Explore the vast range of titles available.

Aluminum alloys are in high demand for additive manufacturing (AM) processing. However, the physical properties of Al alloys are less favorable for the production of repeatable and reliable parts, with factors such as surface oxide scales, high thermal conductivity, and large solidification shrinkage. Despite these characteristics, processing strategies have been developed to overcome these hurdles. The objective of this article is to highlight the different microstructure–processing–properties characteristics for the three main families of aluminum alloys: pure, casting, and wrought chemistries. The article focuses on AM processes involving solidification, including powder bed and direct energy deposition for both powder and wire feedstock.

Background Walking is an easily prescribed physical activity for people with low back pain (LBP). However, the evidence for its effectiveness to improve pain and disability levels for people with chronic low back pain (CLBP) within a community setting has not been evaluated. This study evaluates the effectiveness of a clinician guided, pedometer-driven, walking intervention for increasing physical activity and improving clinical outcomes compared to education and advice. Methods Randomized controlled trial recruiting N  = 174 adults with CLBP. Participants were randomly allocated into either a standardized care group (SG) or pedometer based walking group (WG) using minimization allocation with a 2:1 ratio to the WG. Prior to randomization all participants were given a standard package of education and advice regarding self-management and the benefits of staying active. Following randomization the WG undertook a physiotherapist guided pedometer-driven walking program for 12 weeks. This was individually tailored by weekly negotiation of daily step targets. Main outcome was the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) recorded at baseline, 12 weeks, 6 and 12 months. Other outcomes included, numeric pain rating, International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire (FABQ), Back Beliefs questionnaire (BBQ), Physical Activity Self-efficacy Scale, and EQ-5D-5L quality of life estimate. Results N  = 138 (79%) participants completed all outcome measures at 12 weeks reducing to N  = 96 (55%) at 12 months. Both observed and intention to treat analysis did not show any statistically significant difference in ODI change score between the WG and the SG at all post-intervention time points. There were also no significant between group differences for change scores in all secondary outcome measures. Post hoc sensitivity analyses revealed moderately disabled participants (baseline ODI ≥ 21.0) demonstrated a greater reduction in mean ODI scores at 12 months in the WG compared to SG, while WG participants with a daily baseline step count < 7500 steps demonstrated a greater reduction in mean ODI scores at 12 weeks. Conclusions Overall, we found no significant difference in change of levels of (ODI) disability between the SG and WG following the walking intervention. However, ODI responses to a walking program for those with moderate levels of baseline disability and those with low baseline step count offer a potential future focus for continued research into the benefit of walking as a management strategy for chronic LBP. Trial registration United States National Institutes of Health Clinical Trails registry (http://ClinicalTrials.gov/) No. NCT02284958 (27/10/2014).

Nickel aluminum bronze (NAB) alloys are widely used in marine applications due to their high strength and superior corrosion resistance in sea water. NAB components, such as propellers and seawater valves, are traditionally manufactured using casting techniques and exhibit complex microstructures consisting of intermetallic κ -phase precipitates distributed in α and β solid solution phases. Laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) is an additive manufacturing technique that selectively fuses layers of metal powders into a desired part geometry. Materials processed using LPBF generally experience very high cooling rates, which lead to a refinement of the microstructure and better control of phase precipitation through subsequent heat treatments. As a result, NAB alloys processed via laser AM techniques have exhibited improved strength and corrosion properties. In the present work, a fully pre-alloyed NAB powder corresponding to UNS C63020 chemistry was processed using LPBF. Solid test specimens were fabricated via LPBF processing using a linear manipulation of the laser power and scan speed while holding the hatch spacing and spot size constant. The densities of the as-printed test specimens were measured and the microstructures were analyzed using laser confocal microscopy. A LPBF parameter set which produced high-density NAB was selected for heat treatment and tensile property investigation. An effective heat treatment temperature was identified for LPBF NAB which produced superior tensile properties to wrought NAB.

PurposeIn order to evaluate a new series of online information literacy tutorials, students in a first-year experience program were invited to take a perception survey. The survey asked respondents if they perceived the tutorials to be accessible, engaging and useful. The feedback informed changes to tutorial learning objects in order to improve student learning of information literacy concepts.Design/methodology/approachData were collected using a survey instrument comprised of quantitative and qualitative questions about online tutorial accessibility, engagement and usefulness. All students enrolled in first-year experience courses at the end of the Fall 2022 semester were invited to take the survey.FindingsThe results suggest that the majority of respondents perceive the tutorials as useful for completing college-level assignments (62.5%) and easy to access and navigate (85%). Ratings for engagement are mixed; less than half of respondents perceive the tutorials to be engaging (44%). Analysis of qualitative questions may point to a connection between the perceived usefulness of a tutorial and a user’s engagement with the material.Originality/valueThis paper discusses the evaluation of tutorials comprised of vendor-produced content mixed with institutionally created content. It includes the survey instrument designed to collect student perceptions of these tutorials.

To investigate the feasibility, costs and sample representativeness of a recruitment method that used workers with back injuries as the point of entry into diverse working environments. Workers' compensation claims were used to randomly sample workers from five heavy industries and to recruit their employers for ergonomic assessments of the injured worker and up to 2 co-workers. The final study sample included 54 workers from the workers' compensation registry and 72 co-workers. This sample of 126 workers was based on an initial random sample of 822 workers with a compensation claim, or a ratio of 1 recruited worker to approximately 7 sampled workers. The average recruitment cost was CND$262/injured worker and CND$240/participating worksite including co-workers. The sample was representative of the heavy industry workforce, and was successful in recruiting the self-employed (8.2%), workers from small employers (<20 workers, 38.7%), and workers from diverse working environments (49 worksites, 29 worksite types, and 51 occupations). The recruitment rate was low but the cost per participant reasonable and the sample representative of workers in small worksites. Small worksites represent a significant portion of the workforce but are typically underrepresented in occupational research despite having distinct working conditions, exposures and health risks worthy of investigation.

Experimental efforts searching for dark matter particles over the last few decades have ruled out many candidates led by the new generation of tonne-scale liquid xenon. For light dark matter, hydrogen could be a better target than xenon as it would offer a better kinematic match to the low mass particles. This article describes the HydroX concept, an idea to expand the dark matter sensitivity reach of large liquid xenon detectors by adding hydrogen to the liquid xenon. We discuss the nature of signal generation in liquid xenon to argue that the signal produced at the interaction site by a dark matter–hydrogen interaction could be significantly enhanced over the same interaction on xenon, increasing the sensitivity to the lightest particles. We discuss the technical implications of adding hydrogen to a xenon detector, as well as some background considerations. Finally, we make projections as to the potential sensitivity of a HydroX implementation and discuss next steps. Dark matter searches have faced challenges in detecting lighter particles with traditional xenon detectors. The authors propose the HydroX concept, integrating hydrogen into liquid xenon detectors, enhancing sensitivity to lighter dark matter particles and detection capabilities in the field.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to review an existing graphic novel collection in the curriculum materials center of an academic library. The review would result in a clear identity for the collection and guide the creation of revised collection development, management and cataloging processes.Design/methodology/approachThe physical and bibliographic identities of each individual graphic novel were reviewed and compared with collection development tools.FindingsThe review revealed a mismatch between the physical and bibliographic markers applied to some graphic novels and inconsistencies in the assignment of items based on audience and literature type. At the completion of the project, 43% of the graphic novels were reassigned based on audience, literature type or both.Originality/valueThere is limited research about the collection challenges and needs of graphic novels in juvenile and curriculum materials collections within academic libraries. This research details the process used to evaluate the collection and create a physical and bibliographic identity that fits the needs of the library’s users.

This article investigates the opportunities of using digital building platforms based on Building Information Modelling (BIM) to increase occupational health and safety (OHS) in building design, construction, operation and deconstruction. The data collection followed a mixed-method approach with a systematic mapping review and focus group discussions with industry practitioners from the Swedish construction and real estate industry. Use cases were identified from both venues, as were prevailing barriers, potential facilitators, best practices and future applications. The findings highlight OHS potentials of digital building platforms for Rule-Based Checking and Design Validation, Team Building and Communication, Site Layout and Task Planning, Real-Time Monitoring, Equipment and Temporary Structures, Robotic Task Performance and Learning and Documentation. A set of principles is proposed to promote a higher degree of lifecycle and stakeholder integration: (1) technology, (2) data and information, (3) business and organization, (4) people and communication and (5) industry structure and governance aspects.

This report describes the experimental strategy and technologies for XLZD, the next-generation xenon observatory sensitive to dark matter and neutrino physics. In the baseline design, the detector will have an active liquid xenon target of 60 tonnes, which could be increased to 80 tonnes if the market conditions for xenon are favorable. It is based on the mature liquid xenon time projection chamber technology used in current-generation experiments, LZ and XENONnT. The report discusses the baseline design and opportunities for further optimization of the individual detector components. The experiment envisaged here has the capability to explore parameter space for Weakly Interacting Massive Particle (WIMP) dark matter down to the neutrino fog, with a 3 σ evidence potential for WIMP-nucleon cross sections as low as 3 × 10 - 49 c m 2 (at 40 GeV/c 2 WIMP mass). The observatory will also have leading sensitivity to a wide range of alternative dark matter models. It is projected to have a 3 σ observation potential of neutrinoless double beta decay of 136 Xe at a half-life of up to 5.7 × 10 27  years. Additionally, it is sensitive to astrophysical neutrinos from the sun and galactic supernovae.