Desired End Research Articles

Traditional adhesive production systems in Zambia and their archaeological implications

This study explores traditional adhesives using an ethnobiological approach within a multisocioecological context in Zambia. Through semi-structured interviews, videotaped demonstrations, and herbarium collections, we investigated the traditional adhesives people know and use, the flexibility of production processes, resource usage, and knowledge transmission in adhesive production. Our findings reveal flexibility in adhesive production systems. People use a wide range of organic and inorganic materials in their adhesive recipes. Recipes are flexible, demonstrating the ability to adapt to changes and substitute materials as needed to achieve the desired end product. Additionally, our study reveals a variety of redundant pathways for knowledge transmission typically confined within individual population groups. These include same-sex vertical transmission and distinct learning spaces and processes. Also, we identified material procurement zones showing that people are prepared to travel 70 km for ingredients. We use our findings to review the archaeology and we discuss the identification of archaeological adhesives, the functional roles of adhesive materials, adhesive storage, and the sustained human interaction with species from families such as Euphorbiaceae and Apiade. Our findings underscore the diversity and adaptability of traditional adhesive production and suggest that further research on adhesives would reveal similar diversity within the archaeological record.

Meaning of work as a personal emergent power[?]: developing theory based on a critical realist study of Sri Lankan workers

ABSTRACT Research on the `meaning of work', especially concerning the Global South, is scarce. This paper aims to reduce this scarcity by applying critical realist meta-theory to the work and life history interviews of workers in Sri Lanka. A key discovery is that finding meaning in life through work is a personal emergent power and that, as such, it explains the way that individuals consciously manoeuvre their life-journeys towards a desired end - a modus vivendi - in a dialectic which involves both emergent structural change (morphogenesis) and agency. This paper also reveals that Margaret Archer's theory of reflexivity, based on interviews with Western individuals, cannot be transferred rigidly to the reflexivity of Global South individuals, and therefore more work on reflexivity within this context is required. This paper therefore makes a theoretical contribution to the existing meaning of work scholarship, and it extends existing understandings of the concepts of reflexivity and emergence.

Microbial Cell Factories: Biodiversity, Pathway Construction, Robustness, and Industrial Applicability

The microbial biosynthesis of proteins, primary metabolites, and chemicals is gaining extraordinary momentum and is presently viewed as an advancing approach in the industrial research sector. Increased threats to the environment and the possibility of declining petroleum assets have switched the spotlight to microbial cell factories (MCFs). Aside from possessing various advantages over chemical synthesis, such as less toxicity, cheaper methodologies, and an environmentally benign nature, microbes can be cultivated in fermenters, resulting in an effective bioprocessing approach in terms of industrial relevance. As the overwhelming majority of biodiversity is microbial, this review first highlights the microbial biodiversity of industrially vital microorganisms. Then, the paper delineates the production pathways for generating valuable bioproducts via microbial workhorses. Many host cells synthesize bio-compounds as a part of their natural mechanism; however, several techniques have also been developed to attain the desired end product from non-native microbes with selected properties. The microbial biosynthetic pathways can be categorized as native-existing pathways, heterologous pathways, and artificial de novo pathways. Systems metabolic engineering, which integrates metabolic engineering with evolutionary engineering, synthetic biology, and systems biology, has further revolutionized the field of engineering robust phenotypes. The employment of these strategies improves the performance of the strain, eventually achieving high titer and productivity rates of bio-chemicals. Modern trends and tools for exploiting native pathways and designing non-native-created pathways are also briefly discussed in this paper. Finally, the review discusses the use of microbial workhorses for producing a myriad of materials and chemicals, including carboxylic acids, amino acids, plant natural products (PNPs), carotenoids, flavors, and fragrances, unveiling the efficacy of utilizing microbial species to generate sustainable bio-based products.

Many mountain paths: Perceiving change in the management of community forests in the Hindu Kush Himalaya, Uttarakhand, India

India's high mountain, van panchayat forests are a long-standing example of community-led forest governance. These provide vital support for mountain communities’ wellbeing, yet little is known about how environmental and social change is currently perceived or addressed, despite many claims that characterize van panchayats to be in crisis due to policy interventions by state forest actors and erosion of local management institutions. This research investigates how changes in forest dependence, governance, and health drive forest management decisions. Using open-ended interviews with 41 forest stewards and knowledge holders in a high mountain valley in Uttarakhand, our analysis describes managers’ perceptions of environmental and social changes and their implications for management choices. We found that van panchayats are currently navigating stewardship pathways in response to: (a) population shifts and changes to historically forest-dependent livelihoods; (b) a shift in governance regimes across van panchayats, affected by both regulatory changes and local institutional capacity; (c) the effects of global environmental change as it intersects with local influences on mountain ecosystems. Forest stewards’ perceptions of the drivers, trends, significance, and appropriate management responses to these changes varied widely. An overall decline in rightsholders’ dependence on forest resources was commonly reported, as was improved forest health in van panchayats in relation to other forest types. However, van panchayat managers disagreed on whether declining dependence positively or negatively affects forest health, whether the state is absent or actively wresting control from communities, and if successful forest restoration efforts will continue. A lack of shared understanding of these issues complicates forest stewards’ efforts to cooperate towards mutually desired ends, exacerbated by a co-management policy which isolates forest councils’ efforts from neighbouring forests. Accordingly, we encourage policy changes to enhance collaborative decision-making and to address implications of diverse perceptions, priorities and practices of care in mountain forests.

Stolen Childhoods: Cape San Child Captives and the Raising of Colonial Subjects in the Nineteenth-Century Cape Colony

Histories of indigenous child captives in settler-colonies remain marginal amid broader inquiries into colonial-era genocides of indigenous peoples. Yet, child transfers played an integral role in the demise of indigenous populations in numerous settler-colonies. Forced child removals occurred alongside the physical annihilation of parent societies and was often an important part of the erosion and eradication of hunter-gatherer peoples and identities. This article aims to set out an analysis of the integral role played by child abductions and transfers in the genocide of the Cape San during the early nineteenth century, with a particular focus on civilian initiative. In the Cape Colony, civilians initiated the practice of capturing and transferring San children to their invasive settler society. San children were considered malleable and better disposed to forced assimilation as labourers. Apprenticeship legislation was eventually introduced in the Cape Colony to regulate indigenous child transfers and to ensure that its worst abuses were minimised, although these ideals were seldom realised. Apprenticeship legislation attempted to catch up with existing practice set in motion by civilians and in effect, colonial authorities played an enabling role by legally legitimising it. The analysis also explores the narrative justifications for San child abduction and transfer employed by European-descended settlers, and contrasts these with contemporary evangelical-humanitarian discourses. Settlers and missionaries adopted different means to incorporate San children into settler society, while agreeing that incorporation was the desired end. Discursively, settlers and missionaries managed to frame their actions as being in the best interests of San children.

Integral Valorization of Posidonia oceanica Balls: An Abundant and Potential Biomass.

Posidonia oceanica balls (POB), a kind of seagrass, are a significant environmental issue since they are annually discharged onto beaches. Their current usefulness limits interest in their management and enhances the environmental problem. Therefore, in this research, the potential of this lignocellulosic biomass was studied from a holistic biorefinery point of view. To this end, an in-depth study was carried out to select the best pathway for the integral valorization of POBs. First, an autohydrolysis process was studied for the recovery of oligosaccharides. Then, a delignification stage was applied, where, in addition to studying different delignification methods, the influence of the autohydrolysis pre-treatment was also investigated. Finally, cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) were obtained through a chemo-mechanical treatment. The results showed that autohydrolysis not only improved the delignification process and its products, but also allowed the hemicelluloses to be valorized. Acetoformosolv delignification proved to be the most successful in terms of lignin and cellulose properties. However, alkaline delignification was able to extract the highest amount of lignin with low purity. CNFs were also successfully produced from bleached solids. Therefore, the potential of POB as a feedstock for a biorefinery was confirmed, and the pathway should be chosen according to the requirements of the desired end products.

Polymorphism of xenobiotic biotransformation enzyme genes and their role in early pregnancy loss

Considering the progressive decrease in the number of women of fertile age, as well as children and adolescents, the primary medical and social task at the present stage is to preserve the reproductive health and life of women, preserving every desired pregnancy. The concept of demographic policy of the Russian Federation for the period until 2025 defines the global national goals, i.e. to increase the total fertility rate by 1.5 times, to reduce maternal and infant mortality by at least 2 times, and to improve the reproductive health of women, children and adolescents. Today every fifth desirable pregnancy ends in early loss, and the rate of miscarriage does not tend to decrease and, in fact, increases every year. Carriage of susceptibility or candidate genes can alter the course of biochemical processes in women and cause early pregnancy losses. According to the literature, the cytochrome P-450 gene (CYP1A1, CYP1B1), xenobiotic detoxification genes (GSTT1, GSTM1, GSTP1) and many others are recognized as candidate genes (genetic markers) associated with reproductive losses. Adverse pregnancy outcome is usually multifactorial; in turn, the combination of polymorphic variants of different candidate genes can increase the risk of early losses. A detailed study of the role of candidate genes with clarity and confirmation of the interest of candidate genes in the development of pregnancy loss is undeniable. In this regard, the interest of many researchers in studying the polymorphism of genes of the xenobiotic biotransformation enzyme system as one of the causal factors of pregnancy failure is understandable. The study of this group of genes is of particular relevance in regions with developed industry and high anthropogenic load. The article is devoted to the analysis of the existing data of foreign and domestic literature sources concerning the relationship between polymorphism of xenobiotic biotransformation system genes and reproductive losses.

Preoperative 3D Microvascular Decompression Simulation

Preoperative surgical simulation via three-dimensional fusion computer graphics models have been widely accepted as a legitimate means of securing the diagnosis and treatment effectiveness of neurovascular compression. The authors discussed three factors of surgical simulation as being 1. Knowing the anatomical relationship, 2. Knowing the desirable end result of surgical intervention, and 3. Knowing how to design surgical interventions to achieve such desirable end results. Satisfying each factor requires distinct functionality from the software used in the surgical simulation. As per the imaging study used to construct the multimodal computer graphic models, CT scan and MR are usually sufficient, although renal function-permitting contrast enhancement can be a feasible option for depicting minute vessels in particular. There are three major steps in building three-dimensional fusion computer graphics models:1. Image interpretation, 2. co-registration, and 3. Segmentation. Each step comprises an essential part that must be handled with care. The segmentation step is where rigorous technological advancement takes place, although classical techniques, such as the seeded region growing method or the multi-threshold method, are still practically important. Regarding surgical simulation after three-dimensional model construction, technical challenges concerning large deformations should be recognized to ensure non-nonsense surgical simulation.

Whether Live Streaming Has a Better Performance? An Examination of Product Presentation Modes on Cross-Border E-Commerce Platform

Scholars have long recognized that product presentation plays an important role for consumers to understand product and make further decisions, but it is not well-tested in the cross-border e-commerce context. Additionally, there exist inconsistent insights regarding the influences of the two major product presentation modes currently used by cross-border e-commerce platforms (i.e., static pictures and live streaming). Therefore, drawing on regulatory focus theory, this study develops a research model to explain and differentiate how live streaming and static pictures affect cross-border purchase intentions through the motivation systems associated with different desired end states (i.e., accessing benefit and avoiding uncertainty). Partial least squares approach and relative importance analysis were used to test the model with 272 survey participants. The empirical results show that both product presentation modes can enhance cross-border purchase intentions through regulatory focus. More interestingly, it shows that static pictures are better at reducing perceived uncertainty, whereas live streaming is more effective at increasing perceived desirability, in leading to higher cross-border purchase intentions. This study contributes to differentiating the impacts of different product presentation modes in attracting cross-border purchase intentions from a regulatory focus perspective and provides practical implications for cross-border e-commerce providers and sellers to leverage distinct product presentation modes to attract consumers.

Kinetics of fermentative production of propionic acid on a range of carbon and nitrogen sources using Acidipropionibacterium acidipropionici

Propionic acid is a well-known organic acid with widespread applications in food, chemical, and pharmaceutical industries, mainly produced by Acidipropionibacterium and Propionibacterium genera. In this work, Acidipropionibacterium acidipropionici is used to produce propionic acid from a range of carbon, and nitrogen sources. Their organic acid distribution differed significantly depending on the carbon sources used. Glycerol almost completely converted to propionic acid, whereas glucose produced significant amount of by-products. The product distribution of lactate was in between those carbon sources. The simultaneous use of two different carbon sources can speed up fermentation by up to 50%. The fastest propionic acid production rate was 0.564 gPA L−1 h−1 with combined use of glycerol and lactic acid. This was faster than the rates achieved with lactic acid and glucose (0.256 gPA L−1 h−1) and glucose and glycerol (0.317 gPA L−1 h−1) combinations. The concentration of the carbon source affects the fermentation rate, as increased osmotic pressure results in decreased μmax. The addition of biotin and pantothenate increased the rate of fermentation, also preventing pyruvic acid accumulation. Glucose gave the highest biomass yield among carbon sources, and yeast autolysate resulted in the highest product formation among nitrogen sources. A. acidipropionici can use ammonia as a nitrogen source but to a limited extent. Overall, A. acidipropionici is a versatile organism with the potential for industrial production of propionic acid due to its flexibility to use a range of carbon sources alone or in combination which can be tailored to achieve the desired end product.

Fast Convergent Ali Baba and Forty Thieves Algorithm for Inverse Kinematic Solution of 7-DOF Robotic Manipulator

Inverse kinematics is a crucial topic in robotics, enabling robots to calculate the joint angles required to achieve the desired end effector position and orientation. Solving the inverse kinematics problem quickly with high accuracy is vital for robot manipulators. If sufficient speed is provided, the real-time motion planning task of robot manipulators can be achieved. Real-time motion planning of complex robot manipulators is not possible with classical mathematical methods. Overcoming this problem will provide many benefits in the design and control of robot manipulators. In contemporary research, metaheuristic approaches have become widely employed for addressing the inverse kinematics problem. This investigation utilizes the efficient and simple Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves (AFT) algorithm to resolve the inverse kinematics problem. To increase convergence speed of AFT, a parameter has been used in early iterations of the algorithm to prevent thieves from randomly searching within the search area to find Ali Baba when they realized they had been deceived. Additionally, an approach has been proposed regarding the accuracy of the information brought by the Marjaneh. Finally, the inverse kinematics solution of the 7-DOF robot manipulator was carried out comparatively.

Will a desirable apparatus always return a desirable end? My hope for Snapshots from Home: Mind, Action, and Strategy in an Uncertain World (Bristol University Press, 2022)

Will a desirable apparatus always return a desirable end? This short engagement expresses my hope for Karin M. Fierke’s Snapshots from Home: Mind, Action, and Strategy in an Uncertain World (Bristol University Press, 2022).

The AU Free Movement Protocol: Challenges in Its Implementation

AbstractOne of the major pillars of the African Union is the integration of peoples and the ability for them to move freely from one member country to another, with the right to reside and practise their trade or profession. This aspect of integration found full expression in the Protocol to the Treaty Establishing the African Economic Community Relating to the Free Movement of Persons, Right of Residence and Right of Establishment, adopted in 2018. Upon operationalization, it will remove obstacles to the movement of people, capital and resources in the region and give expression to aspiration 2 of the African Union Agenda 2063. However, significant challenges lie on the path of its implementation. This article doctrinally reviews the protocol, looking at its prospects for promoting African integration and development, and anticipates some of the problems that the protocol will face. It concludes with recommendations for achieving its lofty but desirable ends.

Shape-controllable inverse kinematics of hyper-redundant robots based on the improved FABRIK method

AbstractHyper-redundant robots have good prospects for applications in confined space due to their high flexibility and slim body size. However, the super-redundant structure brings great challenges for its inverse kinematics with shape constraints. Unfortunately, traditional Jacobian pseudo-inverse-based inverse kinematics method and forward and backward reaching inverse kinematics (FABRIK) method are difficult to constrain the arm shape and realize trajectory tracking in confined spaces. To solve this problem, we propose a shape-controllable FABRIK method to satisfy the given path and shape constraints. Firstly, the kinematic model of the hyper-redundant robot is established, and the canonical FABRIK method is introduced. Based on the preliminary works, the single-layer improved FABRIK method is developed to solve the position and pointing inverse kinematics considering path environment and joint angle constraints instead of two-layer geometric iterations. For tracking the desired end roll angles, the polygonal virtual arm is designed. The real arm roll angle is achieved by controlling its winding on the virtual arm. In this way, the shape can be controlled. Finally, we compare the proposed method with other three approaches by simulations. Results show that the proposed method is more efficient and the arm shape is controllable.

An inverse kinematics solution with trajectory scaling for redundant manipulators

Kinematic redundancy offers robots many useful capabilities, such as an ability to fulfill several tasks simultaneously. However, the inverse kinematics (IK) problem for redundant manipulators is not trivial. Often, pseudoinverse-based methods are used, allowing for the projection of the desired joint space velocity vector on the null space of the manipulator’s Jacobian. Unfortunately, it is not straightforward to include in the solution the joint position, velocity and acceleration bounds. On the other hand, the IK problem can be formulated as an optimization problem. A quadratic programming (QP) formulation is especially attractive for an online implementation, since it is computationally much lighter than nonlinear optimization methods. In a QP IK formulation, the joint constraints can be easily included. However, if the desired end effector trajectory becomes too demanding, then the joint space solution might not exist. To overcome this obstacle, we propose a QP IK formulation with trajectory scaling. The method is successfully tested on a model of KUKA LWR4+ 7-DOF manipulator; the joint constraints are satisfied and the motion is slowed down only when it is necessary.

Shakespeare, Marston, and Getting to Moral Clarity through Comedy

ABSTRACT ‘Uneasy comedy’ can be a surprising source of moral insight. Comedies like John Marston’s The Dutch Courtesan and Shakespeare’s All’s Well That Ends Well provoke uneasy laughter, laughter mixed with anxiety and moral concern – concern especially at how characters manipulate and deceive others to achieve certain outcomes. But the characters claim this deception is justified. They argue that their situation calls for a particular moral framework – one based on the achievement of desirable ends, rather than one based on autonomy and consent – and that their actions count as moral within that framework. The issue is that their arguments partially but don’t completely succeed. A key moral piece seems to be missing – but what is it? Is the problem with the characters’ actions or with the framework? To answer that question, we must determine how one would act morally within that framework and when it would be the right one to use. We must ask, essentially, how the story would have to change before we could laugh more freely. Uneasy comedies bring moral clarity through their suggestions about the different moral frameworks called for by different life contexts and what it takes to act worthily within those frameworks.

ParEvo: A methodology for the exploration and evaluation of alternative futures

Evaluators’ main encounter with views of the future is in the form of theories of change, about how a programme will work to achieve a desired end, in a given context. These are typically focussed on specific relatively short-term futures, which are both desired and expected. But even in the short term, reality often involves unpredictable events which must be responded to. Other ways of thinking about the future may be helpful and complementary, notably those developed by foresight practitioners working in the field of futures studies. These pay more attention to a range of possible futures, rather than a single perspective. One way of exploring such futures is by using ParEvo.org, an online process that enables the participatory exploration of alternative futures. This article explains how the ParEvo process works, the theory informing its design, and its usage to date. Attention is given to three evaluation challenges, and methods to address them: (a) optimising exercise design, (b) analysis of immediate results and (c) identifying longer-term impacts. Two exercises undertaken by the Cambridge-based Centre for the Study of Existential Risk (CSER) in 2021–2022 are used as illustrative examples.

It is Not ‘Indoctrination’ That Leads to the Lack of Debate, But the Lack of Debate that Leads to Indoctrination – A Comment on ‘Indoctrination in Introduction to Psychology’ by Jared Bartels

Bartels gives some good examples of ‘liberal’ or ‘left-wing’ bias in introductory textbooks and suggests that one of the ways to ameliorate this is to adopt a more heterodox approach. This comment suggests that to achieve this very desirable end that psychologists need to look critically at the philosophical assumptions which influence their professional thinking. They must ask, ‘What is our concept of a human being?’ otherwise they will unthinkingly reflect the philosophical assumptions of victimhood culture that see human beings as diminished, vulnerable individuals.

Evaluation of Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW) to Platelet Ratio as a Novel Non-Invasive Index for Predicting Hepatic Fibrosis in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C before and after Antiviral Treatment

Abstract Background Globally, about 71 million people have chronic HCV infection. A significant number of those who are chronically infected will develop cirrhosis or liver cancer. Approximately 399, 000 person die every year from liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Liver fibrosis reflects sustained liver injury often from multiple, simultaneous factors. Assessment of the effect of antiviral treatment on liver fibrosis is desirable end point for evaluation of the efficacy of therapy. Aim of the Work To validate and compare the diagnostic performance of RDW to Platelet ratio for prediction of liver fibrosis before and after antiviral treatment in patient with chronic HCV infection. In Comparison with other markers of fibrosis (fib-4, APRI) scores and fibroscan. Patients and Methods This study was conducted on 50 adult patients with chronic hepatitis C virus subdivided into two groups. First group: 25 Non cirrhotic patients having chronic HCV infection. Second group: 25 Cirrhotic CHILD A patients having chronic HCV infection and followed up in Gastroenterology out patient’s clinic, Al Demerdash Hospital, Ain Shams University. Results The results obtained can be summarized as follows: RDW/PLT can predict liver fibrosis and cirrhosis with agood degree of accuracy before HCV treatment. RDW/PLT can predict liver cirrhosis (F3 & F4) with an excellent degree of accuracy after HCV treatment. RDW/PLT cannot predict early liver fibrosis (F1 & F2) after HCV treatment as results assuming apoor degree of accuracy. According to above results RDW/PLT can be used instead of liver biopsy to detect degree of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis before HCV treatment with agood degree of accuracy. While after HCV treatment we can depend on RDW/PLT to predect degree of advanced liver fibrosis and cirrhosis (F3 & F4) with an excellent degree of accuracy. But we need further studies on RDW/PLT to detect the accuracy of prediction of early liver fibrosis (F1 & F2) after HCV treatment. Conclusion RDW/PLT can predict liver fibrosis and cirrhosis with agood degree of accuracy before HCV treatment. RDW/PLT can predict liver cirrhosis (F3 & F4) with an excellent degree of accuracy after HCV treatment. RDW/PLT cannot predict early liver fibrosis (F1 & F2) after HCV treatment as results assuming apoor degree of accuracy. According to above results RDW/PLT can be used instead of liver biopsy to detect degree of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis before HCV treatment with agood degree of accuracy. While after HCV treatment we can depend on RDW/PLT to predect degree of advanced liver fibrosis and cirrhosis (F3 & F4) with an excellent degree of accuracy. But we need further studies on RDW/PLT to detect the accuracy of prediction of early liver fibrosis (F1 & F2) after HCV treatment.

Dynamic Modeling and Passivity-Based Control of an RV-3SB Robot

This paper shows the dynamic modeling and design of a passivity-based controller for the RV-3SB robot. Firstly, the dynamic modeling of a Mitsubishi RV-3SB robot is conducted using Euler–Lagrange formulation in order to obtain a decoupled dynamic model, considering the actuator orientation besides the position of the analyzed robot. It is important to remark that the dynamic model of the RV-3SB robot is conducted based on kinematic model obtention, which is developed by the implementation of screw theory. Then, the passivity-based controller is obtained by separating the end effector variables and the actuator variables by making an appropriate coordinate transformation. The passivity-based controller is obtained by selecting an appropriate storage function, and by using Lyapunov theory, the passivity-based control law is obtained in order to drive the error variable, which is the difference between the measured end effector position variable and the desired end effector position variable. The passivity-based controller makes the error variable reach the origin in finite time, taking into consideration the dissipation properties of the proposed controller in order to stabilize the desired end effector position. A numerical simulation experiment is performed in order to validate the theoretical results obtained in this research. Using numerical experimentation, it is verified that the proposed control strategy is efficient and effective in driving the error variable to the origin in comparison with other modified techniques found in the literature. Finally, an appropriate discussion and conclusion of this research study are provided.