Internal Inclusion Research Articles

A coated hypotrochoidal compressible liquid inclusion neutral to a hydrostatic stress field after relaxation by interface slip and diffusion

We study the steady-state response of a three-phase composite composed of an internal hypotrochoidal compressible liquid inclusion, an intermediate isotropic elastic coating and an outer isotropic elastic matrix with simultaneous interface slip and diffusion occurring on the solid–solid interface when the matrix is subjected to a uniform hydrostatic stress field. We design a neutral coated hypotrochoidal liquid inclusion that does not disturb the prescribed uniform hydrostatic stress field in the surrounding matrix. The neutrality is achieved when the plane-strain bulk modulus or the compressibility of the elastic matrix is determined by solving a system of simultaneous linear algebraic equations for given geometric and material parameters of the coated liquid inclusion.

Toward a Gender Equality at Work via Activism The Role of Transparent Internal Communication

Grounded in the Social Identity Model of Collective Actions (SIMCA), this study examines the role of strategic internal communication—specifically, transparent communication—in fostering gender equality at work via women’s workplace activism: collective actions and communicative behaviors. Results from an online survey of 402 female employees in South Korea suggest that transparent communication plays an important role in increasing women’s identification with their organizations, thereby fostering their efficacy and reducing perceived injustice. This, in turn, increased their active communicative behaviors and collective actions for promoting gender equality in the workplace. Theoretical implications for strategic internal Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) communication are discussed along with avenues for future research.

(Non-state) actors in internal bordering and differential inclusion: Syrian refugees’ housing experience in Turkey

ABSTRACT Turkey, as the largest refugee-hosting country, provides insights into the externalization of European borders and the internalization of its own borders. Oscillating between open-door and strict-border policies, alongside the political inactiveness of public authorities and CSOs governing Syrian mobility, Turkey reveals crucial dynamics. Focusing on Syrian refugees’ housing in a refugee hub of Izmir, this study unravels internal bordering and explores its rationales and the involvement of non-state actors. Syrian refugees encounter three internal bordering mechanisms affecting their housing inclusion: selective overpricing, ethnic filtering and arbitrary interrogations. These differential inclusion practices, led by market actors (landlords and realtors), ethnic networks, and street-level bureaucrats (mukhtars and municipal officers), are driven by the prevalence of anti-refugee sentiment in Turkey, where Syrians are perceived as unwanted or undeserving. The internal bordering mechanisms are rooted in ethnic, economic, cultural, and security-based rationales, influenced by the personal interests and socio-economic backgrounds of the involved actors.

Задача нелинейной теории упругости о растяжении и кручении составного цилиндра с предварительно напряжённым включением, содержащим винтовую дислокацию

The problem of large torsional and tension-compression deformations of a composite circular cylinder of incompressible Bartenev-Khazanovich material is considered. The cylinder contains a central circular cylindrical inclusion in which a concentrated screw dislocation is formed. It is pre-twisted and stretched (or compressed) along the axis and bonded to an unstressed external hollow cylinder. A single reference configuration is used when solving a problem for a composite body. This configuration is natural (unstressed) for the outer hollow cylinder and prestressed for the inner solid cylinder. The large deformation superposition theory is used to write the determining ratios of the material of the inner cylinder. The nonlinear theory of torsion of elastic cylinders containing a screw dislocation is used to solve the problem of the prestressed state of the internal inclusion. This theory is physically correct not for any models of isotropic elastic materials, but only for those for which the screw dislocation in the cylinder has a finite linear energy and creates a longitudinal force of finite value. The Bartenev-Khazanovich model belongs to this class. The problem for a composite cylinder is solved by a semi-inverse method. Using this method, it is reduced to nonlinear ordinary differential equations. The assumption of isotropy and incompressibility of the material makes it possible to find an exact solution to the problem.

Distinct photochemistry of adsorbed and coprecipitated dicarboxylates with ferrihydrite: Implications for iron reductive dissolution and carbon stabilization

Although ligand-promoted photodissolution of ferrihydrite (FH) has long been known for low molecular weight organic acids (LMWOAs), such as oxalate (Oxa) and malonate (Mal), photochemistry of coprecipitated FH with Oxa and Mal remains unknown, despite the importance of these mineral-organic associations in carbon retention has been acknowledged recently. In this study, ferrihydrite-LMWOAs associations (FLAs) were synthesized under circumneutral conditions. Photo-dissolution kinetics of FLAs were compared with those of adsorbed LMWOAs on FH surface and dissolved Fe-LMWOAs complexes through monitoring Fe(II) formation and organic carbon decay. For aqueous Fe(III)-LMWOAs complexes, Fe(II) yield was controlled by the initial concentration of LMWOAs and nature of photochemically generated carbon-centered radicals. Inner-sphere mononuclear bidentate (MB) configuration dominated while LMWOAs were adsorbed on the FH surface. MB complex of FH-Oxa was more photoreactive, leading to the rapid depletion of Oxa. Oxa can be readsorbed but in the form of binuclear bidentate and outer-sphere complexation, with much lower photoreactivity. While LMWOAs was coprecipitated with FH, the combination mode of LMWOAs with FH includes surface adsorption with a mononuclear bidentate structure and internal physical inclusion. Higher content of LMWOAs in the FLAs promoted the photo-production of Fe(II) as compared to pure FH, while it was not the case for FLAs containing moderate amounts of LMWOAs. The distinct photochemistry of adsorbed and coprecipitated Fe-LMWOAs complexes is attributed to ligand availability and configuration patterns of LMWOAs on the surface or entrapped in the interior structure. The present findings have significant implications for understanding the photochemical redox cycling of iron across the interface of Fe-organic mineral associates.

Non-Destructive Testing of a Fiber-Web-Reinforced Polymethacrylimide Foam Sandwich Panel with Terahertz Time-Domain Spectroscopy.

Terahertz (THz) non-destructive testing can detect internal defects in dielectric materials. However, this technology is mainly used for detecting thin and simple structures at present, lacking validations for the detection effectiveness of internal defects in thicker and more complex structures, such as fiber-web-reinforced composite sandwich panels. In this study, samples of fiber-web-reinforced polymethacrylimide foam sandwich panels, which are, respectively, 20 mm and 30 mm thick, were made to detect the internal debonding, inclusion, pore, and crack defects by the THz time-domain spectroscopy system (THz-TDS). The peak-to-peak-imaging algorithm, maximum-amplitude-imaging algorithm, minimum-amplitude-imaging algorithm, pulse-width-imaging algorithm, and time-of-flight-imaging algorithm were used to process and image the collected THz signals. The results showed that the peak-to-peak-imaging algorithm had the best performance. To address the low imaging resolution of THz-TDS, a block-based super-resolution reconstruction method-SSSRGAN-is proposed, which can improve image resolution while maintaining the clear edge contours of defects. The defect-detection results of the samples showed that THz-TDS could detect all pore, debonding, and crack defects, with a minimum size of 3 mm for pores and debonding and a minimum thickness of 1 mm for cracks. The method showed poor detection performance for inclusions with a thickness of 0.053 mm, but could still extract the defect features. Based on the THz-TDS reflection mode measurement principle, the thickness information of the panel, foam core, and web of the samples was calculated: the measurement error was no more than 0.870 mm for Sample #1 and no more than 0.270 mm for Sample #2, demonstrating the accuracy of THz-TDS in measuring the dimensions of sandwich panel structures. In general, THz technology shows potential for detecting internal defects and performing dimensional measurements in complex structures. With the advancement of portable devices and enhancements in detection speed, real-time on-site detection is anticipated in the future.

Inclusive Recruitment Strategies and Employability of Persons with Disability in State Corporations in Kenya

Purpose: Employability of persons with disability is rooted in the laws of Kenya, with the disability act of 2003 providing that 5% of all jobs be offered to persons with disability (PwDs). Previous research indicates that access and inclusion of PwDs in the labor force remains a global challenge. The main objective of the study was to determine the relationship between inclusive recruitment strategies and employability of persons with disability in state corporations in Kenya.
 Methodology: The scope of the study was limited to state corporations during the financial period 2022/2023. A descriptive survey research design was used and 186 human resource professionals were targeted. Data was collected from 117 respondents, yielding a response rate of 70%. Pilot testing was done before the main study. Data was collected using a semi structured questionnaires. Data was analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics.
 Findings: The study found, inclusive recruitment strategies positively and significantly influenced employability of PwDs in state corporations in Kenya.
 Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: The study recommends that organizations should ensure that its management are aware of policies governing diversity, equity and inclusion and work towards establishing inclusive hiring metrics. Implementing internal diversity and inclusion recruitment best practices is important thus state parastatals need to create accessible websites, prepare inclusive job descriptions, and organize for inclusive interviews. The study additionally recommends that state corporations pair PwDs with their seniors for mentorship into top management this will increase their representation at management level.

Automated, High-Throughput Analysis of Tire-Derived p-Phenylenediamine Quinones (PPDQs) in Water by Online Membrane Sampling Coupled to MS/MS.

The tire-derived contaminant N-(1,3-dimethylbutyl)-N'-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine quinone (6-PPDQ) was recently identified as a potent toxin to coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch). Studies investigating 6-PPDQ have employed solid-phase extraction (SPE) or liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) with liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS), providing excellent sensitivity and selectivity. However, cleanup and pre-enrichment steps (SPE/LLE) followed by chromatographic separation can be time- and cost-intensive, limiting sample throughput. The ubiquitous distribution of 6-PPDQ necessitates numerous measurements to identify hotspots for targeted mitigation. We recently developed condensed phase membrane introduction mass spectrometry (CP-MIMS) for rapid 6-PPDQ analysis (2.5 min/sample), with a simple workflow and low limit of detection (8 ng/L). Here, we describe improved quantitation using isotopically labeled internal standards and inclusion of a suite of PPDQ analogues. A low-cost autosampler and data processing software were developed from a three-dimensional (3D) printer and Matlab to fully realize the high-throughput capabilities of CP-MIMS. Cross-validation with a commercial LC-MS method for 10 surface waters provides excellent agreement (slope: 1.01; R2 = 0.992). We employ this analytical approach to probe fundamental questions regarding sample stability and sorption of 6-PPDQ under lab-controlled conditions. Further, the results for 192 surface water samples provide the first spatiotemporal characterization of PPDQs on Vancouver Island and the lower mainland of British Columbia.

Comparison of 3D-Conformal Planning Using Partially Wide Tangents and Direct Photon/Electron Portals for Breast Radiotherapy with Internal Mammary Nodes Inclusion: A Dosimetric Analysis

Background: Internal mammary lymph nodes (IMNs) are a potential site of metastasis for breast cancer. Targeting IMNs as part of a comprehensive regional nodal irradiation comes at the cost of higher unwanted doses to critical nearby organs at risk. Thus, the efficacy and safety of different radiotherapy techniques for the coverage of this area remain elusive. Objectives: We present a dosimetric comparison between partially wide tangents (PWT) and direct photon/electron (P/E) portals in terms of target volume coverage and normal tissue sparing. Methods: Patients with left-sided breast cancer, who were referred to our clinic for post-lumpectomy or post-mastectomy radiotherapy, underwent computed tomography (CT) simulation. The left breast and IMNs, heart, lung, right breast, and esophagus were contoured. Dosimetric comparisons were based on dose-volume histograms (DVHs) generated for all of the aforementioned organs. A subgroup analysis was also performed based on patients’ type of surgical treatment. Results: A total of 30 patients (10 with breast conserving surgery and 20 with modified radical mastectomy) were included. The P/E plan provided a higher coverage of the left breast (P-value of CTV V105%: < 0.001) and IMNs with a P-value of 0.087 regarding the mean dose received by IMNs, and also less volume of the heart (P-value of Heart V30Gy: 0.021), and lungs (P-value of Lung V20Gy: 0.003) were irradiated. However, these advantages came at the cost of a higher dose to the esophagus and right breast and more hotspots compared to the PWT technique. Conclusions: The P/E technique had advantages regarding target volume coverage and toxicity regardless of the type of surgery. Based on the results of this study, overall, the P/E portal is superior to the PWT for radiotherapy of breast cancer with internal mammary node inclusion. However, the appropriate treatment plan should be decided on a case-by-case basis.

Effect of aging time on crack initiation mechanism of precipitation hardening stainless steel in very high cycle fatigue regime

Very high cycle fatigue behavior of precipitation hardening stainless steel (PHSS) with various aging times was investigated. The PHSS aged at 480°C for 1 h exhibits the highest fatigue strength, followed by aged for 4 h and 0.5 h. Both subsurface or internal inclusion induced crack initiation (IICI) and non-inclusion induced crack initiation (NIICI) were observed. NIICI phenomenon is due to the nucleation and connection of microvoids within δ-ferrite. Aging treatment has an important influence on the dominant crack initiation mechanism by changing the interaction of dislocations and copper precipitates, which ultimately affects fatigue performance.

Binding modes of high stoichiometry guest complexes with a Co8L12 cage uncovered by mass spectrometry.

We demonstrate how different modes of guest binding with a Co8L12 cubic cage can be determined using ESI-MS. High stoichiometry guest binding was observed, with the guests preferentially binding externally, but internal guest inclusion was also seen at higher guest loading.

Quantitative damage evaluation of prestressed concrete containments with steel fiber strengthening under internal pressure

Current investigations cannot quantitatively predict the overall damage performance of prestressed concrete containment vessels (PCCVs) under internal pressure and the effect of steel fiber strengthening on the damage performance improvement has not been investigated. A new parameter definition is proposed to characterize the entire damage performance of conventional and steel fiber-reinforced concrete (SFRC) PCCVs under internal pressure in this study. The prestress loss is precisely calculated considering 40 years of the service period of PCCV. To review the possibility of operating lifetime extension of PCCV, the subsequent 60 years are also considered. Firstly, elaborate three-dimensional numerical models of conventional and SFRC containments were established. Then, three parameters to represent the extent corresponding to concrete, steel liner, and prestressed tendons of containment under damage were proposed. Finally, damage performance of conventional and SFRC containments considering the impact of prestress loss was discussed in depth. The results show that by introducing the SFRC and considering the five-year prestress loss, the pressure capacities for containment concrete, steel liner, and prestressed tendons are increased by 22.16%, 18.99%, and 12.35%, respectively. What's more, the proposed parameters can reflect the changing trend of the damage extent of containments under internal pressure and inclusion of steel fibers can improve damage performance significantly. To examine the realistic damage performance under internal pressure, the five-year prestress loss requires to be specifically considered.

Surface or Internal Fatigue Crack Initiation during VHCF of Tempered Martensitic and Bainitic Steels: Microstructure and Frequency/Strain Rate Dependency

By means of comparing the VHCF response of heat-treated alloy steel, several factors governing the transition from surface (type I) to internal (type II) VHCF failure, and, in the case of internal inclusion and non-inclusion type II VHCF failure, are discussed: differences in strength, differences in grain size and strength gradients. Therefore, the steel grades (i) 50CrMo4 (0.5 wt%C–1.0 wt%Cr–0.2 wt%Mo) in two different tempering conditions (37HRC and 57HRC) but of the same prior austenite grain size, and (ii) 16MnCrV7 7 (0.16 wt%C–1.25 wt%Mn–1.7 wt%Cr) in the bainitic and martensitic thermomechanical treatment state, were studied. It is concluded that steels of moderate strength (37HRC) exhibit a real endurance limit (109 cycles), while the fatigue strength of high strength (43–57HRC) or coarse-grained steels (37HRC) decreases with increasing number of load cycles.

From the Editor

AMWA, like numerous organizations sensitive to the needs of its members, has embarked on an initiative to explore internal diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). In this issue, we describe AMWA’s commitment to DEI through an initiative including the formation of a Diversity & Inclusion Assessment Task Force.

A conductive line inclusion in thermoelectric materials: the thermoelectric fields and the effective thermoelectric properties

ABSTRACT This paper studies a finite thermoelectric (TE) medium with an internal line inclusion which is electrically and thermal conductive. Exact solutions are obtained for the coupling and nonlinear thermoelectric fields. Based on the derived thermal and electrical fields, the effective thermoelectric properties (including thermal conductivity, electrical conductivity, Seebeck coefficient and figure-of-merit) of the inclusion/TE-medium system are expressed in explicit forms. It is found that there are upper bounds of the effective thermoelectric properties that the inclusion can enhance. Specifically, the effective thermal and electrically conductivities can be increased by 100%, the effective Seebeck coefficient and the figure-of-merit can be increased by 18% and 38%, respectively, by the inclusion. Since all the results are given in closed and explicit forms, they can be applied to the optimization of thermoelectric performance of thermoelectric materials in an effective and convenient way.

Can politicians and citizens deliberate together? Evidence from a local deliberative mini‐public

AbstractIn a deliberative mini‐public, a representative number of citizens receive information and discuss given policy topics in facilitated small groups. Typically, mini‐publics are most effective politically and can have the most impact on policy‐making when they are connected to democratic decision‐making processes. Theorists have put forward possible mechanisms that may enhance this linkage, one of which is involving politicians within mini‐publics with citizens. However, although much research to date has focussed on mini‐publics with many citizen participants, there is little analysis of mini‐publics with politicians as coparticipants. In this study, we ask how involving politicians in mini‐publics influences both participating citizens' opinions and citizens' and politicians' perceptions of the quality of the mini‐public deliberations. We organised an online mini‐public, together with the City of Turku, Finland, on the topic of transport planning. The participants (n = 171) were recruited from a random sample and discussed the topic in facilitated small groups (n = 21). Pre‐ and postdeliberation surveys were collected. The effect of politicians on mini‐publics was studied using an experimental intervention: in half of the groups, local politicians (two per group) participated, whereas in the other half, citizens deliberated among themselves. Although we found that the participating citizens' opinions changed, no trace of differences between the two treatment groups was reported. We conclude that politicians, at least when they are in a clear minority in the deliberating small groups, can deliberate with citizens without negatively affecting internal inclusion and the quality of deliberation within mini‐publics.

Mechanism of shear strength deterioration of soil-rock mixture after freeze–thaw cycles

The growth and melting of internal ice crystals reorganizing the pore structure and internal skeleton of soil-rock mixture (S-RM), which leads to the deterioration of the S-RM shear strength after freeze–thaw cycles and its strength characteristics after the cycles are different from the normal temperature one. Due to unclear S-RM strength deterioration mechanism after freeze–thaw cycles, stability of S-RM cutting slopes in cold regions cannot be effectively evaluated. In this paper, particle flow code (PFC) simulation as well as direct shear and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) tests were carried to study strength degradation behaviors and pore structure changes of S-RMs containing various amounts of rock after freeze–thaw cycles. The results show that the shear strength and internal friction angle of S-RM are no longer positively correlated with the rock content after the cycles, and the strength parameters will decrease at rock contents of above 45%. Based on the simulation test, shear band thickness variation after the cycles was quantitatively evaluated, and an innovative method to obtain the fluctuation value of shear failure surface was proposed. It is found that the change laws of shear band thickness and failure surface fluctuation value with rock content after the cycles are consistent with that of shear strength, and they all reach the maximum value when the rock content is 45%. Fractal theory was introduced for quantitative evaluation of changes in S-RM pore structure after the cycles, and combined with the strength parameter attenuation, the strength deterioration mechanism of S-RM was revealed: The deterioration of shear strength in samples containing low rock content is mainly due to changes in the contact form between particles caused by internal inclusion structure formation after the cycles. The deterioration of S-RM with rock content of 55% and 65% is mainly due to attenuation of the internal skeleton effect caused by the appearance of overhead structures. The internal pores and skeleton structure of the sample with 45% rock content have little change, so the attenuation changes of the strength parameters and the undulation value of the failure surface are minimal.

Effects of Heat Treatment on Fatigue Properties of Double Vacuum Smelting High‐Carbon Chromium‐Bearing Steel

Herein, the tensile and fatigue properties of double vacuum smelting GCr15‐bearing steel under different heat treatments are studied. With the increase in ultimate tensile strength, the fatigue strength of double vacuum smelting GCr15‐bearing steel first increases and then reduces, and the origin of fatigue failure changes from specimen surface to internal inclusion. For the specimen with fatigue cracks initiated from the surface, the fatigue strength would increase as the tensile strength enhances, while for the specimen with fatigue cracks initiated from the internal inclusion, the fatigue strength reduces with the increment in tensile strength. It should be an effective method to obtain both excellent fatigue strength and enough tensile strength by heat treatment in the temperature range below temper brittleness and reducing tensile strength. These findings may be helpful for the antifatigue design of GCr15‐bearing steel through heat treatment control in the future.

Inclusion done differently? Representations of inclusion and exclusion in the discourse of alternative organizations

This paper brings together two separate fields—inclusion and alternative organizations—to study the relational aspects of inclusion and exclusion both within and beyond organizations. By analyzing reports and websites of organizations committed to the network “Economy for the Common Good,” we empirically explore, first, how these organizations represent their “alternativeness” and how this relates to inclusion and exclusion; and second, we address the question of who is included in these alternative ventures by examining both their inclusionary and exclusionary potential in terms of diversity. Introducing a conceptual framework to distinguish between internal and external perspectives on inclusion and exclusion, our qualitative analysis reveals the simultaneity of two contradictory phenomena: On the one hand, these alternative organizations offer a new inclusionary potential that encompasses both the social and natural environments; on the other, they tend to ignore internal and external inclusion along diversity dimensions. Hence, we conclude that while there exists the potential to link inclusion with alternative organizations, a commitment to an alternative economy does not automatically lead to an engagement with issues of diversity and inclusion.

Applicable scope of estimation of three-dimensional particle size distribution by the Goldsmith-Cruz-Orive and improved methods

Microscopic observation is commonly performed on particle sections when the internal structure and/or inclusion is of interest in a given field, and the particles in question include sand, grain, cell, void, crystal, etc. components for example. However, in practice, the particle size distributions determined by two-dimensional (2D) observation of particle sections differ from the actual three-dimensional (3D) particle size distributions, due to the stereological difference between 2D and 3D observation. Among the various methods of estimating 3D from 2D size distributions, the Goldsmith-Cruz-Orive method (GCO) is known to provide high estimation accuracy. In this study, the GCO and a newly improved GCO method (MGCO) were systematically investigated to determine their applicable scope in terms of the range of size distributions, unusually-shaped (step-like) size distributions, the axis length ratio of ellipsoidal particles, and input data errors. Among the study's results, the MGCO method showed greater estimation accuracy than GCO irrespective of the range of size distributions, reasonable estimation accuracy in the case of step-like size distributions (while GCO did not), greater robustness than GCO with respect to the axis length ratio of ellipsoidal particles, and more sensitivity to input data errors than GCO. Elucidation of the applicable scopes of the respective methods facilitates the practical use of the GCO methods for various types of particles.