bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The influence of different sintering processes on the elemental interfaces of CoCrFeNiAl0.5 during FAST
Authors: Li Qiang , Yuan Jichang , Xue Ling , Wu Mingxia , Yang Gang , Yang Yi
Published: August 2024

In present work, Fields Activated Sintering Technology (FAST), has been applied to successfully sinter the high-entropy alloy (HEA) samples. Based on the analysis of the microstructure, relative density and microhardness of the sintered HEA samples, the influence of sintering temperature and pulsed magnetic field treatment (PMT) has been investigated. In terms of performance, HEA samples fabricated using PMT-powder sintering exhibit superior properties compared to UT-powders. Regarding elemental distribution, pre-treating the powders with a pulsed magnetic field can enhance the uniformity of the alloyed powder components. Furthermore, elevated sintering temperatures have been observed to substantially accelerate the densification process, thereby improving the relative density of the sintered samples.
Optimization of Rolls-Royce gas turbine components machining using artificial intelligence
Authors: Kemp Sam , Shafik Mahmoud , Liyanage Kapila
Published: August 2024

Industry 4.0 has changed the ways in which Small to Medium (SME’s) and Large Enterprise (LE’s) manufacturers and businesses operate. Artificial Intelligence (AI), Bigdata, Edge Computing, Cloud Computing, Internet of Everything (IoE), Fifth Generation (5G) and Information Communication Technology (ICT) allow processes to be optimized, controlled, and monitored in close real-time. These enabling technologies allow manufacturing facilities to collect enormous amounts of data from process lines, such as real-time measurement data, machinery state of health, and cycle time, to accurately plan and report the state of both processes, machinery, and final products. In this work, the research programme focuses on the collected data from process input variables that can be monitored to ensure process outputs and final components conform to design specifications. Current methods of analyzing data, especially in aerospace manufacturing environments, require engineers or process operators with a precise and high skill set to be able to map the results into the appropriate chart and interpret these results. Furthermore, the quantity of data analysis required to monitor process inputs in real-time renders conventional analysis techniques unfeasible. Current development using AI has shown the potential and the capability to detect trends in large data sets using machine and deep learning. It also enables a more precise and automated analysis without human intervention. This paper focuses on determining the feasibility of using a deep neural network (i.e., deep neural networks -DNN) to predict process outputs based on process inputs. A simplified example is presented using data collected from firing a ‘statapult’ with varied configurations, training a deep neural network and predicting future results based on process inputs. Initial results are presented, and the results show promising estimating and prediction capabilities.
Demonstration of a high-performance continuous casting process for cobalt alloy ASTM F75
Authors: Ahmed Mohamed , Omoikholo Frank , Strachan Richard , Valizadeh Alireza , Cooper Mervyn , Frame Brian , Jones Thomas D.A.
Published: August 2024

A modified horizontal high performance continuous casting configuration was investigated by the introduction of a mechanically durable and thermally insulating zirconia-based break-ring and the application of a copper-beryllium die for the casting of cobalt alloy ASTM F75 (Co: balance, Cr: 27 wt%, Mo: 5 wt%). Successful casting was demonstrated with an 8 mm diameter rod with good physical properties and a metallic phase structure and distribution consistent with the standard.
Investigation of microstructure evolution and mechanical properties of cold crucible directional solidification Nb-Si alloy
Authors: Wang Qi , Wang Qibin , Chen Ruirun
Published: August 2024

In this work, the microstructure and properties of Nb-16Si-24Zr alloy directionally solidified by electromagnetic cold crucible under different process parameters were investigated. As the pulling rate increases, the size of both primary Nbss and eutectic Nbss decreases, resulting in a straighter primary dendrite γ-Nb5Si3 and a fishbone like Nbss/γ-Nb5Si3 coupling structure of secondary eutectic. As the power supply increases, the size of the nascent Nbss and γ-Nb5Si3 increases, and the coupling growth trend of Nbss and Nb5Si3 weakens. As the pulling rate and power supply increase, the toughness shows a trend of first increasing and then decreasing, while the room temperature compressive strength gradually increases.
Identification of the barriers to the adoption of Circular Supply Chains in Moroccan companies: A combined qualitative analysis and Multi-Criteria Decision Model approach
Authors: Assemlali Salwa , Sabar Mohamed
Published: August 2024

The Circular Economy has been gaining a growing interest in the research community, particularly in recent years. Its application to the Supply Chain Management field is gaining traction in the literature, as the Supply Chain is recognized as a primary avenue for implementing circular models. However, despite this growing interest, there are few documented examples of the implementation of circular supply chains. This article presents a prioritization of barriers to the adoption of circular supply chains using a combined qualitative analysis and Multi-Criteria Decision Models (MCDM) approach. The study identifies 28 barriers grouped into six main categories: financial barriers, regulation barriers, expertise and technology barriers, governance barriers, market barriers, and infrastructure barriers. The prioritization is based on a multi-case study involving six Moroccan companies. The findings highlight the predominance of regulation barriers, followed by financial barriers. Additionally, the study shows the significant role of market barriers in impeding progress toward circularity.
Adapting lean manufacturing principles to the footwear industry: Kaizen, Kanban or a Mix?
Authors: Adeyemi Oluseyi A. , Alaka Hafiz A. , Cano Michele , Nair Anandhu M. , Adeyemi Esther O. , Olanrele Oladeji O.
Published: August 2024

This study presents the overview of Kaizen and Kanban implementation, as lean principles and highlights the achievements realised from deployment of the integrated initiatives for sustainable performance of organisations. Lean manufacturing includes various principles and techniques, with the same main goal: to banish waste and non-value-added activities at every production or service process and enhance customer satisfaction. To stay competitive, many Indian footwear manufacturers have sought to optimise their manufacturing processes to readily compete with overseas manufacturers. Therefore, this work highlights the barriers, pathways and potential innovations for sustainable Kaizen and Kanban implementation in organisations. It further brings out the integrated concept of Kaizen and Kanban, and the requirements for its holistic implementation. Methods such as process observations, interviews, plant tours and case studies were used for the investigation. The significant contributions through Kaizen and Kanban initiatives in the organisation, including just-in-time improvements, quality, inventory reduction, optimisation, teamwork and flexibility for sustained organisational development are elucidated and juxtaposed with existing literature. It pivots the approach advised by the various researchers, practitioners and censoriously appraises the desire for Kaizen and Kanban programmes in the organisation. Significantly, this study is valuable to researchers, project and quality managers, development professionals and operations managers in various organisations, especially the footwear industry.
A Fingerprint Approach for Computationally Efficient Digital Twins of Precision Manufacturing Processes
Authors: Puthanveettil Madathil Abhilash , Luo Xichun , Liu Qi , Madarkar Rajeshkumar , Walker Charles
Published: August 2024

Over the past decade, digital twin (DT) technology has seen significant advancements, enabling it to effectively address complex manufacturing challenges. However, the effectiveness of data-driven DTs is hindered by the sheer volume of data generated by sensors and devices which limits the traditional computational resources causing latency issues. To address this challenge, there is an urgent need to optimize data processing and ensure real-time responsiveness in DT applications. This paper presents a novel fingerprint-driven approach aimed at building computationally efficient DTs for smart manufacturing. When embedded within the DT framework, process and product fingerprints capture the essential manufacturing parameters while reducing the overall computational overhead of the DT. A case study on machining Inconel 718 for a high-fatigue application demonstrates the practical application of the proposed approach in ensuring computational efficiency. When compared to conventional machine learning (ML) methods, the fingerprint approach exhibited substantially superior performance in terms of responsiveness (20 times less latency) and prediction accuracy (3% more accurate).
Computational Multi-Models Enabled Design of Safe & Sustainable Multi-Component High-Entropy Coatings
Authors: Fuentes Gonzalo G. , Qin Yi , Dong Hanshan , Fasano Matteo , Charitidis Costas , Piticescu Radu , Koumoulos Elias P. , Mekras Nikos , Lucas Stephane , Durante Sergio , Gabriel Herbert , Beregaña José Félix
Published: August 2024

The project M2DESCO is directed at addressing new challenges for developing next-generation high-entropy-alloy-based multi-component green (free of toxic substances) and sustainable (rare earth free & minimum critical metal elements) coatings with predictable functionalities, performance and life - aiming at increasing wear resistance by 100%, corrosion/oxidation resistance by 50~60 %, and effectively reducing the criticality of coating materials by at least 70%. To achieve these goals, the project is to integrate artificial intelligence/machine learning AI/ML underpinned, highly effective and highly efficient Computational Modelling that is guided by a novel Safe and Sustainability by Design Framework and facilitated by high-throughput characterisations and evaluations, to speed up the material-design to coating-product development process (reducing the development cycle-time by 400~500%). At the same time, M2DESCO is to enable optimal alloy/material design and coating process optimisation for high efficiency and high quality, so to reduce the overall product manufacturing cost (due to use of the new tooling developed) by 20%. The advancement of M2DESCO will contribute significantly to combating the loss in EU region caused by corrosion and wear, to the enhancement of the global profile and leadership of the EU material modelling/research community, to strengthening of the innovation capability of the EU coating industry/business.
Neurophysiologische Korrelate der EMDR-Stimulation
Authors: Wentholt Chenoa , Jaeschke Denise , Tumani Visal , Malejko Kathrin , Abler Birgit , Spohrs Jennifer
Published: August 2024

Die posttraumatische Belastungsstörung geht mit starken Beeinträchtigungen und erheblichem Leid für die Betroffenen sowie ökonomischen Folgen für das Individuum und die Gesellschaft einher. Zu den wirksamsten erforschten Behandlungsmethoden zählen die traumafokussierte kognitive Verhaltenstherapie und die Eye-Movement-Desensitization-and-Reprocessing(EMDR)-Technik. Trotz vieler Wirksamkeitsstudien gibt es wenige wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen zu den zugrunde liegenden Mechanismen der alternierenden bilateralen Stimulation (ABS), auf denen die EMDR-Methode basiert. Die folgende Arbeit bietet eine Übersicht der Studien, welche die Effekte von EMDR auf neuroanatomische Strukturen, funktionelle Aktivität und Konnektivität, EEG-Aufzeichnungen, Ruhemessungen sowie auf physiologische Marker wie Hautleitfähigkeit und EKG untersuchten. Die Ergebnisse aus Prä-post-Messungen unterstützen die allgemeinen neurokognitiven Annahmen einer Top-down-Zunahme als positiven Wirkmechanismus von EMDR. Die spezifischen Wirkmechanismen der ABS auf neuronaler Ebene bleiben jedoch unklar und weitere Untersuchungen mit größeren Stichproben von PTBS-Patienten sind notwendig, um ein besseres Verständnis der ABS zu erlangen.
Verkörperte Begriffe
Authors: Kiefer Markus
Published: August 2024

Im Langzeitgedächtnis gespeicherte Begriffe sind die Grundbausteine des Denkens, da sie die Bedeutung von Objekten, Ereignissen und abstrakten Ideen konstituieren. Theorien der verkörperten Kognition gehen davon aus, dass Begriffe im Wesentlichen auf die Reaktivierung von sinnlichen Gedächtnisspuren im Zusammenhang mit Wahrnehmung, Handlung und Introspektion in modalen Arealen des Gehirns beruhen. Dieser Artikel gibt einen umfassenden Überblick über die neueste Forschung zur Verkörperung des Gedächtnisses für konkrete und abstrakte Begriffe. Die beschriebenen Befunde zeigen, dass selbst abstrakte Begriffe wie „Konditionierung“ oder „Verlangen“ auf Aktivität in modalen, erfahrungsbasierten neuronalen Systemen beruhen und nicht abstrakt-symbolisch abgespeichert sind. Eine an der Theorie der verkörperten Kognition orientierte neurowissenschaftliche Forschung an Patienten mit psychischen Erkrankungen könnte spannende Einblicke in eine möglicherweise veränderte funktionelle Neuroanatomie der Begriffsrepräsentation und deren therapieinduzierte Plastizität geben.
Wundarten erkennen und versorgen
Authors: Schneider Julia
Published: August 2024

Im OP-Bereich sind Operationstechnische Assistent*innen und Gesundheits- und Krankenpfleger*innen täglich mit unterschiedlichsten Wundarten konfrontiert. Ob und wie eine Wunde operativ zu versorgen ist, hängt von mehreren Faktoren ab. Ein Überblick.
Gesundheitsfachberufe mitdenken
Authors: Fabisch Gottlobe
Published: August 2024

Nach anderthalb Jahren Diskussionen und Verhandlungen zur Krankenhausreform verabschiedete die Ampelkoalition Mitte Mai 2024 ihren Entwurf für das Krankenhausversorgungsverbesserungsgesetz (KHVVG). Nun liegt der Ball im Feld des Bundestages, der seine erste Lesung noch vor der parlamentarischen Sommerpause Ende Juni begonnen hat.
Early Postoperative Pain Course following Primary and Secondary Targeted Muscle Reinnervation: A Temporal Description of Pain Outcomes
Authors: Raasveld Floris V. , Hoftiezer Yannick Albert J. , Gomez-Eslava Barbara , McCarty Justin , Valerio Ian L. , Heng Marilyn , Eberlin Kyle R.
Published: August 2024

Background Targeted muscle reinnervation (TMR) is an effective surgical treatment of neuropathic pain for amputees. However, limited data exist regarding the early postoperative pain course for patients who undergo either primary (<14 days since amputation) or secondary (≥14 days) TMR. This study aims to outline the postoperative pain course for primary and secondary TMR during the first 6 postoperative months to aid in patient education and expectation management.

Methods Patients were eligible if they underwent TMR surgery between 2017 and 2023. Prospectively collected patient-reported outcome measures of pain scores, Pain Interference, and Pain Intensity were analyzed. Multilevel mixed-effects models were utilized to visualize and compare pain courses between primary and secondary TMR patients.

Results A total of 203 amputees were included, with 40.9% being primary and 59.1% being secondary TMR patients. Primary TMR patients reported significantly lower pain scores over the full 6-month postoperative trajectory (p < 0.001) compared with secondary TMR patients, with a difference of Δ −1.0 at the day of TMR (primary = 4.5, secondary = 5.5), and a difference of Δ −1.4 at the 6-month mark (primary = 3.6, secondary = 5.0). Primary TMR patients also reported significantly lower Pain Interference (p < 0.001) and Pain Intensity scores (p < 0.001) over the complete trajectory of their care.

Conclusion Primary TMR patients report lower pain during the first 6 months postoperatively compared with secondary TMR patients. This may reflect how pre-existing neuropathic pain is more challenging to mitigate through peripheral nerve surgery. The current trends may assist in both understanding the postoperative pain course and managing patient expectations following TMR.

Level of Evidence Therapeutic – IV.
The Usefulness of Fluorescence Imaging in Laparoscopic Liver Resection
Authors: Chalokool Vachiraluck , Taesombat Wipusit
Published: August 2024

Indocyanine green (ICG) has been used extensively in medical applications after being approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1954. In the beginning, this substance was originally employed for evaluating cardiac output and quantifying liver function. The widespread acceptance of the technique was delayed until the early 2000s, when advancements in digital imaging resolution provided more satisfactory images compared with those of film-based photography. ICG-based fluorescence imaging has since been used in various aspects of liver surgery. In 2008, Aoki et al first reported an intraoperative technique for subsegmental and segmental fluorescent staining during open hepatectomy, achieving a success rate of 93% in identifying the anatomical plane. At about the same time, laparoscopic liver resections (LLRs) were increasingly used for liver malignancies but were still in a developmental phase with yet to be standardized surgical protocols. Combined ICG fluorescence imaging in LLR has since been developed to improve the quality and precision of anatomical liver resections. This article is a case presentation and review of the clinical applications of ICG fluorescence imaging in liver surgery.
Direct evidence for a deprotonated lysine serving as a H-bond “acceptor” in a photoreceptor protein
Authors: Nagae Takayuki , Takeda Mitsuhiro , Noji Tomoyasu , Saito Keisuke , Aoyama Hiroshi , Miyanoiri Yohei , Ito Yutaka , Kainosho Masatsune , Hirose Yuu , Ishikita Hiroshi , Mishima Masaki
Published: August 2024

Deprotonation or suppression of the p
K
a of the amino group of a lysine sidechain is a widely recognized phenomenon whereby the sidechain amino group transiently can act as a nucleophile at the active site of enzymatic reactions. However, a deprotonated lysine and its molecular interactions have not been directly experimentally detected. Here, we demonstrate a deprotonated lysine stably serving as an “acceptor” in a H-bond between the photosensor protein RcaE and its chromophore. Signal splitting and trans-H-bond
J
coupling observed by NMR spectroscopy provide direct evidence that Lys261 is deprotonated and serves as a H-bond acceptor for the chromophore NH group. Quantum mechanical/molecular mechanical calculations also indicate that this H-bond exists stably. Interestingly, the sidechain amino group of the lysine can act as both donor and acceptor. The remarkable shift in the H-bond characteristics arises from a decrease in solvation, triggered by photoisomerization. Our results provide insights into the dual role of this lysine. This mechanism has broad implications for other biological reactions in which lysine plays a role.
HIV-1 control in vivo is related to the number but not the fraction of infected cells with viral unspliced RNA
Authors: Capoferri Adam A. , Wiegand Ann , Hong Feiyu , Jacobs Jana L. , Spindler Jonathan , Musick Andrew , Bale Michael J. , Shao Wei , Sobolewski Michele D. , Cillo Anthony R. , Luke Brian T. , Fennessey Christine M. , Gorelick Robert J. , Hoh Rebecca , Halvas Elias K. , Deeks Steven G. , Coffin John M. , Mellors John W. , Kearney Mary F.
Published: August 2024

In the absence of antiretroviral therapy (ART), a subset of individuals, termed HIV controllers, have levels of plasma viremia that are orders of magnitude lower than non-controllers (NC) who are at higher risk for HIV disease progression. In addition to having fewer infected cells resulting in fewer cells with HIV RNA, it is possible that lower levels of plasma viremia in controllers are due to a lower fraction of the infected cells having HIV-1 unspliced RNA (HIV usRNA) compared with NC. To directly test this possibility, we used sensitive and quantitative single-cell sequencing methods to compare the fraction of infected cells that contain one or more copies of HIV usRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) obtained from controllers and NC. The fraction of infected cells containing HIV usRNA did not differ between the two groups. Rather, the levels of viremia were strongly associated with the total number of infected cells that had HIV usRNA, as reported by others, with controllers having 34-fold fewer infected cells per million PBMC. These results reveal that viremic control is not associated with a lower fraction of proviruses expressing HIV usRNA, unlike what is reported for elite controllers, but is only related to having fewer infected cells overall, maybe reflecting greater immune clearance of infected cells. Our findings show that proviral silencing is not a key mechanism for viremic control and will help to refine strategies toward achieving HIV remission without ART.
Synonymous codon substitutions modulate transcription and translation of a divergent upstream gene by modulating antisense RNA production
Authors: Rodriguez Anabel , Diehl Jacob D. , Wright Gabriel S. , Bonar Christopher D. , Lundgren Taylor J. , Moss McKenze J. , Li Jun , Milenkovic Tijana , Huber Paul W. , Champion Matthew M. , Emrich Scott J. , Clark Patricia L.
Published: August 2024

Synonymous codons were originally viewed as interchangeable, with no phenotypic consequences. However, substantial evidence has now demonstrated that synonymous substitutions can perturb a variety of gene expression and protein homeostasis mechanisms, including translational efficiency, translational fidelity, and cotranslational folding of the encoded protein. To date, most studies of synonymous codon-derived perturbations have focused on effects within a single gene. Here, we show that synonymous codon substitutions made far within the coding sequence ofEscherichia coliplasmid-encoded chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (cat) can significantly increase expression of the divergent upstream tetracycline resistance gene,tetR. In four out of nine synonymously recodedcatsequences tested, expression of the upstreamtetRgene was significantly elevated due to transcription of a long antisense RNA (asRNA) originating from a transcription start site withincat. Surprisingly, transcription of this asRNA readily bypassed the nativetettranscriptional repression mechanism. Even more surprisingly, accumulation of the TetR protein correlated with the level of asRNA, rather than totaltetRRNA. These effects of synonymous codon substitutions on transcription and translation of a neighboring gene suggest that synonymous codon usage in bacteria may be under selection to both preserve the amino acid sequence of the encoded gene and avoid DNA sequence elements that can significantly perturb expression of neighboring genes. Avoiding such sequences may be especially important in plasmids and prokaryotic genomes, where genes and regulatory elements are often densely packed. Similar considerations may apply to the design of genetic circuits for synthetic biology applications.
Presenting manuscript tables and diagrams to the Middle English reader
Authors: Peikola Matti , Varila Mari-Liisa
Published: August 2024

In this paper, we examine information-organising graphic devices such as tables and diagrams in Middle English
manuscripts. Our focus is on text producers’ metadiscourse describing these devices and instructing the reader in their use. We
also pay attention to the visual and spatial relationship between the graphic device and the surrounding text. Our findings
indicate that the metadiscourse associated with graphic devices serves similar functions to image captions (verbal cueing) in
modern textbooks: identifying and describing the devices and instructing the reader in using them.
The hcp–bcc transition of Be via anisotropy of modulus and sound velocity
Authors: Yang 杨 Zhen 真 , Xian 咸 Jia-Wei 佳伟 , Gao 高 Xing-Yu 兴誉 , Tian 田 Fu-Yang 付阳 , Song 宋 Hai-Feng 海峰
Published: August 2024

Based on ab initio calculations, we utilize the mean-field potential approach with the quantum modification in conjunction with stress–strain relation to investigate the elastic anisotropies and sound velocities of hcp and bcc Be under high-temperature (0–6000 K) and high-pressure (0–500 GPa) conditions. We propose a general definition of anisotropy for elastic moduli and sound velocities. Results suggest that the elastic anisotropy of Be is more significantly influenced by pressure than by temperature. The pressure-induced increase of c/a ratio makes the anisotropy of hcp Be significantly strengthen. Nevertheless, the hcp Be still exhibits smaller anisotropy than bcc Be in terms of elastic moduli and sound velocities. We suggest that measuring the anisotropy in shear sound velocity may be an approach to distinguishing the hcp–bcc phase transition under extreme conditions.
Is dark energy necessary for the sustainability of traversable wormholes?*
Authors: Banerjee Ayan , Hansraj Sudan , Pradhan Anirudh , Errehymy Abdelghani
Published: August 2024

Dark energy is typically the principal component needed for the traversability of wormholes (WH), as it provides the negative gravity effect required to keep the throat open. However, can this be achieved without dark energy? It turns out that if we couple the trace of energy-momentum with the standard Einstein-Hilbert Lagrangian and utilize a specific equation of state (EoS), dark energy may be obviated. The Casimir stress energy is known to result in the violation of the null energy condition (NEC) on the energy momentum tensor. This phenomenon makes such an EoS an ideal candidate for generating traversable WH geometries. The laboratory proven phenomenon provides a natural mechanism to sustain an open WH throat without relying on dark energy. Therefore, we generate two classes of WH solutions using this in energy-momentum trace-coupling gravity. For the specific choice of the Casimir EoS relating the energy-momentum tensor components [Kar and Sahdev: Phys. Rev. D 52, 2030 (1995)] and different choices of redshift functions, we determine the WH geometry completely. The obtained WH solutions violate the NECs, and all qualitative constraints demanded for physically realizable WHs are satisfied. This is demonstrated via graphical plots for a suitably chosen range of coupling parameter values. Furthermore, our study investigates the repulsive effect of gravity, revealing that its presence leads to a negative deflection angle for photons traveling along null geodesics. Notably, we observe a consistent pattern of negative values for the deflection angle across all values of

in the three scenarios considered, thus indicating the clear manifestation of the repulsive gravity effect. All of this is possible without invoking the existence of dark energy.
Stress corrosion cracking behaviors of carbon steel in liquid ammonia
Authors: Chao Zhang , Huan Huang , Li Xiao , Fan Yang , Yuqi Zhang , Jie Liu
Published: August 2024

As a carbon-free hydrogen-rich energy carrier, ammonia has gained increasing attention and application in the context of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality. This study evaluated the stress corrosion cracking (SCC) sensitivity of four target materials, A516-70, 16MnDR, 15MnNiDR, and Q370DR, in a liquid ammonia environment at 25 °C and 1.03 MPa by slow stress rate tests to determine their SCC sensitivity index. The microstructure, grain size, misorientation, hardness, strength, and micro-fracture morphology of these materials were compared to analyze the SCC mechanism. The results showed that 15MnNiDR exhibited significant SCC sensitivity while both 16MnDR and A516-70 demonstrated certain levels of SCC sensitivity in liquid ammonia. However, Q370DR showed no SCC sensitivity under these conditions. The misorientations observed align with the strains experienced by each respective carbon steel in liquid ammonia. An unstable passivation film formed on the surface of 15MnNiDR steel when exposed to liquid ammonia whereas Q370DR developed a stable oxide film which contributed to its weak SCC sensitivity.
Microwave absorption properties of Co/C and Ni/C composite nanofibers prepared by electrospinning
Authors: Zhang Sa , Xiong Chao , Yin Junhui , Sun Haitao , Qi Ziyuan , Deng Huiyong , Cui Kaibo
Published: August 2024

Carbon nanofibers with Co, Ni nanoparticle were synthesized by a two-step process involving electrospinning and heat treatment. Their phase composition, microstructure, elemental composition and electromagnetic characteristics were characterized using x-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS) and vector network analyzer (VNA). The microwave absorption performance of these carbon nanofibers was also studied. The results indicate that these composite nanofibers are intact and consist of amorphous carbon and face-centered cubic structured magnetic metals. The resultant metal nanoparticles are uniformly dispersed along carbon-based nanofibers which enhance the synergistic and interfacial effects between magnetic loss and dielectric loss. When the thicknesses of the absorbers are 1.5 mm, the absorption bandwidths (RL ≤ −10 dB) are approximately 4 GHz and 2.5 GHz for the Co/C, Ni/C composite nanofibers, respectively, which are obviously superior to pure carbon nanofibers. Co/C composite nanofibers exhibit a wider absorption band range and stronger microwave absorption intensity compared to Ni/C composite nanofibers, attributed to their excellent electromagnetic impedance matching and attenuation characteristics. This indicates that the Co/C composite nanofibers are promising candidates for novel microwave absorbing materials.
Gait planning based on bionic quadruped robot
Authors: Liu Zhao , Huang Zhe , Cui Yuanhui
Published: August 2024

Based on the ankylosaurus, a four-legged robot structure with 14 degrees of freedom was designed in this study. The kinematic model was established using the Denavit-Hartenberg (D-H) method. The inverse kinematics of the robot was analyzed, and the angle equations of each leg joint were obtained. In order to reduce the kinetic energy generated when leaving the ground and landing, the compound cycloid was modified. The modified foot curve effectively reduces energy and meets the kinematic requirements. On the basis of the foot trajectory, the diagonal leg phase difference was set to 0.5, and the diagonal gait was adopted as the gait of the bionic quadrupled robot. Simulink software was used to construct the simulation environment, and the maximum error of the simulation results and the theoretical step height was 2.05%, and the step length maximum error was 2.39%. During walking, the thigh joint angle was −92.82° to −80.21°, and the hip joint angle was 22.23° to 43.83°. Compared with the simulation trajectory and the theoretical curve, because the experiment did not consider the balance of the fuselage, there was a certain error when the leg was raised to the highest point. Overall, the gait planning strategy designed in this study basically achieves the expected effect, lays a certain foundation for the practical application of the bionic quadruped dinosaur robot, and also provides a reference for the subsequent research.
Finite group actions on 4-manifolds and equivariant bundles
Authors: Anvari Nima , Hambleton Ian
Published: August 2024

Given a

4
4

-manifold with a homologically trivial and locally-linear cyclic group action, we obtain necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of equivariant bundles. The conditions are derived from the twisted signature formula and are in the form of congruence relations between the fixed point data and the isotropy representations.
Contemporary Analytical Jurisprudence in the Civil Law World and in the Common Law World
Authors: Burazin Luka , Einar Himma Kenneth , Pino Giorgio
Published: August 2024

The Introduction presents the state of the art, the scope, aims, and approach of the volume. It also gives an overview of the chapters and comments, dividing them under four headings, each identifying a theme in contemporary legal theory: (1) theoretical foundations; (2) theory of legal norms; (3) theory of the legal system; (4) legal interpretation, reasoning, and knowledge. Taken together, they provide the reader with a complete overview of the major topics in contemporary civil law analytical jurisprudence.
Anglophone Analytical Legal Philosophy Reply to Schiavello
Authors: Leiter Brian
Published: August 2024

This essay examines Anglophone analytical legal philosophy in comparison to Professor Aldo Schiavello’s account of Italian (and also, more broadly, non-Anglophone) analytical legal philosophy (in the same volume). The focus, in particular, is on legal positivism in HLA Hart, Norberto Bobbio, and Alf Ross, and some of their striking shared commitments, especially to methodological positivism (the idea that general jurisprudence can describe what the law is, without taking any position on what it ought to be). Methodological positivism is defended against a variety of objections raised by Schiavello.
The Systematisation of Legal Norms
Authors: Halpin Andrew
Published: August 2024

The focus of Pablo Navarro and Jorge Rodríguez on an idea of normative relevance is shown to be strongly connected to their promotion of the possibility of the systematisation of legal norms through the resources of deontic logic. Three strands of scepticism are brought to bear upon this prospect. A historical reference to common-law thinking as voiced by Sir Edward Coke raises preliminary doubts. A practical analysis of the disposition of particular cases undermines their model which depends on a deductive process from a ‘relevant’ factor found in a legal norm. A key distinction between legal materials and legal norms is introduced, and through careful consideration of three cases it is suggested that the judicial response to legal materials may (sometimes) be deliberative rather than deductive. A technical assessment of the authors’ approach is centred on the question of what amounts to an appropriate logic for systematising law. A severe restriction on the assumed scope of deontic logic is proposed, drawing on Bentham’s logic of imperation. The conventional acceptance of a logic of norm-propositions as providing a valuable part of deontic logic is questioned, through interrogating the ambiguity of the notion of norm-proposition across four different statements. And finally, the authors’ idea of normative relevance is shown to be artificially restricted so as to avoid acknowledging the presence of contestability within the factors taken to be relevant for a particular legal system. Admitting such contestability is viewed as radically changing the theoretical landscape, but not along civilian and common-law lines.
Gap-Filling as Law-Making in Common Law and Civil Law Traditions
Authors: Schauer Frederick
Published: August 2024

This essay addresses the question of gaps and contradictions (antinomies) in the law, and more particularly against the background of Pierluigi Chiassoni and Carla Huerta’s essay analysing how these phenomena are treated in civil law jurisdictions. As I will explain, there are interesting and important differences between how gaps and contradictions, and especially the latter, are respectively treated in the civil law and common law worlds. Yet from a comparative perspective, perhaps the most significant thing about the treatment of gaps and contradictions in the civil and common law worlds respectively is that both phenomena are rightfully treated as interesting and important in the civil law world, and too often mistakenly treated as uninteresting and unimportant in the common law world. Examining why this is so may reveal intriguing differences between the common law and civil law mindsets. Doing so is the principal goal of this essay.
Constitutional Democracy
Authors: Waluchow Wil J
Published: August 2024

The constitutions of modern democracies tend to include norms that limit the various government powers they create. Often these take the form of constitutional rights provisions the violation of which can result in significant consequences, eg the nullification or invalidation of a state measure such as an Act of Parliament. This feature of modern democratic constitutions raises a host of normative questions with which scholars in common law jurisdictions have long grappled and which serve as the main focus of this chapter. How are these morally charged constitutional rights provisions to be interpreted? Whose interpretations should be considered authoritative and/or final in cases of dispute? Can the inclusion of constitutional rights provisions, interpreted and enforced by judges, be reconciled with the fundamental tenets of democracy? If it can, are there particular institutional structures and modes of interpretation that must be put in place before this can be true? Do the answers to these questions depend on one’s conception of democracy? And what role, if any, do precedent, tradition, doctrine, and convention play in the life of a democratic constitution?
Introduction
Authors: Tonge Jonathan , Braniff Máire , Hennessey Thomas , McAuley James W , Rice Clare , Whiting Sophie A
Published: August 2024

The introduction lays out the plan of the book, covering the key research questions, research methods, and overall structure. The book’s overarching rationale is laid out. The largest single category of elector in Northern Ireland is that saying they are neither unionist nor nationalist, yet the vast bulk of research has been conducted upon unionism and nationalism and its political representatives. Little attention has been paid to those who are neither unionist nor nationalist or to the party representing those ‘neithers’—Alliance—even though it has become the third largest party in the region. This volume explains who Alliance are, why people join, what the party represents, what it hopes to achieve—and how.
Alliance and the Anglo-Irish Agreement
Authors: Tonge Jonathan , Braniff Máire , Hennessey Thomas , McAuley James W , Rice Clare , Whiting Sophie A
Published: August 2024

This chapter analyses the support offered by Alliance for the rolling devolution ‘Prior Assembly’ experiment established by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, James Prior, in 1982 and the backing for the Party for the 1985 Anglo-Irish Agreement. Support for the latter was important in demonstrating that an Irish dimension to political arrangements, even ones effectively bypassing local political parties, was not confined to nationalism. The chapter assesses the importance of John Cushnahan’s leadership of Alliance as a West Belfast Catholic from a working-class nationalist background who challenged not only the IRA but also Alliance’s ‘middle-class worthies’ image. Cushnahan’s support for the Anglo-Irish Agreement came despite opposition from his predecessor as Alliance leader, Oliver Napier.
Right Turn, 1960–1980
Authors: Wiecek William M
Published: August 2024

This chapter tackles the aftermath of the Second Reconstruction. It explains that late twentieth-century political conservatism and racial reaction mutually reinforced each other while also dominating the thinking of the majority of justices of the Supreme Court. Structural racism succeeded the notions of slavery and servitude as the basis of enduring racial inequality. Moreover, the Court reflected prevalent white racial attitudes and supported the public policies those attitudes produced, throughout its history. The chapter then considers the impact of Clarence Thomas in serving the Supreme Court as an inveterate foe of all constitutional gains made by African Americans in the second Reconstruction.
Deep learning image analysis for filamentous fungi taxonomic classification: Dealing with small datasets with class imbalance and hierarchical grouping
Authors: Stiller Stefan , Dueñas Juan F , Hempel Stefan , Rillig Matthias C , Ryo Masahiro
Published: August 2024

Deep learning applications in taxonomic classification for animals and plants from images have become popular, while those for microorganisms are still lagging behind. Our study investigated the potential of deep learning for the taxonomic classification of hundreds of filamentous fungi from colony images, which is typically a task that requires specialized knowledge. We isolated soil fungi, annotated their taxonomy using standard molecular barcode techniques, and took images of the fungal colonies grown in petri dishes (n = 606). We applied a convolutional neural network with multiple training approaches and model architectures to deal with some common issues in ecological datasets: small amounts of data, class imbalance, and hierarchically structured grouping. Model performance was overall low, mainly due to the relatively small dataset, class imbalance, and the high morphological plasticity exhibited by fungal colonies. However, our approach indicates that morphological features like color, patchiness, and colony extension rate could be used for the recognition of fungal colonies at higher taxonomic ranks (i.e. phylum, class, and order). Model explanation implies that image recognition characters appear at different positions within the colony (e.g. outer or inner hyphae) depending on the taxonomic resolution. Our study suggests the potential of deep learning applications for a better understanding of the taxonomy and ecology of filamentous fungi amenable to axenic culturing. Meanwhile, our study also highlights some technical challenges in deep learning image analysis in ecology, highlighting that the domain of applicability of these methods needs to be carefully considered.
Embedding Cultural Knowledge in Social Work Education: Reflections from Master of Social Work Students at a Regional Australian University
Authors: Gatwiri Kathomi , McPherson Lynne M , Lahiri-Roy Reshmi
Published: August 2024

Social work students (SWS) are increasingly demanding diverse curriculums and training in skills that will help them decentre whiteness as their default position of professional practice. This article reports on findings from a qualitative study exploring how Masters of SWS at a regional Australian university engaged with content delivered in a core unit with a strong focus on anti-racist, anti-oppressive practices. The unit’s structure and delivery facilitated a dialogue that compelled students, especially those from dominant cultural groups, to ‘think of and reflect on themselves as ‘raced’ rather than the invisible ‘norm’ to which all other cultural groups are compared’ (Walter et al., 2011, p. 8).The unit raised complex questions about how social services and policies unwittingly reproduce discourses of rescue and saviourism towards racially and culturally marginalised communities and how students could challenge such practices. The article’s emphasis on supporting SWS towards a triangulated trajectory reports on how experiences of cultural knowledge in the classroom are facilitated by (i) the experience (or lived expertise) of the educator, (ii) the willingness of the student to interrogate their intersectional social positioning in society and (iii) a practice framework that focuses on curiosity and humility rather than competence.
Lung water density is increased in patients at risk of heart failure and is largely independent of conventional cardiovascular magnetic resonance measures
Authors: Iyer Nithin R , Bryant Jennifer A , Le Thu-Thao , Grenier Justin G , Thompson Richard B , Chin Calvin W L , Ugander Martin
Published: August 2024

Aims

Non-invasive methods to quantify pulmonary congestion are lacking in clinical practice. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) lung water density (LWD) mapping is accurate and reproducible and has prognostic value. However, it is not known whether LWD is associated with routinely acquired CMR parameters.

Methods and results

This was an observational cohort including healthy controls and patients at risk of heart failure. LWD was measured using CMR with a free-breathing short echo time 3D Cartesian gradient-echo sequence with a respiratory navigator at 1.5 T. Associations were assessed between LWD, lung water volume and cardiac volumes, left ventricular (LV) mass and function, myocardial native T1, and extracellular volume fraction. In patients at risk for heart failure (n = 155), LWD was greater than in healthy controls (n = 15) (30.4 ± 5.0 vs. 27.2 ± 4.3%, P = 0.02). Using receiver operating characteristic analysis, the optimal cut-off for LWD was 27.6% to detect at-risk patients (sensitivity 72%, specificity 73%, positive likelihood ratio 2.7, and inverse negative likelihood ratio 2.6). LWD was univariably associated with body mass index (BMI), hypertension, right atrial area, and LV mass. In multivariable linear regression, only BMI remained associated with LWD (R2 = 0.32, P < 0.001).

Conclusion

LWD is increased in patients at risk for heart failure compared with controls and is only weakly explained by conventional CMR measures. LWD provides diagnostic information that is largely independent of conventional CMR measures.
Restoring vancomycin activity against resistant Enterococcus faecalis using a transcription factor decoy as a vanA operon-inhibitor
Authors: Abdelall Loai M , Nagy Yosra Ibrahim , Kashef Mona T
Published: August 2024

Background

Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) represent a public health threat due to the few available treatments. Such alarm has triggered worldwide initiatives to develop effective antimicrobial compounds and novel delivery and therapeutic strategies. vanA operon is responsible for most cases of acquired vancomycin resistance in enterococci.

Objectives

Development of a transcription factor decoy (TFD) system as a vanA gene transcription-inhibitor.

Methods

Vancomycin MIC was determined in the presence of TFD-lipoplexes. Additionally, the effect of TFD-lipoplexes on the expression level of the vanA gene and the growth pattern of E. faecalis was evaluated. The haemolytic activity of the developed TFD-lipoplexes and their cytotoxicity were examined. TFD-lipoplexes efficiency in treating vancomycin-resistant E. faecalis (VREF) infection was tested in vivo using a systemic mice infection model.

Results

A reduction in vancomycin MIC against VRE from 256 mg/L (resistant) to 16 mg/L (intermediate susceptible), in the presence of TFD-lipoplexes, was recorded. The developed TFD-lipoplexes lacked any effect on E. faecalis growth and significantly reduced the transcription level of the vanA gene by about 3-fold. In an initial evaluation of the safety of TFD-lipoplexes, they were found not to be overtly haemolytic to human blood or cytotoxic to human skin fibroblast cells. The co-administration of TFD-lipoplexes and vancomycin efficiently eradicated VREF infection in vivo.

Conclusions

The developed TFD-lipoplexes successfully restored vancomycin activity against VREF. They offer a safe effective unconventional therapy against this stubborn organism and present a revolution in gene therapy that can be applied to other resistance-encoding genes in various organisms.