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The Death of Mother(s): The Disruption, Destruction and Renewal of Forest Life in Disney’s Bambi (1942)
No full textBambi (1942) was the fifth, and last, film in the first wave of animated features released by the Walt Disney Company from 1937 onwards. All five films are frequently mentioned in listings of the most terrifying childhood movie viewing experiences. It is usually said that in the case of Bambi the fright is caused by the scene in which the child protagonist’s mother is shot (off-screen). But there is another terrifying aspect of the film, mentioned less often. It is the climactic invasion of the forest by the (off-screen) hunters, indiscriminately killing animals and accidentally causing an all-encompassing forest fire. People often use the phrase ‘Mother Nature’ (or ‘Mother Earth’) to refer to the fact that our planet has provided conditions for life to emerge and flourish. A powerful instantiation of ‘Mother Nature’ is the forest which is fuller of life than other land environments. The terrifying impact of Bambi is therefore to do with the two-fold loss of mothers: Bambi’s mother and ‘Mother Nature’ in the shape of the burning forest. Bambi’s world is destroyed twice: first the person he most depends on is taken away from him, then it seems that everything he has ever known is being destroyed by fire.
This essay first discusses the 1923 novel by Austrian author Felix Salten on which the film is based, highlighting both Salten’s genuine interest in the lives of animals and the allegorical dimensions of his animal tales. It then outlines how the novel came to be adapted, with reference to Hollywood’s long-standing investment in (animated and live action) animal stories, and Disney’s expansion into feature film production in the 1930s. The essay also examines the circular structure of Disney’s Bambi, the way it maps the seasons and an individual’s life stages onto each other, thus promising eternal continuation through renewal/rebirth even in the face of death and comprehensive destruction. The essay concludes with some reflections on the fact that the film, unlike the novel, almost completely avoids the issue of non-anthropogenic animal suffering and deaths in the forest. This raises the question whether animal welfare, ecological and environmentalist discourses focus, like Disney’s Bambi, only on animal suffering caused by humans, and, if they do, whether there might be a problem with this
Experimental Analysis of Al2O3–SiO2–TiO2 Nanocoolant in Engine Cooling Systems and Performance Optimisation Via Machine Learning Approaches
No full textopen access articleThe present study investigates the effect of hybrid nanoparticle-added nanocoolant containing Al2O3–SiO2–titanium dioxide (TiO2) at different ratios on engine cooling system performance. The investigation involved the addition of hybrid nanoparticles to water and anti-freeze water at varying ratios, with the objective of examining their impact on the performance of engine cooling systems in terms of heat transfer. The optimal mixing ratio was then ascertained through the utilisation of a model constructed with artificial intelligence. The optimal outcome derived from the sample code of NF3 has demonstrated a substantial enhancement in the performance of an engine load of 8.8 kW, exhibiting an enhancement rate of up to 59.9% in comparison with water. The most effective mixture of Al2O3, SiO2 and TiO2 was determined through the utilisation of machine learning (ML) algorithms, resulting in an enhancement of 33% in operational conditions, with the incorporation of 0.24% Al2O3, 0.26% SiO2 and 0.25% TiO2 nanoparticle additives. In conclusion, the enhancement in heat transfer and engine fuel consumption was evaluated within the framework of the determined criteria and economic analysis. The payback (PB) period was determined to be 13 months
Do the Generational Cohorts of CEOs Influence Corporate Travel Emissions?
No full textopen access articleAccording to Mannheim’s generational theory, each generation exhibits unique attitudes that shape its behaviour. This paper suggests that a CEO’s generational background can shape their environmental views, which, in turn, influence the company’s business travel policies. Using econometric models and data from 347 firms in 31 countries, the study tests this idea. Results show that companies led by Millennials or Generation X CEOs tend to produce fewer emissions from business trips compared to those led by Baby Boomer CEOs. However, this effect is influenced by CEO tenure: longer tenure is associated with lower travel emissions. Overall, the data indicate that a CEO’s age is positively related to higher business travel emissions
Communicating confidence in the reliability of micro- and nanoplastic identification in human health studies
No full textAccurately quantifying and characterizing human internal exposure to micro- and nanoplastics is critical for assessing potential health risks. However, detecting these particles in human tissues, fluids, cell systems, and relevant models remains a major analytical challenge. There is an urgent need for robust, selective, sensitive, and high-throughput methods capable of generating reliable quantitative data. Equally essential is the transparent reporting of methodological limitations and uncertainties, supported by rigorous data collection and
standardized practices. These challenges are compounded by the ubiquity of plastic particles,
and therefore the risk of sample contamination, and their diverse properties (e.g., size, shape, composition), all adding to the complexity of identifying and quantifying them in biological matrices. To address these issues, we propose a framework that integrates orthogonal analytical techniques to enhance data reliability. Commonly used analytical techniques for the analysis of micro and nanoplastics are assigned a category based on their specificity when identifying plastic particles. The framework proposes minimum data requirements from
orthogonal techniques for the identification of plastic particles at various confidence levels. Clear communication of analytical confidence is vital, and we present a structured approach to support this. We emphasize the importance of scientific integrity, rigorous study design, and transparent reporting in human health research. Finally, we call for the universal adoption of
harmonized confidence criteria for reporting the presence of plastics in humans, an essential step toward informed decision-making
Drop-weight impact performance of flexible laminated films
No full textLow velocity impact tests have been performed on flexible laminated films with different layups employing a novel small-scale instrumented drop-weight testing approach.) Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and Polyimide (PI) layers were bonded together using an optically clear adhesive
(OCA) to produce six types of flexible laminated film. An impact performance coefficient (Kt) has been defined to evaluate the impact resistance of the different films, which considers in one relationship the effect of absorbed energy, peak load and impact duration. Following testing, a
lamination based on a TPU/TPU/PI (TTP) flexible film was identified as giving a superior impact performance. Finite element analyses of the load-time and energy-time curves showed good agreement with the experimental results. It has been shown that as the TPU content increases, Kt initially increases and then decreases. The modelling, as well as the experiments, show a maximum value of Kt was
obtained when the TPU volume fraction was approximately 60%. This quantitative design guideline for TPU content and configuration is novel and provides valuable insights for developing impact-resistant protective films. The proposed methodology, combining small-scale drop-weight testing with finite element modelling, represents a new approach for assessing and optimizing flexible laminated films
A Topology Optimization Framework for the Inverse Design of Nonlinear Mechanical Metamaterials
No full textMechanical metamaterials are hierarchical structures that can be designed to possess exotic properties such as auxeticity, tunable stiffness, and bistability by optimizing the geometry of their microscale unit cells. This work develops a computational framework in which an arbitrary set of homogenized stress-strain goal points is defined, and topology optimization is employed to synthesize a unit cell to achieve the desired response. The framework extends the current state-of-the-art by incorporating highly nonlin ear phenomena such as internal contact, snap-through buckling, and bistability in a single approach to capture a wide range of mechanical responses without the need for generating datasets, tuning parameters, or possessing prior knowledge of the optimal solution. Unit cells are generated for three challenging nonlinear responses and their behavior is validated via mechanical test ing. The framework will enable the generation of highly nonlinear unit cells for metamaterials in applications such as morphing, structures, soft robotics and energy absorbing materials
Impact of histological processing on endogenous elemental contents and distributions in breast cancer tissue sections
No full textTrace metal homeostasis is critical for cellular function and often disrupted in diseases such as cancer. Spatially resolved techniques enable mapping of metal distributions within complex cellular environments, surpassing the limitations of bulk analyses. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues are widely used in research, yet the impact of FFPE processing on endogenous elemental contents and distributions remains unclear, with conflicting findings across sample types. This study evaluates the suitability of FFPE human breast carcinoma tissue sections for multielemental bioimaging by direct comparison with paired fresh frozen (FF) tissues and assesses potential sources of contamination or elemental losses during processing. Three FF human breast carcinoma specimens were bisected and processed as either FF or FFPE. Serial sections underwent analyses by laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS), alongside hematoxylin and eosin (H&E)-staining, to compare elemental profiles in whole sections and morphologically distinct regions. In parallel, FFPE processing reagents encompassing tissue-marking dyes, formalin, paraffin wax, xylene, and ethanol were analyzed via solution ICP-MS to contextualize the in situ findings. The multielemental imaging results revealed that Zn, Mn, and Fe were largely preserved in FFPE sections, supporting the continued use of such tissues for in situ metal analyses. Addition of Cu was observed for all FFPE samples, most likely caused by exposure to blue tissue-marking dye. Formalin induced variable elemental leaching, most notably affecting Mg. Paraffin wax, ethanol, and xylene contained minimal trace metal levels both before and after contact with tissues
Dissimilar joining of stainless steel 316L and Nimonic 90 using wire arc additive manufacturing
No full textDissimilar metals joined by additive manufacturing can substitute for conventionally produced dissimilar components by using fusion welding techniques, thereby preventing localized degradation of mechanical properties that occurs during post-processing. In recent years, wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) has gained popularity due to its high deposition rates, which enable the production of large, near-net-shaped components, thus reducing manufacturing time and costs. The WAAM processing parameters and deposition strategy have significant impacts on the mechanical properties of materials; however, these impacts have not yet been well understood. In this study, structural components with stainless steel (SS) 316L and Nimonic 90 (a NiCrCo-based alloy) dissimilar materials were manufactured using WAAM. Two types of joining strategies were used: one (Type I) is depositing one material on top of the other material, and the other (Type II) is simultaneous printing of the two materials on the same layers. Microstructural analysis and mechanical property testing revealed that both approaches resulted in well metallurgically bonded interfaces, free from defects such as cracking, porosity, and lack of fusion. The Fe-Ni intermixing created a gradient of Fe-Ni solid solution, enhancing interface strength. Electron backscatter diffraction analysis showed continuous crystal growth across the interfaces, attributed to the similar crystal structures and lattice parameters of the materials. The dissimilar interface of the Type II samples exhibited higher hardness, due to the formation of titanium carbide precipitates and a broader transition zone, than that of the Type I sample. Tensile testing further indicated superior mechanical behaviour in the Type II interface due to the interlocking microstructure, contributing to a robust bond at the interface. These findings suggest that the Type II interface design provides a more effective approach for dissimilar joining of Nimonic 90 and SS 316L, offering enhanced strength and hardness compared to the Type I interface configuration
Impact of air pollution on lung function in cystic fibrosis over a decade in London: a UK CF Registry study
No full textObjective: Despite extensive research on the detrimental effects of air pollution on respiratory diseases like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the
impact on people with cystic fibrosis remains understudied. Our study aimed to quantify the
association between air pollution exposure and lung function decline in people with CF in
London, United Kingdom (UK).
Methods: Using ten years (2008-2017) of UK Cystic Fibrosis Registry data, we conducted a longitudinal cohort study to evaluate the association between air pollution and the rate of decline in percent predicted forced expiratory volume in one second (ppFEV1) among people with CF. Residential postcode exposure was based on high-resolution models of particulate matter with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometres (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) from the London Air Pollution Toolkit. We estimated the temporal decline in ppFEV1 in high, medium and low exposure sub-groups based on air pollutant concentration tertiles using linear mixed models with random intercepts.
Results: We used 3,333 ppFEV1 measurements of 393 people with CF (122 children, 271 adults). Over 40% of these people with CF lived in postcodes falling into the most deprived national quintile. For PM2.5, the adjusted mean ppFEV1 declined by 13.3% (95%CI: -24.1; -4.0) over the study period in the high-exposure tertile compared to 8.5% (95%CI: -11.7; -6.4) in the low-exposure tertile. Differences between the exposure groups were less consistent for NO2. Children and people with CF with severe genotypes seemed particularly vulnerable.
Conclusions: This study provides novel evidence of the detrimental impact of air pollution on lung function in people with CF. Our findings highlight the importance of addressing air pollution as a modifiable risk factor to improve long-term outcomes of people with CF, and the need for national studies of the impact of environmental factors on CF in the UK
An enhanced connected banking system optimizer incorporating triple mechanism for solving global optimization problems
No full textConnected Banking System Optimizer (CBSO) is a recently proposed meta-heuristic inspired by inter-bank financial transactions. It models inter-bank transaction behaviors across four sequential stages, collectively balancing exploration and exploitation. When confronted with complex landscapes, however, CBSO exposes three critical weaknesses: limited global-search capacity, an abrupt phase switch that disrupts the exploitation-exploration balance, and a pronounced tendency toward premature stagnation. These shortcomings become more conspicuous as problem complexity rises, undermining the algorithm’s ability to locate the true optimum. To overcome these deficiencies, this paper presents an enhanced variant—ECBSO—which incorporates three complementary mechanisms: dominant group guidance strategy, guided learning strategy, and hybrid elite strategy. The ECBSO algorithm is comprehensively evaluated on the CEC 2017 benchmark suite and on real-world constrained engineering problems, outperforming CBSO, ISGTOA, EMTLBO, LSHADE, APSM-jSO, GLS-MPA, ESLPSO, ACGRIME, RDGMVO in all comparisons. Statistically, ECBSO secures first place across every test case, delivering Friedman ranks of 2.069, 2.138, 2.690, and 2.759, thereby confirming its superior convergence accuracy, search reliability, and optimization precision across diverse landscapes