bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gerromorpha (Insecta: Hemiptera: Heteroptera) from the state of Rio Grande do Norte, northeastern Brazil, including a new synonymy
Authors: CANEJO RAFAEL P. R. , MELO ALAN LANE DE , RODRIGUES HIGOR D. D.
Published: October 2023

A list of Gerromorpha species collected from 2016 to 2023 in the State of Rio Grande do Norte, northeastern Brazil, is presented. Previously, only five species had been recorded from this state. In the present study, based on the compilation of data and new collections, 27 species are recorded from the state, of which 23 represent new records. These species belong to 17 genera and five families: Brachymetra Mayr, 1865; Cylindrostethus Fieber, 1861; Halobates Eschscholtz, 1822; Halobatopsis Bianchi, 1896; Husseyella Herring, 1955; Limnogonus Stål, 1868; Microvelia Westwood, 1834; Neogerris Matsumura, 1913; Ovatametra Kenaga, 1942; Rheumatobates Bergroth, 1892 (Gerridae); Lipogomphus Berg, 1879 (Hebridae); Hydrometra Latreille, 1797 (Hydrometridae); Mesovelia Mulsant & Rey, 1852 (Mesoveliidae); Paravelia Breddin, 1898; Platyvelia Polhemus & Polhemus, 1993; Rhagovelia Mayr, 1865; Stridulivelia Hungerford, 1929 (Veliidae). All collected species are illustrated, and their distributions in the state of Rio Grande do Norte are represented in maps. Also, Neogerris celeris (Drake & Harris, 1934) is proposed here as a junior synonym of N. lotus (White, 1879); the lectotype of the latter is designated.
Helminths of small rodents (Heteromyidae and Cricetidae) in the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico: an integrative taxonomic approach to their inventory
Authors: PANTI-MAY JESÚS ALONSO , MOGUEL-CHIN WILSON ISAIAS , HERNÁNDEZ-MENA DAVID IVÁN , CÁRDENAS-VARGAS MIGUEL HUMBERTO , TORRES-CASTRO MARCO , GARCÍA-PRIETO LUIS , DIGIANI MARIA CELINA , HERNÁNDEZ-BETANCOURT SILVIA F. , VIDAL-MARTÍNEZ VÍCTOR MANUEL
Published: October 2023

In this survey, we inventoried the helminths of heteromyid and cricetid rodents captured in the Yucatan Peninsula from 2017 to 2019. Helminths were identified using morphological techniques (clearing, staining, and scanning electron microscopy). Also, the 28S rRNA gene of individuals from several helminth taxa was successfully amplified and sequenced. To confirm the identification at the generic level, and in some cases at the specific level, and the genealogical relationships of the parasites, phylogenetic analyses were performed with the new 28S sequences. We identified 22 species of helminths including three trematodes (Brachylaimidae, Dicrocoeliidae, and Microphallidae), five cestodes (Davaineidae, Hymenolepididae, and Taeniidae), and 14 nematodes (Trichuridae, Ancylostomatidae, Ornithostrongylidae, Heligmonellidae, and Oxyuridae) from Heteromys gaumeri (Heteromyidae), Ototylomys phyllotis, Oligoryzomys fulvescens, Peromyscus yucatanicus, Sigmodon toltecus, and Reithrodontomys gracilis (Cricetidae). The overall frequency of infection in small rodents was 84.1% (143/170); all specimens of H. gaumeri, S. toltecus and Ol. fulvescens were infected with helminths. In total, we provided 46 new sequences of the 28S gene from 17 species of helminths. Seven species are likely undescribed species, six are reported for the first time in rodents from Mexico, and 12 are new host records in the Americas. Before this study, 87 taxa of helminths had been reported from 35 cricetid and 12 heteromyid species in 21 Mexican states. Our findings increase to 93 the helminth taxa in these rodents, and to 36 the cricetid species parasitized by helminths. This large scale-survey is the first to use an integrative approach to inventory the helminths of wild small rodents in Mexico.
Re-evaluation of the taxonomic confusion of the metallic-blue Pimpla Fabricius, 1804 (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae: Pimplinae) species in the Oriental region
Authors: CHEN HSUAN-PU , LIN KAI-TI , WU SHIPHER
Published: October 2023

The metallic-blue body coloration is a distinct characteristic found in seven species of the cosmopolitan genus Pimpla Fabricius, 1804. In this study, we focus on two externally similar species, namely P. cyanator Morley, 1914 in India and P. alishanensis (Kusigemati, 1984) in Taiwan, along with the Indian P. indra Cameron, 1899, which are the only three species in the Oriental region exhibiting this trait. By examining the type series of these two taxa and acquiring additional materials from Taiwan, we discovered female morphological variations that resemble the form of the holotype of P. cyanator. Consequently, we propose that P. alishanensis should be synonymized with P. cyanator (syn. nov.). Furthermore, we provide a redescription of P. cyanator based on morphological characters and molecular COI sequences. We also discuss its revised distribution, the diagnostic features distinguishing P. cyanator from other metallic-blue Pimpla species worldwide, the factors influencing the color change in specimens, and some potential misidentifications that have occurred in the past.
Transparent Minds in Science Fiction
Authors: Matthews Paul
Published: October 2023

Transparent Minds explores the intersection between neuroscience and science fiction stories. Paul Matthews expertly analyses the narratives of humans and nonhumans from Mary Shelley to Kazuo Ishiguro across 200 years of the genre. In doing so he gives lucid insight into the meaning of existence and self-awareness. Rigorously researched and highly accessible, Matthews argues that psycho-emotional science fiction writers both imitate and inform alien and post-human consciousnesses through exploratory narratives and metaphor.

Drawing from a diverse range of scholars and critics, Matthews explores topics such as psychonarration and neuroaesthetics, to create a thoughtful and cogent argument. By synthesising concepts from philosophy, neuroscience, and literary theory, Matthews posits the potential for science fiction to bridge the gap in understanding between AI and human minds. Given the recent advancements in AI technology, Matthews’ timely discussion enters the speculative realm of sentient technology and postcyborg ethics.

The work constitutes a major contribution to cross-disciplinary perspectives on alien and posthuman psychology, that engages with future states of existence in both ourselves and the machines we create. Transparent Minds will be of interest to innovators, authors, and science fiction enthusiasts alike.
2. Authorial Approaches
Authors: Matthews Paul
Published: October 2023

Before digging into fictional examples, it is useful to understand the process of how our featured fictional works are conceived and created. Here, we sample authors’ published views and their reflection on process around topics related to the depiction of other minds. We note how science inspires and provokes ideas, and how good ideas suggest themselves as a counter reaction to more established genre norms. We look more closely at the range of narrative styles and points of view that SF authors employ and drill into the challenges of imagining wholly alien life worlds. To achieve their effects, we examine how much work is placed on the reader as opposed to being facilitated by the author.
5. Hive and Distributed Mind
Authors: Matthews Paul
Published: October 2023

Telepathy and joint consciousness have long been a feature in SF stories. Here, we sample several visions and see how cognitive theory and brain-brain communication technology relate to the scope and plausibility of these fictional portrayals. One dimension of variation here is between possession and mind manipulation on the one hand, and an equitable and beneficent sharing of consciousness on the other. The former is exemplified in Aldiss’s power-hungry fungus, the latter in Sturgeon’s vision of a superhuman Gestalt where the whole is more than the sum of its parts, and the moral conscience is the capstone.
The World’s Largest Point Rainfall Found Using the Precipitation Intensity Duration Index
Authors: Wiuff Rasmus
Published: October 2023

World extremes in meteorology are important as they can be used as indicators for climate change. This was one of the main reasons for the creation of the World Meteorological Organization’s World Weather and Climate Extremes Archive in 2006. In contrast to temperature, for instance, which can be described by a single parameter, point rainfall must be described by two parameters, for example, precipitation depth and duration. This makes it difficult to directly compare different rainfall records. In this article, however, it is shown that the world’s greatest rainfall events, with durations ranging from 1 min to 2 years, all have nearly the same precipitation intensity duration index, a new dimensionless number. As a theoretical consequence, the intensity of all these record rainfalls is inversely proportional to the square root of their duration. This physically based result is consistent with earlier statistically based findings. The last measured record rainfall on the World Meteorological Organization’s record list is the point rainfall with the largest precipitation intensity duration index since 1860. This 4-day rainfall that began on 24 February 2007 on Cratère Commerson, Réunion Island, can be considered the largest point rainfall within documented records.

Significance Statement

Floods resulting from extreme rainstorms can be very costly and deadly; thus, understanding such extreme events is very important. Knowledge of extreme rainstorms is also important in determining how much and how fast our climate is changing. In this article, a new dimensionless number, the precipitation intensity duration index (PID) is presented. The world’s greatest point rainfall events, with durations ranging from 1 min to 2 years, all have nearly the same PID. One rainfall event, however, has a considerably larger PID than all others, namely, a 4-day rainfall that began on 24 February 2007 on Cratère Commerson, Réunion Island. Therefore, this rainfall can be considered the largest point rainfall within documented records.
Precursory Analysis Ensemble Spread Signals That Foreshadow Stratospheric Sudden Warmings
Authors: Yamazaki Akira , Noguchi Shunsuke
Published: October 2023

This study conducts a thorough investigation into the behaviors of analysis ensemble spreads linked to stratospheric sudden warming (SSW) events. A stratosphere-resolving ensemble data assimilation system is used here to document the evolution of analysis spread leading up to a pair of warming events. Precursory signals of the increased ensemble spreads were found a few days prior to two SSW events that occurred during December 2018 and August–September 2019 in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, respectively. The signals appeared in the upper and middle stratosphere and did not appear at lower heights. When the signals appeared, it was found that both tendency by forecast and analysis increment in a forecast-analysis (data assimilation) cycle simultaneously became large. An empirical orthogonal function analysis showed that the dominant structures of the precursory signals were equivalent barotropic and were 90° out-of-phase with the analysis ensemble-mean field. Over the same period, the upper and middle stratosphere became more susceptible to barotropic instability than in their previous states. We conclude that the differing growth of barotropically unstable modes across ensemble members can amplify spread during the lead-up to SSW events.

Significance Statement

Winds in the winter stratospheric polar vortex are typically westerly. Occasionally, however, warming over the pole leads to a reversal of the flow through a process known as stratospheric sudden warming. These events are difficult to predict even in state-of-the-art analysis and forecasting systems. In this study, we identify a precursor signal in the form of increased ensemble spread that appears to originate from differing realizations of growing barotropic modes across the ensemble. This signal could serve as a useful forecasting tool by enhancing situational awareness in the lead-up to potential stratospheric sudden warming events.
Chiral Monitoring Across Both Enantiomeric Excess and Concentration Space: Leveraging Quantum Cascade Lasers for Sensitive Vibrational Circular Dichroism Spectroscopy
Authors: Hermann Daniel-Ralph , Ramer Georg , Riedlsperger Lisa , Lendl Bernhard
Published: October 2023

Recently, high-throughput quantum cascade laser-based vibrational circular dichroism (QCL-VCD) technology has reduced the measurement time for high-quality vibrational circular dichroism spectra from hours to a few minutes. This study evaluates QCL-VCD for chiral monitoring using flow-through measurement of a changing sample in a circulating loop. A balanced detection QCL-VCD system was applied to the enantiomeric pair R/S-1,1′-bi-2-naphthol in solution. Different mixtures of the two components were used to simulate a racemization process, collecting spectral data at a time resolution of 6 min, and over three concentration levels. The goal of this experimental setup was to evaluate QCL-VCD in terms of both molar and enantiomeric excess (EE) sensitivity at a time resolution relevant to chiral monitoring in chemical processes. Subsequent chemometric evaluation by partial least squares regression revealed a cross-validated prediction accuracy of 2.8% EE with a robust prediction also for the test data set (error = 3.5% EE). In addition, the data set was also treated with the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO), which also achieved a robust prediction. Due to the operating principle of LASSO, the obtained coefficients constituted a few discrete spectral frequencies, which represent the most variance. This information can be used in the future for dedicated QCL-based instrument design, gaining a higher time resolution without sacrificing predictive capabilities.
Procedural justice and forensic mental health: An introduction and future directions
Authors: Tomlin Jack , Markham Sarah , Wittouck Ciska , Simpson Alexander
Published: October 2023

This article advocates for integrating procedural justice principles into forensic mental health services to enhance patient engagement and autonomy. Procedural justice, broadly defined as fair decision-making processes, is introduced and key principles including voice, neutrality, respect and trustworthiness are described. Evidence suggestive of positive outcomes following procedural justice experiences, such as improved satisfaction, collaboration and reduced perceptions of coercion is outlined. Practical applications are suggested, including staff training and reflective practices using procedural justice principles. The article then calls for further research to explore patients’ and staff members’ experiences of procedural justice in forensic settings, develop measurement tools, undertake intervention studies and establish causal links between procedural justice and outcomes important for forensic patients.
Costs of Implementing Teen Dating Violence and Youth Violence Prevention Strategies: Evidence From 5 CDC-Funded Local Health Departments
Authors: Rice Ketra L. , Ottley Phyllis , Bing Melissa , McMonigle Megan , Miller Gabrielle F.
Published: October 2023

Objectives:

In 2016, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention supported 5 local health departments (LHDs) to implement teen dating violence and youth violence primary prevention strategies across multiple levels of the social–ecological model and build capacity for the expansion of such prevention efforts at the local level. The objective of this study was to estimate the total cost of implementing primary prevention strategies for all LHDs across 3 years of program implementation.

Methods:

We used a microcosting analytic approach to identify resources and compute costs for all prevention strategies implemented by LHDs. We computed the total program cost, total and average cost per strategy by social–ecological model level, and average cost of implementation per participant served by the program. All costs were inflated via the monthly Consumer Price Index and reported in August 2020 dollars.

Results:

For 3 years of program implementation, the total estimated cost of implementing teen dating violence and youth violence primary prevention strategies was >$7.1 million across all 5 LHDs. The largest shares of program-related costs were program staff (55.9%-57.0%) and contracts (22.4%-25.5%). Among prevention strategies, the largest share of total costs was for strategies implemented at the community level of the social–ecological model (42.8%).

Conclusions:

The findings from this analysis provide a first look at the total costs of implementing comprehensive teen dating violence and youth violence primary prevention strategies and serve as a foundation for investments in local violence prevention funding for young people.
The Twin Dangers of Order and Disorder: Rethinking the Relationship Between Movement and Change in Drug Treatment
Authors: Bank Mads , Nissen Morten , Brown Steven D.
Published: October 2023

In this article, we propose that the perpetual difficulties in drug treatment can be understood as a consequence of how a binary opposition of order and disorder continues to structure drug discourses and treatment practices. When drug use is seen as a disorder of addiction, recovery becomes reduced to movements between fixed points benchmarked against preexisting standards. This obscures how recovery could be understood as a process of self-differentiation where subjects develop new norms to adapt to changing life circumstances. In the article we draw on empirical material from a Copenhagen drug-treatment facility for young drug users, to analyze how change and development can be facilitated through a fundamental institutional “movability.” Drawing on the philosophy of change of Henri Bergson, the assemblage approach of Deleuze and Guattari, and the aesthetic theory of Jacques Rancière, we analyze how a particular assemblage of discourses, the organization of treatment and aesthetic spaces disrupt existing orders and open for different possibilities for participation and development for young drug users. In particular, we turn the attention to how aesthetic spaces and sensuous processes can counter stigmatization by overcoming the frame of “treatment” and the affective experiences associated with the categorization as a “drug-user” and facilitating the development of care as new ways of becoming and being-together.
A Meta-Analysis Examining the Role of Character-Recipient Similarity in Narrative Persuasion
Authors: Chen Meng , Dong Yujie , Wang Jilong
Published: October 2023

This meta-analysis synthesized 19 empirical articles reporting 123 effect sizes of character-recipient similarity on narrative processing and persuasion outcomes across different contexts, including health, environmental, and social issues. We also aimed to investigate whether the effect magnitude varies depending on how the similarity is operationalized, which perspective is adopted, and what context the narrative persuasion is placed in. The results indicated that, compared to a dissimilar counterpart, a similar character leads to stronger identification ( k = 34, d = 0.14, p < .01) and self-referencing ( k = 12, d = 0.16, p < .01). The effects on transportation ( k = 22, d = 0.13, p = .05) and resistance ( k = 12, d = −0.16, p = .05) were marginally significant. It was also found that the similarity manipulated on chosen demographic and biographic variables like occupation and living place yields the strongest impact among other variables (i.e., innate demographic and biographic variables like age and sex, psychological and behavioral variables like beliefs and behaviors). Furthermore, the similarity effect in narrative persuasion becomes intensified when combined with a first-person perspective and placed in a social issue context. By presenting a synthesis of the existing research, this meta-analytical study sought to identify areas in need of further refinement and outline future investigation directions for narrative persuasion.
Road Safety Efficiency on Interurban Roads in Spain
Authors: Tejada Ángel , Sánchez María Pilar , Escribano Francisco
Published: October 2023

The slowdown in economic development caused by traffic accidents in Spain, together with the disparity in the risk of death or injury due to traffic accidents in its provinces, makes it necessary to evaluate their road safety performance. Therefore, the objectives of the present research are, on the one hand, to find out the level of road safety efficiency of Spanish provinces in the period 2014–2018. On the other hand, it is also aimed to determine to what extent the annual efficiency change is originated by pure changes in efficiency or by technological changes. To achieve both objectives, the nonparametric technique of Data Envelopment Analysis and the Malmquist Index have been used based on the consideration of the Safety Performance Indicators (SPI) as the inputs of the process. The research findings show changes in the level of road safety efficiency in each of the years of the study period. Thus, it is possible to identify a geographical delimitation of the causes that generate changes in efficiency in recent years. A contraction in efficiency and technological progress is identified in part of the Spanish provinces in the north, northeast, and south of Spain.
Marriage, Military, and War: Prosecuting Bigamy in Victoria, Australia 1914–1945
Authors: Piper Alana
Published: October 2023

The Second World War saw a sharp rise in bigamy prosecutions in Australia. A variety of factors contributed to this phenomenon, from the whirlwind nature of romances contracted during wartime to increased detection resulting from investigations into military spousal support. This article explores the connections between bigamy prosecutions, war and military enlistment through archival records and media coverage of 159 cases committed for trial across 1914–1945 that involved active or returned servicemen as either bigamy defendants or victims of bigamous spouses. These cases also reveal shifting attitudes towards and experiences of bigamy, marriage, and gender in twentieth-century Australia.
Systematic analysis reveals distinct roles of USF family proteins in various cancer types
Authors: Liu Xia , Wang Zhuo-Zhi , Meng Shuai , Zang Fenglin , Zhang Huilai , Wang Ju , Chen Yong-Zi
Published: October 2023

Background

Upstream stimulatory factors ( USFs) are members of the basic helix-loop-helix leucine zipper transcription factor family, including USF1, USF2, and USF3. The first two members have been well studied compared to the third member, USF3, which has received scarce attention in cancer research to date. Despite a recently reported association of its alteration with thyroid carcinoma, its expression has not been previously analyzed.

Methods

We comprehensively analyzed differential levels of USFs expression, genomic alteration, DNA methylation, and their prognostic value across different cancer types and the possible correlation with tumor-infiltrating immune cells and drug response by using different bioinformatics tools.

Results

Our findings established that USFs play an important role in cancers related to the urinary system and justify the necessity for further investigation. We implemented and offer a useful ShinyApp to facilitate researchers’ efforts to inquire about any other gene of interest and to perform the analysis of drug response in a user-friendly fashion at http://zzdlab.com:3838/Drugdiscovery/ .
The Problem of Gender in Economics
Authors: Kim Marlene
Published: October 2023

Why do women leave economics so that there is a “leaky pipeline”? I synthesize the research on the gender disparities in the profession and examine this topic further by interviewing women who work in or who have left the profession. I find that structural theories of inequality explain these patterns: women are perceived and treated differently in economics. They are less likely to be respected, valued, and supported and to receive recognition for their work. Consequently, they are less likely to publish, receive tenure and promotion, and stay in the profession.

JEL Classification: J7, J10
Time-dependent wetting behavior of the micro-textured stainless steel 316L using the mechanical indentation method
Authors: Dwivedi Suryank , Dixit Amit Rai , Das Alok Kumar , Srivastava Ashish Kumar
Published: October 2023

The current work introduces a mechanical indentation method to develop and characterize the pyramid-shaped micro-texturing in a square array on biomedical grade SS 316L. The surface morphology, topography, and roughness profiles of the pyramid-shaped micro-textured surfaces are characterized using a field emission scanning electron microscopy, three-dimensional (3D) optical profilometer, and atomic force microscopic (AFM) analysis. The field emission scanning electron microscopy results showed that micro-textures are formed in a periodic manner at different center distances within 2% of error. The AFM 3D image shows the bulging effect near the corners of the pyramid textures due to the application of applied load. Further, the Sa values of the textured samples are found as 1.223, 0.52, and 0.271 µm for the center distance of 150, 250, and 350 µm, respectively, and come under the micro-roughness (Sa > 1–10 µm) and nano-roughness (Sa < 1 µm) scale range. Further, the surface functionality was analyzed in terms of Young's contact angle. The textured surface presents hydrophilic wetting behavior with a contact angle of 42.8°, compared to the untextured part (97.4°) for deionized water. Moreover, with PBS, the textured sample show presents a minimum contact angle, that is, 22.7°, compared to the untextured part (81.1°), which presents a high affinity for simulated body fluid. The results indicate that an increase in surface roughness makes the hydrophilic surface more hydrophilic, supporting the Wenzel statement. Therefore, the mechanical indentation technique can be a promising method for fabricating micro-textured surfaces for implant materials.
Optimisation of process parameters for dimensional stability in FDM
Authors: Sahu Jitendra Kumar , Sahu Ranjeet Kumar , Katiyar Jitendra Kumar , Kiran P Sai
Published: October 2023

The fused deposition modelling (FDM) technique has been adopted in the present work to fabricate Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) plastic components using input variables like layer thickness, orientation, infill rate and the number of shells. The dimensional geometrical changes of FDM printed built parts, that is, length, width and thickness variation, are optimised individually. Still, a confounding effect is found in the optimisation of individual responses. To overcome this issue, this study uses a fuzzy inference system as an artificially intelligent system. A fuzzy inference system transformed all the responses into one response, known as a multi-response performance index (MPI), and optimised the MPI coupled with Taguchi philosophy. The optimal parameter combination of FDM-printed ABS components for the slightest variation in length, width, and thickness was found to be layer thickness: 200 µm, orientation: 0°, infill rate: 20%,and the number of shells: 3. The significant parametric effect on the responses of FDM components was studied using analysis of variance, and the results reveal that orientation is the most influential parameter trailed by infill rate and the number of shells.
Effects of peening velocity and coverage on peen forming
Authors: Wu Jizhan , Chen Kewen , Zhang Peng , Zhu Jiazan , Liu Guoqiang , Wei Peitang , Liu Huaiju
Published: October 2023

As an effective forming technique, peen forming is widely used in sheet metal components with large dimensions. However, the production efficiency is seriously limited as several peening tests are required before actual production. To address this issue, a numerical simulation method of peen forming was proposed. In this work, an elastoplastic peening finite element model was developed to study the relations between process parameters and forming effects. A set of peening forming tests with different coverages and velocities were conducted to validate the model. Results indicate that the maximum errors of converted arc height and forming curvature are less than 5% and 14%, respectively. Additionally, the saturation phenomenon can be observed as the peening coverage reaches 60%. The corresponding depth of the maximum compressive residual stress varies almost linearly with shot velocity. In addition, the best peening forming effect can been achieved a radius of curvature as low as 500 mm, which peening velocity selected 60 m/s.
The effect of huntite and barite mineral-based polymer composite brake materials on friction and braking performance
Authors: Yavuz Hicri , Bayrakçeken Hüseyin
Published: October 2023

Mineral materials are used in brake pad polymer composites at different rates, and positive results are obtained in tests conducted with the brake pads produced. This study produced brake pad polymer composites based on huntite and barite minerals. The materials forming the samples were mixed in a kinetic-type mixer, pressed using the hot molding method and prepared for the experiments with the curing process as the final process. Density, friction coefficient, wear rate and TG-DSC mass loss tests were performed on the samples. After the friction coefficient test, microscopic analyses of the brake pad samples were performed using a scanning electron microscope, and the surface roughness was measured using a three-dimensional profilometer. In the friction coefficient, hardness and mass loss analyses, values similar to those reported in the literature were obtained for all the samples. As a result, it was determined that the huntite and barite mineral-based polymer composite brake friction materials produced for automobiles exhibited performance following the brake pad characteristics.
Microstructure and mechanical properties of tungsten inert gas welded dissimilar aluminum alloys joint subjected to normal multi-pass friction stir process
Authors: Msomi Velaphi , Mabuwa Sipokazi , Ngonda T , Mehdi Husain , Saxena Kuldeep K
Published: October 2023

This work investigated the effect of multi-pass friction stir processing on the tungsten inert gas welded joints of AA6082/AA8011. The friction stir processing approach is broadly used in the marine, automotive, and aerospace engineering sectors. The flow of plasticized material seems to be significant in the mixed flow region, which causes an erratic intercalation pattern. By using a stirring tool action, deformation was induced in situ extrusions of dissimilar alloys. The plasticized material was moved layer by layer to generate a lamellae structure. Theparent materials AA6082 and AA8011 were seen to be penetrating and vigorously mixing in this zone. After the fourth pass friction stir processing, the tungsten inert gas weldment's ultimate tensile strength and % strain dramatically increased. The defects that had been present before friction stir processing were eliminated when the coarse grain structure of the tungsten inert gas weldments was changed into a refined grain structure from 18.09 to 8.92 µm. The microstructure study shows the linear relationship between friction stir processing passes and grain size. The increases in friction stir processing pass resulted in a decrease in grain size. The maximum ultimate tensile strength (89.60) was observed in tungsten inert gas + 4 pass friction stir processing compared to the other joints.
Do institutional quality and military expenditure of G20 countries affect green investments?
Authors: Demirtaş Furkan , Kaya Emine , Bekun Festus Victor , Çitil Mücahit , Torusdağ Mustafa , Barut Abdulkadir
Published: October 2023

With the increase in awareness of environmental issues, companies and governments try to review their environmental policies. One of the most important policies for protecting the environment is the use of energy sources, which cause less or no harm to the environment. In this study, we examine the effect of institutional quality and the components of this institutional quality on green investments for G-20 countries. For this purpose, we employ static panel data analysis, as a main analysis, and dynamic panel data analysis as a robustness check. According to the main findings, institutional quality positively affects green investments and military spending reduces green investments. Also, robustness checks indicate that the effect of institutional quality and military expenditure of G20 countries on green investments is robust.
Clinical disease activity index applicability in lupus arthropathy: Unraveling underdiagnosed joint activity
Authors: Moura Carlos Antonio , Fonseca Vanessa , Alves Eneida M , Silva de Oliveira Isabela , Santiago Mittermayer B
Published: October 2023

Introduction

Lupus arthropathy (LA) ranges from arthralgia and non-deforming arthritis to severe forms such as Jaccoud-type deformities and mutilating arthritis. Considering the evolving concept of LA, measuring arthritis activity in lupus patients may require a more practical and sensitive tool other than the classical composite scores.

Methods

In this cross-sectional study, we evaluated the articular pattern of a sample of SLE patients which were divided into those that scored in articular domain on Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index 2000 (SLEDAI-2K) and those with activity arthritis using the Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI). After all, we analyzed the association between CDAI and arthritis by SLEDAI-2K as well as its association with the presence or not of Jaccoud-type arthropathy (JA).

Results

A total of 127 patients with SLE were evaluated. According to SLEDAI-2K, 17 (13.4%) patients have scored in its joint criteria and 32 patients (25.19%) were considered to have some articular activity by CDAI. A total of 16 patients (50%) who scored some activity on CDAI did not score in articular domain of SLEDAI-2K. Also, the presence of Jaccoud-type arthropathy was significantly associated with arthritis activity according to the CDAI score ( p = .014) but not with SLEDAI-2K joint criteria ( p = .524).

Conclusion

The CDAI was not directly associated with the presence of arthritis by the joint criteria of SLEDAI-2K and the presence of JA was significantly associated with the CDAI but not with arthritis at SLEDAI-2K.
‘Gonna get you, baby!’ A qualitative-empirical study of attentional modulation in reading a short story
Authors: van de Ven Inge
Published: October 2023

How do individual readers determine where to allocate and how to modulate attention while reading a short story? To what extent are their attentional modulations influenced by textual characteristics and personal characteristics? This study uses response data from group discussions of the short story “Where are you going, where have you been?” by Joyce Carol Oates (1966). Participants read the story in advance, color-coding words or lines to indicate different modes of attention employed and annotated the text with text-related and unrelated mind-wandering thoughts. The results show how attentional allocation is driven by textual elements as well as readers’ choices, resulting in a complex interaction of elicited and volitional attention to certain elements of the text– not just focused or distracted attention, but a “modulated” and “integrated” experience that is dynamic and personal. These modulations are also impacted by contextual factors and the reader’s personal history that impact which aspects of a text are salient and how attention is directed. The results might provide an empirical basis for, but also challenge and supplement current theories of attentional modulation in reading literature.
In silico Rationalization for Leads from Oldenlandia umbellata L. to Inhibit Multiple Molecular Targets Regulating Osteoporosis
Authors: Paramasivam Sivasakthi , Perumal Senthamil Selvan
Published: October 2023

Background

Osteoporosis is a chronic metabolic bone disease caused due to the dysregulation in the functioning of osteoblast and osteoclast cells leading to increased bone resorption predominantly in postmenopausal women and the elderly, thereby affecting a significant global population.

Purpose

The present study aims to computationally screen the phytochemical constituents of Oldenlandia umbellata Linn against the unique molecular therapeutic targets of osteoporosis and validate the results using Molecular Dynamics (MD) Simulation.

Materials and Methods

The molecular docking analysis of the selected phytoconstituents against the molecular targets were performed using AutoDock 4.2.6 – AutoDock Tools 1.5.6. In addition, the drug likeliness, ADME, bioactivity, and toxicity were predicted using Molinspiration ADMELAB2.0, ProTox-II and Orisis DataWarrior online tools. Molecular Dynamic Simulation studies were performed using WebGRO macromolecular simulation server.

Results

Molecular docking results and data analysis revealed that deacetylasperuloside possesses good drug-likeness, ADME properties, and bioactive scores and did not indicate any toxicity compared to other phytochemicals exhibiting binding energies below –8.00 Kcal/mol against the targets. Together, the study emphasized that deacetylasperuloside could bind with the molecular targets of osteoporosis, and the lead is a potential therapeutic candidate for osteoporosis treatment. Further, molecular dynamic simulation analysis for 100 ns revealed that the ligand–protein complexes, including glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β)-deacetylasperuloside and cathepsin K (CTSK)-deacetylasperuloside complexes, were stable and highly compact assessed from their trajectories. Hence, it can be emphasized that deacetylasperuloside could be a potential therapeutic molecule that could inhibit the targets, including GSK3β and CTSK.

Conclusion

Oldenlandia umbellata L. is a potential candidate for identifying therapeutic leads for osteoporosis treatment. Further, in vitro and in vivo studies are needed as an output of this research to evaluate its therapeutic efficacy.
The Three Decades of Look East Policy and India’s Northeast Region
Authors: Singh M. Amarjeet , Yihingle
Published: October 2023

India has been trying to enhance overland trade and the movement of people between South and Southeast Asia through its northeast region, as well as Myanmar and Bangladesh. To materialize this, the Look East policy has been giving due emphasis on developing strategic roads and logistic facilities in the northeast region. Myanmar and Bangladesh are also crucial to achieve the twin objectives, and hence India is supporting the development of transport infrastructure. Three decades later the outcome of the policy is merely limited to the upgradation of strategic roads that are thought to have regional importance and the putting in place the modern logistical facilities at several border towns. Interestingly, the states of the region that share a border with Bangladesh are going to reap the benefit of the policy sooner as compared to the states sharing a border with Myanmar.
Advocating for Training in End-Of-Life Conversations With Seriously Ill Patients During Residency
Authors: Schukow Casey , Alawy Bilal
Published: October 2023

According to section IV.B.1.e of common residency program requirements from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), “[r]esidents must learn to communicate with patients and families to partner with them to assess their care goals, including, when appropriate, end-of-care [EOL] goals”. EOL conversations are frequently appropriate for patients suffering from serious, life-threatening diseases (ie, terminal illness) or otherwise chronic health conditions with poor disease trajectories. These conversations are often followed with services and care from palliative medicine or hospice specialists depending on patients' projected prognoses (ie, 6 months or less). The focus of this patient-centered care, then, is on relieving patient and caregiver suffering, establishing clear treatment goals, and managing the physical, psychosocial, and spiritual burdens of disease. Although palliative medicine and hospice care have been shown to reduce health care costs and improve the overall care of patients who require these services, recent literature still suggests a gap in training programs being able to provide effective, educational strategies to their trainees regarding the appropriate and competent delivery of EOL conversations. Herein, this commentary will provide a discussion on what EOL is, palliative vs hospice care indications, and address current literature regarding EOL exposure within training programs while offering our personal insight and advocacy on the manner.
Reading Foreskin Quarterly: Aesthetics as Argument Against Circumcision
Authors: Allan Jonathan A.
Published: October 2023

In this article, I set out to study Foreskin Quarterly, which was the Official Publication of the Uncircumcised Society of America (USA). Over the course of its history, it changed editorial hands and publishers hands several times, and with each change the magazine shifted direction that influenced and affected its original goals of foreskin activism. I argue that this magazine braided together pornography and activism in a way that was novel and important because in arguing against circumcision, it also sought to reclaim and eroticize the foreskin in a culture where the foreskin was anomalous and rare. Unfortunately, this magazine has largely gone unread by scholars, not just of pornography, but also of circumcision, and men’s bodies more generally. This article, thus, contributes to a growing body of scholarship on anti-circumcision activism, while also arguing for the importance of pornography in that activist milieu.
Dynamic coupling of multi-degrees of freedom constrained-layer vibration neutralizers: A new methodology
Authors: Kluthcovsky Samuel Cavalli , Silva Francielly Elizabeth de Castro , Pereira Jucelio Tomas , Bavastri Carlos Alberto
Published: October 2023

Dynamic neutralizers, also known as dynamic absorbers, are efficient means of mitigating vibrations in structures. They have been particularly effective in addressing broad-band passive vibration control in structures with high modal density through the use of multi-degrees of freedom (MDoF) and viscoelastic materials (VEMs). Therefore, sandwich-type or constrained-layer beams can offer great potential when used as MDoF control devices. However, there is limited literature exploring these structures as auxiliary systems, with coupling typically assumed to be single-point and limited to only translational degrees of freedom (DoFs). In this context, this article presents a methodology to determine the dynamic behavior of a compound system, coupling the displacement and rotation DoFs between a metal structure–referred to as the primary system–and a MDoF auxiliary system. The coupling is achieved by utilizing an equivalent dynamic stiffness obtained at the base of the auxiliary system through ANSYS finite-element software, providing a robust and comprehensive approach. A Matlab code transfers the auxiliary system's geometry and properties to ANSYS, where the dynamic stiffness at the base is determined and subsequently coupled to the primary system. A MDoF auxiliary system of the constrained-layer type with VEM was studied, and both single-point and distributed coupling were analyzed. The auxiliary system was attached to a cantilever metal beam for numerical and experimental validation. The proposed generalized equivalent dynamic stiffness model accurately estimates the response of the compound system, offering a 25% reduction in response computation time compared to the finite-element model of the complete compound system. This methodology enables the accurate representation of compound system dynamics while minimizing computational time, making it valuable for the optimal design of a set of MDoF viscoelastic dynamic neutralizers.
Damping investigation for multi-Layered riveted cantilever beams
Authors: Siva Sankara Rao Yemineni , Mallikarjuna Rao Kutchibotla , Subba Rao VV
Published: October 2023

The damping of a vibrating structure is prominent to avoid its catastrophic failure due to resonance. Layered and riveted structures are introduced to provide dry frictional damping. Optimization of different parameters of a dynamic structure that will damp out the amplitude to the maximum extent is required. This article investigates the damping mechanism of the multi-layered riveted cantilever beams for the variation of its different parameters using response surface methodology (RSM). Initially, experiments were done on riveted cantilever beams using a frequency response function (FRF) analyzer. Later, the parameters that affect the damping ratio together with the corresponding damping ratio values were utilized in the full factorial design to obtain the possible runs using Minitab-19.0 software. Next, RSM was executed on these runs. The significant parameters and their interactions that affect the damping ratio were discussed. Keeping significant parameters only, the reduced mathematical model for determining the damping ratio was also obtained. Moreover, the interaction, main effects plots, and the optimum values of parameters for minimizing and maximizing the damping ratio were obtained. Finally, validation of damping ratios from full, reduced mathematical regression models obtained using RSM, and the predicted damping ratios using artificial neural networks (ANN) was done using that from FRF analyzer, and ANN is proved as a more accurate prediction technique when compared with the RSM technique in the prediction of damping ratios of multi-layered riveted cantilever beams.
Research on fault diagnosis model for drilling pump fluid end based on enhanced vibration-strain signals under multiple operating conditions
Authors: Li Gang , Ao Jiaxing , Hu Jiayao , Hu Dalong , Liu Yang , Huang Zhiqiang
Published: October 2023

Fault diagnosis of the fluid end faces two challenges. One is that the vibration signal used for diagnosis contains a lot of noise, and the other is that the vibration signal cannot fully reflect the fault state. In this paper, a model based on enhanced vibration-strain signals is proposed to improve the fault diagnosis accuracy of the drilling pump fluid end. First, the sparrow search algorithm (SSA) is employed to optimize maximum correlated kurtosis deconvolution (MCKD) to enhance the impact component of the vibration signal. Second, the enhanced vibration-strain signals are proposed to accurately describe the working state of the fluid end. Third, a one-dimensional convolutional neural network (CNN) with dual-signal feature fusion is established to diagnose faults of the fluid end. The results demonstrate that when utilizing the SSA-MCKD enhanced vibration-strain signal as input, the CNN model achieved an outstanding average diagnosis accuracy of 99.26% across various operating conditions.