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1 – 10 of 188Kexin Liu, Shuhan Meng, Yi Zhang, Peng Zhou, Tao Zhang and Fuhui Wang
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) coatings and sealed PEO coatings on the corrosion resistance and cytocompatibility of…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) coatings and sealed PEO coatings on the corrosion resistance and cytocompatibility of a novel Mg-1Zn-0.45Ca alloy in simulated body fluid (SBF).
Design/methodology/approach
The microstructure, corrosion resistance and cytocompatibility of PEO coatings and phosphate conversion-treated PEO coatings were investigated and was compared with the bare Mg alloy.
Findings
The hot-extruded Mg-Zn-Ca alloy exhibit inhomogeneous microstructure and suffered from localized corrosion in the SBF. The PEO coating after phosphate conversion treatment offers enhanced protectiveness to the Mg alloy within an immersion period of up to 60 days, which is significantly improved compared with the performance of the PEO-coated Mg alloy, but the cytocompatibility was slightly decreased.
Originality/value
This work offers new perspective in balancing the protectiveness and cytocompatibility of bio-materials.
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Xiaoyu Wang, Siti Hajar Abu Bakar Ah and Zaiton Azman
This study aims to assess the social network and perceived social support among community corrections offenders in China and compare the relationship between different…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to assess the social network and perceived social support among community corrections offenders in China and compare the relationship between different sub-dimensions of social support and offenders’ social adaptation.
Design/methodology/approach
A descriptive design combined with self-administered questionnaires was used. A total of 54 valid responses were analysed, with participants displaying the following demographic characteristics: male offenders outnumbered female offenders, probationers constituted the highest proportion among all community corrections offenders and educational levels were generally low. Descriptive statistics and correlation analysis were conducted. The Lubben Social Network Scale, Interpersonal Support Evaluation List Scale and Person at Re-education-centre Social Adaptation Scale were used to measure the variables.
Findings
Participants exhibited generally good levels of social support, with moderately extensive social networks and perceived support. All sub-dimensions showed significant positive correlations with social adaptation, with the highest correlation for appraisal support (r = 0.743, p < 0.01), followed by instrumental support (r = 0.714, p < 0.01), emotional support (r = 0.687, p < 0.01), informational support (r = 0.685, P < 0.01) and social networks (r = 0.426, p < 0.01).
Practical implications
This study expands the understanding of community corrections offenders in China by focusing on the underexplored Sichuan Province, using empirical methods for data collection. It addresses a gap in previous research by examining both structural and functional support for offenders rather than focusing solely on one aspect. The study uses two scales, rarely used in Chinese research, to measure structural and functional support, thereby enhancing research on social support for offenders. Practically, it explores the correlation between social support and re-entry, offering valuable insights for improving offenders’ reintegration into society.
Originality/value
These results underscore the critical role of social networks and perceived social support in reintegrating Chinese community corrections offenders. Distinct from prior research, this study used a more comprehensive scale, less commonly used by Chinese scholars, to enable detailed measurement and analysis, highlighting the significance of both structural and functional support in informing practice in related fields.
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We have come to a point where the common way to characterise what is taking place presently, or, better yet, for the past almost two years, is with the term ‘pandemic’. The task…
Abstract
We have come to a point where the common way to characterise what is taking place presently, or, better yet, for the past almost two years, is with the term ‘pandemic’. The task of this chapter is to bring to awareness certain critical reflections with the hope of disturbing the normalised discourse which excepts the authentic meaning of pandemic, a meaning which affects the totality of the human existence. Following the thoughts of Agamben, Baudrillard, and Heidegger, the hypothesis that this chapter is advancing revolves around the idea that the term ‘pandemic’ has been appropriated by biological thinking excepting its authentic meaning, that is, the ultimate reality of the human existence which is death.
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Libardo José Ariza and Fernando León Tamayo Arboleda
In this chapter, we show how physical violence is a central part of the prison experience in Latin America. Such a violence is perceived both a legally admitted and forbidden…
Abstract
In this chapter, we show how physical violence is a central part of the prison experience in Latin America. Such a violence is perceived both a legally admitted and forbidden practice. In this sense, corporal punishment appears not as an imperfection, but rather an ordinary element of punitive power in the region. This strange existence of corporal punishment as permitted and forbidden violence ends up by legitimizing the punishment of the inmates in their physical body and their existence as a subject of law. This juxtaposition places prisoners’ bodies “betwixt and between” the natural world and the normative world of punishment. Thus, the life of prisoners is protected by law. Their indemnity is recognized, and their fundamental rights are guaranteed. However, at the same time, their lives are expendable.
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Dmitry Leonidovich Kovalenko, Vy Uong Van, Van Phuc Mac, Thien Vuong Nguyen, Lan Pham Thi, Tuan Anh Nguyen, Vladimir Evgenevich Gaishun, Vasili Vasilievich Vaskevich and Dai Lam Tran
This paper aims to explore how graphene can improve the mechanical and anti-corrosion properties of TiO2-SiO2 sol-gel coating. This sol-gel coating has been prepared on aluminum…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to explore how graphene can improve the mechanical and anti-corrosion properties of TiO2-SiO2 sol-gel coating. This sol-gel coating has been prepared on aluminum alloy substrate using graphene as both nano-filler and corrosion inhibitor.
Design/methodology/approach
To examine the effect of graphene on mechanical properties of sol-gel coating, the abrasion resistance, adhesion strength and scratch resistance of coating have been evaluated. To reveal the effect of graphene on the anti-corrosion property of coating for aluminum alloy, the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) has been conducted in 3.5 Wt.% NaCl medium.
Findings
Scanning electron microscopy images indicate that graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) have been homogeneously dispersed into the sol-gel coating matrices (at the contents from 0.1 to 0.5 Wt.%). Mechanical tests of coatings indicate that the graphene content of 0.5 Wt.% provides highest values of adhesion strength (1.48 MPa), scratch resistance (850 N) and abrasion strength (812 L./mil.) for the sol-gel coating. The EIS data show that the higher content of GNPs improve both R1 (coating) and R2 (coating/Al interface) resistances. In addition to enhancing the coating barrier performance (graphene acts as nanofiller/nano-reinforcer for coating matrix), other mechanism can be at work to account for the role of the graphene inhibitor in improving the anticorrosive performance at the coating/Al interface.
Originality/value
Application of graphene-based sol-gel coating for protection of aluminum and its alloy is very promising.
Julija Moskvina, Anca Hanea, Tomas Vedlūga and Birutė Mockevičienė
This chapter discusses the empirical data analysis that will form the basis of the early pricing framework. It focusses on the complexity of furniture production and describes the…
Abstract
This chapter discusses the empirical data analysis that will form the basis of the early pricing framework. It focusses on the complexity of furniture production and describes the historical production data collected from companies, along with the potential applications of machine learning for knowledge management purposes. The chapter then presents the results of machine learning for early cost estimation as part of a lean innovation that is affordable and accessible for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Finally, the chapter describes an experiment on the structured expert evaluation methodology, which shows that a well-formed panel of experts can increase the predictive power of machine learning solutions, particularly at extreme points.
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Owing to the finite nature of the boundary of the line (BOL), the conventional method, involving the strong matching of single-variety parts with storage locations at the…
Abstract
Purpose
Owing to the finite nature of the boundary of the line (BOL), the conventional method, involving the strong matching of single-variety parts with storage locations at the periphery of the line, proves insufficient for mixed-model assembly lines (MMAL). Consequently, this paper aims to introduce a material distribution scheduling problem considering the shared storage area (MDSPSSA). To address the inherent trade-off requirement of achieving both just-in-time efficiency and energy savings, a mathematical model is developed with the bi-objectives of minimizing line-side inventory and energy consumption.
Design/methodology/approach
A nondominated and multipopulation multiobjective grasshopper optimization algorithm (NM-MOGOA) is proposed to address the medium-to-large-scale problem associated with MDSPSSA. This algorithm combines elements from the grasshopper optimization algorithm and the nondominated sorting genetic algorithm-II. The multipopulation and coevolutionary strategy, chaotic mapping and two further optimization operators are used to enhance the overall solution quality.
Findings
Finally, the algorithm performance is evaluated by comparing NM-MOGOA with multi-objective grey wolf optimizer, multiobjective equilibrium optimizer and multi-objective atomic orbital search. The experimental findings substantiate the efficacy of NM-MOGOA, demonstrating its promise as a robust solution when confronted with the challenges posed by the MDSPSSA in MMALs.
Originality/value
The material distribution system devised in this paper takes into account the establishment of shared material storage areas between adjacent workstations. It permits the undifferentiated storage of various part types in fixed BOL areas. Concurrently, the innovative NM-MOGOA algorithm serves as the core of the system, supporting the formulation of scheduling plans.
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