bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Brands, Fans, and Exchanges
Authors: Todd Breanna M. , Armstrong Soule Catherine Anne
Published: January 2022

Although fandom has a rich history within pop culture, it is difficult to know what constitutes a fandom, what differentiates fandoms from similar phenomena as well as what different types of fandoms exist and how fandoms are formed and maintained. In this chapter, the authors define fandom and the related member actions that create and maintain fandoms, as well as delineate the concept from the similar fan-brand communities of transactional brand communities, social brand communities and brand publics. A typology for fan-brand communities is presented with two dimensions: 1) motivation for engagement; and 2) social status and relationship type. This typology can help guide researchers, brands, and marketers in effectively managing different subcultures of fans. This chapter may be used as a starting point for further understanding of fan-brand community-based relationships.
Online Communities. Benefits and Risks
Authors: Graziani Elena , Petrini Fausto
Published: January 2022

This article reviews empirical studies from 2008 to 2017 on the effects of participating in online communities. The review uses three databases: PubMed, Scopus and ScienceDirect. The criteria are: (1) online community aimed to provide support by and for people with a common problem; (2) the content of the sessions was determined by users; (3) members met via the Internet; (4) online community was available 24/7; (5) online community access was free and open to everyone with an Internet connection. Of the articles, 13 of 105 met the inclusion criteria. Seven studies reported positive changes: informational and emotional support, increased sense of belonging, less isolation, better medical understanding. Six articles also considered risks: the rise of the level of stress because of successes or failures of other users, the addiction to the forum and the consequent isolation from real relationships.
Development of a Game Communities of Inquiry Scale (GCoIS)
Authors: Soyturk Ilker , Gandolfi Enrico , Ferdig Richard E.
Published: January 2022

This article introduces a new instrument called the game communities of inquiry scale (GCoIS). It was inspired by the community of inquiry framework and its related questionnaires. The purpose of the scale is to explore game communities from an educational perspective. It was validated with 1,275 players inhabiting digital outlets like Twitch.tv, Reddit, and Discord. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were completed, leading to a final scale composed of 14 items subdivided in three subscales: 1) community attractiveness, 2) community receptiveness, and 3) community cognition. The paper describes the development and testing of the instrument. It concludes with implications for scholars and practitioners who can employ this instrument for understanding game communities and their traits.
Sci-Fi Fandoms in the Digital Age
Authors: Loehr Gabrielle T , Shackleford Lee , Dill-Shackleford Karen Elizabeth , Metcalf Melody
Published: January 2022

This chapter discusses the evolution of the Doctor Who, Star Wars, and Star Trek fandoms from their beginnings to their current releases. These brief histories highlight how fans communicated with each other before social media and how those communications changed with the advent of the internet and social media. The dynamics of online groups, individual behavior in online groups, and the life cycle of a group are all discussed before moving onto trolling and the spectrum of online incivility. Overall, most of the trolling that occurs in sci-fi fandoms comes from devotion to the franchise rather than from the desire to be divisive or negative. However, some online incivility is solely guided by sexism, racism, and the desire to sow social discord. Two examples of sexist and racist fan behavior from Star Wars: The Last Jedi illustrates the different motivations of fandom trolls as well as ways to respond. Although every fandom is different, group behavior is predictable thus insights from these iconic sci-fi fandoms can be applied to many different fandoms.
How Pop Culture Increases Student Engagement and Reading Comprehension
Authors: Starke Kathryn C.
Published: January 2022

In this chapter, teachers will learn the importance of tapping into a child's prior experiences or background knowledge to help students gain the full understanding of a topic or subject matter. These practices help teachers recognize the background knowledge a student has on a subject matter; this information can assist them in their planning of a unit or specific learning objectives. This chapter provides elementary educators with practical ideas and a solid template or structure to help teachers brainstorm the countless ideas to weave pop culture into their instructional practices. Teachers should use these pages as a springboard to initiate the creative planning process to meet the needs of the students in their own classrooms. It is divided into sections of pop culture that are present in our 21st century society. As pop culture continues to change, teachers can use its appeal to get students excited about learning.
Forecast of Transmedia Language Learning With a Chance of Meatballs
Authors: Lee Yun Joon Jason , Seo Jiyoung
Published: January 2022

This chapter reflects on a Korean ESL college class transformation into a transmedia learning environment. Lee and Seo illustrates the importance of pop culture knowledge in language learning along with constructing a positive rapport between the instructor and the students. The movie Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs was used as the text of the class through interactions with students. They began to build the transmedia story about the movie. Students researched through multiple platforms to construct the movie through their major knowledge, personal experience, and findings on the internet. Furthermore, students developed their language skills to apply English to the movie related content. This chapter will illustrate how the students engaged in such activity and what became the transmedia project.
Pokémon GO as a Cognitive and Societal Development Tool for Personalised Learning
Authors: Costello Robert , Lambert Murray
Published: January 2022

The present research develops and tests a theoretical gamification model (GM) that explores the use of mobile learning (ML) and massively multiplayer online (MMO) games to strengthen group prospection of teams and improve retention. The GM used Pokémon GO to enable higher education students to engage in activities and challenges with a view to observe the impacts on health and wellbeing through collection of quantitative and qualitative data. The data that was collected involved a sample set (N = 50) of participants within the general educational sector. The model constructs were measured throughout the first academic semester, from September 2018 to February 2019. There is significant evidence to show that the use of ML in the classroom is beneficial depending on the influences from and engagement with participants. The contributions from these findings should provide the basics for further research into different studies involving MMOs and ML or gamification studies.
Media Literacy Among Ex-Untouchables in a Networked Society
Authors: Saha Ali
Published: January 2022

The caste system, which prescribed punishments for Dalits, is slowly eroding, but the atrocities against Dalits continue on a scale that makes Dalit travails seem extreme. Previous scholars have argued such oppression because of the lack of proper representation of Dalit atrocities in the mainstream media and space for Dalits to voice their concerns. In a networked society, Dalits are creating identities on online spaces. This chapter, hence, discusses Dalit empowerment from the lens of media literacy through a case study approach. Three case studies have been analysed and conceptualised along the lines of media literacy and networked society. Overall, this study reflects that media literacy assists streamlined development of the culture and ideologies with media, creative and communicative abilities, and critical thinking. Considering the absence of regulations or policies to ‘media educate' the school students, especially the minorities, this research creates an awareness and helps in policy establishment aimed towards implementing media literacy education curricula.
Why Are Finland Women Scholars Not Finnish-ing the Race Towards Science, Engineering, and Technology
Authors: Fleming Jennifer
Published: January 2022

This chapter explores Finland's history, highlighting the country before and after the declaration of independence. It evaluates patterns and trends in social and cultural norms, education, employment, science, technology, and engineering to find evidence of gender inequality, marginalization, and oppression towards Finnish women scholars. Data is collected, analyzed, and reported from a diverse group of peer-reviewed and economic published perspectives, including the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), Organization for Economic-Cooperation and Development (OECD), International Labor Organization (ILOSTAT), Panorama Education, World Economic Forum, Global Wage Report, University of British Columbia, National Science Foundation, World Intellectual Property Organization(WIPO), National Centre for Education, European Commission, and Statista Finland databases.
Role-Playing Games as a Model of Gamification Applied to Engagement of Online Communities
Authors: Jimenez-Pelaez Jose-M , Rubio-Romero Juana
Published: January 2022

Recent technological advances have promoted a social change that affects all areas of society, but mainly communication and entertainment, where social networks play a primordial function as they facilitate sociability and the creation of virtual communities. So-called “social media marketing” facilitates direct interaction between brands and markets through the Internet. For this, new communication strategies have been implemented, oriented towards the active participation of the users to increase their engagement. Some of these are inspired by the main product of the entertainment industry, videogames, through gamification. However, not many research studies have focused on classic role-playing games (RPGs), despite being considered the types of games that create the greatest player involvement. This work enquires about the possibilities offered by these games for the implementation of social media marketing strategies. A qualitative research study was conducted in which the engagement strategies utilized by RPG were associated with those utilized in social networks.
Is the Gamification of Scientific Work a Good Idea?
Authors: Le Lay Stéphane , Frances Jean
Published: January 2022

This chapter shows that, contrary to what some researchers claim, setting up the conditions for a “playful environment” is not so simple, in particular when it comes to organizing a new competition for the popularization of science (MT180®). In fact, we will see that popularization does not fit so easily into the “playful environment” desired by the organizers due to the gamified nature of the approach, which gradually colonizes the initial desire to present one's scientific work and pushes some participants to exaggerate their results in order to go as far as possible in the competition. It is therefore feared that the gamification of scientific work, while compatible with neoliberal expectations, will in fact lead to the production of bad science. The question then arises as to whether the need to turn researchers into effective communicators with a view to building the “knowledge society” advocated by international institutions can be achieved through gamified approaches, with the risk of creating an ever-greater distance between (real) scientific knowledge and citizens.
Enablers and Barriers of Integrating Game-Based Learning in Professional Development Programmes
Authors: Ismail Nashwa , Adams Anne
Published: January 2022

This study investigates the enablers and barriers of embedding technology for continuing professional development (CPD) of staff in the police sector. The research team developed an online game called “Child Witness Interview Simulation” (CWIS) to complement existing interview training for police officers and help them gain competency in interviewing children. Within the game design, development, and commercializing phases, the research team came across key themes that define the opportunities and challenges of implementing GBL through a police-based learning approach to CPD. The study identified that the successful implantation of Technology-Enhanced learning (TEL) in CPD falls into two broad categories: organizational, which considers learning outcomes, and individual, which considers learning aims and competency. Therefore, for successful implementation of TEL in CPD, ongoing supportive organizational culture that encourages employees and managers to be committed and motivated to implement TEL in CPD is necessary.
Remote University Supervision of Student Teachers
Authors: Wilkens Christian P.
Published: January 2022

This chapter outlines the shift of a U.S.-based university teacher preparation program from in-person supervision of student teachers to fully remote supervision during the global COVID-19 pandemic. Strengths identified in the shift to remote supervision include elimination of travel to school sites, modest cost savings, improved frequency and scope of feedback provided by university supervisors, increased flexibility in timing and nature of observations, and the use of recorded videos for reflection. Challenges identified include the need for ongoing professional development among all parties, missing school and classroom context, and weaker relationships between university supervisors and K-12 mentor teachers. The chapter makes recommendations for university teacher education programs considering a shift to remote supervision of student teachers, including provision of professional development, implementation of video coaching cycles, and explicit planning for relationship development with K-12 school partners.
“What Is It Like to Suddenly Shift From Traditional Face-to-Face to Exclusively Online Training?”
Authors: Raffone Annalisa , Gómez Alonso Mateo
Published: January 2022

Sars-CoV-2 suddenly spread in late December 2019, forever changing people's lives all over the world. Consistent advancements have been done, especially at the medical level, to face the virus and slow it down. At the same time, schools, universities, and educational institutions have been facing hard times since the beginning of the pandemic. Teachers had to shift from face-to-face to exclusively online classes overcoming daily challenges and helping students with their subjects. This chapter aims to present the results of a study conducted during the first wave of COVID-19 concerning language teachers' perceptions of ERT in secondary schools, high schools, and universities. QUAN and QUAL data were collected and analyzed through descriptive statistics and CAQCAS. The results showed that, despite the difficulties encountered and teachers and students' frequent inability to use digital technologies, instructors at all levels believed virtual classrooms to be useful as additional support to teaching and learning.
Cytotoxicity and Ion Release of Functionally Graded Al2O3- Ti Orthopedic Biomaterial
Authors: Bahraminasab Marjan , Arab Samaneh , Doostmohammadi Nesa
Published: January 2022

The aim of this study was to evaluate the biocompatibility of Al2O3-Ti functionally graded material (FGM) successfully fabricated by Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) technology, and to compare with pure Ti and alumina. Pre-osteoblast MC3T3-E1 cells were used to examine cell viability, proliferation and differentiation using lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) cytotoxicity detection kit, MTT assay and Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) colorimetric test at different time points. Furthermore, ion release from the materials into the culture medium was assessed. The results showed cell viability over 80% for FGM and alumina which dismissed any cytotoxicity risk due to materials or manufacturing. The results of MTT tests identified superiority of FGM than Ti and alumina, particularly in late proliferation. Nevertheless, in cell differentiation, all materials performed similarly with no statistical differences. Furthermore, it was indicated that Ti had no ion release, while alumina had small amount of Al ion dissolution. FGM, however, had more ions detachment, particularly Al ions.
Comparison of Stress Distribution in Surrounding Bone during Insertion of Dental Implants on Four Implant Threads under the Effect of an Impact: A Finite Element Study
Authors: Djebbar Noureddine , Bachiri Abdessamed , Boutabout Benali
Published: January 2022

The design of an implant thread plays a fundamental role in the osseointegration process, particularly in low-density bone. It has been postulated that design features that maximize the surface area available for contact may improve mechanical anchorage and stability in cancellous bone. The primary stability of a dental implant is determined by the mechanical engagement between the implant and bone at the time of implant insertion. The contact area of implant-bone interfaces and the concentrated stresses on the marginal bones are principal concerns of implant designers. Numerous factors influence load transfer at the bone-implant interface, for example, the type of loading, surface structure, amount of surrounding bone, material properties of the implant and implant design. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the impact two different projectile of implant threads on stress distribution in the jawbone using three-dimensional finite element analysis.
Phase Transformation of M2 High Speed Steel during Semi-Solid Cooling and Conventional Cooling
Authors: Sun Ting , Wang Yong Jin , Song Ren Bo , Liu Ya Zheng , Yanagimoto Jun , Taylor Tom
Published: January 2022

In this paper, the fundamental microstructure evolution of M2 high speed steel was investigated during semi-solid controlled cooling and conventional cooling, respectively. Semi-solid controlled cooling was conducted at 1260 °C with cooling rates from 0.1 to 10 °C/s, while conventional cooling was conducted at 1200 °C and 890 °C with different cooling rates. The continuous cooling transformation curves were plot according to the microstructure evolution. The results showed that microstructure transformation behavior of cooling structure in semi-solid temperature range was different from that of conventional process. For semi-solid specimen, the solid austenite dissolved more alloy elements, and the austenite stability was increased. The solid matrix was pearlite structure in the samples with cooling rate of 0.1 °C /s. When the cooling rate reached 1 °C/s, the granular pearlite disappeared and martensite lath was formed. The structure was relatively uniform, on which there were large carbide with regular shape. The solidified liquid phase showed a network shape surrounding the solid particles. The size of solid particles showed a decreasing trend with the increase of cooling rates. For conventional cooling process, the large eutectic M6C carbide and the small precipitated MC carbide could not be dissolved by austenitized at 890 °C. Increasing the austenitization temperature helped dissolving part of the carbides. The hardenability of M2 steel was high. The hardness has increased to a high level for both semi-solid and conventional specimens when cooling rate reached 1 °C/s. No obvious increase happened when cooling rate continued increasing.
Bending Strength and Fracture Behaviour of Metal-Ceramic Interpenetrating Phase Composites Manufactured by Using Semi-Solid Forming Technology
Authors: Schomer Laura , Riedmüller Kim Rouven , Liewald Mathias
Published: January 2022

Interpenetrating Phase Composites (IPC) belong to a special category of composite materials, offering great potential in terms of material properties due to the continuous volume structure of both composite components. While manufacturing of metal-ceramic IPC via existing casting and infiltration processes leads to structural deficits, semi-solid forming represents a promising technology for producing IPC components without such defects. Thereby, a solid open pore body made of ceramic is infiltrated with a metallic material in the semi-solid state. Good structural characteristics of the microstructure as the integrity of the open-pore bodies after infiltration and an almost none residual porosity within the composites have already been proven for this manufacturing route within a certain process window. On this basis, the following paper focuses on the mechanical properties such as bending strength of metal-ceramic IPC produced by using semi-solid forming technology. Thereby, the impact of the significant process parameters on these properties is analysed within a suitable process window. Furthermore, a fractographic analysis is carried out by observing and interpreting the fracture behaviour during these tests and the fracture surface thereafter.
Understanding the Rheological Transitions in Semi-Solid Alloys by a Combined In Situ Imaging and Granular Micromechanics Modeling Approach
Authors: Su Te Cheng , O'Sullivan Catherine , Yasuda Hideyuki , Gourlay Christopher M.
Published: January 2022

To gain better understanding of rheological transitions from suspension flow to granular deformation and shear cracking, this research conducted shear-deformation on globular semi-solid Al-Cu alloys to study the rheological behavior of semi-solid as a function of solid fraction (38% - 85%) and shear rate (10-4 – 10-1 s-1) under real-time synchrotron radiography observation. By analyzing 17 X-ray imaging datasets, we define three rheological transitions: (i) the critical solid fraction from a suspension to a loosely percolating assembly; (ii) from the net contraction of a loose assembly to the net dilation of a densely packed assembly, and (iii) to shear cracking at high solid fraction and shear rate. Inspired by in-situ observations of semi-solid deformation showing a disordered assembly of percolating crystals in partially-cohesive contact with liquid flow, we reproduced a two-phase sample using the coupled lattice Boltzmann method-discrete element method (LBM-DEM) simulation approach for granular micromechanical modeling. In DEM, each globular Al grain is represented by a discrete element, and the flow of interstitial liquid is solved by LBM. The LBM-DEM simulations show quantitative agreement of semi-solid strain localization with the experiments and are used to explore the components involved in the shear rate dependence of the transitions, and the role of liquid pressure on the initiation of shear cracking.
Effect of Runner Distance on Microstructure and Properties of Semi-Solid Squeeze Casting CuSn10P1 Alloy
Authors: Li Yong Kun , Cai Pei Lin , He Zhi Long , Zhou Rong Feng , Li Lu , Wu Xing , Xiao Han
Published: January 2022

It is easy to form reverse segregation and shrinkage porosity defects during the solidification of CuSn10P1 alloy, which leads to the poor properties and limits its application in high strength and toughness parts. In this paper, semi-solid CuSn10P1 alloy slurry was prepared by enclosed cooling slope channel (for short ECSC). The effect of runner distance on microstructure and properties by liquid squeeze casting and semi-solid squeeze casting was studied. The results showed that the microstructure of semi-solid squeeze casting is finer than that of liquid squeeze casting, and the shrinkage defects are improved. The solid fraction with 65 mm runner is lower than that without runner in liquid squeeze casting and semi-solid squeeze casting due to the retention effect of solid phase in semi-solid slurry flow, but the properties with 65 mm runner is better than that without runner. The ultimate tensile strength, yield strength and elongation of semi-solid squeeze casting CuSn10P1 alloy with 65 mm runner distance reached 466.5 MPa, 273.6 MPa and 13.4%, which were improved by 26%, 19% and 97%, respectively, as compared to that of liquid squeeze casting.
Control of Amount of α-Al Phase Particles in near Eutectic Al-Si Alloy by Electromagnetic Stirring
Authors: Murakami Yuichiro , Omura Naoki
Published: January 2022

Al-Si alloy is widely used as a casting alloy. The α-Al phase in the semi-solid state has low Si content in the Al-Si alloy. Then by separation of these α-Al phases from semi-solid Al-Si alloy, refining of aluminum can be possible. But, in near eutectic Al-Si alloy, few primary α-Al phases can be crystallized. If the fraction ratio of the α-Al phase can be increased, near eutectic Al-Si alloy can refine, and this method can be used for recycling. In this study, the effect of electromagnetic stirring (EMS) on the microstructure, especially the amount of the α-Al phase particles was investigated. A rotational magnetic field was applied to JIS ADC12 alloy which has near eutectic content during slow cooling from the liquid state to the solid-state, by using a three-phase AC coil. By applying EMS at solidification, the shape of the α-Al phase became particle shape from dendrite shape, and the amount of α-Al phase particles was increased. Moreover, by applying unidirectional intermittent EMS, the volume fraction of α-Al phase particles was decreased with increasing intermittent applying time. In ADC12 alloy, the primary α-Al phases can be crystallized only 10% generally, but it could be obtained over 40% by applying EMS. This means that the semi-solid slurry of near eutectic alloy with over 40% of fraction solid can be obtained by applying EMS.
Effect of Serpentine Channel Pouring Process on the Microstructure of Semi-Solid 6061 Aluminum Alloy Slurry
Authors: Li Nai Yong , Mao Wei Min , Geng Xiao Xin , Yan Peng Yu
Published: January 2022

The semi-solid slurry of 6061 aluminum alloy was prepared by the serpentine channel pouring process. The influence of graphite serpentine channel and copper serpentine channel on the slurry was comparative analyzed. The effect of pouring temperature on the slurry microstructure was also investigated. The results indicate that both copper and graphite serpentine channel can be used to prepare semi-solid slurry with spherical primary grains. Compared with a permanent casting, the microstructure of the semi-solid slurry was significantly improved and refined. With the increase of pouring temperature, the average equivalent grain diameter of the primary phase grains in the semi-solid slurry increases gradually, but the shape factor decreases gradually. When the pouring temperature increased from 675 °C to 690 °C, a high quality semi-solid slurry can be obtained. Comparing the two kinds of serpentine channel, it is found that the copper serpentine channel can make the primary grains finer, and the average equivalent grain size was 63 μm. However, the solidified shell near the inner graphite serpentine channel surface was thinner than that of the copper serpentine channel. In conclusion, the graphite serpentine channel is more suitable for preparing semi-solid 6061 aluminum alloy slurry.
Recycling Al-Si Alloy by Semisolid Material Dragged during Continuous-Casting Strip Processing
Authors: de Pádua Lima Filho Antonio , Ferreira Lucas Veronez Goulart , de Oliveira Neto Pedro Barbosa , Hoisand Fabian , de Oliveira Rodrigo Alessandro Nunes , Yamakami Wyser José , Bazani Marcio Antonio , Borodiak Miguel
Published: January 2022

Recycled Al–Si (9.2%) alloy contaminated with Fe (0.3%), Pb (3.1%) and Sn (11.4 %) was cast and poured at 650 oC, approximately 50 oC above the liquidus line. A cooling slope was used to obtain a semisolid material that feeds a ceramic nozzle designed to function as a good contact area for solidification and improve the quality of strip casting. The internally cooled material rolls in soluble oil (1 oil / 9 water) at a rate of 0.2 l/s and works as a heat exchanger which drags the metallic slurry puddle generated at the roll surface at a speed of 0.12 m/s. This forms a metallic strip with a thickness of 2 mm and a width varying from approximately 45 mm to 60 mm. The cooling system of the rolls, combined with four springs placed at the housing screw, prevented adhering of the metallic strip during production at a pressure of approximately 450 N. Cracks were observed on the strip surfaces; however, these defects did not interrupt the continuous flow of the solidified strip during manufacturing. The strip’s poor surface quality could be related to the Pb and Sn contamination as well as cold cracks due to the low pouring temperature. Al-Si eutectics positioned at a grain boundary of α-Al globular structures, as well as the presence of a Sn phase, resulted in a metallic strip with a yield stress, maximum stress and elongation of 94.5 MPa, 100.2 MPa and 1.6%, respectively.
Variation of Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of ZW61 Magnesium Alloy Solidified under Different Pressures
Authors: Wu Shu Sen , Fang Xiao Gang , Lü Shu Lin , Liu Long Fei , Guo Wei
Published: January 2022

There is little datum related to microstructure and properties of Mg alloys squeeze-casted with pressure over 200 MPa. In this study, the microstructure and properties of Mg-6Zn-1.4Y (ZW61) alloy solidified under 100MPa to 800MPa were investigated. The results show that a remarkable microstructure refinement and porosity reduction can be reached through solidification under high pressure. The average grain size and the volume fraction of second phase, i.e. quasicrystal I-phase, decrease continuously with the increase of applied pressure. The tensile properties, especially elongation, are obvious enhanced because of the microstructure refinement and castings densification under high pressure. The ultimate tensile strength and elongation of ZW61 alloy in as-cast state are 243 MPa and 18.7% when the applied pressure is 800 MPa, which are increased by 35% and 118% respectively, compared with that of the gravity castings.
Cooling Curve Analysis of A356 Alloy by Conventional Casting and the Effect of Stirring
Authors: Sanjuan-Sanjuan Gerardo , Chavez-Castellanos Ángel Enrique
Published: January 2022

The present investigation attempted to explore the effect of stirring during solidification of Aluminum A356 alloy, mainly focusing on the change from dendrite to globular structure. For this purpose samples of A356 alloy were melted in the electrical resistance furnace and cooling curves were recorded for each level agitation. The experimental curves were numerically processed by calculating first and second derivatives. From these were determined temperatures and times of start nucleation of alpha solid and eutectic reaction.
Role of Iron-Rich Phases and Porosity on the Ductility of Rheocast Al-Mg-Si-Alloys
Authors: Zhang Qing , Jonsson Stefan , Dahle Arne K. , Jarfors Anders E.W.
Published: January 2022

Treatment of the slurry is important during RheoMetalTM casting. In this work, semi-solid slurries were prepared under different stirring intensities, using two types of stirrers: a naked rod (for regular stirring) and a rod with two blades (for intensified stir). Tensile tests were performed, investigating fracture surfaces, as well as metallographic samples. The results show that intensified stir produces castings with finer primary particles and a more homogeneous microstructure. On the other hand, more faceted Fe-rich phases are found along the α-Al grains boundary as well, due to the dissolution of Fe from the stirrers. Moreover, for intensified stir castings, the porosity found on the fracture surfaces are smaller, while more brittle eutectic phases and second (intermetallic) phases, especially Fe-rich phases, are observed. Consequently, the castings with intensified stir show worse ductility. Finally, a quantitative analysis was made regarding ductility, affected both by porosity and the presence of Fe-rich phases.
The Impact of Financial Reporting Quality on Firm Performance
Authors: Rathnayake R. M. S. S. , Rajapakse R. P. G. S. N. , Lasantha S. A. R.
Published: January 2022

Financial Reporting Quality is the faithfulness of the information conveyed by the financial reporting process. The quality of information is vital for users of financial information. This study aims to examine the impact of Financial Reporting Quality on Firm Performance in listed companies in Sri Lanka. This study uses a quantitative approach. Secondary data was obtained from listed companies' published annual financial statements over six years (2013-2018). The sample consists of 30 listed companies in Sri Lanka from all sectors except Bank, finance, and insurance sector. Thus, the number of observations summed up to 180 in total. Stratified Random sampling method was used to select the sample and the hypothesis has been tested by the random effect model using STATA. Results showed an overall significant relationship for the tested three models where Return of Assets, Return on Equity, and Market to Book Ratio were regressed against Financial Reporting Quality and control variables. However, the relationship between Financial Reporting Quality and individual financial performance indicators was insignificant. Despite the theoretical arguments and empirical findings on the impact of financial reporting quality on financial performance, the study in the Sri Lankan context showed no relationship. This may warrant further research in the area with increased sample size.
Effect of time and temperature before chilling on the hygiene of carcasses in wild boar hunted in central Italy
Authors: Barbani Roberto , Lalinga Giulia , Bardasi Lia , Branciari Raffaella , Miraglia Dino , Roila Rossana , Ranucci David
Published: January 2022

The interest in certified game meat chains highlights the need for the evaluation and the management of factors affecting carcass hygiene along the peculiar steps of the production. The effects of time and temperature before chilling were specifically evaluated on aerobic colony count and Enterobacteriaceae count in hunted wild boar carcasses. Thirty wild boars were considered in two process steps where the hunted animal are still not chilled: after evisceration and just before chilling. Environmental temperature, carcass temperature and the elapse time between the two-step considered were registered. Furthermore, surface microbial loads were analyzed on the inner part of the carcasses. The mean time between the two sampling steps was 6 hours with an average environmental temperature of 20.49°C. A carcass temperature 9.6°C drop was observed during this period. In this lap of time aerobic colony count and Enterobacteriaceae count increased of 0.68 Log CFU/cm2 and 1.01 Log CFU/cm2 respectively, with a moderate correlation with the time but not with the temperature delta. The results reveal that the temperature conditions in central Italy hunting areas were not able to quickly reduce the carcass temperature and therefore the time between carcass evisceration and chilling should not exceed 6 hours.
Evaluation of secondary killing effect of Imidacloprid Gel Baits to control Blattella germanica (Linné 1767) (Blattaria: Blattellidae)
Authors: Drago A. , Giussani E. , Dutto M. , Martini S. , Vitale M.L.
Published: January 2022

Blattella germanica (L.) (Blattodea: Blattellidae) is one of the major household pests worldwide, commonly named German cockroach. Application of gel baits is one of the most efficient management methods. This study investigated the effect of 3 commercially available Imidacloprid gel baits on the palatability of dead cockroaches and, consequently, on the efficacy of secondary killing. German cockroaches killed by the gel baits and others killed by freezing were offered to conspecifics, the numbers of cannibalistic cockroaches and dead cockroaches, as well as weight loss were recorded. Despite the content of Imidacloprid is identical in all the baits, the palatability of the cockroach killed by the gel consumption and used as food was different between the 3 commercial products, with consequences on the secondary killing effect. These results suggest as the bait co-formulants play an important role not only on the palatability of the bait but also in the palatability of the dead cockroaches which are eaten by conspecifics, and therefore, in the result of a pest control application.
Effects of a Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Mobile Health Program on Respiratory Illness in Bangladesh: A Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial of the CHoBI7 Mobile Health Program
Authors: George Christine , Perin Jamie , Parvin Tahmina , Bhuyian Sazzadul , Thomas Elizabeth , Monira Shirajum , Zohura Fatema , Hasan Tasdik , Sack David , Alam Munirul
Published: January 2022

Acute respiratory infections are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among young children globally. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of the Cholera-Hospital-Based-Intervention-for-7-days (CHoBI7) handwashing with soap and water treatment mobile health (mHealth) program on respiratory illness among diarrhea patients and their household members in urban Dhaka, Bangladesh. A cluster-randomized controlled trial of the CHoBI7 mHealth program was conducted among diarrhea patient households in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Patients were randomized to three arms: standard recommendation on oral rehydration solution use, health facility delivery of CHoBI7 plus mHealth (weekly voice and text messages) (no home visits), and health facility delivery of CHoBI7 plus two home visits and mHealth. Respiratory symptoms were assessed during monthly clinical surveillance over the 12-month surveillance period. Respiratory illness was defined as rapid breathing, difficulty breathing, wheezing, or coughing. Two thousand six hundred twenty-six participants in 769 households were randomly allocated to three arms: 849 participants to the standard message arm, 886 to mHealth with no home visits arm, and 891 to the mHealth with two home visits. Compared with the standard message arm, participants in the mHealth with no home visits arm (Prevalence Ratio [PR]: 0.88 [95% CI: 0.79, 0.98]), and the mHealth with two home visits arm (PR: 0.88 [95% CI: 0.79, 0.98]) had significantly lower respiratory illness prevalence over the 12-month program period. Our findings demonstrate that the CHoBI7 mHealth program is effective in reducing respiratory illness among diarrhea patient households.
Case Report: Local Treatment of a Leishmania tropica Infection in a Syrian Child with a Novel Filmogenic Preparation of Pharmaceutical Sodium Chlorite (LeiProtect®)
Authors: Debus Dirk , Genç Semra , Kurz Philipp , Holzer Martin , Bauer Kurt , Heimke-Brinck Ralph , Baier Martin , Sebald Heidi , Debus Andrea , Bogdan Christian , Stahl Kurt-Wilhelm
Published: January 2022

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) frequently entails chronic skin lesions that heal only slowly. Until now, the available therapeutic options are very limited. Here, we present a case of a 5½-year-old Syrian refugee with two progressive lower-leg skin ulcers caused by Leishmania tropica. The patient received topical treatment with LeiProtect®, a newly developed, hydroxypropylcellulose-based, filmogenic gel containing nontoxic concentrations of pharmaceutical sodium chlorite. The skin lesions completely healed within 8 weeks and did not relapse during 1 year of follow-up, underlining the efficacy of this novel local therapy of CL.
Uso dos adubos de liberação lenta no setor florestal
Authors: Cunha Fernanda Leite , Nieri Erick Martins , Santos Juscelina Arcanjo dos , Almeida Rodolfo Soares de , Melo Lucas Amaral de , Venturin Nelson
Published: January 2022

Os adubos de liberação lenta (ALL) encontram-se em desenvolvimento mundial, e são caracterizados como adubos inteligentes, com alto grau de tecnologia e capazes de liberar os nutrientes para a planta por longo período. Dessa forma, ele reduz a perda de adubo por lixiviação e volatização, aumentando a eficiência de absorção pela planta. O seu uso na agricultura tem demonstrado ganhos satisfatórios em produtividade, com possibilidade de contenção de gastos com insumos e mão de obra. Devido às vantagens de sua utilização, esta revisão visa esclarecer a classificação destes fertilizantes e conhecer a dinâmica do seu uso no setor florestal.  O uso dos ALL já é consolidado no setor florestal, na fase de produção de mudas, possibilitando maior crescimento das plantas em viveiro. O uso dos ALL em plantios florestais ainda é incipiente, devido à carência de estudos para seu uso com espécies florestais. Entretanto, já se encontra na literatura alguns estudos com resultados preliminares, com aumento do crescimento inicial e economia de insumos. Dessa forma, acreditamos que o uso desta tecnologia de fertilizantes pode gerar melhoria da qualidade das culturas e aumento da produtividade, além da minimização dos impactos ambientais.
A reply to: Chorzów Factory – intellectual property and the continuity of international law in investor-state dispute settlement
Authors: Ferguson Alexander
Published: January 2022

The case involving the nitrate factory at Chorzów, Upper Silesia has been the subject of much academic commentary. Last year the intellectual property aspects of the case were explored in this journal. In this reply, I express doubts about whether the case involved the expropriation of intellectual property rights (IPRs) for two reasons. First, there are grounds to question the existence of IPRs. Second, even if there were IPRs, the Permanent Court of International Justice does not appear to have found that IPRs were taken. Instead, the case serves as a reminder of the importance of identifying the legal status of an IPR in the relevant territory when seeking to protect it under international law.

* My thanks to Martyna Mielniczuk-Skibicka and Kacper Górniak. All errors are my own.
A New Top-Down Context-Free Parsing for Syntactic Pattern Recognition
Authors: Bazrafkan Mehrnoosh
Published: January 2022

The numerous different mathematical methods used to solve pattern recognition snags may be assembled into two universal approaches: the decision-theoretic approach and the syntactic(structural) approach. In this paper, at first syntactic pattern recognition method and formal grammars are described and then has been investigated one of the techniques in syntactic pattern recognition called top – down tabular parser known as Earley’s algorithm Earley's tabular parser is one of the methods of context -free grammar parsing for syntactic pattern recognition. Earley's algorithm uses array data structure for implementing, which is the main problem and for this reason takes a lots of time, searching in array and grammar parsing, and wasting lots of memory. In order to solve these problems and most important, the cubic time complexity, in this article, a new algorithm has been introduced, which reduces wasting the memory to zero, with using linked list data structure. Also, with the changes in the implementation and performance of the algorithm, cubic time complexity has transformed into O (n*R) order. Key words: syntactic pattern recognition, tabular parser, context –free grammar, time complexity, linked list data structure.
Randomized Poly-encrypted Image Exploiting Chaotic Beheviour
Authors: Hamdi Bouslehi , Hassen Seddik , Wael Amaria
Published: January 2022

The security of digital data has become an essential need. Because the storage, transmission of data social networking has became inevitable, the need to ensure that data is no longer a luxury but an absolute necessity. The picture takes a large part of the data and its presence every day more important. in this paper, we use a new technique encryption which is poly encryption, this technique is based on the Decomposition of the image in a random manner, and each block will be encrypted by an algorithm that used different algorithm
Peculiarities of Inheriting Coat Colour Shades in the Breed “Golden Retriever”
Authors: Ermakov Alexander Alexandrovich
Published: January 2022

The Article describes the peculiarities of colour shades in the Golden Retriever breed. The separate attention was given to nowadays existence of different standards of coat colour in this breed across the world, and these standards admit a broad variety of different shades in golden colour. Herewith it has been established that the white pigmentation colour of golden retrievers is unallowable in any of “Kennel Club” standards valid for today. The special focus was put to the genotype of breed, which presupposes the existence of double recessive gene (e/e) that predetermines creamy shade of coat colour. It was discovered that exactly the gene MC1R, its autosomal-recessive inheritance, plays the leading role in defining the coat colour of dogs and in the exterior of the breed. It was assumed how and why this genotype is widespread in population, at which extent sub-populations are distinguished (American and English-European ones), and also there was the option offered related to breeding the pure line on the basis of knowledge about karyotype of dogs, that were obtained in a course of predicative screening of E-locus.
A Functional Electrical Stimulator to Enable Grasping Through Wrist Flexion
Authors: Mahendra S. J. , Talasila Viswanath , Dutt Abhilash G. , Balaji Mukund , Mouli Abhishek C.
Published: January 2022

Functional electrical stimulation is an assistive technique that utilizes electrical discharges to produce functional movements in patients suffering from neurological impairments. In this work, a biphasic, programmable current- controlled functional electrical stimulator system is designed to enable hand grasping facilitated by wrist flexion. The developed system utilizes an operational amplifier based current source and is supported by a user interface to adjust stimulation parameters. The device is integrated with an accelerometer to measure the degree of stimulated movement. The system is validated, firstly, on two passive electrical loads and subsequently on four healthy volunteers. The device is designed to deliver currents between 0-30mA, and the error between the measured current and simulated current for two loads were -0.967±0.676mA and -0.995±0.97mA. The angular data from the accelerometer provided information regarding variations in movement between the subjects. The architecture of the proposed system is such that it can, in principle, automatically adjust the parameters of simulation to induce the desired movement optimally by measuring a stimulated movement artifact (e.g., angular position) in real time.
MD Simulation of AEDG Peptide Complexes with New K2R Dendrimer and Dendrigraft
Authors: Fatullaev E.I. , Bezrodnyi V.V. , Neelov I.M.
Published: January 2022

Biocompatible peptide dendrimers and dendrigrafts have useful properties for application in biomedicine. In previous papers the computational approach for study lysine dendrimers and dendrigrafts as well as their complexes with various medical peptides was used. In this paper the comparison of complex formation between molecules of therapeutic AEDG tetrapeptide and novel K2R peptide dendrimer or DG2 dendrigraft of near the same size and charge was fulfilled. The systems consisting of 16 therapeutic AEDG tetrapeptide molecules and one dendrimer or one dendrigraft were studied by molecular dynamics simulation. Full atomic models of these molecules in water with explicit counterions were used for this goal. First of all, the process of complex formation was studied. It was obtained that peptide molecules were attracted by both branched molecules and were quickly adsorbed by them. Times of complexes formation as well as size, anisotropy and structure of each complex were calculated. It was demonstrated that both K2R dendrimer and DG2 dendrigraft are effective for complexation of these peptide molecules but new dendrimer complex is more stable than dendrigraft complex because it has almost twice more hydrogen bonds with peptide molecules and 33% more ion pairs with their charged groups.