; and the conceptualisation of a city as a braiding together of biographies and multispecies gatherings.
The Transformation of the Prohibition of Torture in International Law
Authors: Oette Lutz
Published: May 2024

The book analyses the nature, significance, and implications of the transformation of the prohibition of torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment in international law. It demonstrates how this fundamental human rights norm has withstood challenges in the ‘war on terror’, albeit with ambivalent outcomes. In parallel, multidisciplinary scholarship, practice in the field, and jurisprudence have developed the conceptual understanding of torture and other ill-treatment, including their link with discrimination, and innovative approaches to prevention, accountability, and reparation. The prohibition has also benefited from cross-fertilization in its interaction with international criminal law, international humanitarian law, and international migration law, although not without facing challenges in terms of its interpretation and application. The book sets out a relational understanding of torture and other ill-treatment that locates them in wider power structures. It identifies the tensions and dialectics inherent in the prohibition between its conventional focus on extreme forms of state violence and broader, evolving understandings. Applying the prohibition to key twenty-first century challenges, particularly in respect of health, poverty, and climate change, the book argues that the prohibition plays a critical role in highlighting and addressing widespread, intolerable structural pain and suffering through an integrated human rights approach with a distinctive transformative focus and dimension. This includes interrogating the role of international law, and the international order more widely, in facilitating, legitimizing, and obscuring systemic suffering and degradation through legal concepts such as sovereignty, punitive social control, and detrimental economic policies.