Critical Response Research Articles

Neurosurgery in Australia's Top End: the lifesaving advantages of developing sustainable neurosurgical care in rural and remote regions.

The authors' goal was to perform a retrospective audit of all emergency cranial neurosurgery performed at the Royal Darwin Hospital in the first 5 years of the unit and to compile their data in a similar fashion to an earlier study titled "Emergency Neurosurgery in Darwin: Still the Generalist Surgeons' Responsibility," which was published in 2015. All emergency cranial neurosurgery performed by a neurosurgeon between 2017 and 2021 was identified. Data were extracted from the National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre database. Statistical analyses were descriptive logistic regression performed using Stata version 15.1 software to examine factors associated with death. A total of 320 patients (42% Indigenous) underwent 427 emergency neurosurgeries. There were 35 emergency neurosurgeries in 2017 and 82 in 2021. The most common procedure performed was insertion of an external ventricular drain, followed by craniotomy and removal of intracranial hematoma. Mortality was 7.5% overall and 8.4% among patients with trauma. Only age proved to be a statistically significant independent risk factor for death (t = -2.95, p < 0.0041; OR 1.06, p = 0.02). Location, sex, injury severity, and presenting Glasgow Coma Scale score were not associated with death. Indigenous and non-Indigenous patients had similar outcomes. The data illustrate the importance of developing small but sustainable neurosurgical units in rural and remote areas. A dedicated neurosurgical unit at the Royal Darwin Hospital has led to an increase in the amount and variety of emergency neurosurgery performed in Darwin. Interstate transfers have reduced. This has tangible lifesaving and economic advantages.

Indeterminacy and the Immateriality of Thought: Ross on Natural and Formal Structures

This paper addresses a debate on the immateriality of thought, focusing on James Ross’s argument regarding the indeterminacy of physical processes with respect to pure functions. Ross posits that some human cognitive processes, particularly logical reasoning and mathematical functions, exhibit a formal determinacy that no physical process can have, challenging physicalist accounts of mind. A critical response by Peter Dillard, known as the “schmitosis objection,” attempts to undermine Ross’s argument by drawing a parallel between biological processes like mitosis and formal functions such as addition. This paper defends Ross’s position by highlighting an overlooked distinction between transcendent and formal determinacy. By demonstrating that biological processes like mitosis are transcendentally determinate while pure functions are formally determinate, the paper refutes Dillard’s objection and supports Ross’s claim of the partial non-physicality of thought. The argument contributes to ongoing debates in the philosophy of mind and metaphysics by clarifying the distinct ways physical and non-physical processes relate to determinacy.

Insect Phototaxis Mechanisms Innovations in Pest Control Strategies and Applications

Phototaxis, the movement of insects toward or away from light, is a critical behavioral response that influences feeding, mating, and habitat selection. Understanding the mechanisms behind insect phototaxis can lead to the development of effective and environmentally sustainable pest control strategies and explores the biological foundations of phototaxis, including the role of insect visual systems, light sensitivity, and circadian rhythms. Recent advancements in phototaxis-based pest management, particularly the use of energy-efficient LED light traps, solar-powered traps, and wavelength-specific attractants, are also discussed. These innovations offer promising alternatives to chemical pesticides, reducing environmental impact and enhancing agricultural sustainability. The integration of phototaxis-based tools with other methods, such as biological control and habitat management, is highlighted as a way to improve pest suppression while preserving beneficial insect species. Challenges, including non-target effects, variability in insect responses, and potential light pollution, are also addressed. To emphasize the need for tailored light wavelengths, smart farming integration, and eco-friendly solutions that minimize unintended ecological consequences and underscores the potential of insect phototaxis to transform pest management, offering a comprehensive framework for more sustainable agricultural practices.

‘We are citizens, not fans’: frictions and negotiations in idolizing the nation in state propaganda

ABSTRACT State-dominated ‘ideotainment’ has become a global trend to enhance political persuasion. Broadening the geopolitical and ideological contexts of research could further enrich this field. This study analyzes the failed case of state-sponsored virtual idols ‘Jiangshanjiao’ (JSJ) and ‘Hongqiman’ (HQM) with attention to Chinese netizens’ critical responses, and further uncovers the erratic, diverse, and controversial aspects of Chinese fandom nationalism. In China, the Communist Party of China has tamed fandom culture to promote pro-governmental nationalist activism. However, this soft propaganda is sometimes counterproductive and has been underexamined. This study uses textual and critical discourse analyses to examine netizens’ posts, comments, and answers regarding the JSJ and HQM. The findings reveal the conflict between emerging civic spirit and notorious commercialism; the conflict between functional attachment embedded in constructive patriotism and affective attachment embedded in the hierarchy; and the complex negotiation between participatory nationalists, cautious patriots, and rational citizens about the boundaries of politics and entertainment.

Assessing Nitrogen Fertilization in Processing Pepper: Critical Nitrogen Curve, Yield Response, and Crop Development

Groundwater pollution in intensive horticultural areas is becoming an increasingly important problem. Over-fertilization of these crops, combined with poor irrigation management, leads to groundwater contamination through leaching. Previous research on the effect of N on sweet peppers grown in greenhouses is abundant, but data on outdoor cultivation, especially considering variety and site influences, are lacking. Therefore, this study evaluates nitrogen (N) fertilization in open-field processing-pepper crop in Extremadura, Spain to mitigate this environmental impact. Field trials were conducted in 2020, 2021, and 2022 to determine the optimum N fertilizer rate for processing peppers, with the aim of reducing environmental impacts such as nitrate leaching while maintaining crop yields. The trial consisted of applying different N doses, 0, 60, 120, and 180 kg N/ha in 2020 and 2021 and 0, 100, and 300 kg N/ha in 2022. There were four replications of each treatment, arranged in randomized blocks. Measurements included crop yield, biomass, intercepted photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), and canopy cover. The study also developed a critical nitrogen curve (CNC) to determine the minimum N concentration required for optimal growth. The commercial yield results showed that there were no significant differences between the two treatments with higher N inputs in the three years; therefore, the application of more than 120 kg N/ha did not significantly increase yield. Nitrogen-free treatments resulted in earlier fruit maturity, concentrating the harvest and reducing waste. In addition, excessive N application led to environmental problems such as groundwater contamination due to nitrate leaching. The study concludes that outdoor pepper crops in this region can achieve optimal yields with lower N rates (around 120 kg N/ha) compared to current practices, taking into account that initial soil N values were higher than 100 kg N/ha, thereby reducing environmental risks and fertilizer costs. It also established relationships between biomass, canopy cover, and N uptake to improve fertilization strategies. These data support future crop modeling and sustainable fertilization practices.

Remote sensing and feminist critique: Reappropriations of sensing across distance

Remote sensing technologies and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) have sparked diverse conceptual and critical responses, with feminist approaches in particular undergoing notable transformations. This article traces and contextualizes these changes, emphasizing the re-evaluation of the concept of “distance” in feminist critiques of remote sensing (RS) and GIS from the 1990s onwards. It highlights a shift from outright rejection of GIS/RS technologies as tools of masculinist, positivistic science to a redefinition of remotely sensed information and imbricated understandings of distance and proximity. The article argues that researchers view issues of masculinism from markedly different perspectives and re-evaluate the role of technology-mediated seeing and imagining, resulting in a re-evaluation of physical distance in its relationship to infrastructure, access, and care. What has transformed is what it means to be “critical” toward as well as the possibility to be “critical” with remote sensing from a feminist point of view.

Demythologising the Given: Schlick, Cornelius, and Adorno contra Husserl

After the attempt at collaboration between the Frankfurt School and the Vienna Circle failed in the late 1930s, Adorno stood at the forefront of critical theory’s polemics against ‘positivism’. Given these later polemical exchanges, some of the tendencies common to both movements have remained overlooked. Among these is their opposition to the phenomenological tradition. This paper focusses on certain features common to Schlick’s and Adorno’s critical responses to Husserl. The Machians, including Adorno’s supervisor Hans Cornelius, were targeted by Husserl’s onslaught against psychologism in 1900. The young Schlick’s Machian background had motivated his contribution to the Psychologismusstreit, in the context of which he launched a series of objections against Husserl’s ‘independence theory of truth’. Adorno’s later doctoral dissertation under Cornelius was also motivated by the effort to defend his master against Husserl’s objections. Schlick’s criticisms intensified in later works, where Husserl’s epistemology of intuition is seen as yet another instance of the widespread confusion between knowledge and acquaintance. Schlick’s warnings against Husserl’s turn towards the irrationalist fashions of his day find their echo in Adorno’s ‘Metakritik’. Apart from their broad agreement in how they understand Husserl’s positioning within his context, Schlick and Adorno also develop a similar criticism of Husserl’s account of intuition as failing in its aspiration to discover unmediated givenness, which it confuses with mediated conceptual knowledge. Unfortunately, while Adorno explicitly acknowledges Schlick’s critique of Husserl, he also misconstrues it as a scientistic rejection of metaphysical nonsense, thus failing to acknowledge the proximity to his approach.

Systemic Approach Applied to the “R” Paradigm of the Circular Economy: A Critical Reading of the Winemaking Process Through Case Studies from Northwest Italy

How does the circular economy contribute to the sustainable development of the wine sector? What benefits and limitations can come from the application of the “10Rs”, the circular strategies theorized in 2017 and today a valid tool for the orientation and evaluation of sustainable business models? Through the analysis of 10 case studies (relevant to Northwest Italy), the research confronts a sector of great importance for Italy, the world’s leading wine exporter and second-largest producer. Through the systemic approach, which reads the systems of relationships between matter, energy, information, living beings, inorganic units, and other systems, the 10Rs become filters for a critical reading of winemaking and the post-use phases of wine when the producer’s responsibility meets that of the consumer. A number of relevant issues emerge, in terms of the negative socio-environmental impact of the supply chain; the case studies try to describe them and present a possible ethical and critical response. Although it emerges that the actions of circular economy practitioners focus on the valuing of by-products and waste from the supply chain, rather than on measures to minimize the amount of resources used, extend the life of goods, and reduce waste, the case studies help to broaden this “narrow” view of the circular economy.

Gene and transcript expression patterns, coupled with isoform switching and long non-coding RNA dynamics in adipose tissue, underlie the longevity of Ames dwarf mice.

Our study investigates gene expression in adipose tissue of Ames dwarf (df/df) mice, whose deficiency in growth hormone is linked to health and extended lifespan. Recognizing adipose tissue influence on metabolism, aging, and related diseases, we aim to understand its contribution to the health and longevity of df/df mice. We have identified gene and transcript expression patterns associated with critical biological functions, including metabolism, stress response, and resistance to cancer. Intriguingly, we identified genes that,despite maintaining unchanged expression levels, switch between different isoforms, impacting essential cellular functions such as tumor suppression, oncogenic activity, ATP transport, and lipid biosynthesis and storage. The isoform switching is associated with changes in protein domains, retention of introns, initiation of nonsense-mediated decay, and emergence of intrinsically disordered regions. Moreover, we detected various alternative splicing events that may drive these structural alterations. We also found changes in the expression of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) that may be involved in the aging process and disease resistance by regulating crucial genes in survival and metabolism. Through weighted gene co-expression network analysis, we have linked four lncRNAs with 29 genes, which contribute to protein complexes such as the Mili-Tdrd1-Tdrd12 complex. Beyond safeguarding DNA integrity, this complex also has a wider impact on gene regulation, chromatin structure, and metabolic control. Our detailed investigation provides insight into the molecular foundations of the remarkable health and longevity of df/df mice, emphasizing the significance of adipose tissue in aging and identifying new avenues for health-promoting therapeutic strategies.

Assessing the psychobiological demands of high-fidelity training in pre-hospital emergency medicine

BackgroundIndividuals who provide critical emergency care mount rapid psychobiological responses when faced with an incident. These responses are adaptive and ensure resources at time of demand; however, frequent activation with minimal opportunity for recovery can have negative consequences for health and wellbeing. Monitoring individuals in real emergency situations would provide an understanding of their stress responses during the provision of critical care; however, this presents logistical challenges. An alternative is to assess individuals during high-fidelity training scenarios. This is the first comprehensive assessment of psychobiological responding during continuous high-fidelity training in pre-hospital emergency medicine.MethodsA sample of doctors and paramedics (N = 27) participated during 10 days of training and a weekend of no activities. Training involved the acquisition of human factors, non-technical and surgical skills, and their application in complex high-fidelity scenarios including road-traffic accidents, firearms incidents, and swift water rescue operations. On each day participants reported levels of state, cognitive, and somatic anxiety, and self-confidence following waking and before sleep, and their anticipated (at wake) and experienced (before sleep) demands of the day. Saliva samples were obtained each day for assessment of diurnal cortisol indices and the Cortisol Awakening Response (CAR). Garmin smartwatches were worn throughout for the collection of heart rate and HRV-derived stress.ResultsThere were significant (p < 0.001) differences across days for state, cognitive, and somatic anxiety; self-confidence; anticipated and experienced demands; aggregated measures of heart rate and HRV-derived stress; levels of cortisol at waking (p = 0.002) and for the CAR (p < 0.001). Measures of psychobiological responding during training were distinct from the weekend and the highest levels of psychobiological responding occurred on days characterised by greater anticipated and experienced demands.DiscussionThis high-fidelity training is typical of the day-to-day requirements of emergency services and these observations are representative of functioning during real-life critical care emergencies. Increased responding during times of demand is adaptive; however, frequent and sustained responding increases allostatic load and is a contributor to burnout. As burnout is a significant concern in emergency medicine, this study identifies patterns of responding and recovery that may impact upon longer-term health and wellbeing.

Elucidating the power of arginine restriction: taming type I interferon response in breast cancer via selective autophagy

BackgroundType I interferons (IFN-I) are potent alarm factors that initiate cancer cell elimination within tumors by the immune system. This critical immune response is often suppressed in aggressive tumors, thereby facilitating cancer immune escape and unfavorable patient outcome. The mechanisms underpinning IFN-I suppression in tumors are incompletely understood. Arginase-1 (ARG1)-expressing immune cells that infiltrate tumors can restrict arginine availability by ARG1-mediated arginine degradation. We hypothesized that arginine restriction suppresses the IFN-I response in tumors.MethodsComprehensive, unbiased open approach omics analyses, various in vitro techniques, including microscopy, qPCR, immunoblotting, knock-down experiments, and flow cytometry were employed, as well as ex vivo analysis of tumor tissue from mice. Several functional bioassays were utilized to assess metabolic functions and autophagy activity in cancer cells.ResultsArginine restriction potently induced expression of selective autophagy receptors, enhanced bulk and selective autophagy and strongly suppressed the IFN-I response in cancer cells in an autophagy-dependent manner.ConclusionOur study proposes a mechanism for how tumor-infiltrating immune cells can promote cancer immune escape by dampening the IFN-I response. We suggest ARG1 and autophagy as putative therapeutic targets to activate the IFN-I response in tumors.

Nonlinear amplification of nano bowl surface concavity on the critical response threshold to biosignals

Polymer nanoparticles that can sharply sense and detect biological signals in cells are promising candidates for biomedical and theranostic nanomaterials. However, the response ability of current polymer assemblies poorly matches the requirement of trace concentration level (10−6 ~ 10−9 mol/L) of cellular biosignals due to their linear signal input-to-function output mode, which impedes their practical applications in vivo. Here we report a kind of nanobowl system with pH-tunable invaginated morphology that can nonlinearly amplify the response abilities toward biosignals by modulating the surface concavity. Compared to conventional spherical nanoparticles, nonspherical nanobowls with a specific concave structure reduce the critical response threshold of polymers by up to 5 orders of magnitude, from millimole to nanomole level, covering most of biosignal concentration windows. Moreover, we find that this nonlinear signal gain effect is originated from the collective impact of a single signal on transitioning the polymer chain aggregation state of individual assemblies, rather than just altering a certain unit or chain. This nonlinear signal-to-response mechanism is potential to solve the tricky problems of probing and sensing endogenous signals with trace physiological concentration.

Adaptive control of cardiac rhythms

Cardiac rhythms are related to heart electrical activity, being the essential aspect of the cardiovascular physiology. Usually, these rhythms are represented by electrocardiograms (ECGs) that are useful to detect cardiac pathologies. Essentially, the heart activity starts in the sinoatrial node (SA) node, the natural pacemaker, propagating to the atrioventricular node (AV), and finally reaching the His-Purkinje complex (HP). This paper investigates the control of cardiac rhythms in order to induce normal rhythms from pathological responses. A mathematical model that presents close agreement with experimental measurements is employed to represent the heart functioning. The adopted model comprises a network of three nonlinear oscillators that represent each one of the cardiac nodes, connected by delayed couplings. The pathological behavior is induced by an external stimulus in the SA node. An adaptive controller is proposed acting in the SA node considering an strategy based on the signal obtained by the natural pacemaker and its regularization. The incorporation of adaptive compensation in a Lyapunov-based control scheme allows the compensation for the unknown dynamics. The controller ability to deal with interpatient variability is evaluated by assuming that the heart model is not available to the controller design, being used only in the simulator to assess the control performance. Results show that the adaptive term can reduce the control effort by around 3% while reducing the tracking error by 20%, when compared to the conventional feedback approach. Additionally, the controller can avoid abnormal rhythms, turning the ECG closer to the expected normal behavior and preventing critical cardiac responses. Therefore, this work demonstrates that an adaptive controller can be used to regulate the ECG signal without prior information about the system and disregarding inter- and intrapatient variability.

Assessing subgroup differences and underlying causes of ozone-associated mortality burden in China using multi-source data

Long-term ozone exposure is a significant public health concern. To mitigate its impact, it is crucial to identify diseases, populations, and regions that are particularly sensitive to ozone. In this study, we used high-quality data and updated relative risk estimates to investigate subgroup differences in mortality burden due to ozone exposure in China. In 2020, nationwide ozone-associated deaths totaled 276,800 (95 % CI: 106,700–451,900), representing 3.2 % of all deaths, with respiratory and cardiovascular diseases accounting for 16.8 % and 83.2 %, respectively. The per capita ozone-associated mortality in China was 20 per 100,000 person-years, with a significantly higher rate observed in elderly individuals aged ≥75 years (189 deaths per 100,000) compared to young individuals aged 30–44 years (1 death per 100,000). There were notable spatial patterns of ozone-associated deaths among the regions, indicating a critical response to ozone levels and population density. Interestingly, urban areas exhibited a 22.4 % lower mortality rate related to ozone compared to rural areas. This difference was attributed to the combined influence of ozone exposure (+19.9 %), population size (+17.7 %), age structure (−39.2 %), and baseline mortality (−20.8 %). By emphasizing subgroup differences and driving factors, these findings significantly enhance the understanding of the ozone-associated mortality burden, providing valuable insights for policymakers.

Validation of gut transit rate assessment methodology and the mitigation of sampling stress in Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar

Gut transit rate is an important component of the digestive process in fish, particularly in the context of aquaculture, where factors such as rearing temperature and dietary formulation impact on-farm performance. As such, developing and validating research methodologies that explore these critical physiological responses in fish is vital in the context of precision aquaculture practices. However, there are inherent methodological constraints of gut transit rate assessments, particularly when assessing the effect of sampling on the stress response of fish. In light of this, the present study aimed to assess the gut transit rate and plasma cortisol levels of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) subjected to the more commonly applied, repeated sampling model that results in multiple tanks disturbances (e.g., 2, 4, 8, 16 and 24 h post-feed) in comparison to one requiring only a singular tank disturbance at one of the designated time points. An inert beaded marker was integrated into diet formulations to determine the transit rate of digesta in three major gastrointestinal tract regions: the stomach, mid-intestine, and distal intestine over a period of 48 h following the provision of food. A significantly higher plasma cortisol concentration was recorded in fish subjected to a repeated disturbance, particularly at 16 h post feed (22.99 ± 6.88 ng mL−1), compared to fish sampled from tanks subjected to a single sampling event (11.35 ± 0.92 ng mL−1). Despite this, gut transit rate was generally unaffected by sampling design over the duration of the study with both groups of fish displaying a similar rate of gut transit. This suggests that repeated tank sampling (i.e. sampling multiple fish from the same tank at multiple timepoints) is suitable to assess gut transit rate in fish as it does not significantly confound gut transit rate assessments. It is envisioned that this data will contribute to the growing understanding of the digestive process of Atlantic salmon and the relationship with stress response in fish and experimental design. Moreover, it should strengthen future studies aimed at assessing key digestive processes in cultured species.

Critical Care Nursing and Mass Casualty Response During Operation Allies Refuge.

Operation Allies Refuge started in July 2021 with implications for critical care nurses, both military and civilian, serving at the US Army's Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Landstuhl, Germany. Cultural and logistical concerns and complications were at the forefront of care provided to Afghan evacuees during the operation and were exacerbated by a mass casualty event on August 26, 2021, when a suicide bomber attacked the Abbey Gate of Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan. This article discusses the issues that affected care, including language barriers, supply shortages, cultural differences, mass evacuation during a pandemic, and management of the mass casualty event by the critical care team. The information is compiled into a summary of lessons learned to assist in future management of emergency evacuee care within our military and civilian health care systems.

Research and Application of Emergency Logistics Resource Allocation Algorithm based on Supply Chain Network

The ”Fuzzy-Enhanced for Emergency Logistics Resource Allocation in Supply Chain Networks (FEM-ELRAS)” presents a novel approach to optimizing emergency logistics and resource allocation in supply chain networks, especially during critical disaster response scenarios. This research integrates fuzzy logic with the improve Multi Agent Genetic Algorithm (MAGA), creating a more adaptive and efficient framework capable of handling the uncertainties and complexities inherent in emergency situations. FEM-ELRAS employs fuzzy decision variables to represent ambiguous and fluctuating parameters like demand at disaster sites, supply availability, and variable transportation conditions. It incorporates a fuzzy inference system, utilizing expert-derived rules to guide the allocation process amidst uncertain and rapidly changing conditions. The algorithm’s evaluation mechanism is enhanced with fuzzy logic, offering a refined assessment of solution effectiveness, balancing multiple logistical objectives such as minimizing response time, optimizing costs, and maximizing resource utilization and delivery precision. Moreover, fuzzy logic principles are integrated into the genetic algorithm’s operators, enabling more context-sensitive and flexible solution adaptations. FEM-ELRAS is particularly designed to navigate the trade-offs between different logistical goals in emergency scenarios, making it a robust tool for decision-makers in disaster management. Its application promises significant improvements in emergency response efficiency, showcasing a step forward in the field of emergency logistics and supply chain management.

Expanding the Accessible Forest Areas by Improving Forest Road Standards and Utilizing Mobile Fire-fighting Teams

In Turkey, most of the roads (66%) in forests consist of Type-B secondary forest roads with limited technical standards. The lack of technical standards used on these roads and the lack of road structures and surface material limit the fire truck’s speed and increase the travel time of the firefighting team. Improving forest road standards will contribute to driving safety and increasing the design speed, thereby expanding the forest areas that can be reached within the critical response period, reducing possible wood raw material losses. There is no study in the national and international literature investigating the contribution of forest road standards improvement to firefighting activities and the effects on possible wood raw material losses due to forest fires. In this study, it was aimed to investigate the effects of improving forest road standards on expanding accessible forest areas within the critical response time, especially in forests with high fire risk, and thus reducing potential wood raw material losses. Antalya Forestry Regional Directorate, where forest fires are seen most frequently and the amount of burned area is the highest in Turkey, was selected as the study area as one of the forest regional directorates where forest fires are seen most frequently and the amount of burned area is the highest in Turkey. In the solution process, primarily the forest areas that can be reached by the firefighting team (including mobile teams used in emergencies) within the critical response time were determined by considering the existing road network in the study area. Then, the possible increase in the accessible forest areas was investigated when the road standards are improved. Within the scope of the study, the impact of mobile teams used in emergency situations on forest areas reached during the critical response period was also evaluated. According to the results, in the scenario where current road standards and stationary teams were evaluated, it was determined that only 59.54% of the forest areas could be reached by initial response teams during the critical response time, and if road standards were improved, this rate increased to 71.69%. On the other hand, in the scenario where current road standards and stationary and mobile teams were evaluated together, it was determined that 70.40% of the forest areas could be reached by initial response teams during the critical response time, and if road standards were improved, this rate increased to 78.17%. The results obtained have shown that improvements in road standards and the presence of mobile teams have a very effective role in combating forest fires.

PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS OF AISI 4340 HARDENED STEEL IN DUAL JET MQL TURNING SYSTEM: A COMPARISON STUDY BETWEEN CVD AND PVD-COATED CARBIDE TOOLS

The hard part turning process used to finish the cylindrical surfaces has some critical machining responses like tool wear with the lower quality of the machined surfaces. Minimum quantity lubrication (MQL)-based machining environment is currently considered an advanced cooling and lubrication technique. Cutting speed, feed rate, and cutting depth are considered input parameters, and the TaguchiL27 orthogonal array (OA) has been adopted as the design of the experiment. In this context, average surface roughness ([Formula: see text]), tool flank wear (VBc), cutting temperature ([Formula: see text]C), and chip morphology have been selected as measured outputs. To improve the machining performance of hardened steel, a sustainable MQL ([Formula: see text] directions) cooling system has been employed at the cutting zone. Iron–aluminum LRT 30 was considered as the base fluid for the hard turning of AISI 4340 steel by PVD (AlTiN) and CVD (TiN/TiCN/Al2O3) coating cutting inserts. The primary effects of process parameters and their influences on the measured outputs have been discussed. The dual jet MQL-based hard turning was performed at three levels of cutting speeds (80, 170, and 260[Formula: see text]m/min), feed rate (0.5, 0.1, and 0.15[Formula: see text]mm/rev), and cutting depth (0.2, 0.3, and 0.4[Formula: see text]mm) with an air pressure of 5[Formula: see text]bar and mist flow rate 50[Formula: see text]ml/h. The findings showed that PVD-coated carbide tools outperformed CVD-coated tools. The model of the measured outputs of both tools has been developed using second-order regression analysis. Utilizing ANOVA analysis, all the predictive models were observed to be significant and acceptable with larger than 90% of [Formula: see text] value.

Structural Response Analysis and Comfort Evaluation of Residential Buildings: A Combined Wind Tunnel and FEM Approach

With global urbanization accelerating, high-rise buildings have become a common feature in the urban landscape, especially in coastal cities, where they encounter unique wind-load challenges. This study aims to quantify the structural response and occupant comfort of a high-rise residential building under wind-induced accelerations by integrating wind tunnel testing with finite element analysis (FEA). The research focuses on critical response parameters, including displacement, acceleration, and stress, to evaluate the building’s performance. Wind tunnel tests provided detailed wind pressure distribution data across the building’s surface, while multi-degree-of-freedom and finite element models facilitated precise numerical simulations. The findings highlight a significant directional and temporal variability in wind-load responses, with the most pronounced effects observed at a wind-direction angle of 105° relative to the building’s front-facing axis (0°). The study confirms that the combined application of wind tunnel tests and FEA offers a comprehensive approach to understanding wind-induced responses, essential for the scientifically accurate and effective design of high-rise structures.