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Abstract Aluminum alloys have become vital in industries such as aerospace and automotive due to their high strength-to-weight ratio, corrosion resistance, and versatility. This study examines traditional joining methods like welding, brazing, and mechanical fastening, alongside modern innovations such as friction stir welding (FSW), laser beam welding (LBW), and hybrid laser arc welding (HLAW). These techniques enhance aluminium alloys' mechanical performance and structural integrity, addressing challenges like hydrogen embrittlement and environmental concerns associated with hexavalent chromium. It discusses recent efforts to improve fatigue resistance, fracture toughness, and thermal stability, emphasizing the role of advanced alloys in meeting industry demands. The study concludes by identifying future research directions in alloy design, sustainable manufacturing practices, and the integration of emerging technologies to optimize aluminum alloys for next-generation applications.

Purpose – Motivated by the negative effect of external shocks on the domestic economy, this study explores the role of financial sector development in absorbing the effect of external shocks on macroeconomic volatility in Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach – Autoregressive distributed lag and fully modify ordinary least square are used to examine the moderating effect of financial development in the link between external shocks and macroeconomic volatilities in Nigeria between 1986Q1 and 2019Q4. External shock is proxy using oil price shock, and financial development is proxy by domestic credit to the private sector and market capitalisation. At the same time, macroeconomic volatility is proxy by output and inflation volatilities. Macroeconomic volatilities are generated using generalised autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity (GARCH 1,1). Findings – The results indicate that domestic credit to the private sector significantly reduces output and inflation volatilities in Nigeria in the short and long run. However, market capitalisation promotes macroeconomic volatility. More specifically, financial development indicators play different roles in curtaining macroeconomic volatilities. The results also reveal that external shocks stimulate macroeconomic volatility in Nigeria in the short and long run. Nevertheless, the effects of external shocks on macroeconomic volatilities are reduced when the role of financial development is incorporated. Practical implications – This study, therefore, concludes that strong financial sector development serves as a significant shock absorber in reducing the adverse effect of external shock on the domestic economy. Originality/value – This study contributes to the extant studies by introducing a country-specific analysis into the empirical examination of how financial development can moderate the influence of external shock on macroeconomic volatilities.

In this study, we present and analyze the first continuous time series of relevant aerosol precursor vapors from the central Arctic (north of 80° N) during the Multidisciplinary drifting Observatory for the Study of Arctic Climate (MOSAiC) expedition. These precursor vapors include sulfuric acid (SA), methanesulfonic acid (MSA), and iodic acid (IA). We use FLEXPART simulations, inverse modeling, sulfur dioxide (SO2) mixing ratios, and chlorophyll a (chl a) observations to interpret the seasonal variability in the vapor concentrations and identify dominant sources. Our results show that both natural and anthropogenic sources are relevant for the concentrations of SA in the Arctic, but anthropogenic sources associated with Arctic haze are the most prevalent. MSA concentrations are an order of magnitude higher during polar day than during polar night due to seasonal changes in biological activity. Peak MSA concentrations were observed in May, which corresponds with the timing of the annual peak in chl a concentrations north of 75° N. IA concentrations exhibit two distinct peaks during the year, namely a dominant peak in spring and a secondary peak in autumn, suggesting that seasonal IA concentrations depend on both solar radiation and sea ice conditions. In general, the seasonal cycles of SA, MSA, and IA in the central Arctic Ocean are related to sea ice conditions, and we expect that changes in the Arctic environment will affect the concentrations of these vapors in the future. The magnitude of these changes and the subsequent influence on aerosol processes remains uncertain, highlighting the need for continued observations of these precursor vapors in the Arctic.

Abstract Across the United Kingdom, medical schools are acknowledging the need to respond to inequalities experienced by minority groups, racism within healthcare, and the need to decolonise medical curricula. Understanding the impact of structural racism is increasingly recognised as part of health professionals’ training. In this paper we report the delivery of a new lecture and workshop on racism to first year medical students at Hull York Medical School, aimed to teach students about structural racism and the impact it has on health and healthcare services. Whereas comparable training programmes focus on personal values of inclusivity and diversity, these sessions encourage students to consider the reality of racism as part of health and healthcare experiences. The session includes conceptual content alongside applied examples of microaggression experienced by a healthcare professional. We report the results of student feedback attained through surveys using Likert scales and free text. We conclude by discussing the benefits of teaching medical students about racism, and its impact on patients and staff, rather than just inclusive practice.

Abstract Background Thyroid gland is the largest and most vascular structure among the endocrine glands. The recurrent laryngeal nerve and the superior laryngeal nerve are closely related to the thyroid gland; these nerves control voice and are vital in breathing. Anatomical preservation of the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) is the gold standard in thyroid surgery. Visual identification of RLN has decreased the rates of permanent RLN palsy during thyroid and parathyroid operations. Prior knowledge about the branching patterns will help in predicting and preventing injury to the nerve during thyroid surgery. Aim and objectives The aim of the study is to observe the terminal branching pattern of recurrent laryngeal nerve before its entry into the larynx. Methods An observational study with 50 participants who fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria were enrolled in the study. After a complete evaluation and pre-anaesthetic checkup, the patients were operated and intraoperative findings of RLN branching were recorded and compared for the study. Results In our study, out of the 50 patients who underwent thyroid surgery during the course of the study, right-sided RLN branching was demonstrated in 25 patients (21 right hemithyroidectomy and 4 total thyroidectomy). Ten patients had RLN bifurcation, 7 had trifurcation, 5 had numerous branches, and 3 with no branching pattern were noted. Similarly, out of 29 patients (25 left hemithyroidectomy and 4 total thyroidectomy) in whom left-sided RLN branching was studied, bifurcation was seen in 10 patients, trifurcation in 12 patients, and multiple branching was observed in 7. Conclusion The anatomical variations seen in RLN may increase the risk of vocal cord palsy due to its injury. Anatomical variations are categorized according to the original direction of the RLN and the number of terminal branches in the larynx. This classification aids in the identification and preservation of its branches, hence facilitating a safer thyroidectomy.

In South Africa, many children with extensive support needs--including children who require AAC--are accommodated in care centers rather than the public schooling system. Caregivers employed at these centers need training in order to support children's communication using augmentative and alternative methods. A total of 29 center-based caregivers took part in this study. A single group pretest-posttest design was used to evaluate the effect of a 5-day training workshop on caregivers' ability to demonstrate and implement five AAC strategies. The effect of the workshop on caregivers' perceptions of their own skills as well as the social validity of the training were also evaluated. Results suggest that the workshop effectively taught caregivers to demonstrate the skills in a simulated roleplay situation. A proportion of caregivers also supplied video footage after the workshop that suggests the ability to implement the strategies in the care center contexts. Caregivers also perceived their own skills to have improved post workshop, and evaluated the training positively.

Background: Interactive engagement, specifically attention and initiation, are considered important skills for facilitating development and learning in students with severe/profound intellectual and multiple disabilities. Prior research has suggested that music therapy and multisensory storytelling are two promising interventions for supporting interactive engagement in this population. However, there are no known/published studies that have investigated the effect of combining relevant elements from musical interaction and multisensory storytelling for this group of students. This study aims to determine the effect of a novel educational approach--MultiSensory Music Drama (MSMD)--on the interactive engagement of students with severe/profound intellectual and multiple disabilities. Methods: A single-case experimental design, specifically an ABAB design across three participants, was used to describe the effect of MSMD on interactive engagement when compared with a control activity. School staff members' perceptions of student interactive engagement and social validity were obtained. Findings: Coded video observations showed significantly higher levels of interactive engagement during MSMD for all three participants when compared to the control activity. Furthermore, the ratings on the interactive engagement from school staff members improved for two of the three participants. Finally, school staff members scored the social validity and perceived educational usefulness of the MSMD as very high. Conclusions: The findings provide initial evidence that MSMD may be effective in supporting the interactive engagement of some students with severe/profound intellectual and multiple disabilities.

Participation is a fundamental human right, and being able to communicate is an essential component of participation in various life situations, such as at school, with peers, and in the community. Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) interventions aim to facilitate communication and social interaction, independence, and participation in all aspects of life. The purpose of this study was to summarize and map the AAC intervention outcomes for children with complex communication needs onto the Family of Participation-Related Constructs (fPRC) framework. The scoping review identified 270 studies for inclusion, and the data gathered was extracted and mapped onto the fPRC framework. The results indicate that although many studies have reported on participation-related constructs such as activity competence and context, there is still insufficient focus on attendance and involvement, sense of self, and environment constructs. Hence, future research in the field of AAC is needed on the various constructs of participation proposed by the fPRC framework.

Purpose: Despite advances in screening and awareness, Black and multiracial families continue to experience challenges when seeking an autism diagnosis for their children. Methods: We surveyed 400 Black and multiracial families of young children with autism from an existing research database in the United States about their retrospective diagnostic experiences. We gathered quantitative and qualitative data and engaged in iterative coding to understand timing and content of first concerns, families' experiences of care providers and systems, and the impact of race and culture on accessing care. Results: Families provided examples of early developmental concern and described provider, systemic, and cultural barriers and facilitators to care. Families also provided insight into the influence of culture and made recommendations on how the medical system could better care for Black and multiracial families of children with autism. Conclusions: Results add to a growing body of literature supporting the need for culturally sensitive and accessible care related to developmental monitoring, diagnosis, and follow-up care for Black and multiracial children.