bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Water And The Places It Collects
Authors: Joerstad Mari
Published: December 2023

Biblical Hebrew has a rich vocabulary for clouds, rain, rivers, wadis, springs, wells, and cisterns, and this vocabulary indicates something of how ancient Israelites related to water. Water in all its forms was understood as a gift from God, especially when seasonal rain arrived according to expectation. Disruptions to the normal seasons were usually interpreted as a sign of judgment. By naming various forms of water and their divine origin, humans reveal their relationship with God and with water.
On “Living Water”: A Baptismal Practical Theology for a Time of Water Crisis
Authors: Ayres Jennifer R.
Published: December 2023

Just as baptism holds within it the possibility and even promise of life, new birth, suffering, and death, so too does its ordinary element of water: in it is the full, embodied, and vulnerable reach of life and death. In the waters of baptism is the promise of new life, but not a life absent suffering, risk, or moral complexity. This essay presents a baptismally-grounded practical theological reflection upon the precarious status of baptism’s central element, water, in a time of extreme weather, economic exploitation, and depleting stores of fresh water.
Relationship Between Human Capital and Income Distribution of a Developing Economy: Empirical Evidence From Ethiopia
Authors: Degu Zemed , Singh Lakhwinder
Published: December 2023

Purpose:

The purpose of this study is to examine the long-run effect of human capital accumulation on the income distribution of a developing economy such as Ethiopia.

Study design:

The study is based on time series data covering the period from 1980/1981 to 2019/2020. The autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) bounds co-integration test and error correction model approach is employed as a method of econometric estimation.

Findings:

The bounds test revealed a significant and stable long-run equilibrium relationships exist between income inequality (Gini coefficient) and its dynamic regressors of human capital accumulation indicators as well as other explanatory variables. Results of the estimated long-run selected model indicated that secondary and tertiary education attainments as well as total fertility rate have a significant un-equalizing income distribution effect on the country’s economy at the conventional level of significance in the long run. On the contrary, primary education attainment of the labor force has a positive and statistically significant impact on the country’s distribution of income at the standard level of significance. On the contrary, the employment-to-population size ratio has a positive effect, but financial development and institutional and governance quality have an adverse effect on the income distribution of the country in the long run. With respect to the short-run error correction model result, a temporary disequilibrium level of income distribution in the previous period is corrected by approximately 0.9284 in the current period to bring back to a stable long-run equilibrium. Based on these findings, it is important to strengthen and improve the country’s education and health service system for those individuals who are marginalized and deprived from these levels of social services.

Originality/value:

A few empirical studies on the dynamics between human capital and income distribution have been conducted at cross-country using average years of schooling as a proxy measure of human capital. The novelty of this study is that it examines the relationship between human capital and income distribution at a single country level using the ARDL bounds co-integration and error correction model approach. Furthermore, human capital accumulation is proxied by both education capital (disaggregated by primary, secondary, and tertiary educational attainments) and health capital (life expectancy at birth and total fertility rate) in addition to other relevant explanatory variables for better estimation and policy implications.

JEL classification

B23, C22, I14, I24, O15
The Gender Dilemmas of Kupindira Among the Ndau People of South-Eastern Zimbabwe
Authors: Muyambo Tenson
Published: December 2023

This article problematises gender and ethical issues surrounding kupindira, as an infertility management measure, among the Ndau of south-eastern Zimbabwe. This phenomenological qualitative study utilised interviews and observations to collect data from 20 participants who comprised both the old and the young, male and female. Some of the findings revealed that while the kupindira practice saves marriages, it promotes gender inequalities and is characterised by ethical dilemmas. Using cultural hermeneutics, the article concludes that while kupindira forms part of Ndau traditions on infertility, it must be reconstructed to make it a safe practice for human flourishing.
Tribal Education in India – Reviewing the Progress and the Way Forward
Authors: Sucharita V.
Published: December 2023

The present paper critically reviews various educational interventions and the resultant trends in the participation and learning outcomes in the domain of tribal education in India. A review of the existing policies on formal education suggests that there have not been clear-cut policy provisions for the education of tribal children aligning with their socio-cultural needs. They are often clubbed with other disadvantaged groups, wherein they are perceived as mere beneficiaries of various government schemes and incentives. Given the profound diversity of the tribal groups, a ‘one size fits all’ approach may not work, which obliterates their identity and blurs the cultural differences. The interventions too have primarily focused on their assimilation with the mainstream society than towards inclusion. The paper also discusses various forms of exclusion and marginalization of tribal children in schools and delineates possible pathways for building more inclusive and democratic educational ecosystems.
Beyond Bel Canto: Applications of Contemporary Commercial Music (CCM) Voice Pedagogy in the Secondary Choral Classroom
Authors: Magid Brandon A.
Published: December 2023

Bel canto singing style is a foundational cornerstone for vocal technique in choral ensemble classes. Yet there are reasons to question whether bel canto pedagogy alone can help students navigate the many different genres they sing as part of a diverse and balanced curriculum. This article examines the specific performance demands associated with arranged spirituals, global musics, and popular styles and some ways students might benefit from further study of Contemporary Commercial Music (CCM) voice pedagogy when singing such genres in choir. Strategies for enabling students to healthily engage with CCM genres are also recommended.
“El Chamizal is ours forever:” Rumor, time, and the law in El Paso’s settler society
Authors: de Hinojosa Alana
Published: December 2023

This essay contributes to literature on the intersections of white settler colonialisms, racial capitalism, and U.S.-Mexico borderlands history by tracing the web of spatial, temporal, and legal power relations that produced El Paso, Texas’ seemingly legitimate possession of stolen Mexican territory known as “El Chamizal” in the El Paso-Cd. Juárez borderlands. This land theft became the Chamizal Dispute: an international land and boundary conflict between the U.S. and Mexico caused by the meandering Río Grande that defines the “fixed” international border between El Paso, Texas and Cd. Juárez, Chihuahua. In the 1860s, multiple shifts in the Rio Grande “relocated” El Chamizal north of this river/boundary. Soon thereafter, and despite Mexico’s sustained claim to and jurisdiction over this land, recently arrived Anglo American settlers incorporated El Chamizal into the nascent City of El Paso. In 1964, the U.S. and Mexico finally agreed to resolve this conflict by virtue of the landmark Chamizal Treaty, which ceded 630-acres of El Paso to Cd. Juárez as El Chamizal. Contrary to what dominant state accounts and the mainstream historical literature on this settlement would have us believe, however, this ceded land includes only a fraction of the original contested terrain. El Chamizal therefore remains a stolen tract of land nestled within the heart of El Paso. Drawing on oral histories, court testimonies and affidavits, and an array of binational records, this essay demonstrates that this ongoing theft is not a finite or complete project. Rather, the process hinges on a fragile web of spatial, white settler temporal, and legal practices of concealment/denial anchored to a colonial rumor that refuses to open this region to the mystery and wonder of the Río Grande’s “wayward life, beautiful experiment in how to live.”
Elder abuse: The roles of communication neglect, caregiver expressed anger, and a positive pre-morbid relational history
Authors: Lin Mei-Chen
Published: December 2023

This study tested whether communication neglect (CN) mediated the relationship between caregivers’ reports of care receivers’ cognitive status and/or problem behavior and thoughts about potential harmful behaviors (PHB) toward their care receiver. It also examined if caregivers’ expressed anger and a positive pre-morbid relational history moderated the prediction of CN on PHB. Family caregivers ( N = 339) in the U.S. completed the survey via Qualtrics. Results suggested that CN is a meaningful mediator explaining how PHB might occur. Caregiver expressed anger moderated the prediction of CN on PHB/physical abuse. Lastly, caregivers’ perceptions of a positive pre-morbid relational history were a potential protective factor against PHB. When caregiver expressed anger was moderate or high, the prediction of CN on PHB/physical abuse was positive, but its strength was reduced as pre-morbid relational history became stronger.
Forging New Instruments of Mass Social Control from Traditional Materials: The Disciplinary Role of Catholic Church Personnel in Franco's State Prison System of the 1940s and 1950s
Authors: Gómez Bravo Gutmaro
Published: December 2023

Francoism's repression of its civilian population was based on a massified prison system and parallel system of punitive parole. At their core were religious personnel who fulfilled key disciplinary functions for the new state. By the latter stages of the civil war (1936–1939), church and lay Catholic personnel had already produced the legal justifications to underpin the repression. They blended older quasi-theocratic and anti-egalitarian philosophy to meet the disciplinary needs of the new moment where a politically mobilized society was challenging older forms of traditional order and hierarchy (before and during the war). This church–state symbiosis in Spain was already explicit by the early-twentieth century. After World War Two, as before it, Franco's ‘National-Catholic’ dictatorship deployed religious personnel speaking an antiquated language of ‘re-Christianization’ and ‘religious conversion’ to impose a modern, state disciplinary project – i.e., the sculpting and close surveillance of its population. Given the Church's full participation in this ‘divine totalitarianism’, it was paradoxical that by the time of Cold War ascendancy in the mid-1950s, it would be the same Church providing an alibi for Franco's state – in which judicial and penal systems remained militarized, and the everyday lives of its population closely controlled – to reassure Western interlocutors, who were themselves mostly socially conservative and/or Christian-Democratic, of Francoism's ‘non-totalitarian’ nature.
Citizens, Subjects, Enemies: The First World War and Citizenship Policies in the Italian Colonies
Authors: Camilleri Nicola
Published: December 2023

There are few research fields in European history that have received as much scholarly attention over the last few years as citizenship and the First World War. While this is also true for the Italian case, there is still a striking absence of research on citizenship laws in the colonial territories under Italian sovereignty. The present article addresses this gap and challenges the long-established assumption – due to an all too narrow focus on the historical military framework – that the First World War did not really affect the colonies of the Kingdom of Italy. An investigation of how the legal status of the colonial population – especially in Eritrea, on the one hand, and in Tripolitania and Cyrenaica, on the other – was regulated, but also contested, claimed and negotiated, both during the conflict and in its immediate aftermath, reveals that a global event like the First World War actually had a significant impact on the Italian territories in the Horn of Africa and in North Africa. To illustrate this point, the article adopts an approach based on local players in the colonies rather than on legislators or policymakers in the metropole. Contemporary sources collected from several different archives are used to retrace personal stories and administrative processes which reveal important aspects in the story not only of Italian colonialism but of the Italian state in general. Citizenship in the Italian territories in Africa, as much as in other European colonies, was marked by the prejudicial concept of the backwardness of Africans, who were thus excluded from metropolitan citizenship. Beyond that, the article highlights utilitarianism as a concept that can help us to understand how Italy dealt with the inhabitants of its colonies during the First World War.
Graduated elastic compression stockings in the prevention of post-thrombotic syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Nielsen Jørn Dalsgaard , Hermann Thomas Steffen , Fredskilde Pernille Cecilie Ammundsen
Published: December 2023

Background

The effect of graduated elastic compression stockings (ECS) in the prevention of post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS) has been questioned since a large randomized trial found no prophylactic effect of ECS.

Objective

To assess the effect of the wearing time of ECS on the incidence of post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS) after proximal deep venous thrombosis, we performed a meta-analysis of the incidence of PTS across randomized and observational studies.

Method

PubMed, Embase and Cochrane databases were searched until 12 June 2023 for studies on the effect of ECS on PTS. References of eligible studies were also screened in order to identify other potential studies that might have been missed during the search.

Results

Four studies comprising a total of 1467 patients met our inclusion criteria for early initiation and consistent use of ECS in patients with acute proximal DVT. ECS significantly reduced the incidence of mild-moderate PTS (OR: 0.48; 95% CI: 0.36–0.63) as well as severe PTS (OR: 0.44; 95% CI: 0.28–0.58).
Arbitration between model-free and model-based control is not affected by transient changes in tonic serotonin levels
Authors: Gilger Maximilian D. , Hellrung Lydia , Neukam Philipp T. , Kroemer Nils B. , Nebe Stephan , Pooseh Shakoor , Deza-Lougovski Yacila I. , Smolka Michael N.
Published: December 2023

Background:

Serotonin has been suggested to modulate decision-making by influencing the arbitration between model-based and model-free control. Disruptions in these control mechanisms are involved in mental disorders such as drug dependence or obsessive-compulsive disorder. While previous reports indicate that lower brain serotonin levels reduce model-based control, it remains unknown whether increases in serotonergic availability might thus increase model-based control. Moreover, the mediating neural mechanisms have not been studied yet.

Aim:

The first aim of this study was to investigate whether increased/decreased tonic serotonin levels affect the arbitration between model-free and model-based control. Second, we aimed to identify the underlying neural processes.

Methods:

We employed a sequential two-stage Markov decision-task and measured brain responses during functional magnetic resonance imaging in 98 participants in a randomized, double-blind cross-over within-subject design. To investigate the influence of serotonin on the balance between model-free and model-based control, we used a tryptophan intervention with three intervention levels (loading, balanced, depletion). We hypothesized that model-based behaviour would increase with higher serotonin levels.

Results:

We found evidence that neither model-free nor model-based control were affected by changes in tonic serotonin levels. Furthermore, our tryptophan intervention did not elicit relevant changes in Blood-Oxygenation-Level Dependent activity.
The routinization of lay expertise: A diachronic account of the invention and stabilization of an open-source artificial pancreas
Authors: Davis Clay
Published: December 2023

Embodied health movements (EHMs) advance their agendas by mediating the production, circulation, and revision of biomedical knowledge. To do this, their constituents become lay experts by blending their embodied experience of illness with self-taught technical knowledge. However, it is unclear how lay expertise is routinized within EHMs, and consequently, to what extent it can be made durable in long-term partnerships with credentialed experts. I follow the OpenAPS community—a group of people with type one diabetes who engineered an open-source ‘artificial pancreas’—from their inception in the transient #WeAreNotWaiting movement to their research collaborations with endocrinologists and detente with the FDA. I argue that OpenAPS user-contributors formalized their expertise in three steps: First, they broke the OpenAPS algorithm into modules so that prospective users must become experts to assemble it. Second, they lowered this barrier to entry by facilitating the socialization of new user-contributors with a training ritual. And third, they intervened in the strained endocrinologist-patient relationship. These tactics— restricting membership, reproducing expertise, and realigning interests—won the respect of credentialled experts who saw themselves in the OpenAPS community’s image. While not all EHMs follow this trajectory, this case demonstrates that lay expertise can mature and assume new institutional forms without relying on commercialization or patronage.
The Motherhood Experiences of Women Incarcerated at the Johannesburg Maximum Correctional Facility, in the Gauteng Province, South Africa
Authors: Masekoameng Sheron Mathlatse , Parry Bianca Rochelle , Fourie Mattheus Eduard
Published: December 2023

The percentage of female offenders who are single mothers of minor children is a growing concern among the total incarcerated population in South Africa and globally. This study aimed to explore how expectations about mothering manifest for incarcerated mothers who are physically separated from their children. The experience of motherhood was captured using face-to-face interviews with a guide of semi-structured questions with eight (8) incarcerated mothers at Johannesburg correctional facility, Gauteng province, South Africa. The data were analyzed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) couched with Social Identity Theory (SIT) and revealed that circumstances that led to maternal pathways differed from the literature. The findings of this study provided a foundation of how the social context, together with maternal obligation, influences behaviors that women internalize, and which lead to offending behaviors. This warrants further research in an effort to curb and prevent maternal incarceration.
Deformation Mechanism and Control Measures of Large-Span Tunnels in Steep Layered Surrounding Rock
Authors: Zhang Yonghui , Hu Zhiping , Fan Yuchao , Deng Feng , Sun Zhiyuan
Published: December 2023

Large-span tunnels often encounter large deformation and failure when crossing layered sedimentary structures, particularly sedimentary structures that have been steeply inclined by geologic processes. This paper takes the Yongle Tunnel on the G544 line in Jiuzhaigou County, Sichuan Province, China, as an example and analyzes the deformation and failure characteristics of the tunnel through a field investigation and field test. Then, through theoretical analysis and numerical simulation, the influence of the section size, rock dip angle, and rock thickness on the deformation of the tunnel is analyzed to reveal the tunnel’s deformation mechanism. Finally, effective control measures are put forward based on the examination. The results show that the tunnel suffers from unobvious asymmetric deformation. The convergence deformation of the tunnel side wall and the sensitivity to the section size are much larger than the vault settlement and haunch convergence. The large deformation of the tunnel is caused by improper construction methods and weak structural planes. The deformation of the tunnel was significantly reduced by adapting the center diaphragm method, with anchors placed as vertically as possible to the rock or at large intersection angles and by strengthening the radial grouting of the surrounding rock. The research results can provide a reference for tunnels in similar strata.
Retrofits in Twin Tub Girder Bridges for System-Level Redundancy
Authors: Javier Bonachera Martin Francisco , Puerto Tchemodanova Sofia , Willoughby Alexandra , Krueger Linda M. , Baxter Daniel , Kozy Brian , Russo Francesco
Published: December 2023

Because of the perceived risk of fracture critical members (FCMs) in steel bridges, hands-on inspection cycles are mandated, resulting in high maintenance costs. This paper describes the redundancy evaluation of three twin tub girder bridges with FCM designations. Several failure scenarios of primary members are considered using refined finite element analysis of each structure to determine whether fractures result in collapse or loss of serviceability of the bridge. The analysis follows the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials Guide Specifications for Analysis and Identification of Fracture Critical Members and System Redundant Members. Based on the outcomes of these analyses, the feasibility of retrofit alternatives is assessed with the purpose of reclassifying FCMs as system redundant members and precluding hands-on inspection requirements.
Thermo-elasticity of multi walled carbon nanotube- natural rubber/acrylonitrile butadiene rubber blends
Authors: Aljuraide Najlaa I , Abd Elbary Ahmed M
Published: December 2023

Natural rubber nano-composites are emerging as one of the key players in the industry and research due to its novel material properties and nano functionalities. In order to create high performance natural rubber nano-composites, new multifunctional nano-fillers can be created using a various approaches due to the advances of nanotechnology. Blends of natural rubber (NR) and acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) were used to evaluate the effects of various constitutional ratios between the two substances of fixed weight of multi walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). The increase in the frequency of alternating extension (fatigue deformation) for samples (B2, B3) causes an increase in the thermo-elastic temperature change. The breakdown of the structure is thought to be prevailing at high strain amplitude and consequently may account for the observed effect. The thermo-elastic measurements also involve the determination of the thermo-elastic coefficient, change in entropy, internal energy per unit length, and Gruneisen constant. All these parameters were found to be highly dependent on both fatigue parameters and NR/NBR polymer ratios in the composite. The prepared sample (50/50 phr) can be used as thermo-elastic sensors.
An analytical model to predict bond behavior of fiber reinforced polymer bonded to concrete with an end anchorage system
Authors: Wang Yilin , Guo Xinyan , Bai Jiahao
Published: December 2023

The end mechanical anchorage system has been widely applied in the conventional externally bonded reinforcement (EBR) technology, to hinder the premature debonding failure of fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) laminate, especially for the reinforcement structures with prestressed FRP due to higher interfacial shear stress at the ends. Through the introduction of the hinge as the substitution of end anchorage, this paper presents a numerical model based on the bilinear bond-slip model and ordinary differential equations in elastic, elastic-softening, and elastic-softening-debonding stages. The bond behavior of the FRP-concrete interface under the end anchorage in different stages is predicted, obtaining the analytical expressions of interfacial load-slip relation, interfacial shear stress distribution, and the stress distributions of FRP. Additionally, two experimental programs from this group and previous literature were involved in this study to validate the accuracy of the numerical model. The comparison shows they are in good agreement. Moreover, it indicated that the strength increase is linear with the torque applied in the end anchorage, but bonding strength is not the case.
Exploring Individual Changes in Disability Status and Their Relations to Reading Comprehension Development
Authors: Kocaj Aleksander , Cortina Kai S. , Vereb Anita F. , Carlisle Joanne F.
Published: December 2023

This study used data from the U.S. state of Michigan schools participating in the Reading First program to examine the stability of students’ disability status in Grades 1 to 3. Reading First aimed to improve at-risk students’ reading comprehension through research-based instruction. We analyzed how changes in students’ disability status were related to reading comprehension growth. The sample consisted of n = 10,196 students from 191 schools who took the Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS) Reading Comprehension subtest. Data were collected from 2003 through 2008. We observed considerable changes in disability status for students with speech–language disorders or a specific learning disability ( n = 1,193). These students had lower achievement levels and made less progress than students without disabilities. Overall, achievement gains did not differ between students with different stability and change patterns in their disability status. However, students changing from speech–language disorders to a specific learning disability demonstrated the smallest achievement gains.
The Conception and Birth of the Lactation Consultant Profession (1977–1983): An Interview With Chele Marmet (Part I)
Authors: Marmet Chele , Dodgson Joan E.
Published: December 2023

In 2015, Miriam Labbok, MD, MPH, entrusted Chele Marmet with the task of writing a chapter on the early history of the lactation consultant profession for the public health textbook she was preparing about lactation, saying, “I invited you to author it because you conceptualized and pioneered the profession, and there is nobody else I could ask who could do it justice,” (M. Labbok, personal communication, June 28, 2015). Chele Marmet envisioned the allied health field of lactation consulting, complete with international educational standards, professional organizations, and a scope of practice. She was an active contributing founder of the International Lactation Consultant Association, developed hundreds of test questions for the early International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBCLE), and co-founded the first academic (BA and MA) lactation education program, The Lactation Institute, to name only a few of her many innovations and contributions to the field of lactation we know today—a field that has grown exponentially globally since those early days in the 1970s when Chele began creating our profession. Her academic background in speech and hearing gave her the orientation to delve into infants’ oral-motor function. Additional education and experience followed as her passion for helping breastfeeding families grew. This is the first part of her interview; the second part will follow in the next JHL issue. Fortunately, Chele is working on her memoir, which will detail topics we could only briefly discuss in this interview. It was my honor to interview Chele Marmet.

Joan E. Dodgson
Investigation of mechanical and frictional properties of ulexite and colemanite filled acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene polymer composites for industrial use
Authors: Yaman Paşa , Karabeyoğlu Sencer Süreyya , Moralar Aytaç
Published: December 2023

Ulexite and colemanite filled acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene parts are manufactured by injection molding method. Tensile and wear tests are applied to reveal specific properties of composite parts. Various characterization methods are used to confirm the filler-matrix interactions, polymer melt flow, friction mechanisms, and fracture modes. This study investigated the use of ulexite and colemanite as fillers in acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene composite parts, focusing on their impact on mechanical and frictional properties. Results showed that the addition of ulexite and colemanite fillers significantly improved mechanical properties such as compared to pure ABS, however ulexite filler showed much better performance compared to colemanite. In terms of wear test, ulexite filled ABS specimen showed a smooth wear while pure and colemanite filled ABS provided severe wear characteristics. These findings have implications for the development of high-performance composite materials for use in industries such as automotive and aerospace.
News Sources in the Sociology of the Media: A Critical Re-Examination
Authors: Prodnik Jernej A , Vobič Igor
Published: December 2023

Sourcing practices are among the central research topics within the sociology of the media. Empirical studies have analysed what and who are the major journalistic sources, demonstrating that the selections journalists make not only depend on their subjective choices, but are connected to the norms and routines established in the profession. While invaluable, these studies are primarily media-centric and focused on small-scale investigations, meaning they regularly ignore the social totality in which sourcing is inevitably embedded. Such studies hence also pay too little attention to the external actors that provide ‘information subsidies’ to journalists. By employing the framework of the public sphere, we show that news sources should be viewed as a topic of central social relevance that touches on wider power relations within society. Sociological approaches should thus be complemented with other critical traditions, for instance the political economy of communication. The latter approach’s value is revealed in brief sketches that point to the possibilities of achieving deeper understanding of the topic.
Opportunities for promoting societal inclusion through higher education cultural and creative industries courses: Evidence from UK business schools
Authors: Whitehouse Sophie , Galalae Cristina
Published: December 2023

The Creative and Cultural Industries (CCI) workforce is reportedly highly skilled yet lacking diversity, with higher education institutions playing a key role in developing graduates and their capacity to contribute to positive societal change. Consequently, this contribution explores how inclusivity is embedded and promoted via collaboration with businesses and communities in undergraduate and postgraduate CCI courses offered by UK business schools, where many of these courses are based. This is addressed via a qualitative content analysis of public-facing course materials commonly used by students when deciding on their course of study. Findings showcase how inclusive practices feature in curriculum design and delivery, assessment and feedback, engagement with businesses and the community, and employability support for graduates. These inform recommendations for higher education institutions on how to contribute to broadening inclusivity in the CCI labour market and beyond.
Viscoelastic behaviour of poly(ether-ketone)/fly ash composites fabricated by powder metallurgical route
Authors: Kumar Mukesh , Goyal RK , Sharma S
Published: December 2023

Poly(ether-ketone)/fly ash (FA) composites reinforced with 0-30 wt% FA were fabricated using ball milling followed by hot compaction. The composites were investigated for mechanical and viscoelastic properties. Scanning electron microscopy revealed excellent dispersion and good adhesion of FA particles with the matrix. The addition of FA increased the microhardness by 70% and the storage modulus (below glass transition) by 75%. The reinforcing efficiency was better above the glass transition, which increased to around 177% at 250°C. This research indicates that the FA can be used as an alternative reinforcement of costly ceramic powder for the electronic packaging substrate or printed circuit board applications.
Improved dynamic sliding mode control for plate hoisting of cable crane under wind load
Authors: Tong Shenghao , Xu Wenpo , Zhao Jinbao , Zhang Ke , Shi Huaitao , Hu Binbin
Published: December 2023

In order to quickly eliminate the swing angle of plate hoisting under wind load, an improved dynamic sliding mode control method is proposed in this paper. Firstly, the plate hoisting model under wind load is simplified into a double pendulum system, and the dynamic model of a double pendulum cable crane with wind disturbance is established. To enhance the coupling relationship between trolley displacement and double swing angle, a new coupling state vector for the double pendulum system is defined. On this basis, a dynamic sliding surface is constructed and then an integral function of the system’s discontinuous term is established, essentially ensuring the continuity of the sliding surface and reducing the system’s chattering characteristics. Finally, the stability of the system is rigorously proved by Lyapunov theorem and Barbalat lemma. The simulation and experimental results show that the controller proposed in this paper has a good effect on the anti-swing problem of plate hoisting under wind load.
An enhanced spline-based time-varying filtering method and fast MKurtgram for bearing fault identification under random impulsive environment
Authors: Xu Yuanbo , Wei Yu , Wang Youming , Li Yongbo
Published: December 2023

In certain engineering problems, the presence of random impulsive components can heavily corrupt a signal. Thus, random impulsive components are also known as random impulsive noise or non-Gaussian noise. Commonly used signal processing tools in fault diagnosis may perform poorly under such operational conditions. To this end, an alternative approach integrating time-varying filtering with fast MKurtgram (FMK) is proposed as a solution. The FMK is developed based on the fast kurtogram (FK). The FMK addresses a major drawback of the FK, which is vulnerable to random impulsive noise, thus FMK exhibits good performance in impulsive environments. However, the FMK may produce inaccurate estimates of the bandwidth and center frequency when random impulsive noise is relatively intensive. To alleviate this, a spline-based time-varying filtering (TVF) method is designed in this work. This spline-based TVF method is highly effective in eliminating a large amount of Gaussian noise, as well as attenuating the energy of the impulsive components. After undergoing this pre-treatment, the FMK can estimate both bandwidth and center frequency more precisely. The proposed approach is demonstrated to be effective through the simulated and real bearing fault signals.
Influence of self-lubricating elements (SrSO4, Mo, and CaF2) on machining performance of Al2O3-ZrO2 (Y2O3)-NiCr-Ag cutting tool over a wide cutting speed range
Authors: Pradeep Kumar Bagadi , Rao Pujari Srinivasa , Prasad Dora Siva , Satyanarayana Marukurti V. N. V
Published: December 2023

The Zirconia toughened alumina (ZTA) is the commonly used cutting tool material as it has superior mechanical properties. However, the poor tribological properties made it not suitable for dry machining. Various researchers added many additives to ZTA base tool to machine different workpiece materials for use in various applications. Still, it experiences many difficulties at various cutting speeds during machining. To overcome this, a novel composite tool was fabricated in the present study by adding the following self-lubricating elements such as, NiCr, Ag, Mo, SrSO4, and CaF2. The cutting performance was investigated by comparing the self-lubricating cutting tools (SLTs) with the base tool regarding cutting force, coefficient of friction, and surface roughness. The results showed that the addition of SrSO4 and Mo at 10 wt.% and CaF2 at 5 wt.% obtained superior mechanical and tribological characteristics. The generation of the following phase, viz., MoO3, Mo4O11, and Ag2MoO4, CaMoO4, and CaSO4, are responsible for the better performance. The additives restrained the transformation of t-ZrO2 to m-ZrO2 resulting in improved hardness and wear characteristics leading to strong protection of the self-lubricating layer formed on the tool flank surface, causes for performance improvement. The wear of the SLTs is primarily dominated by abrasion and adhesion, whereas the base tool is dominated by abrasion, adhesion, chipping, and cracking.
Enhancement of mechanical properties of ramie and jute fibres reinforced epoxy hybrid composites: Influencing of SiC and Al2O3
Authors: Ramasamy Anand Kumar , Selvaraj Sathish , Murugan Aravindh , Rathinasamy Senthil Kumar
Published: December 2023

Due to rising environmental awareness and dwindling oil supplies, many efforts have been made to replace synthetic fibres with plant fibre reinforced composites (PFRC). The need to eliminate plastics from everyday life has resulted in the development of a diverse range of eco-friendly natural-based composites for the automotive, chemical, and food packaging industries. PFRC plays an important role in the production of lightweight and cost-effective products. The current study looked at how different proportions of SiC/Al2O3 filler affected the mechanical properties of a plant fibre-based ramie/jute epoxy hybrid composite. By reinforcing a constant ramie (20 wt.%) and jute (10 wt.%) fibre with different proportions of SiC (2 –10 wt.%) and Al2O3 (0 –8 wt.%), hybrid composites were created using traditional stirring and compression moulding methods. The hybrid composite with 8% SiC and 2% Al2O3 (sample D) has higher tensile, flexural, hardness, impact, and interlaminar shear strength than the other combinations. The functional group of a nanoparticle-filled hybrid composite was evaluated using Fourier Transfer infrared Spectroscopy. Furthermore, SEM confirmed the excellent bonding of the viable hybrid composite combination’s filler, fibre, and matrix. According to the findings, a nano filler content of 8% SiC and 2% Al2O3 can improve mechanical properties and serve as a viable reinforcement in hybrid polymer composites for major engineering applications.
Impact of swirling on capillary instability of Walter’s B viscoelastic fluid-viscous fluid interface with heat and mass transfer
Authors: Srija R. , Singh Abhishek Kumar , Awasthi Mukesh Kumar , Yadav Dhananjay
Published: December 2023

The multifaceted applications of swirling interfaces featuring heat and mass transfer extend across diverse industries, encompassing energy, manufacturing, healthcare, and environmental protection. The present study is concerned with examining the swirling impact on the capillary instability occurring at the interface between a Walter’s B viscoelastic fluid and a viscous fluid, under the influence of heat and mass transfer. The setup consists of two rigid cylinders that form an annular region filled with viscous fluid on the inner side and Walter’s B viscoelastic fluid on the outer side. The outer cylinder rotates at a constant angular velocity, while the inner cylinder remains stationary. The study employs the Walter’s B viscoelastic model, which conforms to the potential flow theory for viscoelastic fluids. The proposed flow theory disregards tangential stresses and balances the difference in normal viscous stresses with the surface force at the free boundary. The perturbed equations yield a quadratic equation in growth rate, which is numerically analyzed. The results show that heat and mass transfer enhance the interface’s stability and swirling makes it more stable. Moreover, it is noteworthy that the Weber number exerts a stabilizing influence on the interface, while the density ratio also plays a role in promoting its stability. The centrifuge number exhibits a counteractive effect by impeding interface growth, thus contributing to its stabilization.
GIVA: Interaction-aware trajectory prediction based on GRU-Improved VGG-Attention Mechanism model for autonomous vehicles
Authors: Meng Zhiwei , He Rui , Wu Jiaming , Zhang Sumin , Bai Ri , Zhi Yongshuai
Published: December 2023

Predicting future trajectories is crucial for autonomous vehicles, as accurate predictions enhance safety and inform subsequent decision-making and planning modules. This is however a challenging task due to the complex interactions between surrounding vehicles. Existing methods struggled to extract deep representations and often overlook spatial dependence. To address this problem, this paper introduces GIVA, an interaction-aware trajectory prediction method based on the Gated Recurrent Unit (GRU)-Improved Visual Geometry Group (VGG)-Attention Mechanism model. GIVA first encodes the historical trajectories of the target vehicle and its surrounding vehicles using a GRU Encoder. Next, an Interaction Module, which combines the Improved VGG Pooling Module and the Attention Mechanism Pooling Module, effectively captures spatial interaction features between vehicles. The Improved VGG Pooling Module extracts more detailed and effective interaction information, while the Attention Mechanism Pooling Module emphasizes the importance of surrounding vehicles for the target vehicle’s future trajectory. Lastly, the dynamic encoding feature of the target vehicle and the fused interaction feature are concatenated and input into a GRU Decoder to generate the future trajectory. Experiments on the public Next Generation Simulation (NGSIM) dataset showcase the effectiveness of GIVA compared to existing prediction approaches, demonstrating its potential for improving autonomous vehicle performance.
Aerodynamic shape optimization of passenger car fender based on the FFD method
Authors: Zhou Hai-Chao , Jiao Dong-Qi , Wang Qing-Yang , Chen Qing-Yun , Xin Li , Wang Guo-Lin
Published: December 2023

The research of this work focuses on optimizing the body fender of the CAERI AERO car model to decrease aerodynamic drag and improve aerodynamic performance. Five design regions of the body fender were selected and studied. The Free-Form Deformation (FFD) method was used to perform the mesh deformation process without re-modeling and re-gridding. The optimal Latin Hypercube Sampling method and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations are used to generate the sample points and obtain their responses. The relationships between the design variables and their responses, as well as the contributions of the main factors, were analyzed. After then, an optimization of decreasing drag using the Adaptive Simulated Annealing (ASA) algorithm was conducted based on the Radial Basis Function (RBF) model, and a set of convergent solution space sets is obtained. Finally, CFD simulations were performed on the ASA algorithm search results, and a comparison of the aerodynamic performance between the original fender and an optimal fender that selected from the solution spaces is presented. Using the FFD method and the surrogate model dramatically improves the computational efficiency in this study.
Analysis of damping multi-mode switching control of semi-active suspension based on digital controlled hydraulic cylinders group
Authors: Gao Gan , Zeng Yishan , Liu Changhai , Wang Lei , Liu Rui
Published: December 2023

In order to improve the ride comfort of vehicle suspension, this article proposes a damping multi-mode semi-active suspension system and its control method. The semi-active suspension takes a hydraulic electromagnetic shock absorber based on a digital controlled hydraulic cylinders group as the core, and realizes the switching of multiple damping modes by controlling the on-off statuses of three groups of switch solenoid valves, thus making the semi-active suspension have the characteristics of damping multi-mode adjustable. The damping characteristics corresponding to the single damping mode are verified through the prototype bench test of the shock absorber principle. On this basis, the semi-active suspension model of the vehicle is established, and a multi-mode switching control strategy of suspension damping using fuzzy control is designed. The filtered Gaussian white noise is used as the random road excitation for simulation. The simulation results show that compared with the traditional passive suspension and the semi-active suspension based on skyhook control, the damping multi-mode semi-active suspension based on the digital controlled hydraulic cylinders group can realize the switching of multiple damping modes, have good damping performance, and help to improve the vehicle ride comfortable capability.
Process-structure-property studies on synergetic effect of contact and non-contact ultrasonication in AA5083-based bulk nanocomposite
Authors: Vishwanatha HM , Jayakumar Eravelly , Ghosh Sudipto , Siva Kumar Cheruvu
Published: December 2023

High strength-to-weight ratio materials such as Al- and Mg-based nanocomposites have gained growing interest in engineering applications for aerospace, automotive, marine, energy, and military. This unabated demand can be met with the advent in materials science and processing technologies. The current study demonstrates a recently developed the technique that consists of the synergetic effect of contact and non-contact ultrasonication of liquid melt for dispersing nano-sized Al2O3 reinforcements in AA5083 alloy matrix. The work is primarily focused on the effects of two-step ultrasonication on wettability, dispersion of the nano-reinforcements in the AA5083 alloy matrix, and the resultant strengthening. The resultant is the AA5083–1 wt-% Al2O3 bulk nanocomposite, a high strength-to-weight ratio material. The extensive microstructure analysis comprising scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) mappings reveals the uniform dispersion of nano-particles in different phases of the matrix. The electron back scattered diffraction (EBSD) studies confirm the grain refinement while the X-ray diffraction (XRD) identifies the various phases formed are determined using XRD. The achieved uniform dispersion in the nanocomposite is explicated based on the enhanced wettability due to the presence of Mg in the alloy, preheating of nano-particles, and the synergetic effect of contact and non-contact ultrasonication that avoids the formation of zones of lower cooling rates resulting in powerful micro-convection. The resultant enhancement in the mechanical properties is explained based on available strengthening mechanisms. A comprehensive discussion on process-structure-property correlation has been presented.