Initial Studies Research Articles

Molecular dynamics study of melting initiation at tilt grain boundaries depending on their misorientation angle in aluminum

Molecular dynamics study of melting initiation at tilt grain boundaries depending on their misorientation angle in aluminum

An In Situ Study of Short Crack Initiation and Propagation During Fatigue Testing of a Hot Isostatically Pressed Al-7%Si-0.5%Mg (A357-T6) Alloy Specimen.

A hot isostatically pressed specimen of the A357 alloy in T6 condition has been tested for fatigue performance in situ. During testing, multiple small cracks were observed during the first cycle, both in proximity to and far from the stress concentration. These cracks have competed to form a propagating crack, forming multiple crack paths initially. Once the propagating crack has been established, it has chosen paths from multiple cracks that have opened around the tip to grow further. All small cracks observed to open have been attributed to bifilms, i.e., liquid metal damage. It is imperative to develop processes that minimize liquid metal damage to enhance the fatigue performance of aluminum alloy castings.

Integrating mesh adaptivity and digital image correlation for full-field displacement evaluation of cracked bodies

The study of crack initiation and propagation is primary to the fracture mechanics domain and essential for developing new materials. Such a study is relevant for refractory ceramics adopted as thermal insulators in high-temperature industrial applications. In particular, mechanical and thermal tests are essential in measuring properties and contribute to the material selection process. Such tests can be assisted using non-intrusive measurement techniques, in particular, by the Digital Image Correlation (DIC) technique, which enables to obtain full-field information concerning the displacement and strain fields in a loaded configuration. Identifying the crack location is a challenge for DIC techniques and requires special treatment of the correlation process to get reasonable resolution around the crack. Global DIC approaches can benefit from mesh refinement strategies to improve the identification of the displacement field and, consequently, the crack's location. In this context, the present article introduces mesh refinement strategies to improve the image correlation, allowing to identify the crack location in cracked specimens better. The adaptivity approach is developed using Correli framework and the Application Programming Interface (API) of the GMsh software, which has several features to control the element mesh size distribution, particularly by controlling mesh size parameters using strain and local gray-level residue. Herein, the mesh strategies are applied in a model composite system submitted to temperature variation. The composite consists of a brass inclusion surrounded by an alumina matrix. The thermal expansion coefficient mismatch between the phases leads to a radial crack pattern when the material is heated. The evaluation of the mesh refinement algorithm is established in terms of reducing global gray-level residual in the correlation procedure, and the enhanced definition of the crack location. The present article contributes to the DIC processing, getting more information on specific regions based on strain and gray level residual information, and also furnishes information to verify computational fracture mechanics tools.

Construct validity and responsiveness of ASAS Health Index assessed in two longitudinal studies of tumour necrosis factor alpha inhibitor initiation and dose reduction in patients with axial spondyloarthritis

BackgroundThe Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society Health Index (ASAS HI) is a novel questionnaire of global functioning for patients with axial spondyloarthritis (SpA).ObjectiveThe objective was to assess the construct validity,...

Dynamic response of rock landslides and avalanche debris flows impacting flexible barriers based on shaking table tests

Flexible barrier structures are commonly installed in mountainous regions to resist the impact effects of rock avalanches. Without reliable physical data, the study of rock landslide initiation and the impact mechanism of avalanche debris flow under seismic excitation remains poorly understood. In this study, a model of rock slope-flexible barrier system was developed to simulate seismic slope failure behavior and debris flow impact on flexible barriers. Seismic waves in shaking table tests were triaxially loaded to effectively simulate actual seismic responses. The results indicate that the response of the Acceleration Amplification Factor (AAF) is closely associated with seismic damage and deformation within the overlying rock layers and differential propagation of seismic energy on either side of the shear band triggers rockslide initiation. Furthermore, the progressive failure mode of modeled slopes under multiple seismic events is slip-compression cracking failure. Crushing spreading at the intersection of the cracking and slip surfaces is the source of the loose fractured rock mass. Finally, this paper examines the impact patterns and dynamic responses of large individual blocks and loose fractured deposits on flexible barriers. Large blocks cause localized strong acceleration in the steel wire nets, increasing the risk of local damage, whereas loose deposits tend to induce overall seismic deformation and instability of the supporting structure. The natural seismic damage mechanisms of the barrier structure are revealed. It is recommended that flexible barrier structures in earthquake-prone mountainous areas incorporate a reasonable footing design to ensure the columns can deflect out-of-plane in response to seismic activity.

Human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome antiretroviral therapy initiated on the same day in treatment-naïve people with human immunodeficiency virus: A comparative study of efficacy and regimen.

Rapid initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) is recommended by guidelines, however, real-world studies of same-day initiation of ART in China are limited, and an optimal treatment regimen has yet to be identified. The study aims to provide a realistic reference for rapid initiation of ART. We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of treatment-naïve people with human immunodeficiency virus (PWHs) who were diagnosed and prescribed same-day ART initiation from January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2022 at Chongqing Public Health Medical Center. PWHs voluntarily chose an ART regimen that divided them into two groups: National Free Antiretroviral Treatment Program (NFATP)-recommended regimens group (2 nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors+non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors/protease inhibitors) and bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide (BIC/FTC/TAF) group. The primary endpoint was the virological outcome of the two groups for same-day ART initiation at 24weeks and 48weeks. The secondary endpoints included changes in CD4 counts, maintenance of the original ART regimen at 48weeks, and lipid levels and renal function at 48weeks. A total of 255 PWHs were included in the study, including 131 (51.4%) in the NFATP group and 124 (48.6%) in the BIC/FTC/TAF group. The overall virological suppression rates at 24weeks and 48weeks were 78.2% (165/211) and 95.4% (207/217), respectively. At 24weeks, the virologic suppression rate in the NFATP group was lower than that in the BIC/FTC/TAF group (65.3% [66/101] vs . 90.0% [99/110], P <0.001). The median increase in the CD4 count was 198.0 (126.0-300.0) cells/μL at 24weeks, with 182.0 (108.0-245.0) cells/μL in the NFATP group and 219 (132.0-316.0) cells/μL in the BIC/FTC/TAF group ( P =0.035). At 48weeks, there was no significant difference in the virological suppression rate or CD4 count between the groups. The 48-week initial ART regimen retention rates and treatment retention rates were significantly higher in the BIC/FTC/TAF group than in the NFATP group (91.1% (113/124) vs . 71.8% (94/131), 99.2% (118/119) vs . 93.0% (120/129), respectively). In terms of safety, there were no significant changes from baseline in levels of creatinine, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), or lipids in either group at 48weeks. ART initiation on the day of diagnosis is effective, safe, and feasible, with satisfactory rates of virologic suppression, 48-week initial ART regimen retention rates, and treatment retention rates in treatment-naïve PWHs. In our study, the early virologic suppression rate, CD4 cell counts, and treatment retention of the BIC/FTC/TAF regimens were significantly better than those of the NFATP regimens.

Transforming HR through Analytics: A Study of Performance Improvement Initiatives Driven by Data

ABSTRACT This study examines the transformative impact of facts analytics on Human Resources (HR) practices, especially focusing on overall performance development tasks. As agencies more and more apprehend the value of data-pushed choice-making, HR analytics has emerged as a strategic tool for reinforcing talent control, worker engagement, and ordinary organizational overall performance. By studying case research and empirical data, this studies identifies the important thing blessings of HR analytics, such as stepped forward recruitment processes, better employee retention, and heightened engagement ranges. However, the take a look at also addresses the challenges related to implementing analytics in HR, together with facts nice, change management, and talent gaps. Ultimately, the findings spotlight the need for HR professionals to include a facts-driven culture and invest in analytics abilities to reap sustained performance upgrades. This paper serves as a manual for companies in search of to leverage analytics for more suitable HR effects and strategic alignment.

Analyzing Savings Behavior Among University Students: A Case Study of Bank's Financial Education Initiatives

This study investigates the impact of Maybank’s Financial Education Initiatives and financial goal-setting on the savings behavior of university students. Utilizing both primary and secondary data, the study aims to determine how financial education and the establishment of measurable financial goals influence students' savings habits. Primary data was collected through an online survey distributed to 200 university students using a Five-Point Likert Scale to measure responses regarding their participation in financial education programs, financial goals, and savings behavior. Secondary data was sourced from relevant academic journals focusing on accounting and finance research in the Asia Pacific region. The results reveal that both financial education and goal-setting significantly influence savings behavior, with financial goals exhibiting a stronger effect. Regression analysis shows that financial goals (β = 0.386) have a higher impact on savings than Maybank’s Financial Education Initiatives (β = 0.270). The study concludes that while financial literacy is crucial, goal-setting plays a more pivotal role in promoting consistent saving behavior. The findings imply that financial literacy programs should integrate goal-setting strategies to maximize their effectiveness in fostering long-term financial responsibility among students

CSR and Sustainable Development in India: A Study of Environmental Initiatives by Indian Corporations

This research paper explores the intersection of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and sustainable development in India, focusing on environmental initiatives undertaken by Indian corporations. Given the growing significance of CSR in addressing environmental challenges, the study employs a qualitative analysis of various CSR programs across industries, supplemented by quantitative data to evaluate their effectiveness. The findings reveal that while many companies have integrated CSR into their business strategies, significant challenges remain, including regulatory complexities and the need for greater stakeholder engagement. Key results indicate that approximately 70% of Indian corporations have begun adopting Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria, reflecting a shift towards responsible governance. The implications of these findings highlight the critical role of CSR in achieving sustainable development goals and fostering corporate accountability. Furthermore, the paper outlines future directions for CSR in India, emphasizing the importance of digital transformation, climate resilience, and collaborative partnerships. By identifying emerging trends and areas for improvement, this study aims to provide a roadmap for corporations looking to enhance their CSR initiatives and contribute meaningfully to sustainable development in India.

Theoretical perspectives on digital literacy programs: A comparative study of initiatives in Africa and the United States

This review paper analyses digital literacy programs in Africa and the United States, highlighting the theoretical underpinnings and practical implementations across diverse socio-economic, cultural, and technological contexts. Examining key theoretical frameworks—Technological Literacy, Media Literacy, and Information Literacy—explores how these theories inform the design, execution, and evaluation of digital literacy initiatives. The analysis reveals both region-specific challenges and universal opportunities for enhancing digital literacy, emphasizing the need for contextually adapted, inclusive, and sustainable programs. Insights into policy implications and practical recommendations for practitioners are discussed alongside future research directions to deepen understanding and improve the effectiveness of digital literacy programs globally. This paper underscores the pivotal role of digital literacy in empowering individuals and fostering societal development in the digital age.

Sustainable Urban Planning: A Comparative Study of Green City Initiatives Around the Worldqq

Sustainable urban planning has become increasingly imperative in addressing environmental challenges and promoting resilient, livable cities globally. a comparative study of green city initiatives across different regions, examining strategies, successes, and challenges in integrating sustainability principles into urban development. Key focus areas include sustainable infrastructure, green spaces, energy efficiency, waste management, and community engagement. By analyzing case studies and current practices, this study aims to identify best practices and lessons learned from leading green cities, highlighting innovative approaches that enhance urban sustainability and quality of life for residents. Ultimately, the research underscores the importance of holistic planning approaches and collaborative governance in achieving sustainable urban futures amidst urbanization pressures and climate change impacts.

P.158: A comparative study of early versus late initiation of renal replacement therapy in acute kidney injury due to snake envenomation and its impact on short-term and long-term outcome of the kidney function.

P.158: A comparative study of early versus late initiation of renal replacement therapy in acute kidney injury due to snake envenomation and its impact on short-term and long-term outcome of the kidney function.

International experience in criminalizing interference with the judiciary

The study of international experience helps to unify approaches to criminalizing interference in judicial activities, which contributes to the harmonization of national legislation with international norms. Moreover, such an analysis of best practices from different countries allows us to identify effective practices for protecting courts from external pressure and interference, which is key to ensuring fair justice. The study of legislative initiatives and their consequences in different jurisdictions helps to identify the shortcomings and advantages of existing legal norms, which contributes to the improvement of national laws. The article analyzes the international experience of criminalizing interference with the judiciary. The study covers legal mechanisms and legislative initiatives aimed at protecting the independence of the judiciary in different countries of the world, namely: The United States of America, Slovakia, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and Poland. It is established that liability for obstruction of justice and pre- trial investigation is criminalized in the following countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan. The author examines different approaches to determining criminal liability for such actions and compares the effectiveness of the measures applied. The article emphasizes the need to adapt national legislation to international norms in order to ensure the effective functioning of the judicial system and protect it from external interference. It is concluded that national legislation on protection of the judiciary from interference is in line with the main trends in criminal legislation of European countries. However, having studied the international practice of criminalizing interference with the judiciary, it can be concluded that the US experience can be a useful example for national legislation, since the transparency and detail with which the US legislator approached the regulation of such a sensitive matter as interference with the judiciary require attention and are worthy of borrowing.

Regional legislative initiatives in the Czech Republic

ABSTRACT The Czech Republic is one of the several countries in the world and the only unitary democratic state allowing regions to initiate legislation without limits. Despite this, a study of Czech regional initiatives has yet to be written. Therefore, this paper delivers a comprehensive analysis of the phenomenon. The results show that the activity and success rates of the regions differ substantially. The probability of a regional proposal is positively affected by the region’s legislative strength in the Chamber of Deputies and the opposition status of the region’s governor. In contrast, it is negatively affected by the distance from Prague. The chances of adopting the regional initiative substantially decrease if a proposal suggests a shared rule instrument compared to self-rule ones. Overall, the article argues that while regional legislative activity in (con)federal states is affected mainly by regionalist strategic politics, the process in the unitary state is more result-oriented.

Autopsy findings from patients diagnosed with COVID-19 demonstrate unique morphological patterns in bone marrow and lymph node

AimsThe identification of haemophagocytosis in bone marrow (BM) is recurrently identified in patients with severe COVID-19. These initial COVID-19 autopsy studies have afforded valuable insight into the pathophysiology of this...

Employee Perspectives on Professional Growth: A Qualitative Study of Human Resource Development Initiatives

This research examines the perspectives and experiences of workers about Human Resource Development (HRD) programs in order to determine the aspects that influence engagement, satisfaction, and overall effectiveness. Employing a qualitative methodology, the study included semi-structured interviews and focus groups with personnel from several departments. The results indicate that HRD programs are most efficient when they are congruent with individuals' specific career objectives and professional requirements, and when they have sufficient organizational resources and management support. The identification of challenges such as program rigidity and lack of relevance emphasizes the need for HRD methods that are more flexible and responsive. The research highlights the need of customizing HRD programs to cater to the varied requirements of employees and adjusting to rapid changes in the work environment. The findings provide practical and effective guidance for firms to improve their HRD processes and give stronger support for employee development. Further investigation is recommended to examine the incorporation of emerging technologies in HRD and evaluate their influence on employee engagement and development.

A Bivariate Twin Study of Lifetime cannabis Initiation and Lifetime Regular Tobacco Smoking Across Three Different Countries

Regular cigarette smoking and cannabis consumption are strongly positively related to each other, yet few studies explore their underlying variation and covariation. We evaluated the genetic and environmental decomposition of variance and covariance of these two traits in twin data from three countries with different social norms and legislation. Data from the Netherlands Twin Register, FinnTwin12/16, and the Minnesota Center for Twin Family Research (total N = 21,617) were analyzed in bivariate threshold models of lifetime regular smoking initiation (RSI) and lifetime cannabis initiation (CI). We ran unstratified models and models stratified by sex and country. Prevalence of RSI was lowest in the Netherlands and prevalence of CI was highest in Minnesota. In the unstratified model, genetic (A) and common environmental factors (C) contributed substantially to the liabilities of RSI (A = 0.47, C = 0.34) and CI (A = 0.28, C = 0.51). The two liabilities were significantly phenotypically (rP = 0.56), genetically (rA = 0.74), and environmentally correlated in the unstratified model (rC = 0.47and rE = 0.48, representing correlations between common and unique environmental factors). The magnitude of phenotypic correlation between liabilities varied by country but not sex (Minnesota rP ~ 0.70, Netherlands rP ~ 0.59, Finland rP ~ 0.45). Comparisons of decomposed correlations could not be reliably tested in the stratified models. The prevalence and association of RSI and CI vary by sex and country. These two behaviors are correlated because there is genetic and environmental overlap between their underlying latent liabilities. There is heterogeneity in the genetic architecture of these traits across country.

Short- and long-term impact of aspirin cessation in older adults: a target trial emulation

BackgroundThe net benefit of aspirin cessation in older adults remains uncertain. This study aimed to use observational data to emulate a randomized trial of aspirin cessation versus continuation in older adults without cardiovascular disease (CVD).MethodsPost hoc analysis using a target trial emulation framework applied to the immediate post-trial period (2017–2021) of a study of low-dose aspirin initiation in adults aged ≥ 70 years (ASPREE; NCT01038583). Participants from Australia and the USA were included if they were free of CVD at the start of the post-trial intervention period (time zero, T0) and had been taking open-label or randomized aspirin immediately before T0. The two groups in the target trial were as follows: aspirin cessation (participants who were taking randomized aspirin immediately before T0; assumed to have stopped at T0 as instructed) versus aspirin continuation (participants on open-label aspirin at T0 regardless of their randomized treatment; assumed to have continued at T0). The outcomes after T0 were incident CVD, major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), all-cause mortality, and major bleeding during 3, 6, and 12 months (short-term) and 48 months (long-term) follow-up. Hazard ratios (HRs) comparing aspirin cessation to continuation were estimated from propensity-score (PS) adjusted Cox proportional-hazards regression models.ResultsWe included 6103 CVD-free participants (cessation: 5427, continuation: 676). Over both short- and long-term follow-up, aspirin cessation versus continuation was not associated with elevated risk of CVD, MACE, and all-cause mortality (HRs, at 3 and 48 months respectively, were 1.23 and 0.73 for CVD, 1.11 and 0.84 for MACE, and 0.23 and 0.79 for all-cause mortality, p > 0.05), but cessation had a reduced risk of incident major bleeding events (HRs at 3 and 48 months, 0.16 and 0.63, p < 0.05). Similar findings were seen for all outcomes at 6 and 12 months, except for a lowered risk of all-cause mortality in the cessation group at 12 months.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that deprescribing prophylactic aspirin might be safe in healthy older adults with no known CVD.

Drag-Mitigating Dynamic Flight Path Design and Sensitivity Analysis for an Ultra-Long Tether Underwater Kite

Abstract This paper presents a computational study of an underwater kite operating in environments requiring tethers exceeding a kilometer in length, referred to herein as ultralong tether (ULT) applications. Leveraging a detailed dynamic model of the kite and tether, we study the relationship between path shape and tether drag at varying tether lengths in order to develop meaningful insights as to the operation of systems that require ultralong tethers in order to reach viable flow resources. An initial study of a ULT kite application operating in a uniform flow field is presented, demonstrating that with an appropriately designed flight path, the kite is able to suppress the motion of the majority of the tether in order to achieve an order of magnitude greater power output than can be achieved with a straight tether, which is the typical assumption used in a performance estimation. Tether drag mitigation is characterized through the use of a novel metric termed effective tether length, which characterizes the total length of tether engaged in drag production. It is shown that a high-performance path shape can reduce the effect of tether drag by over 50%. This performance is shown to be comparable to the multi-airborne wind energy system (MAWES) proposed by Leuthold et al. (2017, “Induction in Optimal Control of Multiple-Kite Airborne Wind Energy Systems,” IFAC-PapersOnLine, 50(1), pp. 153–158; 2018, “Operational Regions of a Multi-Kite Awe System,” 2018 European Control Conference (ECC), IEEE, Limassol, Cyprus, June 13–15, pp. 52–57), which suppresses tether motion through mechanical design rather than merely though careful path selection and control. This initial study in a uniform flow field is followed by two sensitivity studies: one that assesses performance in realistic environments where the flow magnitude is a function of altitude above the seabed and a second that assesses the impact of tether drag reduction techniques. It will be shown that by careful selection of path shape, site, and tether design, a single kite in a ULT marine application can achieve performance rivaling that of the MAWES without the extra required mechanical complexity.

Comprehensive Guide to AI Regulations: Analyzing the EU AI Act and Global Initiatives

Purpose: The whitepaper is a comprehensive guide on global AI regulations, focusing on the EU AI Act as a pivotal framework. It analyses its impact on industries, outlines key guidelines, and compares global AI initiatives. Methodology: The whitepaper employs a detailed analysis of the EU AI Act, examining its stringent rules for AI ethics and safety. It also involves a comparative study of global AI initiatives to understand the broader landscape of AI regulations. Findings: The whitepaper finds that the EU AI Act inspires global standards for AI ethics and safety. It highlights businesses' compliance challenges and the need for responsible innovation to build consumer trust. Unique contribution to theory, practice, and policy (recommendations): Businesses should stay updated on evolving AI laws to ensure ethical AI use. The whitepaper offers insights into the regulatory landscape and practical compliance advice, suggesting that aligning global AI regulations with the strict standards of the EU AI Act could be beneficial