bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The essence and importance of key and professional competencies of tourism staff
Authors: Barvinok Nataliia V. , Barvinok Maksym V.
Published: October 2022

Abstract. The aim of the study. The purpose of the study is to reveal the nature and significance, relationships and interdependencies of key and professional competencies of the staff of tourism enterprises in accordance with modern requirements of the tourism industry. Research methodology. In the process of research general scientific and special methods of scientific knowledge were used, which allowed to take a comprehensive approach to solving the set goals and objectives. To achieve this goal, a dialectical method of cognition was used in order to study and detail the object of study and logical generalization in order to systematize the basic principles and concepts. Methods of analysis, synthesis and comparison were used to compare and contrast the key and professional competencies required by professionals in the field of tourism for professional activities. The graphic method was used for visual presentation of materials and schematic representation of theoretical and practical results of the research. The system-structural method is used for theoretical generalization of research results and formation of conclusions. The theoretical basis of the study consists of scientific works of domestic and foreign scientists on management in the field of tourism, official statistics, the results of their own research. Results. The quality of service at the tourist enterprise depends on the professional competence of the staff. This proves that professional competence is a kind of measure of the level of professionalism of the staff of a tourist enterprise. The greater the set of key and professional competencies in the field of tourism, the better the relationship between key competencies for lifelong learning and professional competencies, the more staff will be able to develop and learn on the job. Therefore, the article considers the relationship between these competencies, which are important for improving the skills of the staff of the tourist enterprise, which in turn is an important component for improving the competitiveness of the tourist enterprise. The practical significance of the study is to trace the relationship between the existing key competencies for lifelong learning and professional competencies of professionals in the field of tourism for the most profitable comparison and use of these competencies in the activities of the tourism enterprise.
Mapping the Police-Media Institutional Relationship
Authors: McKay Brett
Published: October 2022

The relationship between police and media has been and remains one of the most significant for both institutions. The modern police and modern newspaper developed contemporaneously, each influencing the form, function, and popular appeal of the other. Theories of media and power, however, often address the police as part of larger power structures and ignore the unique police-media institutional relationship.

This research paper establishes essential characteristics of the police-media relationship and identifies frequent sites of interaction between them, with a focus on crime reporting. Media effects, dominant ideology, and institutional approaches are then assessed as interpretive frameworks, concluding that institutional theory provides the strongest theoretical model for analyzing internal and interorganizational behaviours.

The professional norms and practices that compose police and media institutional logics are defined, and their historical origins and evolutions are investigated. These long-established logics continue to direct how police and media construct and respond to crime, and consequently how crime is perceived by the public and treated by legal authorities. Because the habits of crime reporting shape policing practices, altering routine media coverage of crime and police issues may help address systemic problems in policing.
"Man is driven in total by his insecurities": Tony Soprano's Castration
Authors: Martens Kairo
Published: October 2022

HBO’s massively successful and influential crime drama series The Sopranos helped to usher in a new wave of complex, boundary-pushing narratives by confronting audiences with a fresh and subversive portrait of crime, family, and the legacy of Freud in American culture at the turn of the 21st century. The series centers around the daily life of mobster Tony Soprano as he navigates the challenges posed to his business by the RICO Act, to his family and marriage by his double life, and to his mental health by his deteriorating sense of power and identity. Previous analyses of the series have recognized that Freudian psychoanalysis is a major theme in the series as Tony visits psychiatrist Dr. Jennifer Melfi to find the root causes of his depression and anxiety, but few have produced psychoanalytic readings of the series itself. Through a scene-by-scene analysis of the series pilot through a Freudian lens, this essay examines how the characterization of Tony (and others) engages with the Freudian themes of castration anxiety and the Oedipus complex in a self-conscious manner and comes to the conclusion that Tony’s neurosis is driven by an unconscious resentment of his mother.
New material and a revision of turtles of the genus Adocus (Adocidae) from the Late Cretaceous of Middle Asia and Kazakhstan
Authors: Syromyatnikova E.V. , Danilov I.G.
Published: October 2022

This paper reviews shell material of the turtle genus Adocus (Adocidae) from the Late Cretaceous of Middle Asia and Kazakhstan. Three previously recognized species of Adocus from this area are described in detail based on published and new material. The previously recognized species are A. aksary (Dzharakuduk, Uzbekistan; late Turonian), A. foveatus (Kansai, Tajikistan; early Santonian), and A. kizylkumensis (Khodzhakul, Khodzhakulsay and Sheikhdzheili, Uzbekistan; early Cenomanian). Material of additional forms of Adocus are described, two of these are named as new species: Adocus dzhurtasensis, sp. nov. (Dzhurtas, Kazakhstan; Santonian – early Campanian), Adocus bostobensis, sp. nov. (Akkurgan, Baybishe, Buroinak, and Shakh-Shakh, Kazakhstan; Santonian – early Campanian), and Adocus sp. indet. (Itemir, Uzbekistan; Cenomanian).
Developing A Student Handout of English Material for Grade Eight
Authors: Pratiwi Nadia Tassya
Published: October 2022

This study aimed to develop a student handout as an English material for eighth grade and to know the validity and practicality of it. A handout was one form of teaching material that could be used and could support the learning process. This study was a research and development. The model of research and development used was the 4D development model proposed by Thiagarajan which has been modified into 3D by Wati (2012). 3D model only consists of three main steps, that are Define, Design, and Development. The results of the study showed that the student handout has been developed by following the steps of the development model which was used. Through validation by two material expert validators, the validity result of the initial design of student handout has obtained the average score percentage from validator 1 was 84.72% with very valid category and from validator 2 was 75% with valid category. In a limited trial, the practicality result of the student handout reached to average score percentage of students’ responses was 82.24% with very practical category, so that the final product of student handout is obtained.
Les finances publiques comme Res publica
Authors: Husson-Rochcongar Céline
Published: October 2022

Dans un contexte de recherche de transparence et de renforcement des droits individuels, l’ampleur inédite de la production de données publiques et sa systématisation induisent de nouveaux usages. Mais les conséquences de cette ouverture au public sont-elles conformes aux objectifs visés ? En matière de données financières locales, une représentation très positive du processus, portée par une rhétorique valorisant la démocratie et une gouvernance territoriale toujours plus efficace, ne fait pas disparaître certains risques. Les maîtriser implique une objectivation des données ouvertes les rendant intelligibles, grâce à un dialogue entre gestionnaires et universitaires.
Quando o príncipe se torna um sapo? Reações de sociológos em artigos ao veto da obrigatoriedade do ensino de sociologia no governo Fernando Henrique Cardoso( 1995-2001) e o direito à educação
Authors: Lopes Ricardo Cortez
Published: October 2022

este artigo analisa as “análises” de cientistas sobre o veto presidencial de Fernando Henrique Cardoso (FHC) à obrigatoriedade da sociologia no ensino médio no começo dos anos 2000, cuja apreciação preliminar demonstrou grande grau de indignação, o que evidencia expectativas sociais. A partir de uma revisão bibliográfica, analisamos a trajetória de FHC para determinar que aspectos de sua trajetória poderiam ensejar parâmetros da crítica. Os dados demonstraram que FHC foi considerado como um “traidor” na medida em que se constrói semelhanças com os críticos (como na formação acadêmica), uma associação imediata entre pesquisa e educação - dada a alcunha de “príncipe da sociologia”, um enfoque da teoria do autor na institucionalidade da política e uma intermitência do ensino de sociologia no ensino básico (e que criou uma tradição de ativismo).
Pharmacognostic Evaluation of Trachyspermum Ammi (Ajwain Seeds) Seed Extract for Vulvovaginal Candidiasis (VVC)
Authors: Rageeb Md. , Usman Md. , Vadnere G. P. , Pawar Snehal
Published: October 2022

Introduction: In recent years, people are more health-conscious and avoiding the use of synthetic drugs, which are not only harmful to them but also to the environment as they are manmade. So, there is an urgent need for naturally available biologically active compounds which are environment friendly and has tremendous health benefits for the welfare of human being. Trachyspermum Ammi, commonly known as ‘Ajwain,’ is a plant native to India. It has been shown to have antifungal, antioxidant, antimicrobial, antinociceptive, cytotoxic, hypolipidemic, antihypertensive, antispasmodic, broncho-dilating, antilithiasis, diuretic, abortifacient, antitussive, nematicidal, Anthelmintic and antifilarial properties. Furthermore, studies reveal the presence of a variety of phytochemical constituents, including carbohydrates, glycosides, saponins, phenolic compounds, volatile oil (thymol, -terpinene, para-cymene, and- and -pinene), protein, fat, fibre, and mineral matter containing calcium, phosphorous, iron, and nicotinic acid. Methods: TLC of essential oil of Trachyspermum ammi, was performed and revealed the presence of. Thymol. GC-FID & GC-MS analysis of essential oil shows the presence of 31 compounds. The most existing major compounds in essential oil were Thymol (33.40 %), γ-Terpinene (16.58 %), β-Pinene (13.82 %), 2-Pinene (6.02 %), 3-Cyclohexene-1-carboxaldehyde, 1,3,4-tri-methyl (5.35 %), p-Cymene (3.85 %), Linalool (2.89 %) and α-Thujene (2.44 %). Results: Antimicrobial activity of essential oil showed against Staphylococcus aureus and E. coli, it was proven by using cup well method by observing zone of inhibition to the microbial strains at different concentrations of essential oil. The minimum inhibitory concentration was also observed. Conclusion: It was confirmed that essential oil shows the antimicrobial activity as well as shows effect to fungal strains. In conclusion, the presence of numerous essential oil ingredients, and the results of experimental studies showed that Trachyspermum ammi essential oil possessed antioxidant, antibacterial, and antifungal action. Vulvovaginal candidiasis can be treated with this essential oil.
Логiка: теорiя, практика i самостiйна робота
Authors: Козаченко Надія
Published: October 2022

Посiбник мiстить короткi теоретичнi вiдомостi та детальнi пояснення ходу розв’язування основних задач курсу логiки, який викладається для студентiв Криворiзького державного педагогiчного унiверситету. Розглянуто табличнi методи класичної логiки висловлювань, основнi методи дедуктивних та правдоподiбних мiркувань, їхнє застосування в аргументацiї. Також розглянуто логiчний аналiз понять та означень, елементи силогiстики та їхнє застосування для аналiзу буденних мiркувань. Для студентiв та усiх, хто цiкавиться логiкою.
Міжнародний досвід організації та управління освітніми інвестиціями у вищій школі: теоретичний аналіз
Authors: Бобрицька Валентина Іванівна , Лисоконь Ілля Олександрович
Published: October 2022

статті обґрунтовано основні критерії відбору європейських закладів вищої освіти для порівняльного аналізу управління освітніми інвестиціями у вищій школі; висвітлено кращі зарубіжні освітні практики з організації управління інвестиційною діяльністю університетів; проаналізовано індивідуальні підходи до управління освітніми інвестиціями вищих шкіл у різних куточках Європи; визначено ключові фактори, які впливають на залучення та організацію управління інвестиційною діяльність закладу вищої освіти в сучасному європейському освітньому просторі.
THE (DE)CONSTRUCTION OF PATRIARCHAL VALUES IN TEXTBOOKS: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF ITALIAN AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE AND SERBIAN AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE TEXTBOOKS
Authors: Vučenović Nataša
Published: October 2022

In this paper, foreign language textbooks are interpreted from a social constructivist perspective, as sociocultural products that contain not only specific subject knowledge, but also social norms, cultural values and ideologies (Curdt-Christiansen 2). From the point of view of critical discourse analysis ideology is a construct based upon assumptions and beliefs that reinforce, reproduce and legitimate asymmetrical power relations between different social groups. In line with this, we employ CDA to examine the presence of patriarchal ideologies in the depiction of the private sphere in a corpus composed of five textbooks of Italian as a Foreign Language and four textbooks of Serbian as a Foreign Language. Since the issue of patriarchal legacy in FL textbooks in previous research is primarily addressed in relation to English FL textbooks, one of the objectives of the present study is to shed a light on Italian FL textbooks that are insufficiently explored, and to compare them to Serbian FL textbooks, that are especially relevant as they were until now never approached from the perspective of gender. All the textbooks are employed in the specific educational context of foreign language teaching and learning in the post-secondary education in Republika Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina. The importance of the critical analysis of FL textbooks is emphasized because foreign language acquisition includes not only the development of communicative competence in the target language, but also represents a complex process of acculturation, during which students learn and incorporate the cultural values and customs of other countries. In this vein, we argue that FL textbooks used in class should not contain outdated gender stereotypes that convey the message that Italy and Serbia are places where patriarchal cultural values and inequalities are commonly accepted as undisputed societal norms; instead, it is argued that textbooks should promote a more emancipatory discourse and support the transformation of traditional gender roles that has occurred in the past decades in both Serbian and Italian society.
ZORANA SOKOLOVSKA: LES LANGUES EN DÉBAT DANS UNE EUROPE EN PROJET
Authors: Hoyte-West Antony
Published: October 2022

Even for those who do not work directly in the field of languages, the Council of Europe and its language policies have had a significant and wide-ranging influence on the lives of millions of Europeans since the end of the Second World War. In her first monograph, Les langues en débat dans une Europe en projet [Language debates in the making of Europe], the sociolinguist Zorana Sokolovska, assistant professor at the University of Fribourg in Switzerland, delves into the relevant supranational debates and discussions that have shaped the Council of Europe and its language policies between 1949 and 2008. In addition to using sociolinguistic approaches, Sokolovska also integrates insights from anthropology and discourse analysis to highlight the fundamental role that the Council of Europe has played in creating and promoting a common European identity through the prisms of language and plurilingualism. Separated into six chapters, together with an introduction and conclusion, the book is based on the author’s doctoral thesis, which received the 2017 dissertation prize awarded by the European Parliamentary Association.
THE DYSTOPIAN VISION IN BERNARD MALAMUD’S NOVEL GOD’S GRACE
Authors: Madani Shpëtim , Shehu Zylfi
Published: October 2022

This article seeks to analyze the dystopian vision in Bernard Malamud’s final novel God’s Grace (1982). An animal fable and fantasy in itself, the book centers on the last human survivor who interacts with primates, in order to create civilization anew by teaching them language, ethics, science and religion, with a major emphasis on the dualities of good and evil; reason and instinct, and their interconnectedness with free will, choice, and responsibility. The study begins with a short introduction into the history of dystopian literature, whose function is to serve, from a future perspective, as a social and political commentary about existing dark aspects, which can easily take over if not held in check. Then, the analysis probes into the dystopian features of the (covert and overt) totalitarian climate that reigns in the book, due to the human’s control of the animals through the mechanisms of language, culture, science, religion, and sexuality. The utopian society established is short-lived, as the denial of individualism inevitably brings about the primates’ rebellion and the demise of human civilization. Despite being the most pessimistic work of fiction by Malamud, the novel ends with hope, which is the case in many dystopian books.
"SEAMUS HEANEY'S POETRY AND THE MODERN SELF: A CONSCIOUSNESS RISING ON BEHALF OF UNPOPULAR IDEAS"
Authors: Bayat Sanaz
Published: October 2022

To write an article on Seamus Heaney (1939-2014) might be a venture, given the many contributions to this field. Seamus Heaney's poetic career (1966-2010) went in search of answers to questions that were raised out of a preoccupation with the notion of selfhood. On the other hand, in the early modern period, certain thinkers associated with para-scientific literature confidently proclaim a vulnerable theory of selfhood which raises questions about the authenticity of the western traditional and classical understandings of the self. This study argues that Heaney's approach to poetry constructs a theory of the self which can be read as a revision of the illegitimate conception of humanity proposed in the twentieth century, one which has a continuing effect on contemporary thought, and makes the common-sense experience of the reality we live in both more widely understood and acknowledged.
THE CONFLICT BETWEEN PRIMITIVISM AND CIVILIZATION IN KATHERINE ANNE PORTER’S CHARACTERS MARÍA CONCEPCIÓN AND VIOLETA
Authors: Mirković Dijana
Published: October 2022

Modernist writers such as Katherine Anne Porter were preoccupied with primitivism as opposed to the technological achievements of contemporary society. The deep fascination of the modernists with primitivist tendencies relies mainly on the relationship between art and everyday life, as well as on their desire to escape modern civilization and become one with nature. Aesthetic primitivism based on the artistic expression of the Mexican Indians captured Porter’s attention during her literary career. This article explores the idea of primitivism and civilization in the short stories “María Concepción” and “Virgin Violeta” by Porter. It also traces the influence of Mexico on both the author’s artistic development and her comprehension of the concepts of the primitive and the modern. Focusing on two protagonists, María Concepción and Violeta, as the characters who approach the old and the new in different ways, the article argues that the effects that modern civilization exerts on the human mind can be dramatic. Both heroines seek refuge from the problems in their innermost selves, but only María Concepción embraces primitivism as a way of life. Porter’s emphasis on primitivism can be interpreted as either a means of self-distancing from the prescribed standards of behavior or of following natural instincts.
DOMINATION, SERVITUDE AND COMMODITY FETISHISM IN HAROLD PINTER’S THE HOMECOMING
Authors: Salami Ali , Dadafarid Reza
Published: October 2022

The struggle for domination clearly persists in The Homecoming as it does in almost all of Pinter’s works. Because of the vague atmosphere, enigmatic characters, and dark, tragicomic dialogue and action, a single decisive meaning for the play cannot be identified. Many character analyses have been carried out on the play, frequently focusing on Ruth and her decision at the end. Moreover, critics have sought to read the play in the light of psychoanalysis, centering on the characters’ past and complexes. By adding a sociopolitical dimension to purely realistic or symbolic readings, this article attempts to analyze the relationships of domination and servitude between characters at the micro-level of the family structure through Marx’s notions of fetishism in relations between individuals, and commodity fetishism as expounded by Slavoj Žižek. With the help of Žižek’s ideas on ideology, a new layer of sociopolitical signification to the relationships held between characters is added, particularly that between Ruth and the men, which is seen as a parallel to the macro-level fetishized relationships in pre-capitalist societies and commodity fetishism in a capitalist one.
“POETICS AT THE CROSSROADS”: SERBIAN POSTMODERN LITERATURE BEFORE AND AFTER 1989 IN SLOVAKIA: THE SPECIAL CASE OF DANILO KIŠ (1935 - 1989)
Authors: Taneski Zvonko
Published: October 2022

The aim of our paper is to present the general reception of the creative life and literary works of Danilo Kiš in Slovakia against the background of Serbian postmodernity. We want to do this in connection with the milestone year 1989 (the date of the fall of the Berlin Wall and the Velvet Revolution in Slovakia, but also the year of the author's death), which unfortunately did not live in a dream of democracy in Central or Southeastern Europe. Finally, it is symbolic that D. Kiš's works were relatively well-known and well received in the territory of the former Czechoslovakia, and were translated both before and after 1989, while professional general reflection on his works is increasing, especially since the 1990s, when several literary theoreticians and critics have returned to his life and creative messages with sympathy. However, we will go in medias res and present all the registered responses to the topic. The approach chosen will not be chronological, the order of these considerations will be involuntary, but in the end we will also offer a bibliographical list of all translated works from Serbian postmodern literature in the Slovak language from 1989 to 2019 in alphabetical order. It is a list of translated novels, collections of short stories, poetry selections and dramas by contemporary Serbian writers, which have been adapted by several Slovak translators. The corpus of these translated works from Serbian literature into Slovak after 1989 is therefore not only welcome, but perhaps also fully accepted.
Population dynamics, urbanisation and climate change in Africa’s intermediate cities: what can family planning contribute?
Authors: Adedini Sunday
Published: October 2022

Africa’s large cities are rapidly urbanising and are becoming expensive, regressive and unhealthy; hence, secondary or intermediate cities have become the continent’s backbone for absorbing most of the urban population growth. Africa’s intermediate cities will be home to more than half its urban population by 2030. However, these cities have considerable investment gaps in critical infrastructure: consequently, they are less resilient and face disproportionate disasters and risks of climate stressors and other environmental challenges. The vulnerabilities of Africa’s intermediate cities are exacerbated by rapid urbanisation and inappropriate planning. As Africa’s intermediate cities continue to experience population growth and rapid urbanisation occasioned by a youthful population, high fertility and excess of births over deaths, family planning is one of the most critical investments that city leaders and officials can make to ensure a slow urban population growth and thus buy sufficient time for governments to put critical hard infrastructure and appropriate planning in place to support healthy living. Increased investment in family planning will contribute to prosperous and resilient intermediate cities in Africa.
Elastic and nonlinear crack tip solutions comparison with respect to failure probability
Authors: Shlyannikov Valery , Tumanov Andrey , Boychenko Nataliya
Published: October 2022

This study represents a methodology to assess the probability of failure based on three the driving force formulations defined by the corresponding brittle and ductile fracture criteria for compact and bending specimens made of 34XH3MA and S55C steels. The elastic stress intensity factor (SIF) and two types of the non-linear plastic SIFs were considered as the driving force or generalized parameter (GP) to determine the probability of failure assuming a three-parameter Weibull distribution. The elastic SIF were experimentally obtained for studied materials and specimen geometries whereas the plastic SIFs were numerically calculated for the same material properties, specimen configurations and loading conditions according to classical J2 and strain gradient plasticity theories. Different specimen types with varying relative crack lengths and thicknesses were investigated. Proposed the normalized generalized parameter accounting for brittle or ductile fracture can be used as a suitable failure variable that is confirmed by comparison of the obtained failure cumulative distribution functions based on the three studied GPs.
Microstructure characterization of sustainable light weight concrete using trapped air additions.
Authors: Maaty Said , Elshami Ahmed , Kamel Fryal
Published: October 2022

Light-weight aggregate and trapped air additions (TAD) affect concrete performance and lead to the production of light-weight concrete (LWC). In this research, fourteen mixes were designed to study the effects of TAD type and content and pozzolanic material (PZ) type on the microstructure characterization of concrete. Aluminum powder (AP) and lightcrete (LC) were used as TAD with content equal to (0%, 0.25%, 0.50%, 0.57%). The PZ included silica fume (SF) and fly ash (FA) with a content equal to 10% of the weight of cement. Tests were performed for compressive strength, density, SEM, EDS, XRD, and TGA/DTG. The results show that compressive strength and density are reduced as TAD ratios are increased.
Numerical simulation of creep notched bar of P91 steel
Authors: Ab Razak Norhaida , Davies C. M.
Published: October 2022

Numerous components designed for use at elevated temperatures now exhibit multiaxial stress states as a result of geometric modification and material inhomogeneity. It is necessary to anticipate the creep rupture life of such components when subjected to multiaxial load. In this work finite element analysis has been performed to study the influence of different notches, namely blunt and medium notches on the stress distribution across the notch throat during the creep exposure. Within the FE model, a ductility exhaustion model based on the Cocks and Ashby model was utilized to forecast the creep rupture time of notched bar P91 material. The lower and upper bound of creep ductility are employed in the FE analysis. Different notch specimens have different stress and damage distribution. It is shown that for both types of notches, the von Mises stress is lower than the net stress, indicating the notch strengthening effect. The accumulation of creep damage in the minimum cross-section at each element across the notch throat increases over time. The point at which damage first occurs is closer to the notch root for the medium notch than for the blunt notch. The long-term rupture life predicted for blunt notch specimens appears to be comparable to that of uniaxial specimens. The upper bound creep ductility better predicts the rupture life for medium notches.
Experimentally evaluation of high-performance concrete mixes used for tunnels and containing silica fume and polypropylene fiber after exposed to high temperatures
Authors: Elmesiri Mohamed , Fawzy Ahmed Mohamed , Bneni Mohamed , ElShami Ahmed , Ahmad Seleem
Published: October 2022

This work introduces an experimental study to evaluate the effect of elevated temperatures on the mechanical properties of high-performance concrete (HPC) mix with changes in Water-Cementitious ratios, W/(C+SF), Silica Fume percent, SF, and Polypropylene, PP, fiber contents. This mix was typically designed to satisfy the requirements of tunnel concrete. The compressive and indirect tensile strengths were measured at room temperature, RT, and after exposure to 400°C and 800°C. Moreover, SEM micrograph and EDS spot analysis tests were done to evaluate the effect of elevated temperatures. Fifteen mixes of HPC with different ratios of W/(C+SF), SF, and PP fiber were tested. According to the test results, the compressive strength values of design mixes increased significantly after exposure to 400°C. Moreover, using SF = 10%, the results indicated remarkable improvements in the compressive strength at 400°C and 800°C, in the case of the W/(C+SF) ratio of 0.31. On the other hand, the highest effect of the presence of PP fibers was 0.211, depending on variable ratios of the W/(C+SF) ratio and the SF content. In the case of PP=0.106 and SF=10%, the mass loss was higher at exposure to temperatures of 800°C.
Impact of nano sized SiC and Gr on mechanical properties of aerospace grade Al7075 composites
Authors: Ravikumar M. , Nail Rudra
Published: October 2022

Aluminum composites exhibit high resistance to wear and corrosion, possess high strength, offer durability and more such properties. In this study, Al7075, reinforced with nano size SiC - Gr was produced by a stir casting technique and its microstructure and mechanical behavior were evaluated. Reinforcements were added in the range of 0 - 3 wt. %. The microstructure study, tensile and compression strength of the developed hybrid Metal Matrix Composites have been analyzed and examined. From the investigational study, it was found that the reinforcements are evenly dispersed in the base material. The porosity and density of the developed composites were found to be enhanced. The mechanical properties such as ultimate tensile and compressive strength of the developed MMCs could be improved by addition of SiC particulates compared to base material. Further, the strength of developed hybrid composites was found to be decreased by adding of solid lubricant such as graphite (Gr) particulates along with hard ceramic particulates. Finally, fractured surface of the tensile test specimens were analysed using a SEM analysis.
Optimization of the Mechanical Property of Friction Stir Welded Heat Treatable Aluminum Alloy by using Bio-Inspired Artificial Intelligence Algorithms
Authors: Mishra Akshansh , Dasgupta Anish
Published: October 2022

The concepts and inspiration of biological evolution in nature are used to create new and effective competing tactics in the burgeoning field of bio-inspired computing optimization algorithms. In the present work, nine specimens of similar alloys i.e., AA6262 were Friction Stir Welded. Spindle Speed (RPM), Traverse Speed (mm/min), and Plunge Depth (mm) were the input parameters while the Ultimate Tensile Strength (MPa) was an output parameter. The main objective of the work is to obtain the maximum optimized Ultimate Tensile Strength (MPa) by using Bio-Inspired Artificial Intelligence Algorithms i.e., Differential Evolution and Max Lipschitz optimization (Max LIPO) Algorithm. The results showed that the Differential Evolution algorithm resulted in a slightly higher value of the Ultimate Tensile Strength in comparison to the Max LIPO algorithm.
Deep Learning algorithm for the assessment of the first damage initiation monitoring the energy release of materials
Authors: Milone Dario , Santonocito Dario
Published: October 2022

Monitoring the energy release during fatigue tests of common engineering materials has been shown to give relevant information on fatigue properties, reducing the testing time and material consumption. During a static tensile test, it is possible to assess two distinct phases: In the first phase (Phase I), where all the crystals are elastically stressed, the temperature trend follows the linear thermoelastic law; while, in the second phase (Phase II), some crystals begin to deform, and the temperature assumes a non-linear trend. The macroscopic transition stress between Phase I and Phase II could be related to the “limit stress” that, if cyclically applied, would lead to material failure. Nowadays, it is impossible to distinguish the transition between Phase I and Phase II in an objective way. Indeed, it is up to the operator's experiences. This work aims to create a universal methodology that predicts the limit stress by assessing the change in temperature trend by adopting Neural Networks. A Deep Learning algorithm has been created and trained on experimental data coming from static tensile tests performed on several classes of materials (steels, plastics, composite materials). Once trained, the network can predict the transition temperature at which the first plastic deformation occurs within the material.
Heat dissipation and fatigue crack kinetic features of titanium alloy Grade 2 after laser shock peening
Authors: Iziumova Anastasia , Vshivkov Aleksei , Prokhorov Aleksandr , Gachegova Elena , Davydov Denis
Published: October 2022

The work is devoted to experimental investigation of the laser shock peening (LSP) effect on fatigue crack propagation rate and heat dissipation at the crack tip in specimens made of titanium alloy Grade 2 with a stress concentrator. It is shown that the LSP can leads both to positive and negative effect on fatigue lifetime. The effective processing scheme, which includes stress concentrator zone, was proposed. This type of treatment forms an optimal residual stress field, which slows down the crack initiation and propagation processes. The effective LSP processing scheme reduces the value of the stress intensity factor and, as a consequence, effects on an intensity of plastic deformation at the crack tip. This effect can be visualised by measurement of heat flux from the crack tip area. Both heat flux from the crack tip and crack rate are less in the LSP processed specimens. Structural investigations of LSP treated material near fatigue crack path have shown that structural defects (twins) that appear on the surface of the material as a result of LSP do not have a significant effect on the fatigue crack propagation, and the configuration of the residual stresses field created by LSP plays a decisive role.
Estimation of the nonlinear dependence of the indications of a fiber Bragg grating on temperature and strain from experimental data
Authors: Shestakov Aleksey , Shardakov Igor , Glot Irina , Yepin Valery , Gusev Georgiy , Tsvetkov Roman
Published: October 2022

The readings of the Bragg grating are determined based on the optical radiation reflected from it. A quantitative characteristic of this radiation is the wavelength at which the maximum power of the optical signal is achieved. This characteristic is called the central wavelength of the grating. The central wavelength shift depends on temperature and strain. As a rule, a linear approximation of this dependence is used. However, from the available literature it is known that, the grating wavelength shift demonstrates a strong nonlinear dependence on temperature at 5<T<200K and a weak quadratic dependence close to room temperature. Thus far, the authors have not found studies that consider all terms in the quadratic expansion of the central wavelength of the Bragg grating as a function of temperature and strain at near-room temperatures. Our work is intended to fill this gap. The article describes an experiment in which an optical fiber with Bragg grating was subjected to loading using three different weights. A step-wise temperature change from 5 to 100 0С was realized for each weight. Based on these data, all terms of the quadratic expansion of the desired function are determined. The contribution of each term is estimated.
Effect of composition and heat treatment on the mechanical properties of Fe Mn Al steels
Authors: Mondal Avishek , Pilone Daniela , Brotzu Andrea , Felli Ferdinando
Published: October 2022

Starting from the research aimed at the development of substitute alloys for stainless steels, with the aim of replacing strategic metals such as chromium and nickel with the more available manganese, FeMnAlC alloys have been studied and developed for several years. These alloys exhibit an attractive strength/ductility combination, low density, and some of them show good oxidation behaviour at high temperatures. After a preliminary study, in this paper the effect of a solubilization treatment followed by aging in the temperature range 550 - 750 °C has been evaluated. The results of the investigation revealed that the steel characterized by the higher amount of Mn and Al shows, after heat treatment, the formation of phases that make the alloy very brittle. Considering the obtained results, it is evident that optimizing the alloy chemical composition is of paramount importance to guarantee a high fracture toughness if the steel works for limited time intervals at high temperature.
Immediate effects of a buffered knee orthosis on gait in stroke patients with knee hyperextension
Authors: Chen Zhibiao , Xian Zuxin , Chen Huanzhou , Zhong Yuan , Wang Feng
Published: October 2022

BACKGROUND: Patients exhibit considerable variations in gait patterns especially in knee hyperextension in the stance phase after stroke. If knee hyperextension is untreated it may lead to pain, reduced independence in activities of daily living, deformities and instability. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the immediate effects of a buffered knee orthosis on gait of stroke patients with knee hyperextension. METHODS: A total of nine patients with knee hyperextension after stroke were selected to wear buffered knee orthosis developed by Zhongshan Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital and Ruike Medical Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd during walking training and daily walking. Then the gait analysis system of Motionanalysis was used to analyze and evaluate kinematic and spatiotemporal parameters of the gait in patients with independent walking or walking with a buffered knee orthosis. RESULTS: After wearing the buffered knee brace, initial contact, maximum and minimum angles of support phase, the toe off the ground, maximum and minimum angles of swing phase on the injured side of knee and ankle increased. Minimum angle of support phase and maximum angle of swing phase on the uninjured side of ankle decreased, while the toe off the ground and minimum angles of swing phase increased significantly (all P< 0.05); There was no significant difference in other kinematics, in parameters between time and space, in walking speed among subjective gait parameters (P> 0.05). Walking distance, confidence, sense of security, and the feeling of walking hyperextension were all improved. In addition, the number of asymmetric kinematic parameters and spatiotemporal parameters decreased. CONCLUSION: The buffered knee orthosis can effectively prevent knee hyperextension after stroke, improve the knee and ankle sagittal motion, gait asymmetry, gait subjective feeling, and does not affect gait space-time parameters.
Cytokine absorption in critically ill old COVID-19 patients with renal failure: A retrospective analysis of 503 intensive care unit patients
Authors: Binneboessel Stephan ,   on behalf of the COVIP study group, Bruno Raphael Romano , Wernly Bernhard , Masyuk Maryna , Flaatten Hans , Fjølner Jesper , Wolff Georg , Kelm Malte , Beil Michael , Sviri Sigal , Szczeklik Wojciech , Leaver Susannah , De Lange Dylan W. , Guidet Bertrand , Jung Christian
Published: October 2022

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 is associated with cytokine release in critical disease states. Thus, cytokine absorption has been proposed as a therapeutic option. This study investigated the influence of cytokine absorption on mortality in old critical patients with COVID-19 and renal failure admitted to intensive care units (ICU). METHODS: This retrospective analysis of a prospective international observation study (the COVIP study) analysed ICU patients≥70 years with COVID-19. Data on Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score, clinical frailty scale (CFS), ICU therapy details including renal replacement therapy (RRT) with/without cytokine absorption were collected. The cytokine absorption group was compared to patients receiving RRT without cytokine absorption RESULTS: Among 3927 patients, 503 received RRT; among them 47 patients were treated with cytokine absorption. Mortality rates were high in both groups with increased rates in the cytokine group for ICU mortality and 30-day mortality, but not for 3-month mortality. Logistic regression analysis indicated that SOFA-score, but not cytokine absorption was associated with mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Critical COVID-19 patients with renal failure treated with cytokine absorption showed higher short term mortality rates when compared to patients with renal replacement therapy alone. Mortality is associated with disease severity, but not cytokine absorption in a multivariate analysis.
Socioeconomic Inequalities in Cognitive Functioning Only to a Small Extent Attributable to Modifiable Health and Lifestyle Factors in Individuals Without Dementia
Authors: Röhr Susanne , Pabst Alexander , Baber Ronny , Engel Christoph , Glaesmer Heide , Hinz Andreas , Schroeter Matthias L. , Witte A. Veronica , Zeynalova Samira , Villringer Arno , Löffler Markus , Riedel-Heller Steffi G.
Published: October 2022

Background: There are socioeconomic inequalities in dementia risk. Underlying pathways are not well known. Objective: To investigate whether modifiable health and lifestyle factors for brain health mediate the association of socioeconomic status (SES) and cognitive functioning in a population without dementia. Methods: The “LIfestyle for BRAin health” (LIBRA) score was computed for 6,203 baseline participants of the LIFE-Adult-Study. LIBRA predicts dementia in midlife and early late life, based on 12 modifiable factors. Associations of SES (education, net equivalence income, and occupational status) and LIBRA with cognitive functioning (composite score) were investigated using adjusted linear regression models. Bootstrapped structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to investigate whether LIBRA mediated the association of SES and cognitive functioning. Results: Participants were M = 57.4 (SD = 10.6, range: 40-79) years old; 50.3% were female. Both, SES (Wald: F(2)=52.5, p < 0.001) and LIBRA (Wald: F(1)=5.9, p < 0.05) were independently associated with cognitive functioning; there was no interaction (Wald: F(2)=2.9, p = 0.060). Lower SES and higher LIBRA scores indicated lower cognitive functioning. LIBRA partially mediated the association of SES and cognitive functioning (IE: =0.02, 95% CI [0.02, 0.03], p < 0.001). The proportion mediated was 12.7%. Conclusion: Differences in cognitive functioning due to SES can be partially attributed to differences in modifiable health and lifestyle factors; but to a small extent. This suggests that lifestyle interventions could attenuate socioeconomic inequalities in cognitive functioning. However, directly intervening on the social determinants of health may yield greater benefits for dementia risk reduction.
A Conceptual Study on the Peripheral Clearance of Brain-Derived α-Synuclein in Humans
Authors: Zhu Chi , Zhu Jie , Xiang Yang , Bu Xian-Le , Jin Wang-Sheng , Wang Yan-Jiang
Published: October 2022

Background: Abnormal intracellular expression and aggregation of α-synuclein (α-syn) is the histopathological hallmark of several neurodegenerative diseases especially Parkinson’s disease. However, safe and efficient approaches to clear α-syn remain unavailable. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the process of peripheral catabolism of brain-derived α-syn. Methods: Thirty patients with atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia (AVRT) (left accessory pathways) who underwent radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) were enrolled in this study. Blood was collected via catheters from superior vena cava (SVC), inferior vena cava (IVC) proximal to the hepatic vein (HV), the right femoral vein (FV), and femoral artery (FA) simultaneously during RFCA. Plasma α-syn levels of AVRT patients and soluble α-syn levels of the brain samples were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. Results: The α-syn concentrations in different locations of veins were divided by time-matched arterial α-syn concentrations to generate the venous/arterial (V/A) ratio. The V/A ratio of α-syn from the SVC was 1.204 (1.069–1.339, 95% CI), while the V/A ratio of α-syn from IVC was 0.831 (0.734–0.928, 95% CI), suggesting that brain-derived α-syn in the arterial blood was physiologically cleared while going through the peripheral organs and tissues. And it was estimated that about half of brain soluble α-syn could efflux and be cleared in the periphery. Moreover, the glomerular filtration rate was found correlated with V-A difference (FA-ICV) (p = 0.0272). Conclusion: Under physiological conditions, brain-derived α-syn could efflux into and be catabolized by the peripheral system. The kidney may play a potential role in the clearance of α-syn.
Amyloid PET: A Questionable Single Primary Surrogate Efficacy Measure on Alzheimer Immunotherapy Trials
Authors: Høilund-Carlsen Poul F. , Revheim Mona-Elisabeth , Alavi Abass , Satyamurthy Nagichettiar , Barrio Jorge R.
Published: October 2022

Using amyloid PET imaging as a single primary surrogate efficacy measure in Alzheimer’s disease immunotherapy trials, as happened when the FDA granted accelerated approval of aducanumab, is unjustified. In vivo evidence indicates that PET quantification of amyloid deposition is distorted and misrepresents effects of anti-amyloid treatments due to lack of specificity of the PET imaging probe, effects of amyloid-related imaging abnormalities, spill-over from high white matter signals, and questionable quantification models. Before granting approval to other immunotherapy candidates, the FDA should require rigorous evidence of all imaging claims and irrefutable documentation that proposed treatments are clinically effective and harmless to patients.
RETRACTED: Application of evidence reasoning algorithm and QUALIFLEX with single-valued neutrosophic set for MCDM
Authors: Wu Meiqin , Chen Ruixin , Fan Jianping
Published: October 2022

This article has been retracted. A retraction notice can be found at https://doi.org/10.3233/JIFS-219433.
Forest pest monitoring image analysis based on fuzzy pixel clustering and watershed approaches
Authors: Xu Yunjian , Guo Aiyin
Published: October 2022

The orthophotos of Pinus tabulaeformis and seabuckthorn were collected by UAV, these images were used as test images, and the performance of six image segmentation algorithms were qualitatively analyzed and quantitatively compared such as fuzzy pixel clustering and watershed algorithms. The error rate, relative final measurement accuracy, and running time are used as evaluation criteria. The experimental results show that the segmentation algorithms’ performance of the affected forest image is closely related to the image-capturing height and noise. Finally, the guiding suggestions for the application of the orthophoto segmentation algorithm are given from unmanned aerial vehicles in the affected forest area.