1,195 research outputs found

    Experimental investigation of the influence of wire offset and composition on complex profile WEDM of Ti6Al4V using trim-pass strategy

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    Wire electric discharge machining (WEDM) is an important non-traditional manufacturing technique for industries processing hard-to-machine materials. It can produce complex shapes with high dimensional accuracy and surface finish. Ti6Al4V is frequently used in biomedical applications such as surgical implants, dentistry, and orthopedic wires. All these applications require machining complex profiles with high accuracy in terms of dimensions and surface properties. Multi-pass machining is a proven technique for minimizing the damage on the machined surface but increasing the number of passes lowers the productivity. Hence, careful selection of wire offset value for trim cutting is crucial to maintain process efficiency and keep the number of passes minimum. The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of wire offset in multi-pass machining on surface integrity, dimensional accuracy, and cutting speed in complex WEDM of Ti6Al4V and limit the number of trim passes to one. In addition, effect of electrode composition on machining responses is studied for three different types of wires (uncoated brass, Broncocut-W, and Topas Plus X). Experimental results indicate that a single trim cut at an offset value of 0.11mmprovides better surface finish and minimum recast layer. Surface roughness of 1.31 mu m is obtained using brass wire: 16.5% and 18.6% less than for Broncocut-W and Topas plus X, respectively. Similarly, recast layer of 8.183 mu m attained by brass wire is smaller than 8.98 mu m, and 10.041 mu m produced by the other wires. The uncoated brass wire has proved to be the best electrode for surface finish, recast layer thickness, and dimensional accuracy of the machined profile. However, Bronococut-W wire has performed better in terms of cutting speed

    Aye–ay: An Anglo-Frisian Parallel

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    The most widespread form for neutral “yes” in the Survey of English Dialects is not yea or yes, but aye. It is used not only in the North and Midlands, but also in areas of the South of England. It is a feature of Scottish English, and is familiar from government in many English-speaking countries. We also find the aye-like ayuh in Northeast America. “Aye” appears suddenly about 1575 and is “exceedingly common” around 1600; it is initially written I and its origin, like yes, is uncertain. Ay is also found in Old Frisian, as well as Sater Frisian today (öäi, a'äi etc.). This study reviews a number of proposed etymologies, examining which can account for the occurrence or development of ay(e) in both languages. Based on a wider study of change in forms of “yes” and “no” in English, the author argues that aye–ay is a parallel development of interjection + particle. The study also suggests functional and phonological overlap with the pronominal echo I in English, but not Frisian, with the vocalic form of the pronoun and diphthongisation in the “Great Vowel Shift”, accounting for the popularity and spelling I of “aye” around 1600.</jats:p

    Fucoxanthin promotes translocation and induction of glucose transporter 4 in skeletal muscles of diabetic/obese KK-Ay mice

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    Fucoxanthin (Fx) isolated from Undaria pinnatifida suppresses the development of hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia of diabetic/obese KK-Ay mice after two weeks of feeding 0.2% Fx-containing diet. In the soleus muscle of KK-Ay mice that were fed Fx, glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) translocation to plasma membranes from cytosol was promoted. On the other hand, Fx increased GLUT4 expression levels in the extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscle, although GLUT4 translocation tended to increase. The expression levels of insulin receptor (IR) mRNA and phosphorylation of Akt, which are in upstream of the insulin signaling pathway regulating GLUT4 translocation, were also enhanced in the soleus and EDL muscles of the mice fed Fx. Furthermore, Fx induced peroxisome proliferator activated receptor γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α), which has been reported to increase GLUT4 expression, in both soleus and EDL muscles. These results suggest that in diabetic/obese KK-Ay mice, Fx improves hyperglycemia by activating the insulin signaling pathway, including GLUT4 translocation, and inducing GLUT4 expression in the soleus and EDL muscles, respectively, of diabetic/obese KK-Ay mice

    Experimental method to quantify the efficiency of the first two operational stages of nanosecond dielectric barrier discharge plasma actuators

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    A method to quantify the efficiency of the first two operational stages of a nanosecond dielectric barrier discharge (ns-DBD) plasma actuator is proposed. The method is based on the independent measurements of the energy of electrical pulses and the useful part of the energy which heats up the gas in the discharge region. Energy input is calculated via a back current shunt technique as the difference between the energy given and the energy reflected back. The ratio of the difference of the latter two quantities and the energy input gives the electrical efficiency (η E) of a ns-DBD. The extent of the energy deposited is estimated via Schlieren visualizations and infrared thermography measurements. Then, the ideal power flux obtained if all the inputted energy was converted into heat is calculated. Transient surface temperature was measured via infrared thermography and used to solve a 1D inverse heat transfer problem in a direction normal to the surface. It gives as output the actual power flux. The estimated ratio between the two power fluxes represents a quantification of the mechanical fluid efficiency (η FM) of a ns-DBD plasma actuator. Results show an inverse proportionality between η E, and η FM, and the thickness of the barrier. The efficiency of the first two operational stages of a ns-DBD is further defined as η  =  η E centerdot η FM

    Population health and status of epidemiology: WHO European Region I

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    Background This article of the International Epidemiological Association commissioned paper series stocktakes the population health and status of epidemiology in 21 of the 53 countries of the WHO European Region. By United Nations geographical classification, these countries belong to Eastern Europe, Western Asia and South-Central Asia. Methods Published data were used to describe population health indicators and risk factors. Epidemiological training and research was assessed based on author knowledge, information searches and E-mail survey of experts. Bibliometric analyses determined epidemiological publication outputs. Results Between-country differences in life expectancy, amount and profile of disease burden and prevalence of risk factors are marked. Epidemiological training is affected by ongoing structural reforms of educational systems. Training is advanced in Israel and several Eastern European countries. Epidemiological research is mainly university-based in most countries, but predominantly conducted by governmental research institutes in several countries of the former Soviet Union. Funding is generally external and limited, partially due to competition from and prioritization of biomedical research. Multiple relevant professional societies exist, especially in Poland, the Czech Republic and Hungary. Few of the region&apos;s 39 epidemiological academic journals have international currency. The number of epidemiological publications per population is highest for Israel and lowest for South-Central Asian countries. Conclusions Epidemiological capacity will continue to be heterogeneous across the region and depend more on countries&apos; individual historical, social, political and economic conditions and contexts than their epidemiologists&apos; successive efforts. National and international research funding, and within- and between-country collaborations should be enhanced, especially for South-Central Asian countries

    Sequence effects in categorization of simple perceptual stimuli

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    Categorization research typically assumes that the cognitive system has access to a (more or less noisy) representation of the absolute magnitudes of the properties of stimuli and that this information is used in reaching a categorization decision. However, research on identification of simple perceptual stimuli suggests that people have very poor representations of absolute magnitude information and that judgments about absolute magnitude are strongly influenced by preceding material. The experiments presented here investigate such sequence effects in categorization tasks. Strong sequence effects were found. Classification of a borderline stimulus was more accurate when preceded by a distant member of the opposite category than by a distant member of the same category. It is argued that this category contrast effect cannot be accounted for by extant exemplar or decision-bound models of categorization. The effect suggests the use of relative magnitude information in categorization. A memory and contrast model illustrates how relative magnitude information may be used in categorization

    Evaluierung von sechs Fotofallenmodellen hinsichtlich der Eignung für Fang-Wiederfang Methoden beim Eurasischen Luchs (Lynx lynx)

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    Digital outdoor cameras are increasingly used in wildlife research because they allow species inventories, population estimates, and behavior or activity observations. Which camera model is suitable and practical depends on environmental conditions, focus species and specific scientific questions posed. Here we focused on testing cameras appropriate for elusive species that can be identified visually owing to individual coat patterns. Specifically the camera should be adequate for calculating the minimum population of Eurasian Lynx (Lynx lynx) during a systematic monitoring with camera traps. Therefore we tested six digital camera models with regard to trigger speed and the image quality necessary for visual identification of pacing lynx on trails. The decision if a camera model is adequate for the scientific goal was regulated due to priority levels under laboratory conditions. Only one camera model proved to be suitable for camera-trap monitoring. Our practical camera test can be used to evaluate newer models of digital cameras as they become available. This application opens an avenue for a non-invasive population monitoring of rare and elusive species in a low mountain range area.Digitale Fotofallen werden weltweit in der Wildtierforschung eingesetzt. Die Einsatzgebiete sind vielfältig, sie reichen von Artenbestandsaufnahmen und Populationsschätzungen über die Verhaltensforschung bis hin zu Aktivitätsanalysen. Das jeweilig eingesetzte Kameramodell muss an die Aufnahmesituation und die Zielsetzung der Analyse angepasst sein. Das Ziel unseres Fotofallentests war es, ein Modell zu finden, welches für die visuelle Identifizierung von Fellmustern des Eurasischen Luchses geeignet ist. Die Fotofalle soll in einem systematischen Monitoring für die minimale Anzahl der im Gebiet vorkommenden Luchse und deren Populationsschätzung mit Fang-Wiederfang Methoden eingesetzt werden können. Bei dem Test von sechs Fotofallenmodellen, fiel das Hauptaugenmerk auf die Auslösegeschwindigkeit und die Bildqualität welche die nötigen Faktoren für die Sicherstellung der visuellen Identifikation von schreitenden Luchsen am Wildwechsel darstellen. Zur Entscheidungsfindung der Eignung eines Fotofallenmodells für die Fragestellung definierten wir Prioritätslevel unter Laborbedingungen. Es stellte sich heraus, dass nur ein Fotofallenmodell die Ansprüche erfüllte. Der praktische Fotofallentest kann für neuerscheinende Fotofallenmodelle adaptiert werden. Diese Anwendung eröffnet die Möglichkeit für ein nicht invasives Monitoring in Mittelgebirgslandschaften

    SARS-CoV-2 lineage dynamics in England from September to November 2021: high diversity of Delta sub-lineages and increased transmissibility of AY.4.2

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    Background: Since the emergence of SARS-CoV-2, evolutionary pressure has driven large increases in the transmissibility of the virus. However, with increasing levels of immunity through vaccination and natural infection the evolutionary pressure will switch towards immune escape. Genomic surveillance in regions of high immunity is crucial in detecting emerging variants that can more successfully navigate the immune landscape. Methods: We present phylogenetic relationships and lineage dynamics within England (a country with high levels of immunity), as inferred from a random community sample of individuals who provided a self-administered throat and nose swab for rt-PCR testing as part of the REal-time Assessment of Community Transmission-1 (REACT-1) study. During round 14 (9 September–27 September 2021) and 15 (19 October–5 November 2021) lineages were determined for 1322 positive individuals, with 27.1% of those which reported their symptom status reporting no symptoms in the previous month. Results: We identified 44 unique lineages, all of which were Delta or Delta sub-lineages, and found a reduction in their mutation rate over the study period. The proportion of the Delta sub-lineage AY.4.2 was increasing, with a reproduction number 15% (95% CI 8–23%) greater than the most prevalent lineage, AY.4. Further, AY.4.2 was less associated with the most predictive COVID-19 symptoms (p = 0.029) and had a reduced mutation rate (p = 0.050). Both AY.4.2 and AY.4 were found to be geographically clustered in September but this was no longer the case by late October/early November, with only the lineage AY.6 exhibiting clustering towards the South of England. Conclusions: As SARS-CoV-2 moves towards endemicity and new variants emerge, genomic data obtained from random community samples can augment routine surveillance data without the potential biases introduced due to higher sampling rates of symptomatic individuals. © 2022, The Author(s)

    Is it possible to plan displacement-free urban renewal? A comparative analysis of the national urban renewal program in Turkey

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    This is a study of development-induced displacement in the urban context. It explores the planning environment that shapes the ostensibly well-intentioned development projects that often displace existing residents from their established living spaces. This study frames development- induced displacement as a “paradox of public interest” because displacing some members of the public is often justified with a certain conception of public interest. Policies, programs and particular projects pursued under the name of development may distribute the costs and benefits of “development” unevenly, thus, development does not necessarily benefit everyone in the same way. There is one big research question that motivates this dissertation: Is it possible for urban redevelopment to occur in the existing residents’ terms that actually benefit them? If not, what are the obstacles to that occurring? This dissertation focuses on Turkey’s ongoing urban redevelopment program as an extreme case regarding the scope of the renewal policy and the scale of the redevelopment targets chased under a complex legislation. A comparative analysis is conducted to explore the urban renewal program implementation in three second-tier cities (Adana, Bursa, and Izmir). The study investigates the dynamics that shape urban renewal projects’ displacement pressures and the affected communities’ varying responses to these dynamics. This study finds that the planning environment of development-induced displacement is shaped by competition or cohesion between government tiers, tenure structures in designated renewal areas, and the local economic dynamics. Also, governance of renewal projects plays a major role in constructing displacement pressures that destabilize the established communities living in designated renewal areas. Alternative planning vision to address development-induced displacement in cities can rise only if planning practice aims local residents’ meaningful participation in the process. In order to solve the “paradox of public interest” generated by the development-induced displacement, planners and communities need to focus on forming alliances to resist and overcome the hegemony of exclusionary development projects.Submission published under a 24 month embargo labeled 'U of I Access', the embargo will last until 2018-12-01The student, Deniz Ay, accepted the attached license on 2016-11-14 at 10:10.The student, Deniz Ay, submitted this Dissertation for approval on 2016-11-14 at 10:17.This Dissertation was approved for publication on 2016-11-28 at 13:40.DSpace SAF Submission Ingestion Package generated from Vireo submission #10237 on 2017-02-28 at 14:36:17Made available in DSpace on 2017-03-01T16:36:47Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 3 AY-DISSERTATION-2016.pdf: 15670105 bytes, checksum: 20a369925d031247a4861bea24861854 (MD5) LICENSE.txt: 4205 bytes, checksum: e2d93db11d04e4ec80e5ae55812e0a9a (MD5) PROQUEST_LICENSE.txt: 4551 bytes, checksum: 0669d9b4b0996b0d9399247272d9fe0c (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-11-28Embargo set by: Seth Robbins for item 98585 Lift date: 2019-03-01T16:37:19Z Reason: Author requested U of Illinois access only (OA after 2yrs) in Vireo ETD systemU of I Only Restriction Lifted for Item 98585 on 2019-03-02T10:15:24Z

    Remittances and their economic impact in Somaliland

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    The author analyses the important phenomenon of remittances in Somaliland: the size of remittance flows, the sources and the economic impact.Qoraagu wuxuu falanqaynayaa muhimmadda ay xawaaladdu u leedahay Somaliland: inta xawaalad ay soo gesho, meelaha ay ka timaaddo iyo saamaynta ay ku yeelato dhaqaalaha.L'autore analizza il fenomeno delle rimesse in Somaliland: l'ammontare dei flussi di rimesse, la provenienza e l'impatto economico.M.S. Lilius (ed.
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