Finite Element Modelling of Hot Extrusion of TI-6AL-4V Alloy

A finite element (FE) model is developed in this paper for simulating the direct extrusion process of Ti-6Al-4V alloy under isothermal condition. The model takes into account the heat generation due to plastic deformation of the billet as well as the frictional heat in the billet-tool interface. A series of simulations have been conducted to investigate the effect of key process parameters on stress and strain distribution, maximum ram speed and maximum pressure applied to the die. The FE model has been compared with a theoretical model and the results show good correlation in terms of predicting ram load. The developed FE model can be used for investigating direct extrusion and selecting appropriate die design parameters for the process

A FRAMEWORK FOR SUBCONTRACTOR INTEGRATION IN ALLIANCE CONTRACTS

Project alliancing involves the active collaboration of construction project owners and non-owner participants (designer, contractors, and suppliers) to deliver projects in an atmosphere of shared responsibilities and liabilities. Alliancing connotes integration but in real practice, it fails to create a true alliance environment since only part of the value chain (owner, designer, main contractor) is considered for integration. Consequently subcontractors are very often left out of the key alliance. Therefore this study identifies improvement areas to current alliance practice and suggests changes that will permit critical sub-contracting processes to be integrated into a project’s main alliance. To achieve this objective the research follows a comparative study approach. Information obtained from relevant literature is used to identify current subcontractor management practices and best practices for subcontractor integration in alliances. A case study of an alliance project is used to identify improvement areas in subcontractor management practices in an alliance environment. From these findings, the study proposes a revised alliance framework that integrates subcontractors from the early stages in alliance contracts, thus enabling the realisation of benefits accruable to projects through early contractor involvement

Essays on Bank Management

This thesis examines key challenges and developments in the banking sector over the past decade, shaped by regulatory reforms, digital transformation, sustainability aspects, and a prolonged low-interest-rate environment. Based on empirical analysis and innovative datasets, the research provides insights into the intersection of banking regulation, financial stability, profitability and sustainability. The findings highlight the importance of aligning regulatory and strategic management practices with evolving market conditions and stakeholder expectations. By addressing critical aspects of capital adequacy, risk management, and income diversification, the work provides actionable recommendations for enhancing the resilience and sustainability of banks in a dynamic global financial system

Defective Adaption of Erythrocytes During Acute Hypoxia Injury in an Elderly Population

The present study investigated the changes in several erythrocyte oxidative stress biomarkers in hypoxic elderly individuals to analyze the deleterious effects of low oxyhemoglobin saturation in an elderly population. We collected blood samples from one normoxic middle-aged group and two groups composed of individuals older than 75 years of age: one normoxic group and one hypoxic group. Aging appeared to provoke a defective erythrocyte antioxidant defense associated with increased oxidative damage in the elderly population. Acute hypoxia activated an insufficient antioxidant defense response as suggested by the oxidative damage observed. The oxidative imbalance presented in older participants and increased in hypoxia participants had a direct effect on glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase cell distribution. Oxidative stress levels altered Band 3 protein and mediated caspase-3 activation in erythrocyte from the aged group although it was not extended to hypoxic individuals. Therefore, aged participants appeared to activate an insufficient antioxidant response against hypoxia-related oxidative stress.Instituto Carlos III (FISS-06-RD06/0013/0011); Ministerio de Agricultura and FEDER (INIA RTA2007-00087-C02-02); FICYT (Gobierno del Principado de Asturias) (IB09-134)

Defect Dynamics in Proton Irradiated CH3NH3PbI3 Perovskite Solar Cells

Perovskite solar cells have been shown to be of extraordinary radiation hardness, considering high energetic 68 MeV proton irradiation with doses up to 1013 p cm amp; 8722;2. In this study electrical and photoelectrical properties of perovskite solar cells with and without proton irradiation are analyzed in detail. The results reveal that proton irradiation improves the open circuit voltage, fill factor, and recombination lifetime of photogenerated charge carriers in perovskite solar cells. These enhancements are mainly a result of the lower nonradiative recombination losses in the proton irradiated devices. The proton treatment creates shallow traps, which may be associated with the proton induced point defects due to the displacements of atoms in the inorganic Pb I framework, which act as unintentional doping sources and partially compensate deep traps originated from the photodegradation of methylammonium molecule

The role of the CC chemokine CCL17 in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease

In Alzheimer's disease (AD), inflammatory processes are critically involved by cells releasing neurotoxic or neurotrophic factors influencing survival of neurons and synapses, and thereby cognitive behavior. Several chemokines and their receptors have been shown to be upregulated in AD and play a crucial role in plaque deposition, microglia and astrocyte activation, and cognitive behavior in AD mouse models. Mice, expressing the human Amyloid precursor protein (APP) and presenilin-1 (PS1) and deficient for the endogenous CC chemokine CCL17 (APP/PS1-CCL17E/E mice) showed a WT-like learning and memory performance in Morris water maze together with reduced levels of soluble Abeta oligomers and Abeta42 peptides at 12-14 months of age, when cognitive deficits and plaque deposition are fully developed in normal APP/PS1. Surprisingly, APP/PS1-CCL17E/E mice exhibit equivalent reactive GFAP-positive astrocytes, but enhanced microgliosis. CD11b-positive microglial cells derive from CNS-resident microglia and from peripheral Ly6C(high) CCR2-positive monocytes / macrophages infiltrating the CNS of APP/PS1-CCL17E/E mice. Increased CCL22, but not CCL2 expression was found in the hippocampus of APP/PS1-CCL17E/E mice, suggesting a potential convergent recruitment mechanism of Ly6C(high) CCR2-positive CCR4-positive monocytes. For the first time, it could be demonstrated that microglia isolated from the CNS of APP/PS1 mice express CCL17. The cognate receptor CCR4 is expressed by neonatal microglia upon LPS stimulation, indicating a para- or autocrine signaling. As indicated by increased hippocampal IL-6 and IL-10 expression, APP/PS1-CCL17E/E mice showed an altered inflammatory response in the CNS. Furthermore, CCL17E/E microglia, but not macrophages, showed enhanced expression of IL-10 (in vitro) and MMR expression (in vivo). Phagocytosis assay of fluorescence-labeled Abeta1-42 peptide revealed an increased uptake by neonatal microglia, but not by BM-derived macrophages of CCL17E/E mice. The underlying mechanism possibly involves the recruitment of peripheral macrophages into the CNS, accompanied by a more anti-inflammatory and neurotrophic milieu. Furthermore, enhanced Abeta clearance is indicated by increased uptake and enhanced neprilysin expression level

Ausstiegsarbeit gegen Extremismus in NRW: eine vergleichende Analyse; Was können staatliche und zivilgesellschaftliche Ausstiegsprogramme gegen Islamismus, Rechtsextremismus und Linksextremismus voneinander lernen?

Ausstiegsprogramme unterscheiden sich je nach Trägerschaft oder Phänomenbereich in den Ansätzen, mit denen sie an ihre Arbeit herangehen. Das vorliegende BICC Working Paper entwickelt einen Analyserahmen zum Vergleich der unterschiedlichen Programme, der sowohl auf einer umfangreichen Literaturauswertung als auch auf Interviews mit Praktikerinnen und Praktikern basiert. Er berücksichtigt dabei die angewandte Methodik, die jeweilige Risikoeinschätzung sowie die Dimensionen, Erfolgskriterien und Ziele der Arbeit. Die Studie wendet den Analyserahmen auf alle sieben Ausstiegsprogramme (drei staatliche und vier zivilgesellschaftliche) in Nordrhein-Westfalen (NRW) an, über die das bevölkerungsreichste Bundesland verfügt. Drei Programme beschäftigen sich mit dem Islamismus, drei mit dem Rechtsextremismus und eines mit Linksextremismus sowie auslandsbezogenem Extremismus. Das Paper untersucht die wichtigsten Unterschiede in der Herangehensweise einerseits zwischen staatlichen und zivilgesellschaftlichen Programmen sowie andererseits zwischen solchen gegen Islamismus und gegen Rechtsextremismus. Daraus entwickelt es Empfehlungen, an welchen Stellen die Programme von den Erfahrungen der anderen lernen können

Making power, doing politics: The film industry and economic development in Aotearoa/New Zealand.

Over the last decade creative industries, such as film and fashion, have become increasingly commonplace items on economic development agendas at urban, regional, and national scales. A sizeable academic literature has emerged to document this 'creative turn' in economic policy. The existing literature often locates the widespread adoption of creative industry policies within either a capitalist system that increasingly demands creativity if accumulation is to be secured or a series of powerful travelling policy discourses which impose themselves on local landscapes irrespective of fit. These explanations are, however, rarely substantiated empirically to show how, in very material ways, capitalism or travelling policy discourses make demands of a particular locality. In this thesis, Actor- Network Theory (ANT) is used to argue for a less 'determined' approach to the study of creative industries in economic development: the assumptions about macro phenomena structuring the local are put aside in order to tell the story of one situated case of creative industries-based economic development. The specific case that is examined is the film industry of Aotearoa/New Zealand. In the period from 1999 to 2005, the Aotearoa/New Zealand film industry went from being almost entirely absent from economic development policy to playing a central role. The thesis draws on extensive documentary analysis and 58 interviews to construct a description of the practices, devices, techniques, and knowledges that were deployed to constitute, shape, contest, and stabilise the role of the film industry within economic development. What emerges from this description is that contingency and opportunism, rather than capitalist demands or global travelling policy discourses, are key to explaining the prioritisation of the film industry. This suggests that ANT makes visible political processes that often remain hidden from view but are crucial to understanding the way that power is made and politics is done

Von Deutschland nach Istanbul und doch mit beiden verbunden: Integrationserfahrungen und Migrationsmotive von Deutschländern

This dissertation is concerned with persons who grew up in Germany with Turkish parents, but later migrated to Istanbul. The study, based on interviews analysed using qualitative content analysis, investigates their integration experiences in Germany before the migration and in Turkey afterwards, as well as the motives behind their decision to migrate. For each of these aspects, the structural, social, cultural and identificational dimensions are examined, plus experiences of discrimination. While displaying a high degree of integration into German mainstream society in the other dimensions, the interviewees were often unable to achieve a positive social identity due to the stigmatization of their Turkish parts. In Istanbul, on the other hand, they are able to live out both the German and Turkish aspects of their culture and identity. The intervieweesa tendency towards individualization, biculturality and agency forms the basis of their motivation to move to Turkey. This migration is not an indication of failed integration in Germany, but rather it is the result of a very high degree of integration that led to expectations that Germany was unable to fulfill