bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigation of the hydrodynamic and thermodynamic behavior of the liquid jet quenching process
Authors: Narayan Nithin Mohan , Fritsching Udo
Published: February 2024

Liquid jet quenching of metals is typically adopted to achieve specific material properties of metals, thereby making them suitable for advanced engineering applications. In this process, a metal plate is heated and cooled rapidly by impinging water jets. The temperature history during cooling leads to a microstructural transformation thereby improving the material properties such as hardness. During liquid jet quenching, since the plate surface temperature is above the Leidenfrost temperature, the boiling heat transfer dominates. This is associated with an intense cooling and water vapor generation, where the Leidenfrost effect impedes the immediate wetting of the surface. The resulting uneven cooling over the plate surface tends to potential deformation and cracking. To control this process, a detailed understanding of the spatial and the temporal heat transfer behavior is imperative. Experiments in this context are limited and therefore investigating the conjugate heat transfer process is to be combined with a multi-phase numerical model. The two-phase numerical model based on the Euler-Euler approach is developed and validated to simulate the jet quenching of a stationary plate considering all the boiling regimes within a single framework. This model consists of two phases, the liquid water which is the continuous phase (primary) and the water vapor modeled as the dispersed phase (secondary). In this study, a circular water jet (tap water) impact is considered and the plate materials under investigation are aluminum alloy (Al-alloy) and stainless steel (St-steel). Experiments are performed using infrared and high-speed imaging. The validated numerical model provides the technical parameters such as wetting front behavior, heat flux, HTC (heat transfer coefficient) etc. The influence of the jet Reynolds number and the plate material properties on the heat transfer is analysed. The study emphasizes that the plate material has a significantly higher influence on the heat transfer during jet quenching.

Graphical abstract
Comparison of male and female non-refugee immigrants with psychosis: clinical, sociodemographic, and migration-related differences and impact on stress
Authors: Trabsa Amira , Casanovas Francesc , Pérez Víctor , Moreno Ana , Amann Benedikt , Mané Anna
Published: February 2024

Purpose

To compare social, clinical, and migration-related factors between male and female immigrants with psychotic disorders and to determine the association between these variables and stress in the last year.

Methods

We administered the Holmes and Rahe Social Readjustment Scale to evaluate psychological stress in 99 non-refugee immigrants (26 women, 73 men) who presented ≥ one psychotic episode (ICD-10 criteria). We compared the two groups in terms of sociodemographic, clinical, cultural, and migration-related variables. A multivariable analysis using a linear regression model (stepwise method) was performed to evaluate potential associations between these variables and stress.

Results

Women were more likely to be married and divorced, had less access to welfare payments, and lower unemployment and homeless rates than men. The most common psychiatric diagnosis was psychosis not otherwise specified with more women being affected (61.5% in women vs. 45.2% in men), but the diagnosis of schizophrenia was more common in men (38.4% vs 15.4%). Both groups exhibited very high levels of stress in the past year (mean total distress score > 300). In women, stress was significantly associated with age at first migration and be a racialized person. By contrast, among men stress was significantly associated with language barrier and comorbidity with a physical disorder.

Conclusions

The results of this study reveal important differences between men and women immigrants. These findings underscore the importance of understanding how gender-specific roles and social expectations intersect with the timing and nature of migration to influence stress levels differently in immigrant women and men with psychotic disorders.
Evaluation geländegängiger Einsatzmittel im medizinischen Katastrophenschutz
Authors: Kippnich Maximilian , Dieckmann Maren , Speicher Chris , Kippnich Uwe , Erhard Harald , Meybohm Patrick , Wurmb Thomas
Published: February 2024

Hintergrund und Fragestellung

Die Medizinischen Task Forces sind ein wichtiger Bestandteil des medizinischen Katastrophen- und Zivilschutzes in Deutschland. Aufgrund sich verändernder klimatischer Bedingungen und damit einhergehender Naturkatastrophen rückt der Einsatz bei zerstörter Infrastruktur und in unwegsamen Geländen zunehmend in den Fokus. Für diese Begebenheiten könnten konventionelle Einsatzmittel nicht ausreichen. Zur Verbesserung der Einsatzfähigkeit von Medizinischen Task Forces könnten geländegängige Fahrzeuge beitragen. Mit der vorliegenden Studie sollen diese bezüglich Geländetauglichkeit, Schulungs- und Wartungsaufwand, Sicherheit und Einsatzwert strukturiert evaluiert werden.

Material und Methoden

Mittels webbasierter Umfrage wurden alle ehrenamtlichen Helfer des Bayerischen Roten Kreuzes in Unterfranken (Bereitschaften, Wasserwacht, Bergwacht) kontaktiert. Neben verschiedenen die Teilnehmerinnen und Teilnehmer betreffenden Charakteristika wurden diverse Aspekte zu Einsätzen in unwegsamen Geländen und bei zerstörter Infrastruktur abgefragt. Zur Evaluation wurden die Spezialeinsatzmittel E‑Bike, ATV/Quad, hochgeländegängiges Fahrzeug, Unimog und Geländemotorrad ausgewählt.

Ergebnisse

Insgesamt haben 455 Helferinnen und Helfer an der Umfrage teilgenommen. 155 (34 %) der Befragten waren zum Zeitpunkt der Befragung länger als 20 Jahre im Katastrophenschutz tätig. 256 (56 %) gaben mind. Rettungssanitäter als höchste medizinische Qualifikation an, 266 (58 %) besaßen eine erweiterte Führungsausbildung (mind. Gruppenführer). Die Bedeutung von Ausbildung und Ausstattung für Einsätze in unwegsamen Geländen und bei zerstörter Infrastruktur wurde auf der Rating-Skala (0 „sehr gering“, 10 „sehr hoch“) mit 9 (Median; IQR: 8–10) bewertet, die vorhandene Schutzausrüstung mit 3 (Median; IQR: 2–5), die aktuelle Ausbildung mit 4 (Median; IQR: 3–5) und die Eignung und Ausstattung der vorhandenen Fahrzeuge mit 4 (Median; IQR: 2–5). Die evaluierten Einsatzmittel unterschieden sich im Hinblick auf die jeweiligen Bewertungskriterien z. T. deutlich.

Diskussion

Der Einsatz von Einheiten des medizinischen Katastrophenschutzes in unwegsamen Geländen und bei zerstörter kritischer Infrastruktur stellt ein hochrelevantes Thema dar. Durch die strukturierte Einbindung von modernen Spezialfahrzeugen könnte die Einsatzfähigkeit von Medizinischen Task Forces erhöht werden.

Graphic abstract
A real-time wearable AR system for egocentric vision on the edge
Authors: Karakostas Iason , Valakou Aikaterini , Gavgiotaki Despoina , Stefanidi Zinovia , Pastaltzidis Ioannis , Tsipouridis Grigorios , Kilis Nikolaos , Apostolakis Konstantinos C. , Ntoa Stavroula , Dimitriou Nikolaos , Margetis George , Tzovaras Dimitrios
Published: February 2024

Real-time performance is critical for Augmented Reality (AR) systems as it directly affects responsiveness and enables the timely rendering of virtual content superimposed on real scenes. In this context, we present the DARLENE wearable AR system, analysing its specifications, overall architecture and core algorithmic components. DARLENE comprises AR glasses and a wearable computing node responsible for several time-critical computation tasks. These include computer vision modules developed for the real-time analysis of dynamic scenes supporting functionalities for instance segmentation, tracking and pose estimation. To meet real-time requirements in limited resources, concrete algorithmic adaptations and design choices are introduced. The proposed system further supports real-time video streaming and interconnection with external IoT nodes. To improve user experience, a novel approach is proposed for the adaptive rendering of AR content by considering the user’s stress level, the context of use and the environmental conditions for adjusting the level of presented information towards enhancing their situational awareness. Through extensive experiments, we evaluate the performance of individual components and end-to-end pipelines. As the proposed system targets time-critical security applications where it can be used to enhance police officers’ situational awareness, further experimental results involving end users are reported with respect to overall user experience, workload and evaluation of situational awareness.
Feature selection of microarray data using multidimensional graph neural network and supernode hierarchical clustering
Authors: Xie Weidong , Zhang Shoujia , Wang Linjie , Yu Kun , Li Wei
Published: February 2024

Cancer remains a significant cause of mortality, and the application of microarray technology has opened new avenues for cancer diagnosis and treatment. However, due to the challenges in sample acquisition, the genetic dimension of microarray data surpasses the sample dimension, resulting in high-dimensional small sample data. Effective feature selection is crucial for identifying biomarkers and facilitating further analysis. However, existing methods struggle to fully exploit the interdependencies among genes, such as regulatory networks and pathways, to guide the feature selection process and construct efficient classification models. In this paper, we propose a novel feature selection algorithm and classification model based on graph neural networks to address these challenges. Our proposed method employs a multidimensional graph to capture intricate gene interactions. We leverage link prediction techniques to enhance the graph structure relationships and employ a multidimensional node evaluator alongside a supernode discovery algorithm based on spectral clustering for initial node filtering. Subsequently, a hierarchical graph pooling technique based on downsampling is used to further refine node selection for feature extraction and model building. We evaluate the proposed method on nine publicly available microarray datasets, and the results demonstrate its superiority over both classical and advanced feature selection techniques in various evaluation metrics. This highlights the effectiveness and advancement of our proposed approach in addressing the complexities associated with microarray data analysis and cancer classification.
At the Edge of Space: The Archaeology of Boundaries within a Landscape for Young Convicts
Authors: D’Gluyas Caitlin , Tuffin Richard , Gibbs Martin , Roe David
Published: February 2024

Within a landscape, boundaries are the physically or socially defined lines that mark the limits of spaces. They can appear static and binary, and therefore analytically restricted. Yet it is argued here that while space is often analyzed in archaeology to inform social, economic, or institutional interpretations of a landscape, the analysis of boundaries is a complimentary method that captures movement, control, and prohibition mechanisms. Analyzing boundaries is shown to reveal aspects of change – sometimes diachronic and sometimes ephemeral – and a malleability that is often linked to materiality. The examination of the early nineteenth-century historical boundaries of Point Puer, a juvenile convict prison (1834–49) located in lutruwita/Tasmania, Australia, is used as a case study to illustrate their common archaeological forms. It is reasoned that the analysis of boundaries contributes dynamic interpretations of historical landscapes by theorizing boundaries as spatial frameworks to examine social and experiential elements of space.
Species traits and latitude mediate bird responses to forest edges globally
Authors: Vallejos Luis Martin , Prevedello Jayme A. , Vecchi Mauricio B. , Alves Maria Alice S.
Published: February 2024

Context

Although local studies comparing species abundance between forest edges and interiors are common, general patterns in the response of different species to edges are still to be determined. There is little consensus on the impacts of forest edge effects on the abundance of individual bird species, probably because the species traits affecting edge responses have rarely been synthesized.

Objective

We aimed to identify how different species’ traits, as well as extrinsic (environmental) factors, mediate the responses of birds to forest edges globally.

Methods

We collected global information from bibliographic databases from 59 studies with 63 different datasets that compared bird abundance between forest edges and interiors. For each species, we compiled six traits (diet, habitat preference, territoriality, body mass, hand-wing index, and foraging stratum). Using Linear Mixed-effects Models, we evaluated how species traits, latitude, edge contrast, and sampling method affected bird responses to edges.

Results

Based on 2981 responses of 1414 bird species, we found that plant/seedeaters birds responded positively to edges. The strength of habitat preferences on edge responses was also mediated by latitude. Open-area species from tropics exhibited a positive response, diminishing as latitude increases. Conversely, forest species tend to exhibit a somewhat more negative response in tropical zones. Edge effects were more negative for soft (low-contrast) edges.

Conclusions

Species traits, in particular diet and habitat preferences interacting with latitude, mediate the impacts of edge effects on different bird species. These species traits and latitudinal gradients must be explicitly considered in models attempting to explain variability in edge responses among species, as well as in conservation actions in fragmented landscapes.
Eventive modal projection: the case of Spanish subjunctive relative clauses
Authors: Alonso-Ovalle Luis , Menéndez-Benito Paula , Rubinstein Aynat
Published: February 2024

How do modal expressions determine which possibilities they range over? According to the Modal Anchor Hypothesis (Kratzer in The language-cognition interface: Actes du 19econgrès international des linguistes, Libraire Droz, Genève, 179–199, 2013), modal expressions determine their domain of quantification from particulars (events, situations, or individuals). This paper presents novel evidence for this hypothesis, focusing on a class of Spanish relative clauses that host verbs inflected in the subjunctive. Subjunctive in Romance is standardly taken to be licensed only in a subset of intensional contexts. However, in our relative clauses, subjunctive is exceptionally licensed in extensional contexts. At the same time, the interpretation of these relative clauses still involves modality, a type of modality that targets the goals of the agent of the main event. We argue that the pattern displayed by these relative clauses follows straightforwardly if subjunctive is associated with a modal operator that, like modal indefinites (Alonso-Ovalle and Menéndez-Benito in Journal of Semantics 35(1):1–41, 2017), can project its domain from a volitional event. Overall, our proposal supports the event-based analysis of mood (Kratzer in Evidential mood in attitude and speech reports. Talk delivered at the 1st Syncart Workshop, Siena, July 13, 2016; Portner and Rubinstein in Natural Language Semantics 28:343–393, 2020) and extends its application beyond attitudinal and modal complements.
Radio-pathomic maps of glioblastoma identify phenotypes of non-enhancing tumor infiltration associated with bevacizumab treatment response
Authors: Bobholz Samuel A. , Hoefs Alisha , Hamburger Jordyn , Lowman Allison K. , Winiarz Aleksandra , Duenweg Savannah R. , Kyereme Fitzgerald , Connelly Jennifer , Coss Dylan , Krucoff Max , Banerjee Anjishnu , LaViolette Peter S.
Published: February 2024

Background

Autopsy-based radio-pathomic maps of glioma pathology have shown substantial promise inidentifying areas of non-enhancing tumor presence, which may be able to differentiate subsets of patients that respond favorably to treatments such as bevacizumab that have shown mixed efficacy evidence. We tested the hypthesis that phenotypes of non-enhancing tumor fronts can distinguish between glioblastoma patients that will respond favorably to bevacizumab and will visually capture treatment response.

Methods

T1, T1C, FLAIR, and ADC images were used to generate radio-pathomic maps of tumor characteristics for 79 pre-treatment patients with a primary GBM or high-grade IDH1-mutant astrocytoma for this study. Novel phenotyping (hypercellular, hypocellular, hybrid, or well-circumscribed front) of the non-enhancing tumor front was performed on each case. Kaplan Meier analyses were then used to assess differences in survival and bevacizumab efficacy between phenotypes. Phenotype compartment segmentations generated longitudinally for a subset of 26 patients over the course of bevacizumab treatment, where a mixed effect model was used to detect longitudinal changes.

Results

Well-Circumscribed patients showed significant/trending increases in survival compared to Hypercellular Front (HR = 2.0, p = 0.05), Hypocellular Front (HR = 2.02, p = 0.03), and Hybrid Front tumors (HR = 1.75, p = 0.09). Only patients with hypocellular or hybrid fronts showed significant survival benefits from bevacizumab treatment (HR = 2.35, p = 0.02; and HR = 2.45, p = 0.03, respectively). Hypocellular volumes decreased by an average 50.52 mm3 per day of bevacizumab treatment (p = 0.002).

Conclusion

Patients with a hypocellular tumor front identified by radio-pathomic maps showed improved treatment efficacy when treated with bevacizumab, and reducing hypocellular volumes over the course of treatment may indicate treatment response.
Imaging as an early biomarker to predict sensitivity to everolimus for progressive NF2-related vestibular schwannoma
Authors: Nghiemphu Phioanh Leia , Vitte Jeremie , Dombi Eva , Nguyen Thien , Wagle Naveed , Ishiyama Akira , Sepahdari Ali R. , Cachia David , Widemann Brigitte C. , Brackmann Derald E. , Doherty Joni K. , Kalamarides Michel , Giovannini Marco
Published: February 2024

Purpose

NF2-related schwannomatosis (NF2) is characterized by bilateral vestibular schwannomas (VS) often causing hearing and neurologic deficits, with currently no FDA-approved drug treatment. Pre-clinical studies highlighted the potential of mTORC1 inhibition in delaying schwannoma progression. We conducted a prospective open-label, phase II study of everolimus for progressive VS in NF2 patients and investigated imaging as a potential biomarker predicting effects on growth trajectory.

Methods

The trial enrolled 12 NF2 patients with progressive VS. Participants received oral everolimus daily for 52 weeks. Brain imaging was obtained quarterly. As primary endpoint, radiographic response (RR) was defined as ≥ 20% decrease in target VS volume. Secondary endpoints included other tumors RR, hearing outcomes, drug safety and quality of life (QOL).

Results

Eight participants completed the trial and four discontinued the drug early due to significant volumetric VS progression. After 52 weeks of treatment, the median annual VS growth rate decreased from 77.2% at baseline to 29.4%. There was no VS RR and 3 of 8 (37.5%) participants had stable disease. Decreased or unchanged VS volume after 3 months of treatment was predictive of stabilization at 12 months. Seven of eight participants had stable hearing during treatment except one with a decline in word recognition score. Ten of twelve participants reported only minimal changes to their QOL scores.

Conclusions

Volumetric imaging at 3 months can serve as an early biomarker to predict long-term sensitivity to everolimus treatment. Everolimus may represent a safe treatment option to decrease the growth of NF2-related VS in patients who have stable hearing and neurological condition. TRN: NCT01345136 (April 29, 2011).
Is Nonprofit Entrepreneurship Unique?
Authors: Chowdhury Farzana , Audretsch David B.
Published: February 2024

While private entrepreneurial activity has been at the core of entrepreneurship, nonprofit ventures still need to be explored in the literature. Using norm-activation theory (NAT) and resource-based view (RBV) lenses, we explore the antecedents of undertaking nonprofit entrepreneurial activity. By examining 8544 entrepreneurs’ decisions about the type of entrepreneurship to engage in, we find that not all human capital has a similar influence on people’s decisions regarding the types of formation of their venture. The results suggest that entrepreneurs' job-related experiences and social orientation are significantly linked to nonprofit entrepreneurship. The results of our study contribute to the human capital theory by demonstrating that people’s value influences how they use their knowledge resources.
Assessing the impact of immobilisation on the bioavailability of PFAS to plants in contaminated Australian soils
Authors: Khair Biek Sali , Khudur Leadin S. , Rigby Laura , Singh Navneet , Askeland Matthew , Ball Andrew S.
Published: February 2024

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have become a key concern to both environmental and human health due to their extreme persistence in the environment and their ability to bioaccumulate in plants, animals, and humans. In this mesocosm study, Australian PFAS-contaminated soil with a mean total concentration of 8.05 mg/kg and a mean combined PFHxS + PFOS concentration of 7.89 mg/kg was treated with an immobilisation sorbent (RemBind®) at different application rates (0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, and 5% w/w). To assess the efficacy of this immobilisation treatment, PFAS leachability, PFAS plant uptake, and ecotoxicity tests were conducted. Leachability testing was performed according to the Australian Standard Leaching Procedure (ASLP) at pH 5 and 7. A grass species (Dactylis glomerata) was used to measure plant uptake of PFAS from untreated and treated contaminated soil. In addition, the Microtox test was used to assess the associated ecotoxicity. The immobilisation treatment resulted in a significant reduction of 88.5–99.8% in the total PFAS leachability and 88.7–99.8% in the combined PFOS and PFHxS leachability at pH 5. Similarly, significant reductions (5–12-fold) were observed in the plant uptake of total PFAS and combined PFOS and PFHxS in all treated soil samples. In addition, although the Microtox test showed relatively low ecotoxicity in all the experimental samples, including the untreated soil, a significant decrease in the ecotoxicity of treated soil samples was observed. The results from this study highlight that this treatment approach has the potential to reduce both PFAS leachability and plant bioavailability with a relatively low associated ecotoxicity. This is likely to reduce the risk of the transfer of PFAS into higher trophic levels. This immobilisation treatment may, therefore, reduce the risk associated with PFAS-contaminated soils and may be an important remediation tool for managing certain PFAS-contaminated soils.

Graphical Abstract
Sorption and release of the pesticides oxyfluorfen and boscalid in digestate from olive pomace and in digestate-amended soil
Authors: Loffredo Elisabetta , Carnimeo Claudia , D’Orazio Valeria , Colatorti Nicola
Published: February 2024

Purpose

The decline in organic matter content in many agricultural soils results in a dramatic decrease in their ability to retain xenobiotics. Due to its carbon-rich nature and sorptive behaviour, digestate used as soil amendment can counteract this trend. This study investigated the sorption efficiency of the herbicide oxyfluorfen and the fungicide boscalid by a digestate from olive pomace only, and by a loamy calcareous agricultural soil before and after its amendment with 2 and 5% (w/w) digestate.

Methods

To investigate the surface micromorphology and the functional groups of the digestate, scanning electron microscopy (SEM-EDX) and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy were employed, respectively. Adsorption kinetics and adsorption/desorption isotherms of the compounds on the digestate and the soil were performed. Adsorption data were described using the Henry, Freundlich, Langmuir and Temkin equations.

Results

Both oxyfluorfen and boscalid reached the steady state on both substrates in approximately 2 h according to a pseudo-second order model, thus denoting a prevalent chemisorptive interaction. The Freundlich model was generally the best fit for both molecules on any substrate. The KFads values for oxyfluorfen on the digestate, soil, soil + 2% digestate, and soil + 5% digestate were, respectively, 7158, 19, 60 and 170 L kg−1, while for boscalid, in the same order, they were 3700, 11, 37 and 31 L kg−1, at a temperature of 20 °C. The desorption of both compounds from the non-amended and amended soil and, especially, from the digestate was quite slow and incomplete, indicating the occurrence of a hysteretic process. Highly significant correlations were found for both molecules between the adsorption and desorption parameters of all adsorbents and their organic carbon content.

Conclusion

This study confirms the prominent role of organic matter in the retention/release of pesticides in soil. It is expected that the addition of digestate to soil can reduce the risk of transport of toxic compounds in natural waters and/or limit their uptake in edible plant organs.
Image-guided moderately hypofractionated radiotherapy for localized prostate cancer: a multicentric retrospective study (IPOPROMISE)
Authors: Ingrosso Gianluca , Ponti Elisabetta , Francolini Giulio , Caini Saverio , Fondelli Simona , Santini Roberto , Valeriani Maurizio , Rago Luciana , Duroni Giacomo , Bruni Alessio , Augurio Antonietta , Tramacere Francesco , Trippa Fabio , Russo Donatella , Bottero Marta , Tamburo Maria , Parisi Silvana , Borghesi Simona , Lancia Andrea , Gomellini Sara , Scoccianti Silvia , Stefanacci Marco , Vullo Gianluca , Statuto Teodora , Miranda Giulia , Santo Bianca , Di Marzo Alessandro , Bellavita Rita , Vinciguerra Annamaria , Livi Lorenzo , Aristei Cynthia , Bertini Niccolò , Orsatti Carolina , Detti Beatrice
Published: February 2024

Background

Moderate hypofractionated radiotherapy is a treatment option for the cure of localized prostate cancer (PCa) patients based on the results of randomized prospective trials, but there is a clinical concern about the relatively short length of follow-up, and real-world results on outcome and toxicity based on cutting-edge techniques are lacking. The objective of this study is to present the long-term results of a large multicentric series.

Materials and methods

We retrospectively evaluated 1325 PCa patients treated with daily volumetric image-guided hypofractionated radiotherapy between 2007 and 2020 in 16 Centers. For survival endpoints, we used Kaplan–Meier survival curves and fitted univariate and multivariable Cox’s proportional hazards regression models to study the association between the clinical variables and each survival type.

Results

At the end of the follow-up, 11 patients died from PCa. The 15-year values of cancer-specific survival (CSS) and biochemical relapse-free survival (b-RFS) were 98.5% (95%CI 97.3–99.6%) and 85.5% (95%CI 81.9–89.4%), respectively. The multivariate analysis showed that baseline PSA, Gleason score, and the use of androgen deprivation therapy were significant variables for all the outcomes. Acute gastrointestinal (GI) and genitourinary (GU) toxicities of grade ≥ 2 were 7.0% and 16.98%, respectively. The 15-year late grade ≥ 2 GI and GU toxicities were 5% (95%CI 4–6%) and 6% (95%CI 4–8%), respectively.

Conclusion

Real-world long-term results of this multicentric study on cutting-edge techniques for the cure of localized PCa demonstrated an excellent biochemical-free survival rate of 85.5% at 15 years, and very low rates of ≥ G3 late GU and GI toxicity (1.6% and 0.9% respectively), strengthening the results of the available published trials.
Micro milling of different workpiece materials with all-ceramic Y-TZP and cemented carbide micro end mills
Authors: Mayer Tobias , Kieren-Ehses Sonja , Kirsch Benjamin , Aurich Jan C.
Published: February 2024

Micro milling is a very flexible micro cutting process widely deployed to manufacture miniaturized parts. However, size effects occur when downscaling the cutting processes. They lead to higher mechanical loads on the tools and therefore increased tool wear. Micro milling tools are usually made of cemented carbides due to their mechanical strength and fine grain structure. Technical ceramics as alternative tool materials offer very good mechanical properties as well, with grain sizes well below 1 $$\upmu$$
μ
m. In conventional machining, they have proven to be able to reduce tool wear. To transfer these wear improvements to the micro scale, we manufactured all-ceramic micro end mills in previous studies ($$\varnothing$$
∅
 50 and $$\varnothing$$
∅
 100 $$\upmu$$
μ
m). Tools made from zirconia (Y-TZP) showed the sharpest cutting edges, and were the best performing in micro milling trials amongst the substrates tested. However, the advantages of the ceramic substrate could not be utilized for the brass and titanium materials tested in those studies. Therefore, in this study the capabilities of all-ceramic micro end mills ($$\varnothing$$
∅
 50 $$\upmu$$
μ
m) in different workpiece materials (1.4404, 1.7225, 3.1325 and PMMA GS) were researched. For the two steels and the aluminum alloy, the ceramic tools did not offer an improvement over the cemented carbide tools used as reference. For the thermoplastic PMMA however, significant improvements could be achieved by utilizing the Y-TZP ceramic tools: Less tool wear, less and more stable cutting forces, and higher surface qualities.
Flow curve approximation of high-strength aluminium alloys in heat-assisted forming processes
Authors: Schmiedt M. , Schneider R. , Jung J. , Rimkus W. , De Silva A. K. M.
Published: February 2024

Predicting the flow behaviour at high strain values beyond uniform elongation is a critical factor in sheet metal forming, especially in the context of heat-assisted forming processes of lightweight materials. Based on uniaxial tensile tests conducted at the temperature profiles of the Hotforming, W-Temper, and Warmforming process routes this study presents the determination of the flow curve for EN AW-7021 sheet material using five commonly used empirical approximation models. A support point obtained from layer compression tests was introduced to analyse the accuracy of the extrapolation models at higher strain values. All models considered were found to be in good agreement with the experimental tensile test data in the area of uniform elongation. However, the empirical approximation models show significant differences in strain hardening behaviour when higher strain values and varying temperature profiles are considered. For the Hotforming and W-Temper process routes, the Hockett-Sherby model estimates the flow behaviour with the highest accuracy. When using the Warmforming process, all approximation models considered seem to estimate the flow behaviour with reasonable accuracy, however the Ludwik-Hollomon modified equation shows the best correlation with the experimental data.
In-process approach for editing the subsurface properties during single-lip deep hole drilling using a sensor-integrated tool
Authors: Wegert Robert , Guski Vinzenz , Schmauder Siegfried , Möhring Hans-Christian
Published: February 2024

Single-lip deep-hole drilling (SLD) is characterized by high surface quality and compressive residual stress in the subsurface of the drill hole. These properties depend significantly on the thermomechanical conditions in the machining process. The desired subsurface properties can be adjusted in-process via process monitoring near the cutting zone with a sensor-integrated tool and closed loop control when the thermomechanical conditions are maintained in the optimum range. In this paper, a method is presented to control the thermomechanical conditions to adjust the properties in the subsurface. The process model integrated in the controller is implemented as a soft sensor and takes into account the residual stresses, the roughness, the hardness and the grain size in the surface as well as in the subsurface depending on the process control variables, such as the feed rate and cutting speed. The correlation between the process variables, the thermomechanical conditions of the cutting process and the subsurface properties are investigated both experimentally and by finite element (FE) simulations. Within a justified process parameter range, characteristic fields for the soft sensor were established for each property. In addition, the procedure of controller design and the employed hardware and interfaces are presented.
Material Sense: Perceptual Experience in Stone and Mineral Selection for Tool-Making
Authors: Efrati Bar
Published: February 2024

Enactivism advocates for the dynamic character of human perception, regarding it as a multidirectional network comprising human presence and self-awareness within the world (eg., with materials, with objects, with and within locations). Thus, perception is not created by mental representations alone but by human presence and sensorimotor action and interaction in the world. This study emphasizes the vital role of perception and perceptual experience as enactive in human ontological perspectives concerning choosing and collecting stones and minerals. It will also suggest that the enactive perceptual experience of the environment occurs in its absence through memory and material relationships.
“The Response Hasn’t Been a Human-to-Human Response, but a System-to-Human Response”: Health Care Perspectives of Police Responses to Persons with Mental Illness in Crisis
Authors: Morgan Matthew M.
Published: February 2024

Persons with mental illness (PWMI) and other marginalised groups in society are especially receptive to procedurally fair treatment by police, especially given its potential to therapeutically de-escalate a mental health crisis. Yet PWMI often report feeling criminalised and dehumanised during police encounters whilst suffering mental health crises. Since health care workers are often present when police respond to PWMI in crisis, their perceptions regarding how police should (and do) respond to PWMI provides important knowledge for procedural justice scholarship. Through in-depth semi-structured interviews with health care workers, this research applies a procedural justice lens to explore the ways in which police interact with PWMI in crisis. The findings from the study argue that whilst police often interact with PWMI using procedurally just techniques, several challenges and limitations often hinder the procedurally just treatment of PWMI by police. This paper argues that the police need to further solidify formal and informal collaborative working relationships with health care workers to harness just and appropriate responses to PWMI in crisis.
Are they functional hypogonadal men? Testosterone serum levels unravel male idiopathic infertility subgroups
Authors: Spaggiari Giorgia , Costantino Francesco , Dalla Valentina Leonardo , Romeo Marilina , Furini Chiara , Roli Laura , De Santis Maria Cristina , Canu Giulia , Trenti Tommaso , Granata Antonio R. M. , Simoni Manuela , Santi Daniele
Published: February 2024

Purpose

To evaluate total testosterone distribution in male idiopathic infertility.

Methods

A retrospective, real-world case-control clinical study was conducted. Cases consisted of men evaluated for couple infertility, specifically those with alterations in semen parameters and normal gonadotropin levels, and after excluding all known causes of male infertility. Controls were male subjects who underwent semen analysis for screening purposes, without any abnormality detected. The total testosterone distribution was evaluated in cases and controls. Further analyses were performed subgrouping cases according to total testosterone reference threshold suggested by scientific societies (i.e., 3.5 ng/mL).

Results

Cases included 214 idiopathic infertile men (mean age 38.2 ± 6.2 years) and controls 224 subjects with normozoospermia (mean age 33.7 ± 7.5 years). Total testosterone was not-normally distributed in both cases and controls, with positive asymmetric distribution slightly shifted on the left in cases. The rate of subjects with testosterone lower than 3.5 ng/mL was higher in cases (23.8%) than controls (4.5%) (p < 0.001). In cases with testosterone lower than 3.5 ng/mL, a significant direct correlation between testosterone and the percentage of normal morphology sperms was highlighted, also applying multivariate stepwise linear regression analysis (R = 0.430, standard error = 0.3, p = 0.020).

Conclusion

Although idiopathic infertile men show by definition altered semen analysis and gonadotropins within reference ranges, testosterone serum levels are widely variable in this population. Approximately a quarter of these patients present some sort of functional hypogonadism. Our data support the need to better classify idiopathic male infertility and total testosterone serum levels could be a supportive parameter in tracing the patient’s therapeutic profile.
OpenEOcubes: an open-source and lightweight R-based RESTful web service for analyzing earth observation data cubes
Authors: Pondi Brian , Appel Marius , Pebesma Edzer
Published: February 2024

In recent decades, Earth Observation (EO) systems have seen remarkable technological advancements, leading to a surge in Earth-orbiting satellites capturing EO data. Cloud-based storage solutions have been adopted to manage the increasing data volume. Although numerous EO data management and analysis platforms have emerged to accommodate this growth, many suffer from limitations like closed-source software, leading to platform lock-in and restricted functionalities, restricting the scientific community from conducting open and reproducible research. To tackle these issues, we present OpenEOcubes, a lightweight EO data cubes analysis service that embraces open-source tools, standardized APIs, and containerized deployment, we demonstrate the service’s capabilities in two user scenarios: performing vegetation analysis in Amazonia, Brazil for one year, and detecting changes in a forested area in Brandenburg, Germany based on five years of EO data.OpenEOcubes is an easy-to-deploy service that empowers the scientific community to reproduce small and medium-sized EO scientific analysis while aggregating over a potentially huge amount of data. It enables the extension of functionalities and validation of analysis carried out on different EO data processing platforms.
@llegra: a chatbot for Vallader
Authors: Bendel Oliver , Jabou Dalil
Published: February 2024

Extinct and endangered languages have been preserved primarily through audio conservation and the collection and digitization of scripts and have been promoted through targeted language acquisition efforts. Another possibility would be to build conversational agents like chatbots or voice assistants that can master these languages. This would provide an artificial, active conversational partner which has knowledge of the vocabulary and grammar and allows one to learn with it in a different way. The chatbot, @llegra, with which one can communicate in the Rhaeto-Romanic idiom Vallader was developed in 2023 based on GPT-4. It can process and output text and has voice output. It was additionally equipped with a manually created knowledge base. After laying the conceptual groundwork, this paper presents the preparation and implementation of the project. In addition, it summarizes the tests that native speakers conducted with the chatbot. A critical discussion elaborates advantages and disadvantages. @llegra could be a new tool for teaching and learning Vallader in a memorable and entertaining way through dialog. It not only masters the idiom, but also has extensive knowledge about the Lower Engadine, that is, the area where Vallader is spoken. In conclusion, it is argued that conversational agents are an innovative approach to promoting and preserving languages.
Adapting to Climate Risk? Local Population Dynamics in the United States
Authors: Indaco Agustín , Ortega Francesc
Published: February 2024

Using a new composite climate-risk index, we show that population in high-risk counties has grown disproportionately over the last few decades, even relative to the corresponding commuting zone. We also find that the agglomeration is largely driven by increases in the (white) working-age population. In addition, we show that high-risk tracts have typically grown more than low-risk tracts within the same county, suggesting the presence of highly localized amenities. We also document heterogeneous population dynamics by degree of urbanization, region and type of natural hazard. Specifically, population has been retreating from high-risk, low-urbanization locations, but continues to grow in high-risk areas with high residential capital. Net migration flows have contributed to the higher growth of high-risk counties in the South and Northeast of the country, but the opposite has happened in the West and Midwest. Last, we provide evidence of microretreat in the case of coastal flooding: tracts with high levels of this risk have grown significantly less than other tracts in the same county, suggesting that residents are willing to relocate within short distances to avoid predictably risky locations.
Efficacy of the traditional and nano-forms of thiocyclam and chlorantraniliprole against Spodoptera littoralis and Agrotis ipsilon and analysis of their residues in tomato fruits
Authors: Moustafa Moataz A. M. , EL-Gammal Hassan A. , Alfuhaid Nawal Abdulaziz , Fonagy Adrien , Ibrahim EL-Desoky S.
Published: February 2024

For effective pest control, nano-insecticides have recently been proposed as a promising alternative to traditional ones. Thus, this study aimed to compare the efficacy of the traditional and nano-forms of thiocyclam (a natural toxin-based insecticide) and chlorantraniliprole (a diamide insecticide) against two major insect pests, the cotton leafworm, Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.), and the black cutworm, Agrotis ipsilon (Hufnagel). The residue levels of the two insecticides in tomato fruits were also assessed. The results showed that chlorantraniliprole was more effective against both insects than thiocyclam, and the nano-forms were more effective than the traditional ones. This higher insecticidal activity of chlorantraniliprole could be attributed to its novel action by binding tightly to ryanodine receptors in insects. The study also optimized and validated an analytical method for residue determination of thiocyclam and chlorantraniliprole in tomato fruits using QuEChERS method and LC-MS/MS. Percentage recovery ranged from 70 to 104%, with good precision and expanded uncertainty of up to ± 23%. The half-life times of thiocyclam and its nano-form in tomatoes were 0.38 and 0.57 days, respectively, compared to 0.7 and 0.38 days for chlorantraniliprole and its nano-form. On the other hand, the calculated pre-harvest intervals for thiocyclam and its nano-form, using the EU maximum residue limit, were 7 and 3 days, respectively, compared to 1 day for both forms of chlorantraniliprole.
Characterization of carotenoids, proximal analysis, phenolic compounds, anthocyanidins and antioxidant capacity of an underutilized tuber (Tropaeolum tuberosum) from Bolivia
Authors: Castañeta Grover , Miranda-Flores Daniela , Bascopé Marcelo , Peñarrieta J. Mauricio
Published: February 2024

The tubers of Tropaeolum tuberosum, locally known as Isaño and native to the Andean region of South America, have been known since ancient times for their multiple uses in the Bolivian population. They are used both as food in various preparations and in traditional medicine. In this investigation, we report the study of three Isaño cultivars currently consumed in Bolivia. We determined their proximal composition, characterized carotenoids, determined antioxidant capacity, measured total phenols and total flavonoids, and quantified the major polyphenols. The results show that, apart from being a source of important nutrients such as proteins, Bolivian Isaño is a source of antioxidants and has a higher concentration of flavonoids and anthocyanidins, particularly in the purple cultivar. Additionally, we identified the presence of three carotenoids in this food for the first time: Lutein, Neoxanthin, and β-carotene. Through these types of studies, we aim to revalue this food, which is little known both in Bolivia and outside the Andean region of South America. Considering its nutritional properties, we seek to increase its consumption.
Prevalence and Predictive Factors of Panic Disorder among Adults in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Aljadani Ahmed , Alshammari Khalid , Alshammari Mossa , Alshammari Sulaiman , Alhuwaydi Ahmed , AbouZed Mohamed , Shabaan Islam , Elzahab Nasr , Altuhayni Abdullah , Alghasab Naif
Published: February 2024

Panic disorder (PD) is a severe anxiety disorder characterized by recurrent and unexpected panic attacks that cause intense distress. Despite the high prevalence of panic disorder and its significant impact on life, limited research has been conducted on its prevalence and their associated factors in Saudi Arabia. This study seeks to contribute to the understanding of PD among adults in Saudi Arabia by examining its prevalence and associated factors, using an online survey method. A validated questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was conducted targeting 1276 Saudi adults. Data were collected electronically via Google Forms from the eligible participants. The questionnaire comprised three sections: sociodemographic information, medical history, and a validated diagnostic tool for PD. The prevalence of PD among Saudi adults was 13.1%. Most individuals with PD experienced their first panic attack before the age of 18. Only 38.3% individuals with PD sought medical attention, and approximately one-third of those who sought help did not receive a diagnosis. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that significant risk factors for PD included being female; having chronic health problems, a comorbid psychiatric disorder, a high body mass index; and experiencing suicidal ideation (P < 0.05). The highest risk was associated with chronic diseases (adjusted odds ratio = 3.1, 95% confidence interval: 2.1–4.6). This study demonstrates that PD is a prevalent and debilitating mental health condition among Saudi Arabian adults. Non-mental health physicians should be aware of PD, as many cases remain undiagnosed.
Legal Problems of International Organizations
Authors: Morgenstern Felice , Klabbers Jan
Published: February 2024

Felice Morgenstern was one of the leading international organizations lawyers of her generation, producing first-rate academic work based on her vast practical experience, gained as a legal official at the International Labour Organization. This re-issue of her classic Lauterpacht lectures delivered at Cambridge University in 1985 (with a Foreword by Jan Klabbers) discusses three issues in the law of international organizations: their position in public and private international law; issues of membership and representation, and standard-setting. Long out of stock, this re-issue makes Morgenstern's pioneering work available to a new generation of students of international organizations law.
The influence of spirituality, religiosity, and self-care on well-being among Thai infection preventionists during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Apisarnthanarak Anucha , Greene M. Todd , Collier Kristin M. , Kasatpibal Nongyao , Fowler Karen E. , Saint Sanjay
Published: February 2024

In a national survey of lead infection preventionists in Thai hospitals, spiritual and religious importance were associated with increased odds of career satisfaction. Cultivating environments for spiritual, religious, and self-care practices within the clinical setting may help facilitate emotional well-being—and prevent burnout—among Thai healthcare workers.