bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Economic and behavioral determinants of forced household savings during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Borowski Jakub , Jaworski Krystian
Published: January 2023

This study seeks to identify the determinants of forced household savings in 16 European Union (EU) member states in 2020. We show that the higher the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic in the state, measured by the intensity of government restrictions or the number of COVID-19-related deaths, the higher the level of forced savings. Such savings also increased with gross domestic product per capita and the financial support provided for households and enterprises by the government. Additionally, savings cultures and personality traits that support compliance with pandemic-related restrictions and enhance coping with the hardship of the pandemic had a positive impact on forced savings. Our results show that while common pandemic shock may lead to discrepancies in forced savings in affected countries, their level depends largely on government response in the form of imposed restrictions as well as financial support for households and enterprises. Therefore, strong fiscal support during the pandemic can be likened to sowing the seeds for post-pandemic recovery, as savings accumulated during the pandemic shock may be used to finance the pent-up demand. This, in turn, suggests that fiscal responses during the pandemic may act as a significant driver of post-pandemic business cycle (de)synchronization and inflation differentials among EU member states and, more importantly, euro-area countries.
Educating for participatory active citizenship: an example from the ecological activist field
Authors: Cruz Joana P. , Malafaia Carla , Silva José Eduardo , Rovisco Maria , Menezes Isabel
Published: January 2023

Based on a short-term ethnography with a grassroots group of young environmental activists in the city of Porto, Portugal, this paper describes and problematizes their use of participatory methodologies to engage individual, community and organizational actors in tackling the problems of global climate change. By initiating what they call a “friendship network” that seeks to achieve democratic and participatory forms of activism, the group brings together both experienced and circumstantial activists (Ollis & Hamel-Green in Aust Adult Learn 55:202–219, 2015) in order to foster plural and situated learning (Lave & Wenger, Situated learning legitimate peripheral participation, 1991). The group does so by promoting the commitment of all actors (including opposite-minded ones) to the co-creation of a 4-day-municipal event on the theme of environmental sustainability. In order to gain a deeper understanding of the strategic mechanism of the group and their actions as a nucleus, we firstly examine some of the groups’ views on civic and political participation (Stack, in Citizenship Studies 16:871–885, 2012) and, secondly, describe and discuss the methodologies they intentionally use to put citizenship-in-action and to foster the activation of ‘standby citizens’ (Amna & Ekman, in Amnå, E., & Ekman, J., Eur Political Sci Rev 6:261–281, 2014). This ethnography enabled us to learn how the group strives to achieve its goals by placing itself in-between the institutional sphere and the public realm: the ethnographer had the opportunity to observe their attempts to, on the one hand, influence decision-making by acquiring a degree of insider status in institutions that legislate and, on the other hand, to engage with large publics, encouraging citizens’ voices and involvement in processes of co-participation focused on promoting ecological consciousness and political change.
Sustainable energy transition and circular economy: The heterogeneity of potential investors in rural community renewable energy projects
Authors: Romero-Castro Noelia , Ángeles López-Cabarcos M. , Miramontes-Viña Vanessa , Ribeiro-Soriano Domingo
Published: January 2023

Community renewable energy has been acknowledged as a necessary step in the transition toward a sustainable energy system. It can contribute to the achievement of energy autonomy by communities. In rural settings, it can be a driver of sustainable rural development. And it can be seen as a specific contribution to circular economy from the energy sector. The willingness to invest in community renewable energy has received some attention in previous research but needs further investigation at the local rural scale through quantitative approaches. Based on a survey in a small Galician village, this study contributes to the filling of this gap. The willingness to invest of its inhabitants is analyzed in relation to alternative financial, sociodemographic and sociopsychological features. Survey results show the heterogeneity of individual attitudes and concerns that condition the willingness to invest in rural community renewable energy and the different perceptions of risk and return related to these projects. Cluster analysis allows identifying four different investor profiles (skeptics, financial illiterate, enthusiasts, yield investors). These should be accounted for by project promoters and policymakers when designing incentives and strategies to foster community renewable energy in rural settings.
Strongly sexually dimorphic forelegs are not more condition-dependent than less dimorphic traits in Drosophila prolongata
Authors: Perdigón Ferreira Jhoniel , Rohner Patrick T. , Lüpold Stefan
Published: January 2023

Directional sexual selection drives the evolution of traits that are most closely linked to reproductive success, giving rise to trait exaggeration and sexual dimorphism. Exaggerated structures are often costly and, therefore, thought to be expressed in a condition-dependent manner. Sexual selection theory thus predicts a direct link between directional sexual selection, sexual dimorphism, and sex-specific condition dependence. However, only a handful of studies investigate the relationship between sexual dimorphism and condition dependence. Using 21 genetic lines of Drosophila prolongata, we here compared the degree of sexual dimorphism and sex-specific condition dependence, measured as allometric slopes, in sexually selected and non-sexual traits. Our data revealed male-biased sexual dimorphism in all traits examined, most prominently in the sexually selected forelegs. However, there was no relationship between the degree of sex-specific condition dependence and sexual dimorphism across traits and genetic lines. Our results contradict theoretical predictions and highlight the importance of understanding the role of exaggerated traits in the context of both sexual and natural selection.
Autism Spectrum Disorder in Down Syndrome: Experiences from Caregivers
Authors: Spinazzi Noemi Alice , Velasco Alyssa Bianca , Wodecki Drew James , Patel Lina
Published: January 2023

This study aimed to learn about the experiences of families of individuals with a dual diagnosis of Down syndrome (DS) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) (DS-ASD), and to document the journey from early concerns to diagnosis and intervention. Caregivers completed an online survey describing their journey raising a child with DS-ASD. Survey responses were analyzed qualitatively and coded into categories to highlight common themes. Stereotypy, severe communication impairments, and behavioral difficulties prompted caregivers to pursue further evaluation. There was a mean 4.65-year gap between first noticing symptoms and receiving an ASD diagnosis. Several therapeutic interventions were identified as beneficial, including behavioral and communication support. Caregivers expressed frustration and described high levels of stress and social isolation. The diagnosis of ASD in children with DS is often delayed, and caregivers’ initial concerns are frequently dismissed. Raising a child with DS-ASD can lead to social isolation and elevated caregiver stress. More research is needed to tailor diagnostic algorithms and therapeutic interventions to the unique needs of this patient population. Caregivers yearn for improved understanding of DS-ASD, more targeted therapies and educational programs, and more overall support.
Concise review of the red macroalga dulse, Palmaria palmata (L.) Weber & Mohr
Authors: Stévant Pierrick , Schmedes Peter Søndergaard , Le Gall Line , Wegeberg Susse , Dumay Justine , Rebours Céline
Published: January 2023

Palmaria palmata, commonly referred to as dulse, is a well-known and highly valued red macroalga distributed along the North Atlantic shores within a latitude range of approximately 40 to 80 °N. It is a species of commercial importance with historical records of use as food dating back several centuries to the current harvesting of dulse by hand-picking on the foreshore in Western Europe as well as Canada (New Brunswick and Nova Scotia) and USA (Maine). Because the demand for P. palmata increases and future sustainable commercial developments cannot rely solely on wild-harvested biomass, significant efforts have been made by research and industrial actors to cultivate the species. The low rates of spore release and germination, high mortality and epibiont contaminations remain major bottlenecks and point towards the need for optimized hatchery methods to enable upscaling the biomass production. The present review summarizes the available knowledge related to the biology, including the unique life history of the species among the Rhodophyta, the ecology as well as the nutrient composition and quality of P. palmata as food. Recent advances in taxonomy and cultivation techniques are reported along with a status of regulations for the commercial harvest of wild populations. An outlook on future industrial perspectives using biomass of P. palmata is also given.
Co-modified 3D printed β-tricalcium phosphate with magnesium and selenium promotes bone defect regeneration in ovariectomized rat
Authors: Tao Zhou-Shan , Li Tian-Lin , Wei Shan
Published: January 2023

Magnesium (Mg) and Selenium (Se) are essential elements for bone health and have been studied extensively for its powerful osteogenesis and promoting bone regeneration. The purpose was to observe whether Co-modified 3D-printed β-tricalcium phosphate with Mg and Se could promote bone defect regeneration in an ovariectomized(OVX) rat model. The MC3T3-E1 cells were co-cultured with the leachate of β-TCP, Mg-TCP, and Mg/Se-TCP and induced to osteogenesis, and the cell viability, ROS, and osteogenic activity were observed by Cell Count Kit-8(CCK-8), fluorescent probe 2′, 7′-dichlorofluorescin diacetate, Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining, Alizarin Red(RES) staining, western blotting(WB), and immunofluorescence. Then the β-TCP, Mg-TCP, and Mg/Se-TCP were implanted into the femoral epiphysis bone defect model of OVX rats for 12 weeks. Micro-CT and histology analysis were used to observe the therapeutic effect. In vitro results show that the cell mineralization and osteogenic activity of the Mg/Se-TCP group is significantly higher than the β-TCP group and Mg-TCP group. Protein expressions such as FOxO1, SIRT1, SOD2, Runx-2, Cola1a, and OC of the Mg/Se-TCP group are significantly higher than the Con group and the β-TCP group. The results of intracellular ROS and SIRT1 and SOD2 immunofluorescence showed that Mg/Se-TCP can restore the oxidative stress balance of osteoblasts. Micro-CT and histology analysis showed that treatment with Mg/Se-TCP showed the largest amount of bone tissue in the defect area (p < 0.05), and exhibited lower values of residual biological material (p < 0.05), compared to that of the β-TCP group and Mg-TCP group. Our research results confirm that Mg/Se-TCP can improve the activity and function of osteoblasts and enhance bone regeneration mediated by reducing intracellular ROS in OVX rat models.

Graphical Abstract
New designs of 4 × 2 photonic crystal encoders using ring resonators
Authors: Kamal Shaimaa M. , Ali Tamer A. , Rafat Nadia H.
Published: January 2023

Optical encoders are pivotal elements in optical communication applications. There is much need for ultra-compact and high-speed novel designs. This work proposes two new designs of fast, compact 4 × 2 optical encoders using two dimensional photonic crystals. The proposed structures consist of square lattice silicon rods embedded in an air background. The operation of these encoders is based on the wave interference technique. The encoders are designed to help in achieving better performance through increasing the contrast ratio and decreasing the power loss and the return loss. The PWE method is used to analyze the photonic band gap. We used FDTD simulation to obtain the electric field distribution inside each structure and the normalized output power. We prove that the scattering rods improve the directivity of the light toward the desired paths and decrease the backward reflection. The proposed encoders have small footprint areas of 204.8 and 160.4 μm2 and operate at wavelength 1550 nm. They achieve low response time (254 and 163 fs) and high contrast ratio (6.69 and 12.9 dB). Simplicity and compactness of the designs make them suitable for optical signal processors and photonic integrated circuits. Another advantage of these designs is that low input power is enough for the encoders’ operation, because there is no non-linear materials included. Our designs compete with the published works in the last few years especially in their footprint and response time.
Ten reasons why research collaborations succeed—a random forest approach
Authors: Hückstädt Malte
Published: January 2023

The state of research in the Science of Team Science is characterised by a wide range of findings on how successful research collaboration should be structured. However, it remains unclear how the multitude of findings can be put into a hierarchical order with regard to their significance for the success of cooperation. This is where the article comes in: based on the state of research, the question of which intra- and interpersonal factors are most significant for the success of a research team is investigated. In order to explore the ten most important reasons for the success of a research collaboration, a Random Forest classifier is specified that predicts the success of research collaborations on the basis of 51 input variables. The analyses presented in the paper are based on representative survey data on n = 1.417 principal investigators and spokespersons of ongoing and completed research clusters funded by the German Research Foundation. The success of a research cluster is operationalised as the extent to which it has achieved the goals that it communicated to the funding agency before it began. Highly realistic and clear research objectives are central to the success of research clusters, as are comprehensive agreement on objectives, close interconnection of the subprojects’ research work and a fair and trusting cooperation climate.
Agriculture without paraquat is feasible without loss of productivity—lessons learned from phasing out a highly hazardous herbicide
Authors: Stuart Alexander M. , Merfield Charles N. , Horgan Finbarr G. , Willis Sheila , Watts Meriel A. , Ramírez-Muñoz Fernando , U Jorge Sánchez , Utyasheva Leah , Eddleston Michael , Davis Mark L. , Neumeister Lars , Sanou Manoé R. , Williamson Stephanie
Published: January 2023

A small proportion of the thousands of pesticides on the market today are associated with a disproportionately high incidence of severe acute pesticide poisoning and suicide. Paraquat stands out as one of the most lethal pesticides in common use, frequently involved in fatal incidents due to suicides or accidental exposure. Even though paraquat has been banned in over 67 countries, it is still widely used in many others, particularly in Asia and Latin America. Based on a literature review and consultations, this paper identifies options for replacing paraquat and distils practical lessons from numerous successes around the world. Our aim is to support regulators, policymakers, agronomists and the supply chain sector with practical information related to phasing out paraquat. Production data consistently failed to show any negative effects of banning paraquat on agricultural productivity. A wide range of alternative approaches to weed management and crop defoliation are available, many of which do not rely on herbicides. Over 1.25 million farmers in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) successfully produce a range of crops for private voluntary standards (PVS) in food and fiber supply chains which prohibit paraquat use. We conclude from the findings of this study that eliminating paraquat will save lives without reducing agricultural productivity. Less hazardous and more sustainable alternatives exist. To enhance successful adoption and uptake of these methods on a wide scale, farmers require training and support within an enabling policy environment.
Marvelous advertising returns? A meta-analysis of advertising elasticities in the entertainment industry
Authors: Schöndeling Andrea , Burmester Alexa B. , Edeling Alexander , Marchand André , Clement Michel
Published: January 2023

How does advertising affect supply and demand in the entertainment industry? Different advertising and distribution mechanisms and unique product characteristics limit the transferability of findings from other industries to the entertainment industry. This meta-analysis focuses on 290 documented elasticities, drawn from 59 studies of movies and video games, and establishes new findings and empirical generalizations. First, the average advertising elasticity in the entertainment industry is .33 (method bias-corrected .20), approximately three times higher than the average identified for other industries. Second, average advertising elasticities are higher for demand (e.g., revenue) than for supply (e.g., screens). Third, elasticities of pre-launch advertising are higher than those of overall advertising budgets, but with respect to the success period, elasticities are higher for later periods, and in total, compared to the launch period. Fourth, elasticities tend to be rather recession-proof and consistent across geographic regions but decreased after the rise of social media platforms.
Tram-track cycling injuries: a significant public health issue
Authors: Smith Olivia , McCabe Catherine , Kidney Emer
Published: January 2023

Aim

Many cycling collisions occur due to human error, cycling ability, distraction or infrastructure. One such infrastructural issue for cyclists sharing the road with tram lines is where the wheel of the bicycle gets caught in the rail track itself or in a gap between the rail and the road margin resulting in a sudden stall of the bicycle and potentially significant injury. This study aims to describe the crash characteristics of tram-track cycling collisions and their associated injuries.

Methods

A retrospective chart review was conducted over 2 years, looking at cyclists that presented to St James’s Emergency Department (ED) following injuries sustained due to a bicycle wheel catching in the on-road tram tracks.

Results

Forty-eight patients were identified over a 2-year period. Sixty per cent of cyclists sustained limb fractures with 14% requiring orthopaedic surgery. Fifty per cent of patients were not wearing a helmet at the time of the incident and 54% of the collisions occurred around Dublin city centre during rush hour.

Conclusion

Further prospective multi-centre studies are required to properly describe the magnitude cycling accidents around the Luas tracks and inform future public health measures in this area.
A Clinical, Radiological and Histopathological Review of 74 Ossifying Fibromas
Authors: Collins L. H. C. , Zegalie N. F. T. , Sassoon I. , Speight P. M.
Published: January 2023

Background

Ossifying fibroma (OF) is a fibro-osseous lesion of the jaws and craniofacial bones. Accurate diagnosis can be challenging due to significant overlap of clinicopathological features. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical, radiological and histological features that can aid in diagnosis and identify characteristics that allow categorisation into the three subtypes: juvenile trabecular, psammomatoid and cemento-ossifying OF.

Methods

A total of 74 cases of OF were systematically reviewed for their principle features. Of these, 46 cases were evaluated for their radiographic features including size, location and relationship to the teeth. Histological assessment and stereological point counting were performed in 69 cases to assess the pattern, type and proportion of calcification, the nature of the stroma, the border of the lesion and the presence of secondary changes. Fisher’s exact test and Chi-squared tests were used to determine associations between clinicopathological parameters and maxillary, mandibular, odontogenic, non-odontogenic and psammomatoid or trabecular lesions.

Results

OF showed a female predilection (F: M; 2:1) and a slight bimodal age distribution with peaks in the second (23%) and fourth decades (27%) (Mean age: 32.4 years). 83% of cases presented as an intra-oral swelling, with the mandible being the most common site (73%). Histologically, a range of morphological patterns were seen, with 50% of cases showing mixed trabecular and psammomatoid features. However, there were no significant differences between the variants of OF in terms of age, gender or histological features.

Conclusion

Histological features of OF cannot be used to differentiate between the subtypes.
Asymptotically Mean Value Harmonic Functions in Subriemannian and RCD Settings
Authors: Adamowicz Tomasz , Kijowski Antoni , Soultanis Elefterios
Published: January 2023

We consider weakly and strongly asymptotically mean value harmonic (amv-harmonic) functions on subriemannian and RCD settings. We demonstrate that, in non-collapsed RCD-spaces with vanishing metric measure boundary, Cheeger harmonic functions are weakly amv-harmonic and that, in Carnot groups, weak amv-harmonicity equivalently characterizes harmonicity in the sense of the sub-Laplacian. In homogeneous Carnot groups of step 2, we prove a Blaschke–Privaloff–Zaremba type theorem. Similar results are discussed in the settings of Riemannian manifolds and for Alexandrov surfaces.
Thermal Twin 4.0: Digital Support Tool for Optimizing Hazardous Waste Rotary Kiln Incineration Plants
Authors: Hammerschmid M. , Aguiari C. , Kirnbauer F. , Zerobin E. , Brenner M. , Eisl R. , Nemeth J. , Buchberger D. , Ogris G. , Kolroser R. , Goia A. , Beyweiss R. , Kalch K. , Müller S. , Hofbauer H.
Published: January 2023

The present paper focuses on developing a novel virtual representation framework for optimizing standalone hazardous waste rotary kiln incineration plants. A digital support tool can be provided to optimize the plant's waste management, operation, and maintenance by combining thermochemical-based simulation models with a fuel classification system. First of all, the virtual representation can be used to determine the waste composition of not entirely analyzed waste streams. Furthermore, the determined waste compositions of historically fed waste streams can be used to enable further advanced applications. The determined waste compositions are linked with the appropriate waste code and supplier, which first enables the monitoring of the delivered waste streams. In the case of recurring fractions, the virtual representation can be used to optimize the barrel sequence to reach homogenous waste inputs. Additionally, the plant operation can be optimized regarding stable operation conditions due to the knowledge about waste compositions of recurring fractions. The parametrization results fit very well with the comparable sensor values. Therefore, the novel virtual representation of the hazardous waste incineration plant could definitely make a reasonable contribution to optimize the efficiency of thermal waste treatment within the hazardous waste sector in Austria and Europe.

Graphical Abstract
Reduction of the Microbial Load of Digestate by the Cultivation of Galdieria sulphuraria Under Acidic Conditions
Authors: Pleissner Daniel , Händel Nicole
Published: January 2023

Purpose

Organic waste streams with a high microbial load have been used as nutrient sources in the cultivation of heterotrophic microalgae. However, it remains unclear whether an alga-based organic waste utilization can also result in a reduction of the microbial load, and thus in a combined waste utilization and hygenization process.

Methods

The heterotrophic cultivation of the microalga Galdieria sulphuraria at a pH of 2 and 45 °C as hygenization method for digestate, which serves as nitrogen source in algae cultivation, was investigated. Attention has been paid to Salmonella sp. and spores, coming from the organic waste stream digestate and its reduction during hydrolysis and cultivation of G. sulphuraria in the resulting hydrolysate.

Results

Digestate contained 0.5 × 106 counts per g material, predominantly formed by aerobic, mesophilic organisms. Salmonella sp., yeast and molds, enterobacteriaceae as well as enterococci were diminished within 24 h of hydrolysis or cultivation. During hydrolysis of digestate and cultivation of G. sulphuraria the counts of aerobic, mesophilic organisms could be subsequently reduced by a log reduction factor of 3. The remaining microorganisms were almost exclusively spore forming ones which were reduced by a log reduction factor of 2 during cultivation under acidic conditions.

Conclusion

It is suggested here to include the cultivation of G. sulphuraria in future waste management as hygenization process.

Graphical Abstract
Full-scale computational fluid dynamics study on wind condition of the long-span Queensferry Crossing Bridge
Authors: Zhu Licheng , McCrum Daniel , Sweeney Conor , Keenahan Jennifer
Published: January 2023

To date, the majority of numerical modelling [computational fluid dynamics (CFD)] studies on long-span bridges have been carried out on scaled physical models, and without field-data for validation. For the first time, a full-scale bridge aerodynamic CFD study was conducted in this paper. A full-scale three-dimensional CFD model of the middle span and central tower of the Queensferry Crossing, United Kingdom, was created. The aim of this work was accurately simulating the wind field around the bridge. The CFD simulations were developed in OpenFOAM with the k − ω SST turbulence model. Atmospheric boundary layer inflows were configured based on wind profiles provided by a full-scale Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model. CFD predictions were validated with field data which were collected from an on-site Structural Health Monitoring System. The simulated fluctuating wind field closely satisfied the characteristic of field data and demonstrated that the modelling approach had good potential to be used in practical bridge aerodynamic studies. Meanwhile, comparisons and sensitivity analyses on mesh density provided a reference modelling approach for any future works on full-scale bridge aerodynamic models. Additionally, a cylindrical-like domain was applied in bridge aerodynamics for the first time and verified as being a convenient and reliable way to be used in bridge studies that involve changes in yaw angle.
Permutation identities and fractal structure of rings
Authors: Aishwarya S. , Kedukodi Babushri Srinivas , Kuncham Syam Prasad
Published: January 2023

We introduce the notion of a product fractal ideal of a ring using permutations of finite sets and multiplication operation in the ring. This notion generalizes the concept of an ideal of a ring. We obtain the corresponding quotient structure that partitions the ring under certain conditions. We prove fractal isomorphism theorems and illustrate the fractal structure involved with examples. These fractal isomorphism theorems extend the classical isomorphism theorems in rings, providing a broader viewpoint.
Green synthesis of nanostructured zinc oxide by Ocimum tenuiflorum extract: characterization, adsorption modeling, cytotoxic screening, and metal ions adsorption applications
Authors: Elsamra Rehab M. I. , Masoud Mamdouh S. , Zidan Alyaa A. , Zokm Gehan M. El , Okbah Mohamed A.
Published: January 2023

Nano-ZnO was synthesized by the reduction of Zn (CH3COO)2.2H2O salt using the extract of Ocimum tenuiflorum leaves. The generated ZnO NPs were characterized by FT-IR, XRD, SEM, and EDX techniques. FT-IR results approved the characteristic peaks, the formation of ZnO bonds, and the morphology changes after the adsorption of Cd2+ and Pb2+ from solutions. The outlined data of the XRD pointed to the formation of a hexagonal wurtzite structure. SEM images showed the spherical nature of the synthesized particles with an average diameter of 19 nm. Moreover, the best conditions for the adsorption of Cd2+ and Pb2+ by ZnO NPs were evaluated and fitted to isotherm and kinetic models. Short contact time of ~ 20 min and a small sorbent dosage of 40 mg were sufficient conditions for attaining maximum Pb2+ adsorption capacity. Based on the modeling parameters, the adsorption follows pseudo-second-order kinetics where ZnO and metal ions are involved in the rate-determining step. Two important applications were thoroughly studied. The nanoparticles significantly removed Pb2+ and Cd2+ contaminants from real environmental water samples collected from different locations in Egypt. Additionally, the cytotoxic activity results provided perfect evidence for the higher efficacy of the synthesized ZnO NPs as an anticancer agent against Panc-1, PC-3, and CACO-2 cell lines with IC50 of 1.70, 3.67, and 5.70 μgml−1, respectively, compared to cisplatin (IC50 = 3.57, 5.09, and 7.75 μgml−1). Furthermore, a low cytotoxic effect was observed on the normal human lung cell line (MRC-5, IC50 = 22.40 μgml−1). The data can be used as a preliminary study for anticancer drug design after further clinical investigations.

Graphical Abstract
Non-destructive evaluation of the friction stir welding process, generalizing a deep neural defect detection network to identify internal weld defects across different aluminum alloys
Authors: Rabe P. , Reisgen U. , Schiebahn A.
Published: January 2023

Friction stir welding (FSW) is a solid-state welding process, which has significantly disrupted welding technology particularly for aluminum alloy applications. Due to its high-quality welds in all aluminum alloys, comparatively low heat input with high energy efficiency and ecological friendliness, FSW is used in a rapidly growing number of applications. Currently, destructive and non-destructive testing methods are attached as a separate process step to verify weld seam quality, detecting imperfections late in production and requiring costly rework or scrapping of the assembly. Various studies have shown the possibility of using deep neural networks (DNN) to evaluate weld quality and detect welding defects based on recorded data. In this study, conducted within the scope of RWTH Aachen’s Cluster of Excellence, Internet of Production, recurrent neural networks (RNN), and convolutional neural networks (CNN) were successfully trained to classify FSW force data sets, generated while joining different aluminum alloys over a wide range of welding parameters. For internal weld defects bigger than 0.08 mm, detection accuracies over 95% were achieved using bidirectional long short-term memory (BiLSTM) networks when limited to a single alloy and thickness. The classification accuracy dropped to ~ 90% when using multiple alloys and sheet thicknesses. The comparison between different network types’ classification accuracy as well as their ability to generalize the defect detection across different welding tasks with varying sheet thicknesses, respective welding tools, and different Al alloys is shown. The systems aim at offering a reliable and cost-efficient quality monitoring solution with a wide range of applicability, increasing the acceptance of the friction stir welding process as well as confidence in the resulting weld seam quality.
The Universal Safety Format in Action: Tool Integration and Practical Application
Authors: Haxel Frederik , Viehl Alexander , Benkel Michael , Beyreuther Bjoern , Birken Klaus , Schmedes Rolf , Grüttner Kim , Mueller-Gritschneder Daniel
Published: January 2023

Designing software that meets the stringent requirements of functional safety standards imposes a significant development effort compared to conventional software. A key aspect is the integration of safety mechanisms into the functional design to ensure a safe state during operation even in the event of hardware errors. These safety mechanisms can be applied at different levels of abstraction during the development process and are usually implemented and integrated manually into the design. This does not only cause significant effort but does also reduce the overall maintainability of the software. To mitigate this, we present the Universal Safety Format (USF), which enables the generation of safety mechanisms based on the separation of concerns principle in a model-driven approach. Safety mechanisms are described as generic patterns using a transformation language independent from the functional design or any particular programming language. The USF was designed to be easily integrated into existing tools and workflows that can support different programming languages. Tools supporting the USF can utilize the patterns in a functional design to generate and integrate specific safety mechanisms for different languages using the transformation rules contained within the patterns. This enables not only the reuse of safety patterns in different designs, but also across different programming languages. The approach is demonstrated with an automotive use-case as well as different tools supporting the USF.
Prototyping of digitally manufactured thin glass composite façade panels
Authors: Pfarr Daniel , Louter Christian
Published: January 2023

The use of thin glass promises to enable a variety of construction industry pursuits. In addition to the ecological benefits of more efficient use of resources, architects can anticipate new design freedoms with thin glass. Based on the sandwich theory, the flexible thin glass can be combined with a 3D-printed open-cell polymer core to form a very rigid yet lightweight composite element. This paper presents an exploratory attempt on the digital manufacturing of thin glass composite façade panels with an industrial robot. It explains the idea of a digital “file-to-factory”-workflow which includes Computer-Aided Design (CAD), Engineering (CAE) and Manufacturing (CAM). The research shows a parametric design process to enable the seamless integration of digital analytic tools. Furthermore, this process shows the potentials and challenges of the digital manufacturing of a thin glass composite panel. Here, partial production steps executed by an industrial robot arm, such as large-format additive manufacturing, mechanical surface preparation, bonding and assembly process are explained. Finally, a first insight into mechanical properties of the composite panel are experimentally and numerically investigated and evaluated under surface load. The general concept of the digital design and manufacturing workflow as well as the results of the experimental study provide the background for the integration of further form-finding and analysis methods as well as the implementation of extensive mechanical investigations in future research.
Impact of antimicrobial use in dogs on antimicrobial resistance and shared flora with human owners
Authors: Beaulac Kirthana , Fellman Claire L. , Wayne Annie S. , McDermott Laura A. , Snydman David R. , Doron Shira
Published: January 2023

Transmission of bacteria between animals and humans in domestic households is increasingly recognized. We evaluated the presence of antimicrobial-resistant fecal bacteria in 8 dog-owner–dog pairs before and after the dog received amoxicillin-clavulanate. The study identified shared flora in the humans and dogs that were affected by antimicrobial administration.
Active-learning-based nonintrusive model order reduction
Authors: Zhuang Qinyu , Hartmann Dirk , Bungartz Hans-J. , Lorenzi Juan M.
Published: January 2023

Model order reduction (MOR) can provide low-dimensional numerical models for fast simulation. Unlike intrusive methods, nonintrusive methods are attractive because they can be applied even without access to full order models (FOMs). Since nonintrusive MOR methods strongly rely on snapshots of the FOMs, constructing good snapshot sets becomes crucial. In this work, we propose a novel active-learning-based approach for use in conjunction with nonintrusive MOR methods. It is based on two crucial novelties. First, our approach uses joint space sampling to prepare a data pool of the training data. The training data are selected from the data pool using a greedy strategy supported by an error estimator based on Gaussian process regression. Second, we introduce a case-independent validation strategy based on probably approximately correct learning. While the methods proposed here can be applied to different MOR methods, we test them here with artificial neural networks and operator inference.
To Gender or not To Gender? Exploring Gender Variations through Time and Space
Authors: Gaydarska Bisserka , Rebay-Salisbury Katharina , Ramírez Valiente Paz , Fries Jana Esther , Hofmann Daniela , Augereau Anne , Chapman John , Mina Maria , Pape Eleonore , Ialongo Nicola , Nordholz Daniela , Bickle Penny , Haughton Mark , Robb John , Harris Oliver
Published: January 2023

This article is based on an EAA session in Kiel in 2021, in which thirteen contributors provide their response to Robb and Harris's (2018) overview of studies of gender in the European Neolithic and Bronze Age, with a reply by Robb and Harris. The central premise of their 2018 article was the opposition of ‘contextual Neolithic gender’ to ‘cross-contextual Bronze Age gender’, which created uneasiness among the four co-organizers of the Kiel meeting. Reading Robb and Harris's original article leaves the impression that there is an essentialist ‘Neolithic’ and ‘Bronze Age’ gender, the former being under-theorized, unclear, and unstable, the latter binary, unchangeable, and ideological. While Robb and Harris have clearly advanced the discussion on gender, the perspectives and case studies presented here, while critical of their views, take the debate further, painting a more complex and diverse picture that strives to avoid essentialism.
How Marks Pave(d) the Way: Stonemasons’ Marks and Stone Carving Techniques in Roman Sagalassos (South-Western Asia Minor)
Authors: Beaujean Bas Louis August , Doperé Frans
Published: January 2023

The study of stonemasons’ marks in ancient constructions, a subject that has been systematically investigated since the 1980s to the present, tends to focus on a few standard uses and consider other seemingly random patterns as issues of preservation, leaving the archaeological potential of such marks largely untapped. This article presents a methodological approach to explain these apparently arbitrary patterns and a diachronic analysis of local labour organization at Sagalassos in south-western Turkey in four case studies: the Upper Agora, Lower Agora, Hadrianic Nymphaeum, and Makellon. The spatial analysis of the stonemasons’ marks and examination of the stone carving techniques and epigraphic data suggest that the different marks were either produced by the same individuals and/or formed part of the same construction process.
Cults, Conspiracies, and Fantasies of Knowledge
Authors: Munro Daniel
Published: January 2023

There's a certain pleasure in fantasizing about possessing knowledge, especially possessing secret knowledge to which outsiders don't have access. Such fantasies are typically a source of innocent entertainment. However, under the right conditions, fantasies of knowledge can become epistemically dangerous, because they can generate illusions of genuine knowledge. I argue that this phenomenon helps to explain why some people join and eventually adopt the beliefs of epistemic communities who endorse seemingly bizarre, outlandish claims, such as extreme cults and online conspiracy theory groups. It can be difficult to grasp how members of such groups come to believe the theories they endorse. I argue that one route to such beliefs is via deep absorption in fantasies of knowledge, which can lead entire groups to become collectively detached from reality.
Particle orientation distribution in a rotating, dilute suspension of rod-shaped particles
Authors: Dahlkild Anders A.
Published: January 2023

We consider a theoretical model for the settling of rod-shaped particles of a dilute, initially homogeneous, suspension in rapid rotation. The particle Reynolds number and the particle Taylor number of the detailed flow around the particles are assumed small, representing a relevant limit for an industrial centrifugal separation process. By applying a statistical approach using the Fokker–Planck equation, and neglecting particle–particle interactions, we obtain an explicit, analytical solution for the time dependent, spatially uniform particle orientation distribution function. Not only does the volume fraction in the bulk of the suspension decrease with time due to the divergent centrifugal field, as similarly described in the literature for suspensions of spherical particles, the orientation of the rod particles also changes with time from an initially uniform distribution to one where the particles tend to align with a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation. The corresponding particle trajectories, as also influenced by first-order effects from the Coriolis acceleration and gyroscopic effects, are obtained numerically for different initial particle orientation angles.
Investigating aspects of paternalistic leadership within the job demands–resources model
Authors: Lee Michelle Chin Chin , Kee Yun Jian , Lau Samantha Shi Yea , Jan Ghulam
Published: January 2023

The literature on the job demands–resources (JD-R) theory has flourished for the past decade due to the theory's simplicity and its applications in many areas of work life. However, the literature is lacking on how leaders can utilize this theory to manage employees, especially in the Asian leadership context. Using the JD-R theory, the current study investigated each aspect of paternalistic leadership (i.e., benevolent leadership, authoritarian leadership and moral leadership) and its influence on employees' job resources (i.e., work meaningfulness and influence at work), job demands (i.e., emotional and cognitive demands), work engagement, burnout and the processes involved. Four hundred and thirty-one (431) full-time working employees (mean age: 31.58; female: 57.8%) from various organizations in Malaysia participated in the study. Using structural equation modelling, the study's results showed that the benevolent aspect of paternalistic leadership was related to higher work engagement and lower burnout through work meaningfulness (but not through influence at work). In contrast, the authoritarian aspect of paternalistic leadership was related to higher burnout through emotional demands (but not through cognitive demands), while the moral leadership aspect had no significant relationship to employees' job demands or job resources, with a mediation process not found in either relationship. Overall, the study revealed three contrasting mechanisms for each aspect of paternalistic leadership and suggested how paternalistic leadership may be practised in Asian countries.
Pre-diagnostic intake of vitamin D and incidence of colorectal cancer by anatomical subsites: the Norwegian Women and Cancer Cohort Study (NOWAC)
Authors: Paulsen Elise Marlen , Rylander Charlotta , Brustad Magritt , Jensen Torill E
Published: January 2023

According to the World Cancer Research Fund International, vitamin D might decrease the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC). However, less is known about the association with cancers in different subsites of the colon and in the rectum. The aim of this study was to examine associations between pre-diagnostic intake of vitamin D and risk of CRC by anatomical subsites. Data from 95 416 participants in the Norwegian Women and Cancer Cohort Study was included, and vitamin D intake was estimated from two repeated FFQ. Associations between vitamin D intake and incidence of CRC were assessed using multivariable Cox regression. During follow-up, there were 1774 incident cases of CRC. A small but borderline significant inverse association was found for a 5-µg increase in vitamin D intake and risk of CRC (hazard ratio (HR) = 0·97; 95 % CI 0·93, 1·01) and colon cancer (HR = 0·96; 95 % CI 0·91, 1·01). High (≥ 20 µg) compared with low (< 10 µg) vitamin D intake was associated with 17 % borderline significant reduced risk of CRC (HR = 0·83; 95 % CI 0·68, 1·02). Medium (10–19 µg) v. low intake (< 10 µg) was associated with 27 % reduced risk of proximal colon cancer (HR = 0·73; 95 % CI 0·57, 0·94). No significant associations were observed between vitamin D intake and risk of distal colon or rectal cancer. Our study indicates that vitamin D may be differently associated with subsites of the colon. The association between vitamin D intake and proximal colon cancer is novel.
Controlled release urea increases soybean yield without compromising symbiotic nitrogen fixation
Authors: Pierozan Junior Clovis , Favarin José Laércio , Baptistella João Leonardo Corte , de Almeida Rodrigo Estevam Munhoz , Maciel de Oliveira Silas , Lago Bruno Cocco , Tezotto Tiago
Published: January 2023

In Brazil, high-yield soybean [Glycine Max (L). Merrill] – corn (Zea mays L.) double cropping system might be nitrogen (N)-limited and additional N fertilization can be beneficial. Early application of N in soybean reduces the symbiotic N fixation (SNF) efficiency and/or establishment. One alternative to avoid SNF impairment is to apply N between the beginning pod (R3) and seed-fill (R5) stages through the use of controlled release fertilizers. In this study, N was applied at 50 kg ha−1 as common urea (CU) or controlled release urea (CRU) with different lag periods until N release starts (30 days, 60 days, or 1:1 mix of both lag times) in a randomized complete blocks design with six treatments and four replicates under tropical and subtropical conditions. CU was applied after soybean emergence (VE) or at the beginning pod (R3), and CRU only at VE. Using urea labeled with 15N isotope, we analyzed the N source used by soybean (fertilizer, soil, or SNF) and SNF parameters. On average, CRU – 30 days, CRU – 1:1 mix (30 + 60 days) and CU applied at the R3 stage increased grain yield by 9.2% (354 kg ha−1) compared to the control. N derived from all fertilizer treatment were almost 35 kg N ha−1, a high N recovery efficiency of 68%. The SNF was not impaired by CU and CRU and accounted for 71% (220 kg N ha−1) of total N uptake. In the conditions of the experiments, fertilization of 50 kg N ha−1 as CRU was shown to be effective to supply N in late soybean demand (R3 stage), increasing yield without damaging the SNF process in high-yield environments.