bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Principles of chemotherapy
Authors: Kerr David , Haller Daniel , Verweij Jaap
Published: January 2016

This chapter discusses the principles of chemotherapy, and includes information on the mechanism of action of commonly available drugs (anthracyclines, Vinca alkaloids, taxenes, alkylating agents, bleomycin, platinum–based agents, antimetabolites, topoisomerase inhibitors, hormonal agents, antiandrogens, cell signalling inhibitors, and growth factor receptor inhibitors), cellular principles of chemotherapy, pharmacological principles of chemotherapy (effects of hepatic and renal impairment, pharmacogenetics, dose intensity, locoregional drug administration, increase of the dose per administration, and treatment intervals), principles of combination chemotherapy (activity as a single agent, different mechanisms of action and resistance, dose-limiting toxicities, and cell-cycle-related and biochemical interactions), and adjuvant and neoadjuvant systemic therapy.
Cancer chemoprevention
Authors: Senn Hans-Joerg , Arber Nadir , Schrijvers Dirk
Published: January 2016

Cancer prevention certainly would be the best approach to cancer. Interventions should be effective, with minimal side effects, convenient, and inexpensive. Cancer chemoprevention is defined as the pharmacologic intervention with the process of carcinogenesis to prevent the development of overt malignant neoplasms in healthy individuals with elevated cancer risk. The present list of candidate cancer types for active chemoprevention is still short and includes SERMs (tamoxifen, raloxifene) and an aromatase-inhibitor (exemestane) for chemoprevention of breast cancers, showing significant reduction of cancer occurrence. The same holds true for reduction of the development of invasive cancers by aspirin, NSAIDs, and COX2-inhibitors in selected populations with increased colorectal cancer risk. There is also reduction of prostate cancers by long-term application of 5-alfa-reductase-inhibitors (finasteride, dutasteride) in selected high-risk populations. Many other potentially active anti-neoplastic compounds have been tested but do not meet all the criteria of efficiency, efficacy, and cost-effectiveness.
Population cancer screening
Authors: Evans Andrew , Simon Herrington C. , Steele Robert
Published: January 2016

Population cancer screening is aimed at reducing the burden of disease in a population by the early detection of cancer, and, where possible, by the detection of premalignant disease. For screening to be effective, it is essential that early detection is truly beneficial and does not merely appear to be effective by virtue of lead time and other biases. In this chapter, screening programmes for breast, colorectal, and cervical cancer are covered in detail, and the current status of prostate and lung cancer screening is also considered. Throughout, the emphasis is on the underlying evidence for these interventions, and existing screening strategies are described.
Rectal cancer and systemic therapy of colorectal cancer
Authors: Beets-Tan Regina , Glimelius Bengt , Påhlman Lars
Published: January 2016

In rectal cancer treatment, surgery is most important. Dissection outside the mesorectal fascia, total mesorectal excision is required for cure in most cases; a local procedure is possible in the earliest tumours. Appropriate staging is required prior to treatment decision to stratify patients into risk groups. In early tumours surgery alone is sufficient whereas in intermediate cancers local recurrence rates are too high and preoperative radiotherapy is indicated. A short-course schedule is convenient, low toxic, although some prefer long-course chemoradiotherapy. The addition of a fluoropyrimidine enhances the radiotherapy. In locally advanced tumours preoperative chemoradiotherapy is required. The value of adjuvant chemotherapy in rectal cancer is controversial, particularly if preoperative chemoradiotherapy was used. Palliative chemotherapy prolongs life and improves well-being in patients with metastatic disease. Targeted drugs further improves the results to some extent. In some patients, chemotherapy may convert non-readily resectable metastases to resectable, and result in long-term cure.
Genitourinary cancers
Authors: Fitzpatrick John , Muneer Asif , de la Rosette Jean , Powles Thomas
Published: January 2016

Genitourinary cancers include tumors of the penis, bladder, prostate, testes, kidneys and ureters. Penile cancer is a rare malignancy and the diagnosis is often delayed due to patient embarrassment. Penile-preserving surgical techniques have been developed to preserve penile length. Urothelial cell carcinoma is more often encountered in bladder (95%) than in the upper urinary tract (5%). This chapter will be divided according to the two main urothelial cell carcinoma topographies: bladder and upper urinary tract. Prostate cancer is second as far as cause of cancer death is concerned, and surgical, radiotherapeutic and hormonal treatments are discussed. Most testicular cancers that arise are germ cell tumours. Renal cell carcinoma has a number of distinct pathological types. The commonest is clear cell histology which is intrinsically linked to Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) mutations. New targeted therapies for renal carcinomas will be described in detail.
Skin cancer: non-melanoma
Authors: Damian Diona L. , Scolyer Richard A. , Stevens Graham , Menzies Alexander M. , Thompson John F.
Published: January 2016

Non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) is the most common malignancy in fair-skinned populations. In Australia, NMSC is four times as common as all other cancers combined with an incidence of ~1000 per 100 000 person-years. The vast majority of NMSC are basal cell carcinomas (BCCs), which rarely metastasize, or squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs), which do have metastatic potential, especially in immune-suppressed individuals. Because of their high frequency in the general population, and particularly in older people, NMSCs are likely to occur in many general oncology patients. Skin cancer risk can be additionally increased in oncology patients as a result of disease-induced immune suppression (e.g., non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma) or by a range of cancer treatments including iatrogenic immune suppression, radiation therapy, arsenic, and BRAF inhibitors. Interestingly, chronic stress suppresses skin immune responses and increases susceptibility to UV-induced SCC in murine models.
Malignant lymphomas
Authors: Kroschinsky Frank , Stölzel Friedrich , Pileri Stefano A. , Chapuy Björn , Ordemann Rainer , Gisselbrecht Christian , Illidge Tim , Hodgson David C. , Gospodarowicz Mary K. , Schütze Christina , Wulf Gerald
Published: January 2016

Malignant lymphomas represent neoplasias arising from the peripheral lymphatic tissues in lymph nodes and extranodal sites. Classification in Hodgkin’s (HL) and non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas (NHL), B- or T-cell origin, nodal or extranodal involvement, and indolent or aggressive diseases gives a basic algorithm for clinical management. The introduction of positron emission tomography (PET) using 18F-Fluoro-deoxyglucose (18F-FDG) both alone or in combination with CT or MRI (PET/CT) improved accuracy of staging procedures and increasingly influence treatment algorithms. Current treatment options include classic cytotoxic drugs and radiotherapy and have been expanded by monoclonal antibodies, agents targeting signalling pathways and transplant procedures during the last two decades. Using this arsenal about 90% of patients with Hodgkin’s lymphomas and 60–80% of patients with aggressive B-NHL can be cured today.
Conceptual Foundations of Forensic Psychology
Authors: Packer Ira K. , Grisso Thomas
Published: January 2016

This chapter summarizes the legal knowledge domains that are relevant to forensic psychologists. It begins with an overview of the US legal system and then discusses legal concepts relevant to substantive areas of forensic practice, based on case law and statutes.
Supervision, Training, and Management
Authors: Packer Ira K. , Grisso Thomas
Published: January 2016

This chapter presents an overview of some of the common problems identified with forensic reports, before discussing the principles of training that have been developed to address those issues. It then focuses on issues relevant to forensic psychologists who develop and manage forensic systems.
Interpersonal Dimensions of the Forensic Relationship
Authors: Packer Ira K. , Grisso Thomas
Published: January 2016

This chapter begins with a focus on those elements that characterize the nature of the forensic psychologist’s relationship to examinees, emphasizing the different orientation required relative to therapeutic work. It then moves on to discuss issues of cultural diversity that specifically impact forensic evaluations, followed by a description of the interpersonal dynamics that forensic psychologists have with other parties, including collateral informants, attorneys, and the trier of fact (judge or jury).
Brief Report: Macrophage Activation in HIV-2–Infected Patients Is Less Affected by Antiretroviral Treatment—sCD163 in HIV-1, HIV-2, and HIV-1/2 Dually Infected Patients
Authors: Hønge Bo L. , Andersen Morten N. , Jespersen Sanne , Medina Candida , Correira Faustino G. , Jakobsen Martin R. , Laursen Alex , Erikstrup Christian , Møller Holger J. , Wejse Christian ,   for the Bissau HIV cohort study group
Published: January 2016

The course of disease among HIV-2, HIV-1, and HIV-1/2 dually infected patients is different. We investigated the macrophage activation marker soluble CD163 (sCD163) dynamics in 212 HIV-1, HIV-2, and HIV-1/2 dually infected patients. There were no differences in sCD163 levels at baseline or during follow-up without antiretroviral therapy (ART). At follow-up on ART, median sCD163 levels were decreased for HIV-1–infected patients (P < 0.001), but not among HIV-2 (P = 0.093) or HIV-1/2 dually infected patients (P = 0.145). The larger decrease in sCD163 levels among HIV-1–infected patients during ART may indicate an HIV type–dependent differential effect of ART on macrophage activation during HIV infection.
Ordering structured populations in multiplayer cooperation games
Authors: Peña Jorge , Wu Bin , Traulsen Arne
Published: January 2016

Spatial structure greatly affects the evolution of cooperation. While in two-player games the condition for cooperation to evolve depends on a single structure coefficient, in multiplayer games the condition might depend on several structure coefficients, making it difficult to compare different population structures. We propose a solution to this issue by introducing two simple ways of ordering population structures: the containment order and the volume order. If population structureis greater than population structurein the containment or the volume order, thencan be considered a stronger promoter of cooperation. We provide conditions for establishing the containment order, give general results on the volume order, and illustrate our theory by comparing different models of spatial games and associated update rules. Our results hold for a large class of population structures and can be easily applied to specific cases once the structure coefficients have been calculated or estimated.
DAVID: An open-source platform for real-time emotional speech transformation: With 25 applications in the behavioral sciences
Authors: Rachman Laura , Liuni Marco , Arias Pablo , Lind Andreas , Johansson Petter , Hall Lars , Richardson Daniel , Watanabe Katsumi , Dubal Stéphanie , Aucouturier Jean-Julien
Published: January 2016

We present an open-source software platform that transforms the emotions expressed by speech signals using audio effects like pitch shifting, inflection, vibrato, and filtering. The emotional transformations can be applied to any audio file, but can also run in real-time (with less than 20-millisecond latency), using live input from a microphone. We anticipate that this tool will be useful for the study of emotions in psychology and neuroscience, because it enables a high level of control over the acoustical and emotional content of experimental stimuli in a variety of laboratory situations, including real-time social situations. We present here results of a series of validation experiments showing that transformed emotions are recognized at above-chance levels in the French, English, Swedish and Japanese languages, with a naturalness comparable to natural speech. Then, we provide a list of twenty-five experimental ideas applying this new tool to important topics in the behavioral sciences.
Signatures of positive selection and local adaptation to urbanization in white-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus)
Authors: Harris Stephen E. , Munshi-South Jason
Published: January 2016

Urbanization significantly alters natural ecosystems and has accelerated globally. Urban wildlife populations are often highly fragmented by human infrastructure, and isolated populations may adapt in response to local urban pressures. However, relatively few studies have identified genomic signatures of adaptation in urban animals. We used a landscape genomics approach to examine signatures of selection in urban populations of white-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus) in New York City. We analyzed 154,770 SNPs identified from transcriptome data from 48P. leucopusindividuals from three urban and three rural populations, and used outlier tests to identify evidence of urban adaptation. We accounted for demography by simulating a neutral SNP dataset under an inferred demographic history as a null model for outlier analysis. We also tested whether candidate genes were associated with environmental variables related to urbanization. In total, we detected 381 outlier loci and after stringent filtering, identified and annotated 19 candidate loci. Many of the candidate genes were involved in metabolic processes, and have well-established roles in metabolizing lipids and carbohydrates. Our results indicate that white-footed mice in NYC are adapting at the biomolecular level to local selective pressures in urban habitats. Annotation of outlier loci suggest selection is acting on metabolic pathways in urban populations, likely related to novel diets in cities that differ from diets in less disturbed areas.
Aurore: new software for neutron reflectivity data analysis
Authors: Gerelli Yuri
Published: January 2016

Auroreis a free software application based on MATLAB scripts designed for the graphical analysis, inspection and simulation of neutron reflectivity data. Its architecture, combined with graphics and other advantages of the MATLAB environment, should allow continued development of this software and inclusion of new features and analysis methods. The development of the software was driven by the necessity for a non-commercial open-source application for the analysis of neutron reflectivity data.Auroreprovides a robust and reliable method for evaluation of parameter uncertainty, a feature almost absent in similar software applications. In the present paper the main functionalities of the software are presented, together with a comprehensive description of the modeling approaches available at the moment. The code is released under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License V2.0. The software application can be downloaded at http://aurorenr.sourceforge.net/.
Crystal engineering: co-crystals of cinnamic acid derivatives with a pyridyl derivative co-crystallizer
Authors: Lorenzo Daniel A. , Forrest Sebastian J. K. , Sparkes Hazel A.
Published: January 2016

A number of hydrogen-bonded co-crystals, consisting of a cinnamic acid derivative and a pyridyl co-crystallizer, have been synthesized and their properties investigated by X-ray diffraction. Samples were prepared by recrystallization or solvent drop grinding oftrans-cinnamic acid (1), 4-methylcinnamic acid (2), 4-methoxy cinnamic acid (3) or 3,4-methoxy cinnamic acid (4), with 4,4-dipyridyl (A),iso-nicotinamide (B) or nicotinamide (C). The X-ray single-crystal structures of seven novel co-crystals, obtained through recrystallization, are examined and the hydrogen-bonding interactions discussed. Consistent hydrogen-bonding motifs were observed for samples prepared when using 4,4-dipyridyl (A) oriso-nicotinamide (B) as the co-crystallizing agent. Powder X-ray diffraction analysis of the samples prepared by solvent drop grinding suggests the formation of ten co-crystals.
Structure-forming units of amino acid maleates. Case study ofL-valinium hydrogen maleate
Authors: Rychkov Denis , Arkhipov Sergey , Boldyreva Elena
Published: January 2016

A new salt of L-valinium hydrogen maleate was used as an example to study structure-forming units in amino acid maleates. This compound was crystallized, its structure solved from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data, and the phase purity of the bulk powder sample confirmed by X-ray powder diffraction and FT–IR spectra. The stability of the new salt was analyzed using density functional theory andPIXELcalculations with focus on theC22(12) structure-forming crystallographic motif. This motif was of particular interest as it is common for almost all maleates. The exceptionally high ability of maleic acid to form salts with various amino acids was rationalized.
Crystal structure of monoclinic calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (m-CPPD) involved in inflammatory reactions and osteoarthritis
Authors: Gras Pierre , Rey Christian , André Gilles , Charvillat Cédric , Sarda Stéphanie , Combes Christèle
Published: January 2016

Pure monoclinic calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (m-CPPD) has been synthesized and characterized by synchrotron powder X-ray diffraction and neutron diffraction. Rietveld refinement of complementary diffraction data has, for the first time, allowed the crystal structure of m-CPPD to be solved. The monoclinic systemP21/nwas confirmed and unit-cell parameters determined:a= 12.60842 (4),b= 9.24278 (4),c= 6.74885 (2) Å and β = 104.9916 (3)°. Neutron diffraction data especially have allowed the precise determination of the position of H atoms in the structure. The relationship between the m-CPPD crystal structure and that of the triclinic calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (t-CPPD) phase as well as other pyrophosphate phases involving other divalent cations are discussed by considering the inflammatory potential of these phases and/or their involvement in different diseases. These original structural data represent a key step in the understanding of the mechanisms of crystal formation involved in different types of arthritis and to improve early detection of calcium pyrophosphate (CPP) phasesin vivo.
(3+1)-Incommensurately modulated crystal structure of Cs3ScSi6O15
Authors: Hejny Clivia , Kahlenberg Volker , Schmidmair Daniela , Dabić Predrag
Published: January 2016

Single-crystal X-ray diffraction of Cs3ScSi6O15shows the presence of main reflections and satellite reflections up to the fourth order along thec*direction. The (3+1)-dimensional incommensurately modulated structure was solved in superspace group X{\bar 3}m1(00\gamma)0s0 [a= 13.861 (1),c= 6.992 (1) Å,V= 1163.4 (2) Å3] with a modulation wavevectorq= 0.14153 (2)c*. Refinement of three modulation waves for positional and anisotropic displacement parameter values for all atoms converged toRobsvalues for all, main and satellite reflections of first, second and third order of 0.0200, 0.0166, 0.0181, 0.0214 and 0.0303, respectively. Cs3ScSi6O15forms a mixed tetrahedral–octahedral framework with prominent six-membered rings of [SiO4]-tetrahedra interconnected by [ScO6]-octahedra. Apart from Sc, all atoms are strongly affected by positional modulation with maximum atomic displacements of up to 0.93 Å causing rigid polyhedral arrangements to perform tilt and twist movements relative to each other, such as a rotation of the Sc-octahedra around the \bar 3-axis by over 38°. Cs has an irregular coordination environment; however, considering distances up to 3.5 Å, the bond-valence sum changes by no more than 0.02 as a function oftand thus overall kept at a level ofca1.075.
Variable-temperature single-crystal X-ray diffraction study of tetragonal and cubic perovskite-type barium titanate phases
Authors: Nakatani Tomotaka , Yoshiasa Akira , Nakatsuka Akihiko , Hiratoko Tatsuya , Mashimo Tsutomu , Okube Maki , Sasaki Satoshi
Published: January 2016

A variable-temperature single-crystal X-ray diffraction study of a synthetic BaTiO3perovskite has been performed over the temperature range 298–778 K. A transition from a tetragonal (P4mm) to a cubic (Pm \overline 3 m) phase has been revealed near 413 K. In the non-centrosymmetricP4mmsymmetry group, both Ti and O atoms are displaced along thec-axis in opposite directions with regard to the Ba position fixed at the origin, so that Ti4+and Ba2+cations occupy off-center positions in the TiO6and BaO12polyhedra, respectively. Smooth temperature-dependent changes of the atomic coordinates become discontinuous with the phase transition. Our observations imply that the cations remain off-center even in the high-temperature cubic phase. The temperature dependence of the mean-square displacements of Ti in the cubic phase includes a significant static component which means that Ti atoms are statistically distributed in the off-center positions.
The low-temperature crystal structure of the multiferroic melilite Ca2CoSi2O7
Authors: Sazonov Andrew , Hutanu Vladimir , Meven Martin , Roth Georg , Kézsmárki István , Murakawa Hiroshi , Tokura Yoshinori , Náfrádi Bálint
Published: January 2016

In the antiferromagnetic ground state, belowTN≃ 5.7 K, Ca2CoSi2O7exhibits strong magnetoelectric coupling. For a symmetry-consistent theoretical description of this multiferroic phase, precise knowledge of its crystal structure is a prerequisite. Here we report the results of single-crystal neutron diffraction on Ca2CoSi2O7at temperatures between 10 and 250 K. The low-temperature structure at 10 K was refined assuming twinning in the orthorhombic space groupP21212 with a 3 × 3 × 1 supercell [a= 23.52 (1),b= 23.52 (1),c= 5.030 (3) Å] compared with the high-temperature normal state [tetragonal space group P\overline {4}2_{1}m,a=b≃ 7.86,c≃ 5.03 Å]. The precise structural parameters of Ca2CoSi2O7at 10 K are presented and compared with the literature X-ray diffraction results at 130 and 170 K (low-temperature commensurate phase), as well as at ∼ 500 K (high-temperature normal phase).
MmHn(XO4)(m + n)/2crystals: structure, phase transitions, hydrogen bonds, conductivity. II. Structure and properties of Cs3(HSO4)2(H2PO4) and Cs4(HSO4)3(H2PO4) single crystals
Authors: Makarova Irina , Grebenev Vadim , Dmitricheva Elena , Vasiliev Ilya , Komornikov Vladimir , Dolbinina Valentina , Mikheykin Alexey
Published: January 2016

Cs3(HSO4)2(H2PO4) and Cs4(HSO4)3(H2PO4) single crystals were obtained for the first time based on a systematic study of the phase diagram of the CsHSO4–CsH2PO4–H2O ternary system. To reveal the structural conditionality for anomalies in physical properties, including dielectric and optical properties, diffraction studies of the crystal structure of Cs3(HSO4)2(H2PO4) and Cs4(HSO4)3(H2PO4) were performed, and their common structural features and differences were analyzed.
Two cobalt(II) supramolecular isomers based onN,N′-bis(pyridin-3-yl)oxalamide induced by the molecular orientation of lattice DMF molecules
Authors: Zhong Di-Chang , Wen Ya-Qiong , Deng Ji-Hua , Jian Tao-Hua , Wang Ke-Jun
Published: January 2016

Supramolecular isomerism for coordination networks refers to the existence of different architectures having the same building blocks and identical stoichiometries. For a given building block, different arrangements can lead to the formation of a series of supramolecular isomers. Two one-dimensional CoIIcoordination polymers based onN,N′-bis(pyridin-3-yl)oxalamide (BPO), bothcatena-poly[[[dichloridocobalt(II)]-bis[μ-N,N′-bis(pyridin-3-yl)oxalamide-κ2N:N′]] dimethylformamide disolvate], {[CoCl2(C12H10N4O2)2]·2C3H7NO}n, have been assembled by the solvothermal method. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses reveal that the two compounds are supramolecular isomers, the isomerism being induced by the orientation of the dimethylformamide (DMF) molecules in the crystal lattice.
Crystal structure of 3-{[4-(2-methoxyphenyl)piperazin-1-yl]methyl}-5-(thiophen-2-yl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole-2(3H)-thione
Authors: Al-Alshaikh Monirah A. , Abuelizz Hatem A. , El-Emam Ali A. , Abdelbaky Mohammed S. M. , Garcia-Granda Santiago
Published: January 2016

The title compound, C18H20N4O2S2, is a new 1,3,4-oxadiazole and a key pharmacophore of several biologically active agents. It is composed of a methyl(thiophen-2-yl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole-2(3H)-thione moiety linked to a 2-methoxyphenyl unitviaa piperazine ring that has a chair conformation. The thiophene ring mean plane lies almost in the plane of the oxadiazole ring, with a dihedral angle of 4.35 (9)°. The 2-methoxyphenyl ring is almost normal to the oxadiazole ring, with a dihedral angle of 84.17 (10)°. In the crystal, molecules are linked by weak C—H...S hydrogen bonds and C—H...π interactions, forming layers parallel to thebcplane. The layers are linkedviaweak C—H...O hydrogen bonds and slipped parallel π–π interactions [intercentroid distance = 3.6729 (10) Å], forming a three-dimensional structure. The thiophene ring has an approximate 180° rotational disorder about the bridging C—C bond.
Crystal structures of methyl (E)-3-(2-chlorophenyl)-2-({2-[(E)-2-nitrovinyl]phenoxy}methyl)acrylate and methyl (E)-2-({4-chloro-2-[(E)-2-nitrovinyl]phenoxy}methyl)-3-(2-chlorophenyl)acrylate
Authors: Vimala G. , Poomathi N. , Perumal P. T. , SubbiahPandi A.
Published: January 2016

The title compounds, C19H16ClNO5, (I), and C19H15Cl2NO5, (II), both crystallize in the monoclinic space groupP21/n. They differ essentially in the orientation of the methyl acetate group, with the C=O bond directed towards the NO2group in (I) but away from it in (II). In compound (I), the mean plane of the methyl acrylate unit is planar, with a maximum deviation of 0.0044 (2) Å for the methyl C atom, while in (II) this deviation is 0.0147 Å. The interplanar angles between the two aromatic rings are 74.87 (9) and 75.65 (2)° for compounds (I) and (II), respectively. In both compounds, the methyl acrylate and nitrovinyl groups each adopt anEconformation about the C=C bond. In the crystal of (I), molecules are linked by C—H...O hydrogen bonds forming chains along thebaxis. The chains are linkedviaC—H...Cl hydrogen bonds, forming sheets parallel to theabplane. The sheets are linkedviaC—H...π interactions, forming a three-dimensional structure. In the crystal of (II), molecules are linked by pairs of C—H...O hydrogen bonds, forming inversion dimers with anR22(30) ring motif. The dimers are linkedviaC—H...O hydrogen bonds, forming sheets parallel to theacplane and enclosingR44(28) ring motifs. The sheets are linkedviaparallel slipped π–π interactions (intercentroid distances are bothca3.86 Å), forming a three-dimensional structure.
Error sensitivity analysis of a microassembly system with coaxial alignment function
Authors: Ye Xin , Liu Pan , Zhang Zhijing , Shao Chao , Li Yan
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to analyze the sensitivity of the motion error parameters in microassembly process, thereby improving the assembly accuracy. The motion errors of the precision motion stages directly affect the final assembly quality after the machine visual alignment.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper presents the error parameters of the in-house microassembly system with coaxial alignment function, builds the error transfer model by the multi-body system theory, analyzes the error sensitivity on the sensitive direction using the Sobol method, which was based on variance, and then gets the ones which made a great degree of influence. Before the sensitivity analyzing, parts of the error sources have been measured to obtain their distribution ranges.

Findings

– The results of the sensitivity analysis by the Sobol method, which was based on variance, are coincident with the theoretical analysis. Besides, the results provide a reference for the error compensation in control process, for the selection of the precision motion stages and for the installation index of the motion stages of the assembly system with coaxial alignment.

Originality/value

– This kind of error sensitivity analysis method is of great significance for improving the assembly accuracy after visual system positioning, and increasing efficiency from the initial motion stage selection to final error compensation for designers. It is suitable for general precision motion systems be of multi-degree of freedom, for the method of modeling, measuring and analyzing used in this paper are all universal and applicative.
An efficient evolutionary method of assembly sequence planning for shipbuilding industry
Authors: Iwankowicz Remigiusz Romuald
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to develop the method of generating assembly sequences, which can be used in the shipbuilding industry. The method must take into account the assumptions specific for assembly processes of large-size steel ship hulls, among others, a large number of connections, multi-stage and parallel assembly, set priority relations between connections.

Design/methodology/approach

– The assembly sequence is presented as a directed acyclic graph, whose vertices are mutually uniquely assigned to connections on a hull structure. The minimization of the number of unmet priority precedence of performing connections has been proposed as a criterion of optimization. The genetic algorithm has been proposed as a method to solve problems.

Findings

– The proposed method allows to model the acyclic assembly process of welded structures and find solutions minimizing the objective function even for very complex problems. Because of this, the method has a chance to be used in shipbuilding.

Research limitations/implications

– Mathematical formulation of priority assumptions is quite laborious. The possibility of partial automation of this process should be considered. Due to the complexity of the problem, a relatively simplified objective function has been proposed. In assembling a hull, additional criteria should be taken into account. It is the direction of further research.

Practical implications

– The method can be successfully used in shipbuilding and in planning the production of other steel welded structures, among others, tanks, components of bridges, offshore structures. Examples of calculations were performed on an actual structure of a hull fragment.

Originality/value

– A new way of coding the acyclic serial-parallel sequence was designed. The proposed method allows to analyse the sequence using the graph theory. Original, two-part crossover and mutation operators for assembling sequence were proposed.
A novel assembly simulation method based on semantics and geometric constraint
Authors: Wang Pan , Li Yuan , Yu Lin , Zhang Jie , Xu Zhijia
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to provide a novel assembly simulation method to reduce the repetitive and tedious assembly simulation work. Currently, assembly simulation is always carried out by human–computer interaction, which is a time-consuming and tedious work. The most important reason for this problem is that the assembly simulation is a mapping between human intent and movements of models; at the same time, assembly information is transferred from semantic level to geometric level. However, some essential assembly information is lost during the transfer, and it must be accomplished through manual definition. To address the issue, a novel assembly simulation method is proposed in this paper based on semantics and geometric constraint.

Design/methodology/approach

– First, an assembly operation semantic model is put forward to integrate and manage the semantic information of assembly, and some rules for modeling are generalized. Second, method for transferring assembly information from semantic level to geometric level is presented by dividing assembly operation into a set of simulation actions and providing some rules for this division. Then, a geometric constraint-based calculation method is proposed to obtain the essential parameters of each simulation action. Finally, cases are studied to demonstrate the effectiveness of the method.

Findings

– Results show that laborious work would be reduced, and the redundant human participation would be avoided in assembly simulation.

Practical implications

– It has the potential and possibility to change the current pattern of assembly simulation.

Originality/value

– A novel assembly simulation method based on semantics and geometric constraint is presented to make assembly simulation more convenient and faster.
Design for assembly and disassembly for remanufacturing
Authors: Soh SL , Ong S K , Nee A Y C
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– This research aims to propose a methodology for a systematic, concurrent consideration of design for assembly (DFA) and disassembly guidelines and constraints for product remanufacturing. The methodology provides a holistic approach to design product from the remanufacturing perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

– The proposed methodology incorporates parts’ integration assessment and evaluation of part complexity and accessibility taking into consideration both DFA and design-for-disassembly (DFD) guidelines and constraints. Metrics for accessibility and complexity in retrieving the remanufacturable cores from a product are evaluated to determine the best possible disassembly route considering the practical constraints which an operator might face during disassembly. As there could be more than one feasible disassembly route to retrieve a core during remanufacturing, a disassembly evaluation is conducted to determine the optimal path after combination of the parts of the assembly.

Findings

– In remanufacturing, products need to be disassembled and re-assembled again. Conflicts exist between DFA and DFD. The proposed methodology serves to address these conflicting issues. The proposed methodology eases a designer’s effort systematically to incorporate both aspects, by incorporating practical consideration to determine an optimal disassembly sequence through integrating the handling aspect of assembly complexity assessment with the U-Rating disassembly effort indexing scheme to provide a quantitative evaluation of disassembly complexity, as disassembly still largely requires human effort.

Research limitations/implications

– Future research will explore methods to improve the user interface with features to determine feasible disassembly routes of a product automatically. This will relieve the effort of the product designer to a great extent.

Originality/value

– This paper proposes a methodology for a systematic, concurrent consideration of DFA and DFD to provide a holistic approach to product design from the remanufacturing perspective to ease the designer’s task. Practical considerations will be made to determine the optimal disassembly route of the product. DFD will only be required to be applied to the selected disassembly route to minimize conflicts with DFA.
Geometric tolerance analysis through Jacobian model for rigid assemblies with translational deviations
Authors: Polini Wilma , Corrado Andrea
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to carry out a tolerance analysis with geometric tolerances by means of the Jacobian model. Tolerance analysis is an important task to design and to manufacture high-precision mechanical assemblies; it has received considerable attention by the literature. The Jacobian model is one of the methods proposed by the literature for tolerance analysis. The Jacobian model cannot deal with geometric tolerances for mechanical assemblies. The geometric tolerances may not be neglected for assemblies, as they significantly influence their functional requirements.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper presents how it is possible to deal with geometric tolerances when a tolerance analysis is carried out by means of a Jacobian model for a 2D and 3D assemblies for which the geometric tolerances applied to the components involve only translational deviations. The three proposed approaches modify the expression of the stack-up function to overcome the shortage of Jacobian model that the geometric error cannot be processed.

Findings

– The proposed approach has been applied to a case study. The results of the case study show how, when a statistical approach is implemented, the Jacobian model with the three developed methods gives results very similar to those due to other models of the literature, such as vector loop and variational.

Research limitations/implications

– In particular, the proposed approach may be applied only when the applied geometrical tolerances involve translational variations in 3D assemblies.

Practical implications

– Tolerance analysis is a valid tool to foresee geometric interferences among the components of an assembly before getting the physical assembly. It involves a decrease of the manufacturing costs.

Originality/value

– The original contribution of the paper is due to three methods to make a Jacobian model able to consider form and geometric deviations.
Human-inspired motion model of upper-limb with fast response and learning ability – a promising direction for robot system and control
Authors: Qiao Hong , Li Chuan , Yin Peijie , Wu Wei , Liu Zhi-Yong
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– Human movement system is a Multi-DOF, redundant, complex and nonlinear system formed by coordinating combination of neural system, bones, muscles and joints, which is robust and has fast response and learning ability. Imitating human movement system can improve robustness, fast response and learning ability of the robots.

Design/methodology/approach

– In this paper, we propose a new motion model based on the human motion pathway, especially the information propagation mechanism between the cerebellum and spinal cord.

Findings

– The proposed motion model proves to have fast response and learning ability through experiments, which matches the features of human motion.

Originality/value

– The proposed model in this paper introduces the habitual theory in kinesiology and neuroscience into robot control, and improves robustness, fast response and learning ability of the robots. This paper proves that introduction of neuroscience has an important guiding significance for precise and adaptive robot control, such as assembly automation.
Determination of the base position and working area for mobile manipulators
Authors: Ren Shunan , Yang Xiangdong , Xu Jing , Wang Guolei , Xie Ying , Chen Ken
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to determine the base position and the largest working area for mobile manipulators. The base position determines the workspace of the mobile manipulator, particularly when the operation mode is intermittent (i.e. the mobile platform stops when the manipulator conducts the task). When the base of the manipulator is in the intersection area of the Base’s Workable Location Spaces (BWLSes), the end effector (EE) can reach all path points. In this study, the intersection line of BWLSes is calculated numerically, and the largest working area is determined using the BWLS concept. The performance of this method is validated with simulations on specific surface segments, such as plane, cylinder and conical surface segments.

Design/methodology/approach

– The BWLS is used to determine the largest working area and the base position in which the mobile manipulator can reach all path points with the objective of reducing off-line planning time.

Findings

– Without considering the orientation of the EE, the base position and the working area for the mobile manipulator are determined using the BWLS. Compared to other methods, the proposed algorithm is beneficial when the planning problem has six dimensions, ensuring the reachability and stability of the EE.

Originality/value

– The algorithm needs no manual configuration, and its performance is investigated for typical surfaces in practical applications.
Estimation of life-cycle costs of buildings: regression vs artificial neural network
Authors: Alqahtani Ayedh , Whyte Andrew
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to compare the performance of regression and artificial-neural-networks (ANNs) methods to estimate the running cost of building projects towards improved accuracy.

Design/methodology/approach

– A data set of 20 building projects is used to test the performance of these two (ANNs/regression) models in estimating running cost. The concept of cost-significant-items is identified as important in assisting estimation. In addition, a stepwise technique is used to eliminate insignificant factors in regression modelling. A connection weight method is applied to determine the importance of cost factors in the performance of ANNs.

Findings

– The results illustrate that the value of the coefficient of determination=99.75 per cent for ANNs model(s), with a value of 98.1 per cent utilising multiple regression (MR) model(s); second, the mean percentage error (MPE) for ANNs at a testing stage is 0.179, which is less than that of the MPE gained through MR modelling of 1.28; and third, the average accuracy is 99 per cent for ANNs model(s) and 97 per cent for MR model(s). On the basis of these results, it is concluded that an ANNs model is superior to a MR model when predicting running cost of building projects.

Research limitations/implications

– A means for continuous improvement for the performance of the models accuracy has been established; this may be further enhanced by future extended sample.

Originality/value

– This work extends the knowledge base of life-cycle estimation where ANNs method has been found to reduce preparation time consumed and increasing accuracy improvement of the cost estimation.
Stakeholder perceptions on critical success factors for public-private partnership projects in Nigeria
Authors: Babatunde Solomon Olusola , Perera Srinath , Zhou Lei , Udeaja Chika
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to identify and assess the perceptions of stakeholders on critical success factors (CSFs) for Public Private Partnership (PPP) projects in Nigeria.

Design/methodology/approach

– A comprehensive literature review was conducted to identify the CSFs for PPP projects, which were employed to design a questionnaire survey. In order to capture a broad perception of stakeholders, the questionnaires were administered to five different stakeholder organisations involved in different PPP projects implementation in Nigeria. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics, mean score, Kruskal-Wallis test, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and factor analysis.

Findings

– The study revealed the result of mean score ranking, which indicated that all the stakeholders considered the identified 26 CSFs important and crucial for the successful implementation of PPP projects in Nigeria. Thus, the results of Kruskal-Wallis test and ANOVA indicated that except for six (out of 26) identified CSFs, there is no statistically significant difference in the perceptions of the stakeholders on CSFs for PPP projects in Nigeria. The study, through factor analysis, grouped the 26 identified CSFs into six principal factors.

Practical implications

– This research would be of benefit to stakeholders in PPPs to be aware of CSFs that demand utmost consideration. Also the identified CSFs are expected to enhance the success rate of PPP projects.

Originality/value

– The findings would be useful for PPP stakeholders in making decisions and in implementing PPP projects towards achieving value for money. This research will also be of interest to other academic researchers intending to investigate CSFs for PPP projects in other locations.
Using automatic storage for ILL – experiences from the National Repository Library in Norway
Authors: Sakrihei Helen
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to share the Norwegian Repository Library (RL)’s experiences with an automatic storage for interlibrary lending (ILL).

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper describes how the RL uses the automatic storage to deliver ILL services to Norwegian libraries. Chaos storage is the main principle for storage.

Findings

– Using automatic storage for ILL is efficient, cost-effective and safe.

Originality/value

– The RL has used automatic storage since 2003, and it is one of a few libraries using this technology.
ILL and collection management in Norwegian Public Libraries
Authors: Undhjem Cathrine , Tveikra Arnhild
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to present and discuss the results from a survey on interlibrary loan (ILL) in Norwegian public libraries. Work processes within ILL have changed significantly in Norway in recent years, and new challenges have emerged. County libraries, public libraries and The Norwegian Library Association’s Special Interest Group saw the need for a survey to understand how these changes were affecting ILL-work in the public libraries in Norway. The library community as a whole needed updated information to respond to the present challenges in ILL.

Design/methodology/approach

– In March 2014, Sentio Research Norway conducted a survey on ILL among Norwegian public libraries. The survey was commissioned by the county libraries in Norway. In total, 425 questionnaires were sent to all the main libraries. There are 428 main public libraries, but three of them were without staff at the time of the survey. Further, 336 answers provided a response rate of 79 per cent. The survey had 48 questions.

Findings

– An interesting result from the survey is that 53 per cent of the public libraries want no restrictions on what to borrow, while 45 per cent believed there should be some restrictions on lending. This shows a difference in the attitudes to lending compared to borrowing library material. However, 58 per cent of the libraries have not implemented restrictions on what to lend on interlibrary loan. One of four had restrictions on lending new literature. The public libraries were, in general, highly interested in better access to curriculum literature from universities and colleges. To some extent, they wanted better access to new literature, e-books and nonfiction (the category was named “special subjects and topics” in the survey). The survey shows that most libraries still prefer to order interlibrary loans for their users rather than encourage users to order themselves.

Originality/value

– This study is the first systematic survey of ILL in Norwegian public libraries.
Nationality choices regarding executives in subsidiaries: evidence from French multinationals in Asia
Authors: Lakshman Sangeetha , Jiang Cuiling
Published: January 2016

Whereas the use of host‐country nationals (HCNs) is increasing in international business today, research has predominantly focused on parent‐country nationals (PCNs). We address this gap by identifying factors that help multinationals (MNCs) make executive staffing decisions between PCNs and HCNs in Asia. We use French MNCs to investigate this question. We adopted a qualitative method by conducting interviews with 30 executives of French subsidiaries located in Singapore and China. Our findings revealed that most French MNCs use significant numbers of PCNs for key positions. Specifically, we found that size of operations in the subsidiary, mode of entry, knowledge transfer, and talent development requirements are key determinants of the choice between PCNs and HCNs for French MNCs.