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This paper puts forward a conceptual framework to support the dual challenges of strategic and practical integrative action of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) across Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). There are numerous existing resources and toolkits providing appropriate actions, guidance or approaches to monitor and measure ESD engagement. Our intended distinctive contribution in this paper is to complement these with heuristic ways of thinking that offer clarity on the context and evolution of progress on ESD at an institutional level. Our proposals were developed through structured comparative discussions by ESD practitioners from seven European universities, leading to a consensus view on key contextual influences across a range of environments, embodied in our proposed heuristic metaphors. The resulting proposed framework, built upon a systems-based visual metaphor of a forest ecosystem of HEIs, proposes the use of the dimensions of capacity and commitment, to define an integrative framework with four positional scenarios: "Pockets of Practice", "Emerging Agenda" to "Integrated Impact" and "Off the Agenda". To illustrate its application, it is used to contextualize relevant steps to progress ESD associated with each scenario in the areas of strategy, staff development, formal education and extra-curricular opportunities. We argue that the adoption of such a framework by HEI practitioners could support day-to-day decision-making and strategic planning towards an integrated approach to ESD that engages with all areas of university activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change is becoming a defining factor for communities in South Asia. Forming one-fifth of the world population, the region increasingly faces climate-induced disasters such as floods, droughts, heatwaves, cyclones etc. This region also has one of the world's poorest people who struggle to cope with the rapidly changing climatic conditions. Agriculture still employs many people in the region, one of the worst-hit sectors. Agriculture will become untenable in some parts of the region due to climate change. Monsoon patterns have changed, and agriculture does not guarantee sustainable income for the vast majority. Many climate change adaptations have been initiated in the region in response to the threat of climate change. Scholars and practitioners feel that these adaptations must be transformative to be effective. In this paper, we examine eight such adaptations from three South Asian Countries – Bangladesh, India, and Nepal, from the lens of transformative adaptation. We found that no single adaptation initiative meets all the criteria for sustainable socio-ecological transformations. However, there is a significant overlap between different typologies of transformation as envisaged in the paper and literature. We conclude that the concept of socio-ecological transformation is new for South Asia, so integrating it into the programmes and policies is the need of the hour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organizations conducting global environmental assessments (GEAs) face the challenge of not only producing trustworthy and policy-relevant knowledge but also recruiting and training experts to conduct these GEAs. These experts must acquire the skills and competencies needed to produce knowledge assessments. By adopting an institutional approach, this paper explores IPBES's epistemic infrastructure that aims to communicate and form the expertise that is needed to conduct its assessments. The empirical material consists of IPBES's educational material, which teaches new experts how to perform the assessment. The analysis finds three crucial tasks that experts introduced in the assessments are expected to learn and perform. The paper concludes by discussing the broader importance of the findings that organizations that conduct GEAs are not passive intermediaries of knowledge but instead, through their epistemic infrastructure, generate ways to understand and navigate the world, both for those who create and those who receive the assessment report. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate-related hazards, urban development and changing vulnerability patterns compel cities across the world to deal with new and emerging forms of risk. Academic literature and recent international policy documents suggest potentials of conceptually and practically linking the fields of climate change adaptation (CCA) and disaster risk reduction (DRR) and emphasize the need to mitigate climate-related risks at local level. However, there is limited knowledge on how this link is established at local levels and the role of ground-level actors and practices therein. Using the case of recurrent and disastrous floods, this paper discusses the significance of linking DRR and CCA in Mumbai. It analyses policies, plans, institutions and interventions related to DRR and CCA and uses interviews and a field study to assess flood risk governance at the level of municipal wards and neighbourhoods. The findings suggest that although flood risk governance has been significantly strengthened, three gaps exist: First, a lack of a comprehensive plan for Mumbai that anticipates future risks and vulnerabilities and integrates CCA and DRR down to local level. Second, a lack of an overarching and decentralized institutional framework across sectors and scales that recognizes the multiplicity of formal and informal actors. Third, the potential of civil society and informal actors for disaster risk management and adaptation planning has not been tapped into sufficiently. The paper argues that potential exists to reconceptualize flood risk governance in Mumbai by focusing on future risks and vulnerabilities and by recognizing the work of informal actors like emergent groups at local level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To treat the impact of trauma, most current evidence supports the use of trauma-focused psychotherapy as the first line approach. However, millions of individuals exposed to trauma worldwide seek Complementary and Integrative Health (CIH) therapies in hopes of achieving wellness above and beyond reducing symptoms. But what is the evidence for CIH interventions? What are potential pitfalls? Given the growing popularity of and strong interest in CIH, EJPT is featuring research on these approaches in this special issue. The papers range from common interventions such as mindfulness to the use of service dogs and scuba diving to alleviate trauma related symptoms. A featured editorial highlights the importance of defining when, where, and how placebo responses work. Nonspecific elements of treatment such as positive expectations, therapeutic rituals, healing symbols, and social interactions are identified as factors influencing treatment response and scientists looking to add to the CIH evidence base are encouraged to consider the impact and methodological challenges these elements present. CIH interventions more specifically recognize and harness some of these factors in addition to intervention-specific factors such as attention or emotion regulation along with focus on overall wellbeing. The body of work in this special issue supports the emerging evidence for meditative and relaxation-based interventions and illustrates a creative but nascent state of the field. Cross-intervention mechanisms that may play a role in achieving wellness, such as arousal reduction, emotion regulation, posttraumatic growth, and positive affect are highlighted. The trauma field would benefit from accumulation of evidence for promising CIH interventions, evaluation of potential mechanisms, and examination of health and wellbeing outcomes. With the paucity of high-quality trials, it would be premature to recommend CIH interventions as first-line treatments. However, the emerging literature on CIH continues to advance our understanding of what works and how these interventions exert their effects. Complementary and Integrative Health (CIH) interventions for trauma that target holistic wellness above and beyond symptom reduction are increasingly used in the real world, though the evidence base lags. Papers in this issue support the emerging evidence for efficacy of mindfulness or other meditative or relaxation-based interventions. This special issue illustrates creative approaches but also the need for continued research establishing efficacy, evaluating more inclusive outcomes (e.g. a sense of wellbeing or ability to pursue valued life goals), and identifying potential mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Moral injury is an emerging concept that captures the psychosocial consequences of involvement in and exposure to morally transgressive events. In the past decade, research on moral injury has grown exponentially. In this special collection we review papers on moral injury published in the European Journal of Psychotraumatology from its inception until December 2022, that have a primary focus on moral injury as evidenced by the words 'moral injury' in the title or abstract. We included 19 papers on quantitative (n = 9) and qualitative (n = 5) studies of different populations including (former) military personnel (n = 9), healthcare workers (n = 4) and refugees (n = 2). Most papers (n = 15) focused on the occurrence of potentially morally injurious experiences (PMIEs), moral injury and associated factors, while four papers primarily concerned treatment. Together, the papers offer a fascinating overview of aspects of moral injury in different populations. Research is clearly widening from military personnel to other populations such as healthcare workers and refugees. Focal points included the impact of PMIEs involving children, the association of PMIEs and personal childhood victimisation, the prevalence of betrayal trauma, and the relationship between moral injury and empathy. As for treatment, points of interest included new treatment initiatives as well as findings that PMIE exposure does not impede help-seeking behaviour and response to PTSD treatment. We further discuss the wide range of phenomena that fall under moral injury definitions, the limited diversity of the moral injury literature, and the clinical utility of the moral injury construct. From conceptualisation to clinical utility and treatment, the concept of moral injury matures. Whether or not moral injury becomes a formal diagnosis, the need to examine tailored interventions to alleviate moral injury is clear. Moral injury is increasingly studied outside military populations, such as in healthcare workers and refugees. Among the most impactful potentially morally injurious experiences (PMIEs) are those involving children, but betrayal trauma may be the most prevalent type of PMIE. There is a need for tailored, evidence-based interventions to alleviate moral injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study reviews how empathy and its role are conceptualised in entrepreneurial and engineering literature. Our findings can then be used as a foundation for developing contextual and theoretical models of empathy for entrepreneurial engineering. These models will help create teaching practices and approaches to prepare empathic entrepreneurial engineers. The study deployed a systematic literature review of 40 papers from engineering and entrepreneurship fields, obtained from the Scopus and Web of Science databases. The analysis involved three phases. First, a descriptive analysis of research on empathy in entrepreneurship and engineering was completed, followed by a content analysis focusing on definitions and the role of the empathy phenomenon and a co-citation analysis to identify commonly cited authors. The results of this literature review demonstrate different indicators that reflect the current state of empathy research and study trajectories of this phenomenon in the fields of engineering and entrepreneurship. These indicators include the number of papers related to empathy in engineering and entrepreneurship literature by year of publication, definitions of empathy and keywords used in analysed literature as well as list of authors and their area of interests within empathy research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The commentary of Dr. Katz and Ms. Waisman[1] misrepresents the 2017 Canadian Guideline for opioid therapy and chronic noncancer pain. The Guideline did encourage clinicians to approach patients prescribed high-dose opioid therapy to consider a voluntary trial of tapering that, in patients who elected to proceed, could be paused or discontinued based on their response. We also place a high value on patient autonomy under these circumstances (p. 1).[8] The 2017 Opioid Guideline did not introduce strict dose limits for people taking opioids. [Extracted from the article]

The safe and effective treatment of patients accessing multiple NHS services relies upon efficient communication between primary care, secondary care, and out of hours providers. There is a theoretical risk to patient safety from delays in these processes, to which paper communications are particularly vulnerable. When letters are received they must be reviewed and prioritised in order of clinical importance, a process that requires both time and clinical resources. This is relevant to the challenge of resource allocation to maximise patient benefit. This retrospective study investigated the impact on patient safety of 249 clinical letters reporting routine clinical encounters in secondary care and out of hours services that were delayed by an average of 18-24 months to a suburban London general practice. No clinical harm could be attributed to the delay. This small study did not suggest delays in routine communications pose a significant risk to patient safety. Conversely, it questions the efficiency and benefit to patients of prioritising clinical time to reviewing routine letters. The adoption of fully integrated, shared electronic patient records with the function to highlight clinically urgent or important communications might ease clinician workload, to the ultimate benefit of patient care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report a simple paper filter-based cross flow filtration method for air purification. We have examined a monolith filter array with a cross flow ratio of 1.0 and parallel and staggered filter arrays with a cross flow ratio of about 0.7 in terms of pressure drop and collection efficiency. The monolith filter array shows a monotonic increase in pressure drop from approximately 0.9 to 2.1 kPa. The parallel and staggered filter arrays reduce the increase in pressure drop, which can be maintained as low as 0.8 kPa over the entire range of dust loadings examined. The monolith filter array shows the highest collection efficiency, which is more than 95% over the entire range of dust loadings examined. The collection efficiency of the parallel and staggered filter arrays is initially as high as 70% and decreases to 30% when the dust loading increases to 40 and 100 g m−2, respectively. In particular, collected particles are more uniformly distributed on the staggered filter array than on the parallel filter array, resulting in the initial collection efficiency of 70% being sustained for a longer time. This uniform distribution in the staggered filter array may prevent a rapid increase in local pressure drop. This study provides insight into the development of filtration systems using simple paper filters without increasing the pressure drop and decreasing the collection efficiency. Copyright © 2022 American Association for Aerosol Research [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Robust scientific and clinical evidence of how to appropriately manage denture plaque is lacking. This two-part study (i) developed an in vitro model of denture plaque removal, and (ii) assessed effectiveness of these approaches in a randomised clinical trial. Method: (i) a complex denture plaque model was developed using the dominant microbial genera from a recent microbiome analyses. Biofilms formed on polymethylmethacrylate were brushed daily with a wet toothbrush, then either treated daily for 5 days or only on Days 1 and 5 with Polident® denture cleanser tablets (3 min soaking). Quantitative and qualitative microbiological assessments were performed. (ii), an examiner-blind, randomised, crossover study of complete maxillary denture wearers was performed (n = 19). Either once-daily for 7 days or on Day 7 only, participants soaked dentures for 15 min using Corega® denture cleansing tables, then brushed. Denture plaque microbiological assessment used sterilized filter paper discs. Results: The in vitro model showed daily cleaning with denture cleanser plus brushing significantly reduced microbial numbers compared to intermittent denture cleaning with daily brushing (p < 0.001). The clinical component of the study showed a statistically significant reduction in denture plaque microbial numbers in favour of daily versus weekly treatment (aerobic bacteria p = 0.0144). Both in vitro and in vivo studies showed that denture plaque biofilm composition were affected by different treatment arms. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that daily denture cleansing regimens are superior to intermittent denture cleansing, and that cleansing regimens can induce denture plaque compositional changes. Clinicaltrials.gov registration: NCT02780661. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the present research work was to explore the nutritional composition of different infant formulas and determine the safety status of these products. For this purpose, different infant formula brands were procured from the local market of Faisalabad, Pakistan. After the collection of these different brands, nutritional composition, i.e. fat, protein, ash, moisture and fiber was determined whilst the microbial analysis, such as Salmonella, Yeasts and Molds Count, and Total Bacteria Count, was carried out through their methods. In addition, the amino acid profile was assessed through paper chromatography. Furthermore, an appropriate statistical design was carried out to determine the level of significance. Mean values for amino acids, i.e. lysine, valine and cysteine varied from 3.06 g/100 g to 6.63 g/100 g, 4.90 g/100 g to 6.51 g/100 g, and 2.32 g/100 g to 3.04 g/100 g, respectively, in different brands of infant formula. Moreover, moisture content, crude proteins, crude fat, crude fiber, ash content, and nitrogen-free extract (NFE) varied from 1.6% to 3.83%, 10.55% to 14.67%, 9.82% to 26.63%, 1.00% to 4.13%, 1.87% to 4.20%, and 51.03% to 69.17%, respectively. It is evident from the microbiological analyses that Salmonella was not present in any brand of infant formula. Whereas yeast and mold counts were ≤2 cfu/g to ≤10 cfu/g in different brands. Moreover, total bacteria count was exhibited in the range of 1.5 × 103cfu/g to 6.3 × 103 cfu/g among different brands. Local infant formulas contained high amounts of heavy metals, i.e. 0.99 pp, of lead content followed by cadmium and aluminum as 0.28–0.98 ppm and 1.48–2.05 ppm, respectively. Conclusively, it is evident from whole research that local brands contained higher contents of heavy metal as compared to branded. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the effectiveness of feed rate, depth of cut, and cutting speed on material removal rate (MRR) and surface roughness (SR) of CNC lathe machines on AL6061 Materials. A combined use of Taguchi, Response Surface Methodology (RSM), and Genetic Algorithms (GA) is proposed to study and optimise turning processes. Firstly, the RSM with a fractional factorial design is implemented to indicate the significance and influence of process parameters on RSM and MRR. With the achieved data, regression models are formulated to present the relationship between control factors and the responses and are proven reliable in predicting through statistical analysis and validating experiment results. Further, a multi-objective genetic algorithm (GA) was used to obtain a Pareto solution set with multiple combinations of factors for optimal MRR and SR. Then, the best trade-off between process parameters is analysed to achieve desired quality outcomes. The results indicate that the proposed approach provides an effective solution for CNC Turning machines and can extend to similar problems in various fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rock discontinuity information plays a key role in engineering activities. In severely fragmented and discontinuous samples, the identification accuracy of rock discontinuities can be improved with the help of geologic knowledge with identified spatial features and geoscience interaction mechanisms. Therefore, we proposed a new method – a knowledge-based intelligent recognition method for rock discontinuities that used point cloud data – to correct inaccurate identification by considering the spatial relationships of rock discontinuities. This paper integrated the geologic knowledge bases in rock discontinuity information extraction rules and combined the generative rule inference model with the region growing method for intelligent extraction. In the case study, we developed four typical rule sets as examples based on the constructed rule system to group rock discontinuities and subsume the fractured rock discontinuities. Results show that this new method is effective in identifying and classifying rock discontinuities of complex areas with a greater reduction in manual intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite agriculture being the largest employer of young people, South Africa faces a youth unemployment crisis. The youth are increasingly disinterested in agriculture and often view it as a last resort in the absence of alternative employment opportunities. This paper explores strategies to change these negative perceptions and attract young people to agriculture. Drawing on twenty-two studies conducted over the past decade, national grade 12 statistics, University enrolments, yearbook reviews, and twenty job advertisements, I identify five key areas for intervention. First, the youth interested in agripreneurship need support to access financial and physical resources. They also need training offered jointly by tertiary institutions and the government. Second, agricultural education in primary and secondary schools will likely attract and retain youths to agriculture. Third, we need to reform the education system at all levels to ensure holistic student development opportunities, including the technical and soft skills required by agricultural sector employers. Fourth, our marketing strategies need reform; collaboration with the media is necessary to increase awareness and change youths’ perceptions about agriculture and agricultural careers. Five, we need to strengthen the role of agricultural associations to bridge the gap between the agricultural sector and secondary and tertiary education institutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTSSalmonellosis represents a significant economic and public health concern for the poultry industry in Africa, leading to substantial economic losses due to mortality, reduced productivity, and food safety problems. However, comprehensive information on the burden of poultry salmonellosis at the continental level is scarce. To address this gap, a systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to consolidate information on the prevalence and circulating serotypes of poultry salmonellosis in African countries. This involved the selection and review of 130 articles published between 1984 and 2021. A detailed systematic review protocol was structured according to Cochrane STROBE and PRISMA statement guideline. From the 130 selected articles from 23 different African countries, the overall pooled prevalence estimate (PPE) of poultry salmonellosis in Africa was found to be 14.4% (95% CI = 0.145–0.151). Cameroon reported the highest PPE at 71.9%. The PPE was notably high in meat and meat products at 23%. The number of research papers reporting poultry salmonellosis in Africa has shown a threefold increase from 1984 to 2021. Salmonella Enteritidis and Typhimurium were the two most prevalent serotypes reported in 18 African countries. Besides, Salmonella Kentucky, Virchow, Gallinarum, and Pullorum were also widely reported. Western Africa had the highest diversity of reported Salmonella serotypes (141), in contrast to southern Africa, which reported only 27 different serotypes. In conclusion, poultry salmonellosis is highly prevalent across Africa, with a variety of known serotypes circulating throughout the continent. Consequently, it is crucial to implement strategic plans for the prevention and control of Salmonella in Africa.The pooled sample prevalence of poultry salmonellosis in Africa is high (14.4%).The highest PPE was recorded in meat and meat products.Salmonella serotypes of zoonotic importance were found in all sample types.Salmonella Enteritidis and Typhimurium are common serotypes spreading in Africa.The pooled sample prevalence of poultry salmonellosis in Africa is high (14.4%).The highest PPE was recorded in meat and meat products.Salmonella serotypes of zoonotic importance were found in all sample types.Salmonella Enteritidis and Typhimurium are common serotypes spreading in Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) strains of genotype GVIII have been emerging in Europe in the last decade, but no biological characterization has been reported so far. This paper reports the extensive genetic and biological characterization of IBV strain D2860 of genotype GVIII which was isolated from a Dutch layer flock that showed a drop in egg production. Whole genome sequencing showed that it has a high similarity (95%) to CK/DE/IB80/2016 (commonly known as IB80). Cross-neutralization tests with antigens and serotype-specific antisera of a panel of different non-GVIII genotypes consistently gave less than 2% antigenic cross-relationship with D2860. Five experiments using specified pathogen-free chickens of 0, 4, 29 and 63 weeks of age showed that D2860 was not able to cause clinical signs, drop in egg production, false layers or renal pathology. There was also a distinct lack of ciliostasis at both 5 and 8 days post-inoculation at any age, despite proof of infection by immunohistochemical (IHC) staining, RT–PCR and serology. IHC showed immunostaining between 5 and 8 days post inoculation in epithelial cells of sinuses and conchae, while only a few birds displayed immunostaining in the trachea. In vitro comparison of replication of D2860 and M41 in chicken embryo kidney cells at 37°C and at 41°C indicated that D2860 might have a degree of temperature sensitivity that might cause it to prefer the colder parts of the respiratory tract. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An implicit limit state function is predicted with a support vector machine (SVM) for reliability analysis of engineering structures to reduce the number of finite element analyses. The accuracy and predictability of the SVM method are reduced considerably by noise in data. In this paper, density-based spatial clustering of applications with noise (DBSCAN) is applied to reduce the noise in training samples for SVM regression. Then, the SVM model is linked with Monte Carlo simulation (MCS) to find out the reliability of the engineering structures. Four different examples of static and dynamic problems are solved to show acceptability and efficiency of the proposed method. It is observed that the proposed method is suitable for a smaller number of performance function calls. Direct MCS, artificial neural network-based MCS and response surface methods have been used to examine the effectiveness of the algorithm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The shear behaviour of fibre-reinforced polymer reinforced concrete (FRP-RC) beams without web reinforcement suffers from low strength, low stiffness, more brittleness and wide and quick propagated cracks. Fortunately, the addition of various types of fibres could improve most of these weaknesses. On the other hand, the shear strength prediction of FRP-RC beams with various types of fibres is one of the most complex cases in structural engineering applications. Developing generalised, precise and consistent prediction models are necessary and very limited. This paper investigates the impacts of various types of fibres on shear strength and presents proposing four new prediction models, utilising artificial neural networks and empirical nonlinear regression analysis, and modifying the combination of available models based on a collected database of 49 shear test results of FRP-RC members with various types of fibres. The comparison of the developed models with the available equations from the literature indicates that the developed models yielded excellent performance, great efficiency and a high level of accuracy over all other existing models. Additionally, the parametric study confirmed that all the developed models have great abilities to accurately predict the actual response of each parameter, in spite of its complexity, on the shear strength of FRP-reinforced fibrous concrete beams without stirrups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Asphalt mixture recycled technology (Al-Saffar et al. 2021) is an efficient method for achieving asphalt pavement sustainability. The optimum asphalt content of recycled asphalt mixture is first determined by the Marshall test in this paper. Second, Materials Studio software was used to simulate the interface effect between three different asphalts and aggregate, and the adhesion between asphalt and aggregate was characterised based on the interface energy. The mesoscopic structural characteristics of three asphalt mixtures were then analysed using digital image processing technology. Finally, through three macro experiments, the influence of old asphalt on the mechanical properties of recycled asphalt mixture was studied from a macro perspective. At the microscopic level, the results show that the presence of the old asphalt reduces the adhesion between the asphalt and the aggregate. At the mesoscopic level, the presence of old asphalt reduces the porosity of the asphalt mixture. At the macroscopic level, the addition of old asphalt improves the high temperature and water stability of recycled asphalt mixture while decreasing the low temperature crack resistance. The microscopic and mechanical properties of old asphalt on recycled asphalt mixture are explained on three levels, and new ideas for research on recycled asphalt mixtures are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cement is one of the main sources of negative environmental impact of concrete. One way to reduce this impact of concrete could be through the reduction of the cement content. This could be achieved by replacing a part of cement with mineral additives such as fly ash, blast-furnace slag, silica fume, metakaolin (MK), etc. in concrete. In this paper, the effect of curing temperature on MK blended cements is investigated. Isothermal calorimetry and compressive strength tests are performed on mortars prepared with various replacement levels of cement by MK (5%, 15% and 25%) and cured at different temperatures (10°C, 20°C and 40°C). Further, water porosity test and microscopic observations were carried out to confirm the findings. Results showed that the pozzolanic activity of MK is conditioned by the curing temperature and its levels of replacement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recent dynamic environment can't think its modern development in the construction field without any sustainable materials. One of such materials is bamboo that is in construction practice since ancient times. This paper focuses on the effective use of Bamboo Fibre (BF) and Bamboo Stem Ash (BSA) to develop an alternative building material. BSA is used to replace cement partially with varied proportions and treated BF is included as an additive to enhance the mechanical property of system. Various proportions of bamboo mix were developed by Taguchi method of design of experiment and the results are validated by Taguchi's approach to obtain optimal mix proportion. The mix (W/C = 0.5, BSA = 2.5%, BF = 3% and SP = 0.5%) is identified as the optimum dosage with respect to compressive and flexural strength. For water absorption the mix, 0.5 W/C, 2.5% BSA, 1.5% SP and 1% BF is identified as optimum dosage whereas in terms of dry density, the mix (10% BSA, 1% BF, 1.5% SP and 0.35 W/C) is recorded as the optimum dosage. The succeeded proportions show potential signs of addition of bamboo fibre and utilisation of bamboo stem ash as an enduring solution for better tomorrow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large pulsation and impact occur during the working process of hydraulic rock drill, which has a negative influence on the system. Aiming at this phenomenon, the related characteristics of hydraulic fluid inertia are studied in this paper. The dynamic model of impact and reversing mechanism of rock drill is established. Through the parameter analysis of the model, the concepts of hard parameter quantity and soft parameter quantity are proposed. The influence coefficient C of the initial section of crevice flow including the influence of fluid inertia is deduced, and the comprehensive factors such as hydraulic oil velocity, unstable flow and friction resistance are analyzed, The value of soft parameter quantity ζ is (ξ+1) ~ (ξ+ 1.5)。The pressure test of the working chamber is designed and 7 groups of data are obtained. Through data analysis, the influence of C on the simulation results is obtained, which has a great influence on the reversing valve. The deviation of simulation data of left and right valve chamber pressure is increased from ± 8% to ± 3%. It has a certain impact on the impact piston. The deviation of simulation data increases from ± 5% to ± 3%, and has little impact on the accumulator. The deviation of simulation data increases from ± 4% to ± 3%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The burden of malnutrition experienced globally, coupled with the increasing rate of micronutrient deficiencies, compromises the health and well-being of women during their reproductive years. Obesity places young South African women at particular risk during pregnancy, and increases obesity risk for their offspring. To address these risks, the Bukhali trial is being implemented in Soweto, South Africa with 18–28-year-old women, as part of the Healthy Lifestyle Trajectory Initiative. A dietitian is part of the Bukhali intervention team (community health workers) to provide nutritional support for overweight/obese trial participants, making use of the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) Nutrition Checklist. This paper reflects on the experiences and lessons learned by the Bukhali dietitian, including the use of the FIGO Nutrition Checklist and Healthy Conversation Skills to facilitate conversations about making healthy dietary behaviour changes. Identified challenges that influence nutrition and behaviour are discussed, including lack of food affordability, cultural and social influences on healthy food choices, unsupportive environments and food insecurity. Strategies to optimise this nutritional support are also mentioned. The Bukhali trial is showing that introducing additional nutrition support by a dietitian for at-risk participants has the potential to encourage young women to prioritise nutrition and health, even in the midst of contextual challenges to both nutrition and health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China has a huge area of diverse landscapes and is believed to conceive incredibly high fungal diversity. To systematically and promptly report Chinese fungal species, we initiate the series of Catalogue of fungi in China here. In the first paper of this series, we focus on plant-inhabiting fungi. A total of 33 new taxa are described all over China. These taxa include two new genera, viz. Cremeoefibula and Nothopucciniastrum, 18 new species, viz. Annulohypoxylon lancangensis, Ascotaiwania coffeae, Clitocella neofallax, Coleopuccinia yunnanensis, Cremeoefibula hengduanensis, Crepidotus furcaticystidiosus, C. tomentellus, Diachea macroverrucosa, Helicogloea hangzhouensis, Hyalopsora caprearum, Nemania polymorpha, Phanerochaetella austrosinensis, Physalacria tianzhongshanensis, Setophaeosphaeria panlongensis, Subulicystidium boreale, Trechispora subaraneosa, Vikalpa dujuanhuensis, and Xylaria pteridicola, and 13 new combinations, viz. Nothopucciniastrum actinidiae, N. boehmeriae, N. coriariae, N. corni, N. coryli, N. fagi, N. kusanoi, N. hikosanense, N. hydrangeae-petiolaris, N. miyabeanum, N. styracinum, N. tiliae, and N. yoshinagae. The morphological characteristics and phylogenetic evidence are used to support the establishment of these new taxa and the accuracy of their taxonomic placements. We hope that the series of Catalogue of fungi in China will contribute to Chinese fungal diversity and promote the significance of recording new fungal taxa from China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rising global demand for sustainable and eco-friendly practices has led to a burgeoning interest in circular bioeconomy, wherein waste materials are repurposed into valuable resources. Lignocellulosic waste, abundant in agricultural residues and forestry by-products, represents a significant untapped resource. This article explores the potential of fungal-mediated processes for the valorisation of lignocellulosic waste, highlighting their role in transforming these recalcitrant materials into bio-based products. The articles delve into the diverse enzymatic and metabolic capabilities of fungi, which enable them to efficiently degrade and metabolise lignocellulosic materials. The paper further highlights key fungal species and their mechanisms involved in the breakdown of complex biomass, emphasising the importance of understanding their intricate biochemical pathways for optimising waste conversion processes. The key insights of the article will significantly contribute to advancing the understanding of fungal biotechnology for circular bioeconomy applications, fostering a paradigm shift towards a more resource-efficient and environmentally friendly approach to waste management and bio-based product manufacturing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a nonlinear elasto-plastic analysis method under incremental external loads is presented to determine static pushover curves of 3D frame structures. Geometric nonlinearity is taken into account with stability functions, and the nonlinear behaviour of material is considered by plastic hinge hypothesis. Improved matrices and matrix operations for 3D frame elements are given, and the results obtained from a six-storey 3D frame, which is used as a benchmark example, are given comparatively with the related studies. Furthermore, in order to perform these analyses with the developed algorithms, the upgraded computer program TUNAL is used to present pushover curves of a 2-storey RC building for an assumption on torsional stiffness caused by plastic hinges. It is shown that the proposed methodology and the computer program give accurate and reliable results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many education systems internationally expect schools to participate in continuous instructional improvement programmes. One tool used within these processes is the structured, rubric-based classroom observation, focused on the evaluation of teaching. Such observations are a common feature of formative evaluation systems, teacher coaching programmes, within-school teacher collaborative structures, and other local, regional or national frameworks. However, a question arises as to how rubric-based observations may better support teacher learning and development. Drawing on existing theoretical arguments and empirical work, this paper seeks to contribute to discussion about rubric-based classroom observation and its relationship with teacher learning and instructional improvement. Observation rubrics can be regarded as summaries of a community's understanding of good instruction. When generated in a way that makes this understanding accessible to teachers in the context of their own practice, they have the potential to place the rubric's, and teachers', understandings of good teaching 'in conversation' with each other. This could provide valuable opportunities for teachers to refine and expand their understandings of good instruction. Embedding rubric-based observations in school structures can, thus, facilitate continuous improvement efforts by better supporting teacher self-reflection, feedback, and collaboration. However, many uses of observation within school contexts tend to prioritise the rubric's, rather than teachers', understanding of good teaching. This risks turning observations from tools of learning into tools of judgement, disrupting the pathway through which they might support teacher learning and instructional improvement. Our discussion draws attention to the potential benefits yielded and the challenges that may occur in using rubric-based observations to support teacher learning. It highlights factors that need consideration in efforts to leverage rubric-based observations to better promote continuous teacher learning, ultimately positively influencing student learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Piezoelectric semiconductors (PSs) have widespread applications in semiconductor devices due to the coexistence of piezoelectricity and semiconducting properties. It is very important to conduct a theoretical analysis of PS structures. However, the present of nonlinearity in the partial differential equations (PDEs) that describe those multi-field coupling mechanical behaviors of PSs poses a significant mathematical challenge when studying these PS structures. In this paper, we present a novel approach based on machine learning for solving multi-field coupling problems in PS structures. A physics-informed neural networks (PINNs) is constructed for predicting the multi-field coupling behaviors of PS rods with extensional deformation. By utilizing the proposed PINNs, we evaluate the multi-field coupling responses of a ZnO rod under static and dynamic axial forces. Numerical results demonstrate that the proposed PINNs exhibit high accuracy in solving both static and dynamic problems associated with PS structures. It provides an effective approach to predicting the nonlinear multi-field coupling phenomena in PS structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper uses and expands the concept of a 'political moral economy' to better understand elite attempts to justify and promote capitalist development strategies linked to the proliferation of 'smart technologies' such as big data, mobile communications, and the construction of hi-tech cities. Drawing on an Ideology and Discourse analysis perspective on hegemony introduced by Ernesto Laclau and Chantel Mouffe, it aims to show how market-based 'smart development' across the African continent has discursively incorporated resistance moralities associated with popular critiques of elite corruption, foreign exploitation, and local economic marginalisation for its overall political success. To do so, it will focus on the case of 'Leapfrogging development' discourses and the planned construction of the Technopolis Konza in Kenya. The key advance of this article is showing how dominant ideologies – and the domestic and foreign regimes of elite power they support – can be strengthened through processes of 'moral legitimisation' and 'moral disciplining'. Specifically, this moral dimension of hegemony involves the ongoing incorporation and strategic redeployment of existing and emergent normative discourses for the purpose of providing political legitimacy to these governing ideologies and further attempting to normatively regulate populations in accordance with their core values and interests – even in the face of their practical and ongoing failures as policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the process of individuals trying to figure out how the neoliberal economy works by focusing on women selling sex in Mombasa, Kenya. The article will explore the key tensions prevailing in sex work through encounters with supernatural forces narrated by women selling sex. The analysis presented will argue that there are two key tensions that define the moral economy of sex work in Mombasa: the strong stratification among sex workers that position a minority of already better off women in more advantageous ways, thereby leaving most others in precarity; and worries about changing masculinities that result in men who are non-human. Both of those tensions signify the anxieties surrounding an occupation that historically allowed women to accumulate capital and re-insert themselves into Kenyan society in more advantageous positions (see for instance, White 1990, Bujra 1977). Furthermore, the contemporary lived realities of selling sex also speak to the processes of neoliberalisation that are internalised by women selling sex and are becoming a key feature of contemporary commercial sex work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of cartography in environmentally-sustainable development is twofold: first, useful and usable maps enable sense making and decision making about environmental processes, impacts, and protections; second, maps themselves, as digital tools, can be more energy efficient in minimizing our impact on the environment. In this paper, we elevate this energy awareness as a key design consideration for maps and introduce a novel conceptual framework for considering the carbon footprint of the content, form, and use of maps. We first systematically investigate how specific map design decisions impact the energy consumption of digital devices. We then discuss the possible ways that digital maps can be greener, outlining a series of 'big questions' about the content, form, and use context of maps needing future research to realize greener maps. Finally, we assert that green cartography requires not only novel techniques to design green maps but also greater attention to shaping individual, organizational, and social attitudes towards environmentally-friendly maps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quantitative geographical methods have played an important role in COVID-19 research. To complement and extend previous review studies, we conduct a scoping review of COVID-19 studies employing quantitative geographical approaches by focusing on 331 papers published in 45 journals in geography, urban studies, and planning. We identify four major research themes (clusters): (1) how SARS-CoV-2 viruses spread in cities, (2) the COVID-19 mortality (death) rates and their association with socioeconomic variables, (3) how the COVID-19 pandemic changed people's mobilities, and (4) how the COVID-19 pandemic affects air pollution. We conclude that spatial models play a key role in COVID-19 quantitative geographical approaches, and human mobility is an important and widely studied topic. We also reveal a lack of research focusing on environmental pollution (other than air pollution) that potentially worsened during the pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper argues that the different symbolic meanings of goods give rise to three institutionally different market types. We start from the realization that consumption has symbolic meaning, which individuals use to communicate and construct their identity to their social networks. We argue that firm behavior (including size, pricing and marketing strategies) must be congruent with the symbolic meaning of goods. We distinguish between two stylized meanings of goods, status and taste, which we derive from the socio-anthropological literature on consumption. We argue that these different meanings, articulated by consumers to communicate their identity, give rise to three ideal-typical market types. We present the institutional differences between these market types as well as the implications for firm behavior and demonstrate how firm behavior and marketing strategies differs significantly from markets in which the symbolic meaning of goods is relatively unimportant. We use the recent transformation of the beer market by the craft-beer producers, to illustrate our theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recommender systems are the engine of online advertising. Not only do they suggest movies, music, or romantic partners, but they also are used to select which advertisements to show to users. This paper reviews the basics of recommender system methodology and then looks at the emerging arena of active recommender systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The probabilistic topic model imposes a low-rank structure on the expectation of the corpus matrix. Therefore, singular value decomposition (SVD) is a natural tool of dimension reduction. We propose an SVD-based method for estimating a topic model. Our method constructs an estimate of the topic matrix from only a few leading singular vectors of the data matrix, and has a great advantage in memory use and computational cost for large-scale corpora. The core ideas behind our method include a pre-SVD normalization to tackle severe word frequency heterogeneity, a post-SVD normalization to create a low-dimensional word embedding that manifests a simplex geometry, and a post-SVD procedure to construct an estimate of the topic matrix directly from the embedded word cloud. We provide the explicit rate of convergence of our method. We show that our method attains the optimal rate in the case of long and moderately long documents, and it improves the rates of existing methods in the case of short documents. The key of our analysis is a sharp row-wise large-deviation bound for empirical singular vectors, which is technically demanding to derive and potentially useful for other problems. We apply our method to a corpus of Associated Press news articles and a corpus of abstracts of statistical papers. for this article are available online. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In India, the incidence of mucormycosis reached high levels during 2021–2022, coinciding with the COVID-19 pandemic. In response to this, we established a multicentric ambispective cohort of patients hospitalised with mucormycosis across India. In this paper, we report their baseline profile, clinical characteristics and outcomes at discharge. Patients hospitalized for mucormycosis during March–July 2021 were included. Mucormycosis was diagnosed based on mycological confirmation on direct microscopy (KOH/Calcofluor white stain), culture, histopathology, or supportive evidence from endoscopy or imaging. After consent, trained data collectors used medical records and telephonic interviews to capture data in a pre-tested structured questionnaire. At baseline, we recruited 686 patients from 26 study hospitals, of whom 72.3% were males, 78% had a prior history of diabetes, 53.2% had a history of corticosteroid treatment, and 80% were associated with COVID-19. Pain, numbness or swelling of the face were the commonest symptoms (73.3%). Liposomal Amphotericin B was the commonest drug formulation used (67.1%), and endoscopic sinus surgery was the most common surgical procedure (73.6%). At discharge, the disease was stable in 43.3%, in regression for 29.9% but 9.6% died during hospitalization. Among survivors, commonly reported disabilities included facial disfigurement (18.4%) and difficulties in chewing/swallowing (17.8%). Though the risk of mortality was only 1 in 10, the disability due to the disease was very high. This cohort study could enhance our understanding of the disease's clinical progression and help frame standard treatment guidelines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a prevalent tumour with high morbidity rates worldwide, and its incidence among younger populations is rising. Early diagnosis of CRC can help control the associated mortality. Fungi are common microorganisms in nature. Recent studies have shown that fungi may have a similar association with tumours as bacteria do. As an increasing number of tumour-associated fungi are discovered, this provides new ideas for the diagnosis and prognosis of tumours. The relationship between fungi and colorectal tumours has also been recently identified by scientists. Therefore, this paper describes the limitations and prospects of the application of fungi in diagnosing CRC and predicting CRC prognosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper represents a detailed investigation of tall hexagonal buildings in the presence of a similar type of single-interfering buildings and double-interfering buildings. The building models are analysed using CFD in ANSYS CFX module. The k-ε turbulence model is used to carry out the numerical simulations. For two buildings case (single interfering building), the wind incidence angles (WIA) vary from 0° to 90° at an interval of 15° and from 90° to 360° at an interval of 30°. The variable spacing of 200 mm, 300 mm, 500 mm and 800 mm has been kept apart for two building case. For the three building case (double interfering buildings), the orientation of the interfering buildings kept varying from 15° to 90° with a regular interval of 15°. The variable spacing between the principal building and interfering buildings is kept 300 mm and 500 mm apart. The model height for both cases is 500 mm in 1:300 length scale. The variation of interference factors for both pressure and force coefficients are evaluated and graphically represented to investigate the hexagonal building model. The interference Factor is found to be minimum at 90° WIA in each of the faces irrespective of spacing between buildings.   [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Because the cement content is inexorably growing, CO2 emissions from the cement industry are becoming unavoidable. The use of rice husk ash (RHA) makes the system environmentally benign. This paper investigates the effect of RHA and manufactured sand (M-Sand) on the axial capacity of circular Concrete Filled Steel Tube (CFST) specimens subjected to axial compression. Thirty-two CFST specimens infilled with self-compacting concrete (SCC) with a replacement of RHA and M-Sand to cement and fine aggregate in 0%, 15%, 20% and 25% proportions are subjected to axial compression. Results show that use of RHA beyond 20% decreased the compressive strength of concrete and eventually decreased the axial capacity of CFST and occurred higher local buckling irrespective of their L/D ratios. Failure modes, strength index, confinement along with steel and concrete contribution on axial capacities of CFST specimens are studied. The axial capacities of the specimens were compared with various design code results such as: American concrete institute, Australian Standards, Chinese code, Eurocode, and Japanese code. Among all the codes, Chinese code overestimated the test results and hence, the axial capacity equation is altered and compared the results with test data along with 278 circular CFST data available from literature and found the results to be accurate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper highlights an innovative approach to address the environmental challenges associated with waste management and construction materials. The study presents a new technique for utilising treated sewage sludge in the production of eco-friendly geopolymer mortar. Sewage sludge is a byproduct generated from wastewater treatment plants that poses significant environmental issues due to its disposal problems. Geopolymer mortar, on the other hand, is a sustainable construction material that can be produced by activating industrial waste materials, such as fly ash, using alkaline activators. By integrating machine learning algorithms and data visualisation techniques, this study optimises the mix parameters of geopolymer mortar while simultaneously reducing the negative impact of sewage sludge disposal. The experimental results show that sewage sludge ash can replace fly ash and fine aggregate in 1:3 geopolymer mortar by up to 30% and 20%, respectively, without any toxic or heavy metal residues. The compressive and flexural strength of the sludge-based mortar were comparable to ordinary geopolymer mortar, while water absorption and drying shrinkage were similar to control specimens. This research offers a unique solution to promote sustainability in waste management and construction industry by utilising waste materials, including fly ash and treated sewage sludge, for geopolymer production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper argues that the mainstream economics view of production based on the conventional factors of production is socially and empirically inaccurate, giving a distorted view of the nature of the production process and the agents responsible for it. Although the factors of production are essential, just as important are the various social, cultural, and political enabling conditions, or what is termed the ‘understructure’ of market production (the complex of infrastructures which underlie and enable market production). We gain an enriched understanding of what the economy truly is by studying the functioning of the understructure and the ancestral labour and care encompassed in it. If this revised view is correct, it has radical ethical implications. In particular, it implies that individuals do not morally deserve the bulk of the income (90% or more) that they receive in the market. High levels of redistributive taxation may therefore be legitimatea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The twenty-first-century global arena is profoundly shaped by the intensifying US–China rivalry. While theories in the US, such as the Thucydides’ Trap and the Clash of Civilizations, forecast a prospective ‘Cold War II,’ many experts in China propound a ‘divided peace,’ advocating for the stable coexistence of dual powerhouses. Introducing a nuanced lens, the ‘Security in Context’ (SiC) approach argues for a more interconnected and multi-dimensional understanding of great power dynamics. This study dives into the practicalities of a SiC approach, examining key strategies including the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the Belt and Road Initiative, and the Free and Open Indo-Pacific Strategy. As we venture into the era of economic and technological decoupling, epitomized by measures like the Chip Act and Restrict Act, the paper suggests that the SiC framework remains central to deciphering the evolving US–China narrative, even in the face of burgeoning uncertainties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractFor many crystal-based products (e.g., pharmaceuticals, energy storage), the size uniformity is not only a key quality attribute, but sometimes also an indicator of other attributes such as solid purity. This paper proposes a sequential selection approach to find a proper experimental setting that leads to high uniformity, or equivalently, small variance for crystal sizes, from the advanced slug flow reaction crystallization process of a model crystal, called manganese oxalate hydrate. The proposed sequential selection approach contains a Bayesian adaptive method to incorporate new uniformity measurements in each step and two design acquisition functions to improve the selection of the most promising experimental setting in terms of minimizing the variance. We study the performance of the proposed approach through multiple synthetic numerical studies, as well as a case study based on data from slug flow crystallization experiments. Throughout these studies, the proposed approach shows competitive performance in identifying the best experimental setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the subway system, a high concentration of iron particles can cause significant damage to human health, and magnetic filters that efficiently filter out iron particles have attracted considerable attention recently. Therefore, it is both urgent and important to study the influencing factors of magnetic filters for improving filtration efficiency and reducing resistance. In this paper, to establish a filtration model for magnetic filters, the flow field, magnetic field and particle tracking of magnetic filters are calculated in three steps. After the force analysis of particles, it can be concluded that the particle tracking module needs only to consider drag force, magnetic force and gravity. Based on the filtering model, a two-dimensional magnetic filter was simulated on a computer. and the factors affecting filtration efficiency and resistance were analyzed. It was found that an increase in magnetic field intensity and the diameter of the particle have a positive effect on the filtration efficiency of the magnetic filter, while the increase in airflow velocity and the distance between magnets has a negative effect. The increase in distance between magnets has a negative effect on the resistance of the magnetic filter. In particular, the distance between magnets and the strength of magnets are two of the most influential factors. Finally, two simple formulas concerning the relationship between filtration efficiency, resistance and influencing factors were revealed, by which filtration efficiency and resistance in practical magnetic filter design can be calculated. Copyright © 2023 American Association for Aerosol Research [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Switching to low-global warming potential (GWP) propellants for pressurized metered dose inhalers (pMDIs) is crucial in current inhalation product development, as it is crucial to safeguard patient access. This paper provides both theoretical and experimental evidence to advance the understanding of the relative performance of pMDIs using traditional HFA propellants (HFA-134a, HFA-227ea) versus new low-GWP propellant (HFO-1234ze, HFO-1234yf, HFC-152a) across three stages of pMDI actuation: discharge of propellant from the spray orifice, atomization of the bulk liquid into droplets, and interaction with the surrounding environment. The acoustic profiles, which represent the propellant discharge from the spray orifice, revealed that the plume duration and audio amplitude were mostly influenced by the diameter of the orifice and to a lesser extent by propellant type. The initial propellant droplet size produced after atomization of the discharged bulk liquid was evaluated by measuring content equivalent diameters at different ethanol concentrations and spray orifice diameters. Through a 0.32 mm spray orifice, propellant-only pMDIs produced droplets in the 9.0–13.5 µm range, with HFC-152a yielding the largest droplets and HFO-1234yf the smallest, while all exhibited comparable dependence on ethanol concentration and spray orifice size. Modeling of moisture condensation on propellant droplets indicated that the amount of condensed water and droplet lifetime both depend strongly on ambient humidity and ethanol concentration and only weakly on the propellant type. Three suspension formulations in HFA-134a, HFO-1234ze, or HFC-152a, were tested under varying relative humidities to evaluate the impact of ambient humidity on the in vitro aerosol performance of suspension pMDIs. Copyright © 2024 American Association for Aerosol Research [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the effect of an inclined casing groove on the aerodynamic performance of a single-stage transonic axial compressor, NASA Stage 38, using three-dimensional Reynold-averaged-Navier-Stokes equations with the k-ε turbulence model. The research was carried out to examine the effects of four casing groove parameters: angle, width, depth, and location. Validation of a numerical model for a single-stage transonic axial compressor was conducted to evaluate the computational fluid dynamics method. Most of the simulations showed positive results with an increase in stall margin, adiabatic efficiency, and total pressure ratio, in which the maximum stall margin, adiabatic efficiency, and total pressure ratio can be raised by 87.09%, 0.13%, and 1.57%, respectively, as compared to the smooth casing case. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a comparative performance study of cooling techniques based on air-assisted water spray and jet impingement for heated moving metallic plates. To achieve the heat transfer characteristics of spray and jet cooling methods, an experimental setup was developed to accommodate the spray (SIC) and jet impingement cooling (JIC). The temperature at different locations of the plate was taken by K-type thermocouples embedded therein and attached to CHINO-make data acquisition system. The cooling curves obtained were utilised for computing the cooling rates. Experiments were conducted by varying the parameters, e.g. pressure of air and water, distance between plate and nozzle tip and speed of plate as per Taguchi design of experiments. The results revealed that SIC has great advantage over the JIC method under the same thermal conditions. There was a fall of cooling rate with increase in plate thickness for both SIC and JIC. The requirement of shorter length of run-out table (ROT) in case of SIC has established the cost effectiveness of using SIC compared to JIC. The cooling process played a critical role in steel manufacturing industry where the determined cooling rates evaluated the setup costs during planning phase of the project. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since last few decades, a lot of work has been done on the evolutionary techniques to solve the optimisation problems. With the time passes, these techniques were modified, and also new algorithms were introduced to improve the performance. These techniques had been used by many researchers in synthesis of mechanisms to get the optimum results with minimum design errors. Improved harmony search (IHS) algorithm is developed from harmony search technique by improvising the harmony in HS algorithm. This technique is inspired by searching the best state of harmony in musical process in which a jazz musician make practice after practice to find the same. In this paper, IHS algorithm is utilized to synthesize four-bar path generation mechanism. A mathematical model was derived using vector loop closure equation, wherein the error function, representing positional error between actual and desired points, was considered for forming objective function. The penalty function was used to prevent violation of structural constraints corresponding to Grashof's criteria and input crank angle sequence. Three different cases were studied with ten, fifteen and eighteen precision points with and without prescribed timings. The results obtained from the study, compared with other evolutionary techniques from literature, and found significant competition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents static modelling and simulation of a spherically-shaped hyperelastic balloon actuator subjected to an angular rotation with an internally applied air pressure. These actuators are extensively used in soft robotics because its safe and flexible nature. The balloon actuator is a pneumatic-type actuator made of a polymeric material. A continuum mechanics-based analytical modelling and Finite element method-based simulation are performed to predict the response of the actuator for a given angular rotation with internally applied air pressure. The proposed modelling framework is subsequently utilised to perform the parametric studies for varying pressure, thickness, and rotational speed of the actuator. Various elastic instability curves are also obtained to examine the critical inflation of the rubber balloon actuator. The analytical findings agree well with the FEM simulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]