bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Changes in psychosocial wellbeing over a five-year period in two predominantly Black Pittsburgh neighbourhoods: A comparison between gentrifying and non-gentrifying census tracts
Authors: Mendoza-Graf Alexandra , Collins Rebecca L , Dastidar Madhumita Ghosh , Beckman Robin , Hunter Gerald P , Troxel Wendy M , Dubowitz Tamara
Published: January 2023

Gentrification often leads to changes within urban neighbourhoods. While redevelopment and investment may improve the built environment in gentrifying neighbourhoods, there may be disruptive impacts that affect health and wellbeing for existing residents. A growing body of literature explores the impact of gentrification on the psychosocial wellbeing of residents. This study sought to understand gentrification’s effects on three aspects of psychosocial wellbeing in a random sample of predominantly Black residents in two neighbourhoods in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania ( n = 662). Residents were enrolled in 2011 and surveyed multiple times through 2018. We used American Community Survey data to create a tract-level measure of gentrification to categorise the 13 census tracts in the two neighbourhoods as gentrified or not gentrified between 2011 and 2018 and assessed whether gentrified tracts experienced predominantly White or Black gentrification. We then estimated multivariate regression models to test associations between gentrification status and participant-level changes in perceived neighbourhood social cohesion, neighbourhood satisfaction and psychological distress, between 2013 and 2018. Relative to participants living in non-gentrified tracts, we found those living in gentrified tracts (all of which were Black gentrified) experienced smaller improvements in perceived neighbourhood social cohesion (coef.  =−0.21, p = 0.005) and neighbourhood satisfaction (d y/d x = 0.12, p = 0.003). We found no statistically significant association between gentrification and changes in psychological distress. These results suggest that although gentrification may bring about needed resources in the community, further consideration should be given to help ensure any detrimental effects on social cohesion and neighbourhood satisfaction are mitigated.
Defining ‘metropolitan’ poverty: Isolation gradients in major US urban areas
Authors: Hegerty Scott William
Published: January 2023

As suburban poverty has become more prevalent in recent years, low-income neighbourhoods have emerged outside of many central cities. In many regions, however, there remains a stark divide between the core city and outlying areas. Measuring poverty concentrations, therefore, depends on the choice of geographic scale. Widespread urban poverty results in low measures of poverty concentration inside core cities, and whether this increases or decreases once suburbs are considered depends on specific regional characteristics. This study calculates ‘isolation gradients’ for the population in poverty in the 50 largest US Metropolitan areas (MSAs), extending from the core city to beyond the MSA level. A variety of patterns emerge, including sharp increases in isolation scores outside the city (as in Detroit) as well as decreases (for Atlanta). An econometric analysis of the ratio of MSA-level to core-city isolation scores finds that, controlling for land area and core-city poverty rates, much of the variance is explained by per-capita income and differences in racial segregation. A comparison of gradients in 2000 and 2015–2019 for a subset of cities shows additional patterns of suburban and urban convergence and divergence.
An economic geography perspective on city diplomacy
Authors: Koelemaij Jorn , Taveirne Sam , Derudder Ben
Published: January 2023

City officials increasingly maintain relations with foreign stakeholders, both public and private, a practice that is generally referred to as city diplomacy. In the past, city diplomacy activities focused on bilateral cultural and knowledge exchanges. Although this type of collaboration still exists, contemporary city diplomacy has become more dynamic and diverse, and increasingly includes an economic dimension. In addition, many cities currently prioritise becoming involved in a variety of multilateral inter-urban networks. Despite wide-ranging conversations on the challenges and opportunities of these new types of city diplomacy, theoretical reflections regarding the underlying processes and the potential consequences remain largely absent from the literature. In this article, we argue that the city diplomacy literature can therefore be enriched by engaging with concepts and debates developed in economic geography in two main ways. We first elaborate on contemporary varieties of urban entrepreneurialism and the extent to which these correspond with city diplomacy practices. We argue that city diplomacy contains elements of both traditional entrepreneurialism and managerialism. Second, we look at city diplomacy through the lens of uneven development, hypothesising that city diplomacy may entail a self-reinforcing effect in terms of enhancing socio-spatial differences between ‘superstar cities’ and ‘places that do not matter’ respectively.
Debates Paper: COVID-19 and urban informality: Exploring the implications of the pandemic for the politics of planning and inequality
Authors: Shatkin Gavin , Mishra Vivek , Khristine Alvarez Maria
Published: January 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted a major contradiction in contemporary urban planning. This is the relationship between the entrepreneurial modes of urban politics that shape contemporary planning practice and the interrelated dynamics of economic precarity and informalisation of low-income communities that exacerbate contagion, and therefore enable pandemic spread. Through a review of literature on the urban dimensions of COVID-19, and on the historical relationship between pandemics and urban planning, we develop a framework for analysing the debates that are emerging around planning approaches to addressing contemporary pandemic risk in low-income, informalised communities. We argue that post-pandemic debates about urban planning responses are likely to take shape around three discourses that have framed approaches to addressing informalised communities under entrepreneurial urbanism – a revanchist approach based on territorial stigmatisation of spaces of the poor, an incrementalist approach premised on addressing the most immediate drivers of contagion, and a reformist approach that seeks to address the structural conditions that have produced economic precarity and shelter informality. We further argue that any effort to assess the political outfall of the COVID-19 pandemic in a given context needs to take an inter-scalar approach, analysing how debates over informality take shape at the urban and national scales.
The Contributions of Population Distribution, Healthcare Resourcing, and Transportation Infrastructure to Spatial Accessibility of Health Care
Authors: Chen Lingwei , Chen Ting , Lan Tianjiao , Chen Chu , Pan Jay
Published: January 2023

Population demand, healthcare resourcing, and transportation linkage are considered as major determinants of spatial access to health care. Temporal changes of the 3 determinants would result in gain or loss of spatial access to health care. As a remarkable milestone achieved by Targeted Poverty Reduction Project launched in China, the significant improvements in spatial access to health care served as an ideal context for investigating the relative contributions of these 3 determinants to the changes in spatial access to health care in a rural county. A national level poverty-stricken county, Chishui county from Guizhou province, China, was chosen as our study area. The enhanced two-step floating catchment area model and the chain substitution method were employed for analysis. The relative contributions of the 3 determinants demonstrated variations with villages. The relative contributions of healthcare resourcing were positive in all villages as indicated by sharp increases in healthcare resources. Population changes and transportation infrastructure expansion had both negative and positive effects on spatial access to health care for different villages. Decisionmakers should take into account the duration of travel time spent between where people live, where transport hubs are located, and where healthcare services are delivered in the process of formulating policies toward rural healthcare planning. For villages with poorly-established infrastructure, the optimization of population distribution and healthcare resourcing should be considered as the priority. A stronger marginal effect would be induced by transportation infrastructure expansion with increased spatial accessibility. This study provides empirical evidences to inform healthcare planning in low- and middle-income countries.
Knowledge, misinformation, stigma, and disclosure hesitancy among women receiving curative treatment for cervical cancer at a tertiary hospital in South Africa
Authors: Williams Robyn Carol , Simonds Hannah , Roomaney Rizwana
Published: January 2023

The high prevalence and burden of cervical cancer in low- and middle-income countries have spurred much research into preventing and screening for the disease. However, little research has focussed on the experience of living with the disease and undergoing treatment in South Africa. Our aim was to explore knowledge, misinformation, stigma, and disclosure hesitancy among women receiving curative treatment for cervical cancer at a tertiary hospital in South Africa. We conducted semistructured interviews with 15 women who completed curative treatment for cervical cancer at an academic hospital in South Africa. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analysed using thematic analysis. In this article, we describe participants’ knowledge and understanding of cervical cancer, their experience of misinformation and stigma and hesitancy to disclose their illness to others. Participants reported little knowledge about cervical cancer. They reported many sources of misinformation, such as family members and even medical professionals, which at times contributed to delays in seeking diagnosis and treatment. Furthermore, participants reported feeling stigma associated with their diagnosis. We highlight the central role that communication can play in increasing knowledge, reducing stigma and misinformation, and facilitating disclosure among women with cervical cancer. We include recommendations for health care practitioners and researchers.
Fault-tolerant consensus of leader–following multi-agent systems with jointly connected topologies
Authors: Li Yuying , Wang Fuyong , Sader Malika , Liu Zhongxin , Chen Zengqiang
Published: January 2023

The fault-tolerant leader–following consensus problem of multi-agent systems (MASs) with jointly connected topologies is considered in this paper. A control law, which is compensated by adaptive estimation of fault parameters using finite interval projection operator, is designed and enables the MAS with jointly connected topologies to achieve consensus in the presence of actuator faults. Furthermore, compared with the most existing works of fault-tolerant consensus with fixed and switching connected topologies, the results with jointly connected topologies are more general in practical systems. Moreover, the effectiveness of the controller for the considered problem is proved based on the Lyapunov stability theory. At the final part, by a numerical simulation, the validity of the results is verified.
Types of Family Leisure Activities in Families With Adolescents
Authors: Álvarez Muñoz José Santiago , Hernández Prados Ma Ángeles
Published: January 2023

Leisure has been acquiring a leading role in families to the point of being represented in different areas of society. In fact, a diversified practice is necessary to obtain maximum benefit. Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine which are the types of family leisure activities most exercised. The degree of frequency of 11 types of family leisure activities was measured on a four-point Likert scale. The same consisted of 1054 Compulsory Secondary Education students from the southeast of Spain. Results revealed that gastronomic, digital, and commercial leisure are the most frequently practiced, while solidarity and spiritual leisure are the least practiced by adolescents with their families. In addition, age, academic performance, and parents' level of studies were variables significantly associated with the types of family leisure activities. In this way, there is a need to offer a more diversified model of family leisure activities.
No social distancing from food: How the COVID-19 pandemic shaped student food-related activities in the Western Balkans
Authors: Ben Hassen Tarek , El Bilali Hamid , Allahyari Mohammad S. , Berjan Sinisa , Radosavac Adriana , Cvijanovic Drago , Bogevska Zvezda , Despotovic Aleksandra , Vaško Željko
Published: January 2023

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has influenced food preparation and consumption habits, as well as food wastage. The pandemic also affected the lives of university students worldwide; their learning and living environments changed, influencing their eating habits.

Aim

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic on students’ food-related activities in four countries in the Western Balkans: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, North Macedonia, and Montenegro.

Methods

The research draws upon an online survey gathered through the SurveyMonkey platform in four Balkan countries—viz. Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, North Macedonia, and Montenegro—and used a structured questionnaire. The information was collected during the second wave of COVID-19 in October–November 2020. A total of 1658 valid responses were received. Descriptive statistics and nonparametric tests were used to analyze the survey findings.

Results

The research results suggest that the pandemic influenced students’ food purchase habits, diets, and food-related behaviors and practices such as food preparation, cooking, and food waste management at the household level. In particular, students have been eating healthier and shopping less frequently during the pandemic. Meanwhile, the pandemic improved their attitude toward food wastage.

Conclusion

This study is the first to examine how students in the Balkan region perceive the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their eating habits, laying the groundwork for future studies into the disease's consequences. This and other studies will assist in preparing students and education institutions for future calamities and pandemics. The findings will also help develop evidence-based postpandemic recovery options targeting youth and students in the Western Balkans.
Reduction in caffeine withdrawal after open-label decaffeinated coffee
Authors: Mills Llewellyn , Lee Jessica C. , Boakes Robert , Colagiuri Ben
Published: January 2023

Background:

Withdrawal from addictive drugs can be reduced by administering placebo deceptively, but in the clinic it is unethical to deceive the patient. Open-label placebo effects have been observed across a range of psychophysiological phenomena, and may also apply to drug withdrawal.

Method:

24-hour abstinent heavy coffee drinkers ( N = 61) rated their caffeine withdrawal symptoms before being allocated to one of three groups. The Deceptive group was given decaffeinated coffee (decaf) and told it was caffeinated, the Open-Label group given decaf and told it was decaf and the Control group given water and told it was water. After 45 min, caffeine withdrawal was measured again. All participants rated their expectancies of withdrawal reduction from caffeinated coffee, decaf and water prior to being randomised and the end of the study.

Results:

There was a significant 9.5-point reduction in caffeine withdrawal in the Open-Label group (95% confidence interval (CI): 4.7, 14.3; p = 0.002), which was 8.6 points less than the Deceptive group (95%CI: 0.4, 16.8; p = 0.014) but 8.9 points greater than the Control group (95%CI: 0.6, 17.2; p = 0.012). Pre-randomisation, participants expected caffeinated coffee to reduce their withdrawal symptoms the most, followed by water and decaf, Pre-randomisation expectancy of withdrawal was only associated with amount of withdrawal reduction in the Deceptive group.

Conclusion:

It appears as if open-label placebo caffeine (i.e. decaf) can reduce caffeine withdrawal symptoms, even when people do not hold a conscious expectancy it will do so. There may be ways to integrate open-label placebo procedures into clinical interventions for drug dependence without violating informed consent.
Selection and recruitment of pre-registration occupational therapy students in the United Kingdom: Exploring entry criteria across education providers
Authors: McGinley Sarah Louise , Hamilton Sukhbinder , Bradley Alexander
Published: January 2023

Introduction:

Since widening access to higher education became a United Kingdom (UK) governmental priority in the 1990’s, occupational therapy has made little progress in diversifying student and workforce populations that mirror increasingly diverse service user populations. This research aims to, for the first time, map entry criteria across UK pre-registration programmes, while considering fair access and exploring who might be missing at the point of enquiry and entry.

Method:

A cross-sectional quantitative content analysis was conducted of all UK university websites, identifying programme type, academic, professional and alternative entry criteria for 2021/2022.

Findings:

Five entry routes via undergraduate and post-graduate programmes ( n = 73) offer limited part-time opportunities (n = 11). Visible academic entry criteria appear weighted towards ‘traditional’ qualifications, while assessment of professional skills at application and selection is explicit for over 75% of programmes. 86% (n = 63) utilise interviews at selection, with 33% (n = 24) not publicly acknowledging alternative access routes into the profession.

Conclusion:

If the profession is to avoid continued stagnation in diversity amongst student populations and successfully reflect service user diversity in the workforce, it is essential UK universities increase parity across academic entry criteria, ensure the visibility of acceptable skills for alternative access and substantially improve flexibility for part-time study.
Territorial development in Bavaria between spatial justice and austere federalism: A historical-materialist policy analysis of Bavarian regional development politics and policies, 2008–2018
Authors: Dudek Simon , Zademach Hans-Martin
Published: January 2023

This paper examines the territorial development reforms in the federal state of Bavaria, Germany between 2008 and 2018 in light of the rise of austerity policies, introducing the concept of ‘austere federalism’ as a new state spatial process in the aftermath of the global financial crisis. Methodologically, the paper draws on the historical-materialist policy analysis and identifies three processes – municipalisation, competitisation, and responsibilisation – as key elements of a new hegemonic project. Our findings suggest that the years following the crisis saw a paradigm shift in spatial planning taking place, characterised by a carrot-and-stick policy of planning deregulation and austerity discipline. Rather than diminishing disparities, however, this shift runs the risk of exacerbating spatial inequality.
The US–China rivalry and the emergence of state platform capitalism
Authors: Rolf Steve , Schindler Seth
Published: January 2023

The rise of digital platforms as a new form of business organisation concentrates power in the United States and China. Platform capitalism further intersects with and reinforces pre-existing trends towards state capitalism, where states more actively direct economies in response to economic turbulence and heightened geopolitical tension. The concentration of global business power within two states, combined with the increasing capacity for these states to leverage and direct platform activities for their own geopolitical–economic ends, has catalyzed the rise of ‘state platform capitalism’ (SPC). This paper develops the notion of SPC as an emergent logic of competition for both states and firms – in particular, the ways in which Beijing and Washington instrumentalise and mobilise domestic platform firms in pursuit of geopolitical–economic objectives, while platforms become increasingly interdependent with their home state institutions. Competition in the global political economy is increasingly centred on the recruitment of users and nations to these rival state-platform nexuses (national ‘stacks’) as a means of establishing and exercising extraterritorial economic and political power. Empirically, we identify variations between American and Chinese modes of practicing state platform capitalism, and we examine three axes within which this competition unfolds internationally: currencies, standards and cybersecurity.
Clinical Effect of Isolated Lateral Closing Wedge Distal Femoral Osteotomy Compared to Medial Opening Wedge High Tibial Osteotomy for the Correction of Varus Malalignment: A Propensity Score–Matched Analysis
Authors: Rupp Marco-Christopher , Lindner Felix , Winkler Philipp W. , Muench Lukas N. , Mehl Julian , Imhoff Andreas B. , Siebenlist Sebastian , Feucht Matthias J.
Published: January 2023

Background:

Recent evidence questions the role of medial opening wedge high tibial osteotomy (mowHTO) in the correction of femoral-based varus malalignment because of the potential creation of an oblique knee joint line. However, the clinical effectiveness of alternatively performing an isolated lateral closing wedge distal femoral osteotomy (lcwDFO), in which the mechanical unloading effect in knee flexion may be limited, is yet to be confirmed.

Purpose/Hypothesis:

The purpose of this article was to compare clinical outcomes between patients undergoing varus correction via isolated lcwDFO or mowHTO, performed according to the location of the deformity, in a cohort matched for confounding variables. It was hypothesized that results from undergoing isolated lcwDFO for symptomatic varus malalignment would not significantly differ from the results after mowHTO.

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

Consecutive patients who underwent isolated mowHTO or lcwDFO according to a tibial- or femoral-based symptomatic varus deformity between January 2010 and October 2019 were enrolled. Confounding factors, including age at surgery, sex, body mass index, preoperative femorotibial axis, and postoperative follow-up, were matched using propensity score matching. The International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) Subjective Knee Form, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), Lysholm score, Tegner Activity Scale, and visual analog scale (VAS) for pain were collected preoperatively and at a minimum of 24 months postoperatively.

Results:

Of 535 knees assessed for eligibility, 50 knees (n = 50 patients, n = 25 per group) were selected by propensity score matching. Compared with preoperatively, both the mowHTO group (IKDC, 55.1 ± 16.5 vs 71.3 ± 14.7, P = .002; WOMAC, 22.0 ± 18.0 vs 9.6 ± 10.8, P < .001; Lysholm, 55.2 ± 23.1 vs 80.7 ± 16, P < .001; VAS, 4.1 ± 2.4 vs 1.6 ± 1.8, P < .001) and the lcwDFO group (IKDC, 49.4 ± 14.6 vs 66 ± 20.1, P = .003; WOMAC, 25.2 ± 17.0 vs 12.9 ± 17.6, P = .003; Lysholm, 46.5 ± 15.6 vs 65.4 ± 28.7, P = .011; VAS, 4.5 ± 2.2 vs 2.6 ± 2.5, P = .001) had significantly improved at follow-up (80 ± 20 vs 81 ± 43 months). There were no significant differences between the groups at baseline, at final follow-up, or in the amount of clinical improvement in any of the outcome parameters ( P > .05; respectively).

Conclusion:

Performing both mowHTO or lcwDFO yields significant improvement in clinical outcomes if performed at the location of the deformity of varus malalignment. These findings confirm the clinical effectiveness of performing an isolated lcwDFO in femoral-based varus malalignment, which is comparable with that of mowHTO in the correction of varus malalignment.
Western tourism at Cu Chi and the memory of war in Vietnam: Dialogical effects of the carnivalesque
Authors: Madigan Todd , West Brad
Published: January 2023

In this article we analyze the social memories of the Vietnam War afforded by tourism at the Cu Chi battlefield. Specifically, we explore the experiences of tourists at the site in order to address the under-theorized relationship between carnivalesque and dialogical discourses. Drawing on field interviews and ethnographic engagement with young adult Western tourists who took tours led by Vietnamese guides, we document how the tourists’ playful engagement with the past at Cu Chi facilitates the development of new dialogical memories of the war. Our interviews reveal a strong concern with the suffering of both occupying forces and the Vietnamese communist forces, a finding that points to the need for scholars to better appreciate the multiplicity of ways that social performances function in shaping social memory. Ultimately, we challenge social performance theories whose explanations reduce shifts in social memory to audience interpretations of authenticity.
Recurrent Falls over Three Years among Older Adults Age 70+: Associations with Physical and Mental Health Status, Exercise, and Hospital Stay
Authors: Choi Namkee G. , Marti C. Nathan , Choi Bryan Y. , Kunik Mark M.
Published: January 2023

We used the 2019–2021 U.S. National Health and Aging Trend Study ( N = 3,063, age 70+) and multinomial logistic regression and generalized linear models with Poisson and log link to identify correlates of (1) recurrent falls (2 + falls) over 3 years (2019–2021); and (2) any subsequent fall among those who had a fall in 2019. We also examined the associations between falls and hospitalization in 2021. Results show that those with recurrent falls had greater physical/functional and psychological health problems in 2019, while single fallers over the 3 years were not significantly different from those without a fall. Exercise was associated with a lower likelihood of a subsequent fall among those who fell in 2019. Both a single fall and recurrent falls over the 3 years were associated with a higher risk of hospitalization in 2021. Multifactorial fall preventions including exercise and depression/anxiety treatment are needed to mitigate recurrent fall risks.
Storytelling: Manifesting Integral Interconnectedness in Holistic Nursing Education
Authors: Moore Amy Kenefick
Published: January 2023

This paper presents a middle-range theory of storytelling in nursing education. Both explanatory and predictive, the theory further develops the existing conceptual work on the topic of storytelling. It places storytelling as a pedagogical technique within the realm of holistic nursing theory and philosophy. Storytelling is seen as a manifestation of the process of integral interconnectedness. The theory suggests a mechanism by which storytelling, as mediated by narrative transportation and neuroplasticity, can be effective in promoting desirable outcomes for holistic nursing students, including the achievement of affective and cognitive educational objectives. The theory describes the relationship of storytelling to narrative transportation and neuroplasticity. Within the concept of storytelling, the Temporal Bidirectionality of Story and Experience and the Story Creation-Interpretation-Recreation Cycle of telling and listening are explained. This theory was developed using deductive reasoning combining existing nursing and non-nursing theories. Recommendations for research and application are included.
Women’s Employment–Family Trajectories and Well-Being in Later Life: Evidence From France
Authors: Beaufils Constance , Barbuscia Anna , Cambois Emmanuelle
Published: January 2023

Objective: Previous research in various countries has found that employment–family trajectories characterized by early or single motherhood, or weak ties to employment, are associated with poor well-being among older women. Our paper explores whether this differs (1) in France, characterized by a high female employment rate and supportive family policies; (2) across dimensions of well-being. Method: We used the Health and Occupational Itinerary survey to identify 10 common patterns of employment–family trajectories (derived from multi-channel sequence analysis) and analysed their association with six indicators of well-being in 2010 ( N = 2882 50–78 years old women). Results: Continuous full-time employment is associated with better well-being, except for women who had a first child around 24 years old, who reported increased anxiety and lack of support. Discussion: Employed mothers’ well-being seems to be protected in a context of family friendly policies, but we identified one group with lower well-being, which merits further study.
Profile control processes based on contact types in silicon wafer DSP manufacturing management
Authors: Li Yangjian , Zhu Liang , Zhang Xuechun , Maehara Hidenobu , Zhang Yangyan
Published: January 2023

To reduce the manufacturing cost of integrated circuits, the size of the silicon wafer has become larger, with the diameter increasing from 200 to 450 mm. The large diameter silicon wafer poses challenges to the manufacturing process, as its surface profile is more difficult to control and the planarization process is harder to optimize in mass production. Based on different types of contact, gap adjustment and convex pad dressing methods were proposed in this paper to control the pressure distribution on the wafer, which further influenced the wafer profile. Pressure distributions with different gap values and different pad profiles were explained with contact mechanics and verified by simulations. The simulation results show that a negative gap value and a convex pad profile contribute to the improvement of the pressure uniformity on the wafer. Both methods were then applied in the double-sided planarization (DSP) process of 300 mm silicon wafers. The results from the test run of the DSP process show that wafer flatness is improved with a negative gap value. This indicates that gap adjustment is an effective approach for wafer profile control. In the subsequent mass production of the DSP process, silicon wafers with a global flatness of 120 nm and a site flatness of 21.7 nm were obtained.
Effectiveness of using liquid nitrogen cryogen in grinding to enhance the grinding performance of hard steel
Authors: Sharma Ashwani , Chaudhari Abhimanyu , Yusufzai Mohd Zaheer Khan , Vashista Meghanshu
Published: January 2023

Grinding generates a lot of heat in the grinding zone area during operation. Therefore, it is important to keep the temperature under control by using various cutting fluids to get a good ground surface quality. The existence of a stiff air layer surrounding the abrasive wheel is known to waste most of the cutting fluid supply in the interface area between the abrasive wheel and workpiece. Due to the high grinding speed, stiff air layers prevent cutting fluids from entering the interface area. Hence, to enhance the grinding performance, cryogenic cooling has been introduced to improve the penetration into the stiff air layer. The current work investigates the grindability of the ground surface of AISI D2 tool steel under different environments: dry, wet, and cryogenic, regarding grinding forces (i.e. tangential and normal force), specific grinding energy, and surface characterisation. This paper also proposed a method to evaluate image-based Abbott–Firestone curve (bearing area curve) parameters to characterise the ground surface topography. Significant reductions in grinding forces (64%–67% and 44%–50% in Ft, 54%–58% and 34%–39% in Fn), low specific grinding energy (64%–67% and 44%–50%), decrease in surface roughness (46%–51% and 30%–36% in Ra, 37%–41% and 31%–35% in Rz), improved 2D and 3D roughness profiles and higher bearing area ratio (89.54%) were observed at 40 µm downfeed in cryogenic cooling environments compared to dry and wet environments, respectively. Thus, observations show the importance of cryogenic cooling across the experimental domain.
Information extraction and application for constructing guidance corpus of welding fabrication
Authors: Guan Kainan , Li Zhengguang , Zhang Yu , Zou Li , Yang Xinhua
Published: January 2023

The rapid development of welding fabrication demands guidance data to support expert decision-making, retroactive process, and production pattern upgrades. Yet, the data is lacking. This paper developed the guidance corpus for welding manufacturing. The unstructured document guiding actual production was collected, and the data were segmented into words employing a conditional random field model. In addition, we organized an annotation team and developed the tool to accomplish data annotation using a Begin-Inside-Outside method. Machine learning and deep learning models were trained for the named entity recognition task under supervised learning to accomplish the challenge of corpus scalability. The corpus contained 19,410 labeled pairs of samples and involved multiple entity categories, that is, “standard,”“technology,”“design,”“department,”“manufacturing,” and “quality.” The baseline of the model on Precision, Recall, and F1-score metrics were listed to provide a reference for welding production research. Furthermore, we also gave some examples of task assignments and knowledge retrieval in conjunction with real production problems. The long-term goal was continually to enhance the corpus through more researchers, suggesting that a robust corpus would support more research and engineering applications in the welding domain.
Dynamic simulation analysis and experimental verification of transmission tower climbing robot
Authors: Wei Junying , Zhang Jiawei , Yuan Liang , Wang Jidai , Tao Guosheng , Liu Yu
Published: January 2023

In order to replace the climbing work of the first climbers of the transmission tower without safety ropes, a transmission tower climbing robot is designed in this paper. First of all, this paper designs the structure of the robot by imitating the silkworm crawling on the branches through the principle of bionics. On this basis, through the inverse kinetics solution method, under the premise of planning the gait of the robot first, the dynamic simulation analysis of the robot is carried out according to the gait, so as to obtain the torque required for each joint motion. At the same time, according to the simulation results, the experimental test of the robot is carried out. Experiments have shown that the robot can climb to the top of a 50 m high transmission tower in 70 min with a load of 10 kg. The research results show that the transmission tower robot can replace the manual climbing operation of the transmission tower, and the mechanization and intelligence of the high-altitude operation of the transmission tower is highly feasible.
Design of a portable ankle robot with reductive-burden layout and self-adjustable posture
Authors: Zhou Yuan
Published: January 2023

In this paper, a portable ankle robot with the design consideration of reducing the burden exerted on wearers and self-adjustable posture is presented. Firstly, by deriving the burden, namely the extra energy consumption of the wearer caused by the inertia of an ankle foot orthosis (AFO), the ideal position of the AFO’s gravity centre that reduces the burden is investigated. Secondly, according to the ideal location, the structural layout of the ankle robot is determined, and its detailed configuration is introduced. Following that, based on a 2-degree-of-freedom (DOF) foot model, the robot-human system is set up and analysed. On one aspect, the mechanism of self-adjustment of the device’s posture is illustrated. On the other aspect, the torque assistance of the device is verified by the kinetic analysis of the system. Finally, a portable robotic control system is set up and tested on a healthy subject. Results indicated the effectiveness of the system in generating adaptive reference joint trajectories and making the subject well track them.
An integrated ANN and design of experiments technique to optimize the FSW input parameters of novel interlock lap weld
Authors: Anand Rajendran , Padmanabhan Raghupathy
Published: January 2023

Friction stir welding of lightweight aluminium alloys have advantage in automobile industry with its vast applications. This research work focuses on the influence of FSW process parameters on novel interlock lap weld of AA7075-T7-AA7475 tailor welded blank. Three levels of the parameters, including tool rotation speed (TRS), weld speed (WS) and plunge speed, were used to form L27 orthogonal array to optimize the input process conditions. Ultimate tensile strength and Vicker's micro hardness were measured to test the characteristics of the interlock welded samples. Scanning electron microscopy analyses have been carried out to study the surface morphologies and elemental components in the welded samples. Artificial neural network (ANN) has been used to predict the optimized process parameter associated with the novel interlock lap weld. The TRS and WS contributed significantly in improving the mechanical behaviour and microstructural characteristics of interlock lap welds. Visual inspection and surface morphology analysis showed uniform dispersal of aluminium alloy deposition throughout the interlock weld samples. The ultimate tensile strength and micro hardness prediction was carried out using ANN with 95% accuracy level. The predicted results of ANN were more accurate than the experimental results and regression model of fractional factorial design. The defined FSW interlock lap weld stands out as the substitute for typical FSW lap weld of aluminium alloys which fulfils the modern automotive industry demands in welding monocock frames.
An optimal calibration method for gyro and star sensor based on observability analysis
Authors: Zhao Yi , Wang Dingjie , Zhang Hongbo , Tang Guojian
Published: January 2023

The major challenge of current strapdown inertial navigation system/celestial navigation system (SINS/RCNS) is failing to calibrate all the error coefficients of gyro and star sensor in-flight accurately, which will lead to the attitude accuracy degradation. To address this question, this paper proposes an optimal calibration method based on observability analysis. Here, we derive the star sensor measurement model with respect to initial alignment errors, gyro errors, and star sensor installation errors. And the observability analysis is employed to explain the reason why all the error coefficients can be estimated effectively by three maneuvers merely. Finally, the optimal observation sequence is determined based on the fisher information matrix (FIM). The proposed optimal calibration method is evaluated by a representative suborbital flight vehicle trajectory, which represents significant improvements in estimation accuracy of error coefficients, and realizes the attitude accuracy enhancements.
The association between penile cancer and HIV infection: A literature review
Authors: Amini Amir P , Brookes Tenzin S , Shah Hussain , Bhate Ketaki , Alnajjar Hussain , Muneer Asif , Kravvas Georgios , Bunker Christopher B
Published: January 2023

Penile cancer is a rare malignancy which HIV infection appears to increase the risk of. The magnitude of this risk and the pathogenesis remain unclear. A comprehensive review of the literature was undertaken using conventional search strategies. Twenty-four publications were identified by this methodology, of which nine were case reports and 15 were observational studies. These studies were highly heterogeneous, with varying study designs, populations, and objectives. The risk of penile cancer within HIV-positive individuals is significantly greater than in those without HIV (RR = 3 .7 to 5.8, 3 studies; SIR = 3.8 to 11.1, 4 studies). HIV is also shown to influence disease characteristics, with a four-fold increased risk of death from penile cancer. Moreover, progression from intraepithelial neoplasia occurs earlier in HIV, six years sooner than in HIV-negative men. HIV-positive men have a higher prevalence of HPV infection. Ethnicity is also shown to modulate the relationship between HIV and penile carcinoma, with a higher risk of cancer in Hispanic, compared with Caucasian, HIV-positive men. This review has collated data from diverse sources to improve understanding of the relationship between HIV and penile cancer. This relationship has been quantitatively and qualitatively characterised and highlights areas deserving further enquiry.
Domestic abuse and violence reporting by service users of an online sexually transmitted infection testing service, during the Coronavirus-19 pandemic
Authors: Day Sara , Kellett Chris , Jones Sophie
Published: January 2023

Background

Following increased rates of domestic abuse/violence (DAV) reporting during the pandemic, London’s online sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing service (Sexual Health London, SHL) introduced routine DAV enquiry and directed survivors to supportive online information. SHL evaluated this adaptation.

Method

SHL’s database identified the first individuals that ordered a test-kit between 17.8.21-28.2.22 and triggered questions disclosing DAV. SHL clinicians only contacted these individuals if positive/abnormal STI results required communicating. Within these interactions DAV was opportunistically discussed and further counselling/support offered.

Results

3846/231460 (1.7%) service users triggered DAV question(s). The first 202 individuals were: median age 28 yrs (18–73 yrs); 66% (134/202) female; 72% (145/202) heterosexual; 75% (152/202) UK born. 27% (55/202) reported physical/emotional abuse, 81% (164/202) coercive control, and 22% (45/202) sexual abuse. 26% (52/202) had never visited a clinic. Telephonic discussion occurred with 10% (20/202) individuals: 10/20 accepted counselling/signposting; 2/20 referred to independent DAV advocate, 6/20 stated historic abuse, 2/20 mistakenly triggered, 2/10 declined support or disengaged. Of 29% (58/202) individuals that ordered another e-kit, 38% disclosed ongoing DAV and 9% sexual assault.

Conclusion

1.7% e-service users reported DAV. Telephonic DAV discussion was accepted by 80% individuals contacted. Despite providing online support 38% experienced ongoing/escalating abuse. Further engagement and support for DAV survivors using e-services is required.
Worth-Conscious theory: Understanding the role of birthright self-worth and application to clinical practice
Authors: Daigneault Dawna , Brown Chris
Published: January 2023

In this article, we introduce a theory of worth consciousness that builds on the research from self-worth with attention to the importance of honoring birthright self-worth (BSW), which is foundational to human dignity. This new empirically testable construct, Worth-Conscious theory (WCT), concerns human worth and requires individuals to recognize and acknowledge their value and significance (i.e., worth) even when smaller (e.g., family) and larger (e.g., community and society) systems fail to support them in affirming and repairing their worth. Self-Worth is the birthright of all individuals; hence our central aim is to introduce and explain the four pillars of self-worth, which are major tenets of WCT that align with Erikson’s developmental stages. These four pillars of self-worth (self-awareness, self-respect, self-esteem(ed), and self-confidence) are instrumental in understanding clients’ life challenges, presenting issues, and how to assist them in repairing and maintaining their worth. More specifically, many clients’ mental health issues, interpersonal conflicts, and other concerns can be directly or indirectly related to the experience of negative and critical beliefs about their worth and, more specifically, that their BSW has not been affirmed or realized throughout the lifespan.
Taming Fogo Island: Late-Holocene volcanism, natural fires and land use as recorded in a scoria-cone sediment sequence in Cabo Verde
Authors: Castilla-Beltrán Alvaro , Monteath Alistair , Jensen Britta J.L. , Nascimento Lea de , María Fernández-Palacios José , Strandberg Nichola , Edwards Mary , Nogué Sandra
Published: January 2023

Cabo Verde remained uninhabited until 1460 CE, when European sailors founded a settlement in Santiago, and soon after in Fogo island. The degree to which different island ecosystems in Cabo Verde have been transformed by humans remains uncertain because of a scarcity of historical information and archaeological evidence. Disentangling these processes from natural ones is complicated in islands with a history of volcanic impacts and other natural hazards. In this paper, we apply microfossil (pollen, non-pollen palynomorphs and phytoliths) and sedimentological analyses (granulometry, X-ray diffraction, loss on ignition and tephrostratigraphy) to a 2-m sediment sequence deposited in a scoria cone from 4100 cal year BP (calibrated years before 1950 CE) to the present. The organic-rich basal sediments indicate that between 4100 and 2600 cal year BP the pre-settlement landscape of Fogo was an open grassland, where fire was infrequent and/or small-scale. An increase in volcanic glass deposition after 2600 cal year BP, peaking ca. 1200 cal year BP, suggests that there was a progressive activation of Fogo’s volcanic activity, contemporaneous with increased fire frequency and erosion pulses, but with little impact on local grassland vegetation. While dating uncertainty is high, the first evidence of intensive local land use by early settlers was in the form of cultivation of Zea mays, abundant spores of coprophilous fungi (i.e. Sporormiella), and peaks in charcoal concentrations between 800 and 400 cal year BP. This was followed by large increases in pollen from pigeon pea ( Cajanus), a diverse array of exotic trees ( Cupressus, Grevillea), and invasive shrubs ( Lantana). The introduction of these taxa is part of recent human effort to ‘tame’ this steep, dry and hazardous island by reducing erosion and providing firewood. An important outcome of these efforts, however, is a loss of fragile native biodiversity.