Flexible Media Research Articles

Experimental Studies into the Super Finishing of Nitronic-60 by One - Way Extrusion Honing Process

Abstract: The surface requirements of engineering components used varies widely depending on where the components surface is being applied for. Fabrication of surfaces with desired characterises on materials possessing high hardness is the need of the hour to effectively overcome the contemporary application challenges. The required surface generation of these difficult to cut material possessing intricate and unable to reach geometries could not be met by conventional finishing processes. So, several non-conventional finishing processes have been developed over the years to meet the ever-growing requirements of the industry, among them, Extrusion Honing or Abrasive Flow Machining where a flexible media loaded with abrasive particles acting as cutting tool can be successfully used to fine finish the surface. In the present study, the abrasive loaded flexible cutting media is extruded using one-way extrusion honing process and the effect of this on the surface characterises of Nitronic-60 is studied. The surface roughness is examined using a stylus type surface measuring instrument and the surface texture of the specimen before and after the process is analysed using SEM images. The results shows a significant enhancement in surface finish using EH/AFM process and the process found quite capable in removing the surface irregularities and producing surface with enhanced overall surface integrity.

Podcasts in Bulgaria: An Alternative, Parallel or Flexible Approach to Changing the Media Ecosystem

Podcasts in Bulgaria have flourished and solidified their presence in the second and third decades of the 21st century across various dimensions. Firstly, they serve as alternative sources of expert information. Secondly, they offer a parallel platform for disseminating information alongside traditional media genres and formats. Thirdly, they contribute to the development of a flexible media market, accommodating both public and private media entities, as well as individual, corporate, institutional, or organizational channels. This analysis focuses on podcasts in Bulgaria spanning from 2021 to 2023, produced and distributed by diverse media outlets, individuals, and organizations. The hypothesis posits that podcasts function as both media and businesses, serving as communication channels and a model that blends information dissemination with shared experiences. They represent a product resulting from media, digital, and communicative literacy. The methodology employed adopts an interdisciplinary approach, encompassing media, genre, and discourse analysis. The conclusions drawn are based on a comprehensive study, although not claiming to be exhaustive. It is assumed that podcasts in Bulgaria offer a versatile means of positioning themselves alongside traditional media, thereby contributing to the creative industry and the media market simultaneously. Keywords: podcast, media market, media ecosystem, media genre, creative industry, media content.

3D Printed Nanosensors for Cancer Diagnosis: Advances and Future Perspective.

Cancer is the leading cause of mortality worldwide, requiring continuous advancements in diagnosis and treatment. Traditional methods often lack sensitivity and specificity, leading to the need for new methods. 3D printing has emerged as a transformative tool in cancer diagnosis, offering the potential for precise and customizable nanosensors. These advancements are critical in cancer research, aiming to improve early detection and monitoring of tumors. In current times, the usage of the 3D printing technique has been more prevalent as a flexible medium for the production of accurate and adaptable nanosensors characterized by exceptional sensitivity and specificity. The study aims to enhance early cancer diagnosis and prognosis by developing advanced 3D-printed nanosensors using 3D printing technology. The research explores various 3D printing techniques, design strategies, and functionalization strategies for cancer-specific biomarkers. The integration of these nanosensors with detection modalities like fluorescence, electrochemical, and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy is also evaluated. The study explores the use of inkjet printing, stereolithography, and fused deposition modeling to create nanostructures with enhanced performance. It also discusses the design and functionalization methods for targeting cancer indicators. The integration of 3D-printed nanosensors with multiple detection modalities, including fluorescence, electrochemical, and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy, enables rapid and reliable cancer diagnosis. The results show improved sensitivity and specificity for cancer biomarkers, enabling early detection of tumor indicators and circulating cells. The study highlights the potential of 3D-printed nanosensors to transform cancer diagnosis by enabling highly sensitive and specific detection of tumor biomarkers. It signifies a pivotal step forward in cancer diagnostics, showcasing the capacity of 3D printing technology to produce advanced nanosensors that can significantly improve early cancer detection and patient outcomes.

Canonizing online activism: Memetic iconography in the North Atlantic Fella Organization

Memes are iconic digital artefacts that acquire meaning through their production and circulation among the digitally mediated publics. This visual essay presents an iconographic exploration of the North Atlantic Fella Organization (NAFO) – a vernacular online collective engaged in ridiculing Russian disinformation and rallying support for Ukraine’s defence and recovery efforts. We approach memes as a visual interface between the user and various subgroups within and outside the community. Drawing on a combination of autoethnographic, visual semiotic and computational methods, we demonstrate how memes perform three key functions within the online community: representing the self, maintaining social relations within the group and articulating the group’s values and commitment to its members and the broader public. In doing so, they can be understood as an extension of social and cultural practices surrounding religious iconography. Going beyond short-lived or self-centred engagement, memes constitute a rich yet flexible medium to mobilize social media users in significant international crises such as wars.

Study of plastic deformation and quality of flexible medium forming of bionic egg-shaped shell

Study of plastic deformation and quality of flexible medium forming of bionic egg-shaped shell

Nice to know 2: The impact of NICE guidelines on ketogenic diet services in the UK and Ireland - An update.

Ketogenic diet therapy (KDT) has been recommended as a treatment for drug-resistant epilepsy in children and young people since 2012 in the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence Clinical Guidelines for Epilepsies. The Ketogenic Dietitians Research Network completed a survey in 2017 to assess the impact of these guidelines. An online survey was circulated to ketogenic dietitians across the UK and Ireland. The results were compared with those of the 2017 survey. The number of individuals following KDT was 854, comprising an increase of 13% since 2017. Service sizes ranged widely, with 1-74 (median 16) patients on the diet. Of 36 services, 30 had a waiting list, ranging from 2 to 67 (median 9) patients. The classical diet continued to be the most common KDT used (58% of patients). Ten services reported use of a new flexible medium chain triglyceride protocol. Some 48% of patients (n = 427) had been following the KDT for over 2 years, comprising an 18% increase since 2017. Of these, 68 (15.9%) had attempted to wean off KDT but had to re-start as a result of a deterioration in seizures. The number of individuals following medical KDT remains stable. Referral numbers and waiting lists remain high, highlighting that KDT is still a well-recognised treatment option for drug-resistant epilepsy. The types of KDT used are similar to previous years, although increasingly flexible protocols are being adopted. Longer-term use of KDT is increasing, with a proportion of patients requiring long-term use to maintain seizure control.

A new highly efficient MAC protocol for WBAN: exceptional performance in the face of selfish behaviors

Over the last two decades, wireless body area networks (WBANs) have gained significant traction in healthcare applications. These networks facilitate connections among various sensors, which can be integrated into clothing, placed directly on the body, or implanted beneath the skin. While these sensors typically serve a single application, they generate traffic with diverse requirements. Managing this diversity necessitates tailored treatment to meet specific traffic needs while satisfying application requirements such as reliability and timeliness. In this paper, we propose a novel, flexible, and power-efficient medium access control (MAC) protocol designed to seamlessly complement existing solutions. Our protocol, available in two versions as an enhancement to the beacon-enabled mode of IEEE 802.15.4, aims to optimize quality of service (QoS) for periodic traffic applications within WBANs, irrespective of traffic and density conditions, without compromising energy efficiency. Our results demonstrate significant improvements compared to the standardized IEEE 802.15.4-MAC protocol across all test scenarios, even in the presence of selfish behaviors. These findings underscore the protocol’s efficacy in enhancing reliability and efficiency in wireless healthcare systems.

Optimization study on airfoil aerodynamic performance with local indentation treatment based on drainage characteristics of dolphin fluke

Enhancing the aerodynamic performance of airfoils is the key to optimizing the energy harvesting efficiency of rotating machinery such as wind turbines. Motivated by the bowl-shaped outline of the dolphin's fluke during the propulsion process, this paper proposes a local indentation method that generates a concave region on the pressure surface of the airfoil. The NACA 0018 airfoil is selected as the reference airfoil, and two types of treatments are applied near the trailing edge point: rigid deformation and flexible deformation. Based on the grid quantity independence and experimental results validation, the results demonstrate that compared with the original airfoil, the local indentation method can modify the pressure distribution of the indentation section itself and optimize the airfoil's overall aerodynamic performance. The lift coefficient of the whole airfoil increases gradually with the rise in the indentation depth and reaches a stable value eventually. Quantitative results reveal that when the indentation depth D = 0.020c, the lift coefficient of the whole airfoil can increase by up to 26.27%; when the indentation depth D = 0.010c, the airfoil's lift-to-drag ratio reaches the maximum, which is 16.39% higher than that of the original airfoil. When replacing the rigid indentation section with a flexible medium, the fluid flowing over the pressure surface interacts with the flexible medium. The method of local indentation proposed in this paper can provide valuable reference for optimizing the aerodynamic profile of airfoils and improving the energy harvesting efficiency of wind turbines.

CO2 Removal in Hydrogen Production Plants

Hydrogen is an industrial raw material both for the production of chemicals and for oil refining with hydrotreating. It is the subject of increasing attention for its possible use as an energy carrier and as a flexible energy storage medium. Its production is generally accomplished in Steam Methane Reforming (SMR) plants, where a gaseous mixture of CO and H2, with a limited number of other species, is obtained. The process of production and purification generates relevant amounts of carbon dioxide, which needs to be removed due to downstream process requirements or to limit its emissions to the atmosphere. A work by IEAGHG focused on the study of a state-of-the-art Steam Methane Reforming plant producing 100 kNm3/h of H2 and considered chemical absorption with MethylDiEthanolAmine (MDEA) solvent for removing carbon dioxide from the PSA tail gas in a baseline scheme composed of the absorber, one flash vessel and the regeneration column. This type of process is characterized by high energy consumption, in particular at the reboiler of the regeneration column, usually operated by employing steam, and modifications to the baseline scheme can allow for a reduction of the operating costs, though with an increase in the complexity of the plant. This work analyses three configurations of the treatment section of the off gas obtained after the purification of the hydrogen stream in the Pressure Swing Adsorption unit with the aim of selecting the one which minimizes the overall costs so as to further enhance Carbon Capture and Storage in non-power industries as well.

Ductility demand estimation of high-rise steel special moment frames due to structure-pile-soil interaction

ABSTRACT This study is concerned with variation of ductility demands in a range of tall buildings comprising 15, 20, 25, and 30-story steel special moment frames resting on pile groups in a flexible soil medium. Nonlinear soil–structure interaction analysis is performed using the direct method by considering an adequate extent of soil around the structures terminating at appropriate boundaries. Eleven consistent ground motions are used for nonlinear dynamic analysis of the systems and the ductility demands are evaluated by tracing the rotation history of the plastic hinges. It is concluded that simultaneous contribution of soil–structure interaction and p-∆ effect results in more than 40% increase of the ductility demand and 20% increase of the story drifts in the worst case that includes the lower stories of the tallest building.

Media Guidelines, Rules and Regulations and Perceived Customer Worth in Vision Group Media in Uganda

This research focused on the media guidelines, rules and importance of customers in Vision Group Media in Uganda. The study design was a case study technique. It used both qualitative and quantitative methods to gain in-depth understanding of performance of the media sector. The population of the study consisted of 176 respondents drowned from Vision Group mangers, supervisors and key stake holders like distributors, readers and listeners. This category was selected because they are believed to be knowledgeable about the subject matter and the company.The results of the research show how there was a favorable correlation between media rules and importance of customers. The results indicate how the company complied with media regulation practices as shown by (74.51%) response. The results on the level of clients’ commitment on different product platforms offered by VG indicates that (74.48%) of the respondents are committed. The key indicators are high on Vision Group rates aligning with the industry standards (50.8%); effective management of client’s feedback (51.6%) and Vision Group print products meeting for audience needs across all categories (50%). The findings from indicate a significant positive correlation between media regulations and customer perceived value (r =0.24). The study recommends that; Vision should continue developing flexible media mix aimed at reaching consumers across the country as each market niche has varying needs, therefore niche marketing tactics should be developed to access these markets. Vision Group and other media houses in general should focus attention on telling brand stories in snippets, with different narrative styles and a balance of information and entertainment, thus allowing consumers to find different pieces in different places. Keywords: Media, Vision group, Customer worth, Media regulations

Organic nanowire sensor with seeing, smelling and heat sensation capabilities

Ultra-long high aspect ratio one dimensional (1D) organic semiconductor nanowire is extremely valuable but very challenging to prepare. Based on diacetylene-bridged perylene mono-imide small molecule, scalable 1D nanowire is prepared by simple method, lengths of wires are more than 3 mm and aspect ratios are higher up to ∼9000. Organic flexible conductive wires made devices exhibit good multi-functional sensibilities to light, organic gases and heat. Single wire photodetector shows 80 mA/W responsivity and 3.05×1012 Jones detectivity at 532 nm. Mass-wire sensors demonstrate excellent sensibility, (tetrahydrofuran 0.0166 Ω/ppm; acetone 0.0139 Ω/ppm; ethanol 0.0164 Ω/ppm), low detection limitation and good repeatability to various volatile compounds and sensitive temperature variation response (0.394 mA K−1). The nanowires provide flexible media of sensors for the next generation miniature devices.

Stretchable, stable, and structural color reversible enabled by mesoscopic regulation and design for flexible photonic crystal mechanical sensors

This paper reports a flexible mechanical sensor developed by combining an opal photonic crystal and a flexible medium through UV curing technology. Under the action of external force, the deformation of the flexible medium causes the change of the photonic crystal lattice constant, which leads to the displacement of the reflection peaks, thus realizing the detection of the deformation of the film. The flexible medium is mixed by photoinitiators and polymer monomers, and its mechanical properties are directly related to the mass fraction of photoinitiators and polymer monomers. The results show that the film can reach a maximum strain of about 180% when the mass fraction of photoinitiator is 3% and the volume ratio of the polymer functional monomers is 8:2. In addition, for the responsiveness test of the sensor under tensile, the results show that at 0%, 26%, and 78% of tensile strain, its structural color is blue-shifted sequentially, and its spectral peaks are 668 nm, 535 nm, and 488 nm, respectively. Finally, the sensor is applied to the detection of acoustic waves in air, and it is found that its spectral response peaks can be obtained for acoustic waves of different frequencies (250–650 Hz), and a spectral peak at 500 Hz. This flexible photon sensor has the potential to match the acoustic resistance of water. It will greatly expand the response research of ocean exploration in the low frequency range.

Adopting E-Learning to Facilitate English Teaching and Learning in Kuwait

This research investigates the implications of adopting e-learning on the teaching and speaking proficiency of English among teachers in Kuwaiti public schools, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Although many private schools in Kuwait had already transitioned to digital learning platforms, public schools lagged behind. This study used interviews and questionnaires to glean insights from teachers, with a particular focus on their experiences and perceptions. Initial findings suggest that while the shift to online learning introduced challenges, it also offered significant opportunities to improve teaching methodologies and English-speaking capabilities. Despite initial anxieties regarding the transition, e-learning proved to be a flexible and convenient medium, prompting a revaluation of its role in Kuwaiti public high school education. The research underscores the significance of understanding the strengths and weaknesses of e-learning in the English curriculum, especially as the world grapples with the ongoing challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Development of a mobile learning network for science with augmented reality and its impact on students’ literacy and numeracy

The aim of the current research is to develop the Mobile Learning Network for Science application with Augmented Reality (MLNFS-AR) application on the topic of atomic structure and chemical equilibrium. The study was conducted in four public schools in Jakarta, Indonesia. The Borg and Gall development cycle was adopted in this study, including preliminary research, planning and developing learning media, and validation, evaluation, and revision. Regarding the assessment results from media experts, the mobile learning application was declared very feasible with a percentage of 91.7% for the topic of atomic structure and 87.2% for the topic of chemical equilibrium. The results of the material and language feasibility assessments were 81.6% for the topic of atomic structure and 82.3% for the topic of chemical equilibrium. The results of the media assessments for students were 92.9% for the topic of atomic structure and 89.9% for the topic of chemical equilibrium. The results of the media assessment by chemistry teachers were 97.1% for the topic of atomic structure and 94.7% for the topic of chemical equilibrium. Overall, this mobile learning medium is categorized as very feasible to use as a learning support medium. In addition, the MLNFS-AR app is effective in improving student literacy and numeracy. In sum, the mobile learning app, MLNFS-AR, can be used as a flexible learning medium, can be used anytime and anywhere, and makes it easier for students to learn chemistry.

FOTA-MAC: A Novel Traffic Adaptive MAC Protocol for Wireless Body Area Networks

Recently, Wireless Body Area Networks (WBANs) have emerged as a significant breakthrough in the healthcare sector due to their immense potential to revolutionize health outcomes. This type of network is able to support a diverse range of applications with traffic rates ranging from several bits per hour up to 10 megabits per second. The challenge lies in accommodating this wide range of applications and meeting their distinct requirements using a single suitably flexible medium access control protocol. In response to this challenge, our paper proposes a novel Traffic Adaptive MAC protocol designed specifically for the regular traffic of WBANs. This innovative protocol dynamically adapts its operation based on the observed traffic, leading to significant efficiency gains compared to the standardized MAC protocols IEEE 802.15.4 and IEEE 802.15.6. Our contribution aims to address the critical need for a tailored and adaptive MAC protocol that can seamlessly handle varying traffic loads within WBANs. By incorporating our protocol, we envision enhanced communication efficiency and improved performance, unlocking new possibilities for healthcare applications and ultimately revolutionizing the healthcare industry.

Multi-mode mechanoluminescence of fluoride glass ceramics from rigid to flexible media toward multi-scene mechanical sensors

First time dual-mode mechanoluminescence in fluoride glass ceramics, transitioning from rigid to flexible media for versatile mechanical sensing.

Boosting Thermoelectric Power Factor of Carbon Nanotube Networks with Excluded Volume by Co-Embedded Microparticles.

Carbon nanotube (CNT) networks embedded in a polymer matrix have been extensively studied as a flexible thermoelectric transport medium over the recent years. However, their power factor has been largely limited by the relatively inefficient tunneling transport at junctions between CNTs and the low-density conducting channels throughout the networks. This work demonstrates that significant power factor enhancements can be achieved by adding electrically insulating microscale particles in three-dimensional CNT networks embedded in the polymer matrix. When silica particles of a few μm diameters were co-embedded in single-walled CNT (SWCNT)-polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) composites, both the electrical conductivity and the Seebeck coefficient were simultaneously enhanced, thereby boosting the power factor by more than a factor of six. We found that the silica microparticles excluded a large volume of the composite from the access of CNTs and caused CNT networks to form around them with the polymer as a binder, resulting in improved network connectivity and alignment of CNTs. Our theoretical calculations based on junction tunneling transport for three-dimensional CNT networks show that the significant power factor enhancement can be attributed to the enhanced tunneling with reduced junction distance between CNTs. Additional power factor enhancement by a factor of three was achieved by sample compression, which further reduced the mean junction distance to enhance tunneling but also reduced the geometric factor at the same time, limiting the enhancement of electrical conductivity.

ROBUST: A Reliable and Flexible Media Transport for Real-Time Services

ROBUST: A Reliable and Flexible Media Transport for Real-Time Services

Connecting historical events to contemporary issues in bioethics and medical humanities teaching

Introduction: Didactic pedagogy and passive learning in bioethics and medical humanities teaching are ineffective in engaging students and gauging learning interests. As a result, medical students are unaware of why and how bioethics and medical humanities relate to their learning and thus prioritising acquiring clinical knowledge in their medical education. Methods: This project involves a teacher-student collaboration to develop a teaching approach, which bridges historical events and contemporary issues, acknowledging how ethics and humanities are interwoven in clinical and everyday life. The objectives are to (1) highlight landmark historical events in bioethics and medical humanities and (2) recognise the evolving nature of values and social norms that inform current practice. Results: The three activities include the use of historical narratives, annual newsletter publications, and social media to augment didactic classroom teaching and learning. Video narratives of landmark events in bioethics were developed to strengthen historical knowledge and encourage self-reflection. The newsletter invited students to write about any topic in bioethics and medical humanities and enabled them to experience a peer-review process. It allowed students to critically appraise everyday issues. Social media engagement via Instagram offered a flexible and informal medium to diversify the traditional bioethics content taught in the classroom. The advantages and obstacles of each element are discussed. Conclusion: A holistic approach using historical narratives, newsletters, and social media engages students’ learning and allows students to become conscious of how past events shape the present.