bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The influence of fibre orientation and of the adjacent layers on the delamination of laminated composites
Authors: Hudișteanu I , Țăranu N , Isopescu D N , Ungureanu D , Axinte A , Ghiga D A
Published: September 2020

The paper presents a comparative analysis between different configurations of composite laminates with respect to the delamination onset and growth. The results are presented in terms of the total displacement jumps at the crack tip for an initial imposed displacement up to the final delamination. Therefore, the influence of fibre orientation and the suitable selection of the configuration of the composite laminates are discussed. Moreover, the effect of the adjacent layers on the interlaminar damage of composite laminates is analysed. In this context, a significant number of numerical models have been carried out for two different configurations of multi-layered composites, namely [05/+θ/+θ/05] and [05/+θ/-θ/05]. The influence of the orientation of the adjacent layers is investigated, as well as the sign of the fibre orientation angles. The analysed composite laminates are subjected to tensile opening fracture mode, considering a pre-existing initial crack located at the interface between the layers from the middle plane. The variation of the mode I opening displacement with respect to the fibre orientation angle of the adjacent layers is graphically illustrated. The obtained results show similarities in the variation of Poisson’s ratio with respect to the fibre orientation. Therefore, the mismatch of the Poisson’s ratio of the adjacent laminas may involve significant interlaminar stresses which can lead to a delamination failure or an opening fracture mode.
The use of Lean Manufacturing principles to improve production processes by better designing of assembly cells
Authors: Kowalski A , Waszkowski R , Ratushnyi V
Published: September 2020

One of the pillars of Lean Management is continuous improvement of production processes. Thus, while designing new workstations, it is worth taking into account the requirements resulting from this management philosophy. The question remains how to formulate these requirements, at what design stage to use them and how to do it. A very important aspect of work stations’ design is their ergonomics. Considering the ergonomics of a workplace, we should adapt it to the human anatomical and psycho-physical capabilities. The use of takt time to determine the production capacity of the assembly cell makes it easier to organize tooling, working hours and other factors necessary for effective production. After determining the takt time, it is possible to settle the number of assembly stations we need to achieve the required performance in the analysed time horizon. Another important aspect of Lean Manufacturing is enabling continuous flow of materials between successive production processes. Continuous flow at the assembly stage is ensured by the layout of work stations in accordance with the order of technological operations and thoughtful arrangement of production equipment. This will facilitate further acceleration of production orders, elimination of activities that do not add value, and reduction of labour consumption in the assembly process. In accordance with the aforementioned Lean Management recommendations, a conceptual design of an assembly cell for an example product from the electronics industry was developed. In the case of the analysed product, the idea to ensure continuous flow was to build the assembly cell at the stage when the product design was completed and its trial series produced.
The stress analysis of the milling machine structure
Authors: Lysek K , Gwiazda A , Herbuś K
Published: September 2020

The article presents a ways of checking the stress of milling machine construction made of steel profiles. The aim of the article was designation of strength parameters. In order to designate basic parameters like deformation or stress, one of most popular mesh methods was used – finite elements method. In the work, load of the milling machine on the upper and the lower frame was analysed. The models were analyzed due to the quality of the mesh produced, based on the amount of occurrence of a given type of element. For this purpose, the statistics included in the program were used, which allows a scale of 0 to 1 to determine the quality of the element. Despite the use of most of the Tet10 type elements, and the minority of the type We15 and Hex20, the mesh analysis allowed to believe in the accuracy of computational solutions. Process of tension designation went through without errors, and designated properties didn’t get close to yield point for given material. Received deformations are also low therefore they shouldn’t affect the milling machine work precision in required range in any significant way.
Optimization of the technological process and equipment of complex profiled parts
Authors: Malea C I , Nitu E L
Published: September 2020

The modernization of the manufacturing industry requires the development of the manufacturing process and technological equipment, in general, but also for the realization of the complex parts. These components with complex geometries and multiple functional roles, for the most part, are safety parts manufactured from materials with superior physicochemical characteristics that have demanding technical quotas and conditions, leading to difficulties in establishing the processing methods and technological equipment used. For those considerations, it is proposed a three-stage design-optimization algorithm and an additional step, which represents a balanced and rational approach to technological process issues and in the manufacturing system. The first stage shall determine the optimal number and succession of operations based on a technological graph and the associated mathematical model, in which the objective function and the restrictions are defined concerning the purpose pursued. The second stage establishes, for each technological operation, the optimal orientation and fixation scheme (O-OFS) of the semi-finished part, which ensures the precision of machining and the technological process productivity, applying elements, of the sets theory and the global utility method to the method of optimizing of orientation and fixation of the parts. In the third step, based on the optimal orientation and fixation scheme, a mathematical model is formulated for the adapted technology chart to describe the construction variants of the orientation supports, and to provide the optimal device construction solution to the analysed operation. In situations where a reconfiguration of the technological system is desired, the fourth step of equipment optimization of the entire technological process is proposed.
The evolution of loading capacity in belt transmissions
Authors: Manolache-Rusu I C , Românu I C , Muscă I
Published: September 2020

Belt transmissions were one of the first ways to transfer rotational motion and torque between shafts, and are still remaining in the spotlight for a variety of applications. The paper presents some aspects regarding the efficiency of a flat belt transmission contaminated with starch powder. An original test rig was conceived and built in order to evaluate the loading capacity and efficiency of a flat belt transmission. Using this test rig the values of shafts speeds and the reaction forces generated by the transmitted torque were measured. Several tests were conducted, with and without starch powder as contaminant. The contamination level was evaluated by aid of a particle sensor. Two levels of contamination were applied and the results were compared to those obtained without contaminants. The experimental results reveal that loading capacity of the transmission increases with the concentration of the starch powder.
Technical project management for meeting high quality requirements of machined parts
Authors: Monica Z , Czupryński A
Published: September 2020

A project is a sequence of unique, complex and related tasks that have a common goal, and which are intended to be completed within a specified period of time without exceeding the set budget, in accordance with the previously assumed requirements. In the case of typical technical projects two situations are possible. If the parameters of the manufactured element turn out to be correct (they meet the technological requirements), then the angle of the main surface is corrected, i.e. the change in the plane’s geometry, which is supposed to improve the parameter of the element. If its parameters are not correct, it means that an error occurred during machining and its surface should be improved. This sequence is conducted to fulfill the quality requirements. In the paper is presented the results of investigation the process of improving the technological process.
Business process modeling for flexible tasks workflow
Authors: Olender M
Published: September 2020

Implementing new solutions in the production hall and offices, companies are looking for solutions that will support the execution of production orders and increase their competitiveness. These changes are caused by new technologies and opportunities by industrial development. These possibilities give a set of solutions that were unknown or impossible to implement in the past. As enterprises develop, they should point on aspect of decision support systems and business process modelling out to. Due to new technologies and IT development, appropriate management of the production processes and business is required. In the article focused on modelling business processes in enterprises. An algorithm for making decisions support in enterprise was also presented.
Generative design for assembly wrapping up
Authors: Pomazan V M , Sintea S R
Published: September 2020

Design automation is a growing trend in the CAD world that reduces the amount of time it takes to complete a design and speeds up time to market. In practice, a design method known as generative design is one of the main way CAD automation is used.

Generative design is a tool that generates designs for a given loads and constraints setup. Designers or engineers input design goals into the generative design software, along with parameters such as performance or spatial requirements, materials, manufacturing methods, and cost constraints. The paper presents a case study of an assembly to be wrapped via optimization criteria, in simpler, manufacturable product, using generative design that automatically produces variations based on automated computing.

Using Autodesk’s Fusion 360, unique variations are produced, and a lighter and stronger product is proposed, after iterations based on specific criteria. The software explores all possible variations of a solution and quickly generates design alternatives. It tests and learns from each iteration. The present work offers an insight on the criteria and user input in specific moments of the automated design process.
Data-driven digital twin model for predicting grinding force
Authors: Qi B , Park H-S
Published: September 2020

Digital twin gives a new approach for predictive and monitoring of manufacturing machines which can consider the influence of working condition on grinding wheel and application of prediction. In this article, we a develop methodology for grinding force prediction using digital twin approach, with the vertical double side grinding machine performing the required work while connecting the PLC program. The proposed approach integrates the information obtained from sensor data, physic models, and operational of system to establish the grinding machine model. Data driven modelling and quantification of the model form uncertainties associated with the resulting reduced order models. Simulation results show the proper connection between models and communication. The digital model was programmed to exactly match the operation of the physical system.
Improvement of structures seismic response based on pendulum systems with double sliding surface
Authors: Scheaua F
Published: September 2020

The seismic isolation of the construction structures is of particular importance because the optimum stability premises of the structures during the seismic events are ensured. There are different isolation methods but based on the structure base isolation principle, the friction pendulum bearing systems (FPBS) have been used with good results in equipping new structures and also in rehabilitating of the old buildings that had to be consolidated. The double surface friction Pendulum (DSFP) bearing is an improved version of the well-known single concave friction pendulum bearing (FPBS). The principal benefit of the DSFP bearing is represented by its capacity to accommodate substantially larger displacements compared to a traditional FPBS of identical plan dimensions. Moreover, there is the capability to use sliding surfaces with different radius of curvature and friction coefficients, offering the designer greater flexibility to optimize the protective system performance. Through these systems good seismic isolation results are achieved for the building structures where mounted interposed between the foundation and the superstructure realizing the disconnection between the two structural elements. The disconnection is important because the insulated structure vibration period is modified in the sense of its significant increase, also with the increase of structure lateral flexibility, ultimately reducing the ground acceleration and avoiding the efforts vertical transmission to the isolated structure upper levels. The double surface friction pendulum system ensures an important modification of the isolated structure behavior materialized through the seismic response mitigation. This paper describes the double surface friction bearing (DSFP) constructive details with operation principles and also presents some numerical analysis results related to force–displacement relation considering different values of curvature radius and friction coefficients of the two friction surfaces used
Analysis of stability characteristics for modern passenger multirole boat
Authors: Scurtu I C , Poenaru V , Tsarev R
Published: September 2020

A modern passenger multirole boat (MPMB) is designed to serve specific requirements and missions but when it comes to pleasure crafts it has to dispose certain functional characteristics with a specific hull weight distribution, while having certain stability along with aesthetic appeal and stream lined hull. In recent years, there has been greater focus towards issues related to diversity of MPMB leading to development of newer designs and improved stability. The performance of these MPMB comprises of two distinct phases: the design analysis and the identification of the materials used for boat construction. Maximum value MPMB Righting Arm is 1.34 m was determined for 21.76 degrees. This paper will present the design analysis and stability characteristics for modern passenger multirole boat with a calculated stability for passenger use.
The two-dimensional fretting contact with a bulk stress. Part I – Similar elastic materials
Authors: Spinu S
Published: September 2020

Minute relative motions along the interface of contacting machine elements, brought about by cyclic tangential loading, lead to failure of many mechanical components from fretting fatigue. From the point of view of applied mechanics, the understanding of the fretting fatigue rely on the modelling of contact problems with partial slip. The experimental simulation of fretting fatigue often implies cylindrical pads in contact with a flat specimen, leading to a plane strain contact scenario requiring the solution of the two-dimensional contact problem. The numerical solution for the latter problem is achieved in this paper for similar elastic materials by employing the technique of influence functions, derived from fundamental half-plane solutions of point forces acting on the boundary. The contact model is first divided into two parts with solutions more easily to obtain. The linear systems with the normal and shear tractions as unknowns are solved with the conjugate gradient method, which can be applied for symmetric and positive definite system matrices. The most time-consuming operations are the convolutions products assessing the displacements induced by the contact tractions. A method based on the fast Fourier transform is applied for increased computational speed without sacrificing accuracy. The proposed algorithm was benchmarked by reproducing the solution of the classic two-dimensional Cattaneo-Mindlin problem. In practical situations, other loadings besides the contact itself may induce bulk stresses within one or both of the contacting bodies. New results are obtained by introducing a bulk stress, thus replicating the conditions from fretting fatigue experiments. The advanced numerical program for the two-dimensional contact with partial slip proves itself as an efficient tool for the understanding of the fretting fatigue by numerical modelling and simulation.
Experimental determination of stress and strain states of the guitar’s wood structure
Authors: Stanciu M D , Bârsănescu P , Goanță V , Savin A
Published: September 2020

During the playing, the wood from guitar structure is subjected to stresses due to the strings tension. The paper aims to determine the stresses and strain states of wood from guitar structure in different stage of strings tension. So, a classical guitar made from Romanian factory was investigated. For experiment, the method of electrical resistance tensometry was used. On the top of guitar, near of bridge and sound hole were applied two stacked rosette type C2A-06-062WW-350 and two on the neck of guitar. The strings were tensioned to the specific value of producing the musical note. The signals of sensors were captured by Vishay P3 Input Strain Indicator / Recorder. Applying the elasticity theory of orthotropic materials as wood, the main strains and stresses were determined. The results emphasized that tensile and compression stresses are produced in guitar body and the higher values of strains are recorded in the bridge area and in the guitar neck, the 8th fret.
Artificial neural networks applied to prediction of surface roughness in dry drilling of some polymers
Authors: Tabacaru V
Published: September 2020

Polymers become more and more attractive for automotive and aerospace industries due to their remarkable mechanical, thermal and electrical properties that make these materials suitable for many industrial applications. Machining of polymers is of a great interest among researchers and engineers due to the possibility of replacing expensive materials with plastics that have similar mechanical characteristics, but of a lower cost. Drilling is the most common mechanical machining operation in manufacturing of parts. Within this context, it is essential to analyze this cutting process and find the best solution for controlling the output parameters of the process, such as surface roughness and cutting forces. The present work concerns the developing of an artificial neural model for the prediction of surface roughness in dry drilling of some polymeric materials: high density polyethylene (grade HDPE 1000), polyamide (grade PA6) and polyacetale (grade POM-C). The neural model was built based on trial-and-error method, by modifying the number of hidden layers and the number of hidden neurons on each layer. The experimental plan was designed to be suitable for artificial neural network prediction. The aim of experimental work was to study the effect of cutting parameters (spindle speed, feed rate and drill diameter) on the quality of machined surface (surface roughness). This paper proposes a neural model that is able to predict the surface roughness considering not only the cutting parameters, but the type of material. Moreover, a study concerning the accuracy of the neural model depending on the number of hidden layers and the number of hidden neurons on each hidden layer was carried out. The predicted values of roughness were compared with experimental data in order to determine the precision of the neural model.
Study on the influence of recycled material on the tensile strength of HDPE products
Authors: Teuşdea D F , Stan D V , Vodă M , Lovasz E C
Published: September 2020

The content of this paper concerns to the new tendency in industry, the concept of circular economy, based mainly on the decrease in plastic waste pollution by recovery and at source and on the significant optimization of production costs. The mechanical tests have been made on handles injected from several mixtures of grinded HDPE, with different melt flow rates and in different proportions, in order to establish the conformity of the final product to the imposed technical specifications regarding the breaking strength of this. For the industrial application, an important result is the validation of the recipes proposed for the preparation of raw material from recycled HDPE for which the final injected product preserves the physical-mechanical properties within the imposed limits. The study shows that in certain cases, for the preparation of the raw material, it could be used up to 100% recycled material, without affecting the technical specifications of mechanical resistance imposed on the final product.
Facilitating of knowledge transfer in a software development company
Authors: Țîrlea A V , Bădilă M I , Kifor C V
Published: September 2020

In an organization, knowledge transfer between its members is vital. Most studies conducted up to this date have focused on knowledge transfer in the field of industrial production. If in this branch of knowledge, where operations and processes have a certain degree of standardization and repeatability, this is done through initial and possibly periodic training, in the matter of software development things are more complicated. Tasks do not resemble with each other, most are unique and often require documentation before being resolved. Obtaining documentation from external environments often involves work on adapting to the organization’s requirements and to the project’s requirements also. In an organization without a constant direct interaction between the members, the transfer of knowledge requires much labor. In this paper, we propose the design and implementation of a software solution that will facilitate the transfer of knowledge between the developers of a software development company. This internal database will include the solutions identified, adapted, and used by programmers to solve non-familiar tasks. Also, a collection will be created with the errors encountered throughout the development and implementation process and their resolution, useful for all members of the organization. Every time a team will meet an unfamiliar functionality in an assigned task, it will consult the internal database. In this way, the solution will be easier reached and adapted from the source. External sources of documentation and research will only be used if the internal search has not returned a solution to the problem. In this case, following the solving steps, the familiar solution will be added to the internal database for future use. Finally, we will measure the benefits of the proposed and implemented solution. Ultimately, the rate of use of a solution stored in the database over a period of time will be measured, along with the average time of solving a task in the development process, when making use of the internal knowledge and solutions base.
The influence of rheological properties of diesel fuel in the pumping process for collapsible pipelines in low temperature conditions
Authors: Drozdov D A , Plotnikova K M , Seoev L V , Elkin A V
Published: September 2020

The results of studies of the influence of rheological properties of diesel fuels on the pumping process for collapsible pipelines in low temperature conditions. It is established that diesel fuel when they are cooled below the solidification point represent a viscoplastic medium with curves of current, which describes a universal equation of Buckley-Herschel. A refined method for hydraulic calculation of collapsible tubing to determine the head losses to reflect changes in the rheological properties of diesel fuels at low temperatures. The simulation of the processes of transfer of winter diesel fuel for collapsible pipelines in low temperature conditions and offers recommendations for their application in low-temperature conditions.
On experimental determination of the elastic and strength properties of anisotropic rocks
Authors: Karev V I , Kovalenko Yu F , Sidorin Yu V
Published: September 2020

Influence of anisotropy of elastic and of strength properties on the stress-strain state near wells and openings is considered. The choice of parameters characterizing both types of anisotropy is discussed. A method of experimental determination of the parameters characterising anisotropy of both elastic and strength properties from the direct measurements using true triaxial loading systems is described.
Ecological State of Technogeneous Saline Soil of Oil-Contaminated Alluvial Ecosystems and Their Remediation Techniques
Authors: Vladimirovna Nosova Mariya , Petrovna Seredina Valentina , Sergeevich Rybin Alexander
Published: September 2020

The article discloses the trends of technogenic salts distribution in alluvial soils contaminated with oil and petroleum products. The salt distribution was examined in the lateral direction – impact zone, oil contamination boundary, as well as radial salts distribution within the soil profile (to 100 cm depth). Specifics and chemistry of technogenic halogenesis process (freely soluble including phytotoxic salts content, qualitative composition, migration and distribution trends) has been identified for soils of different contaminated zones. It was revealed that technogenic salinization of alluvial soils (that is the end body of the cascaded geochemical systems) is an essential geoecological factor contributing to formation within oil-contaminated areas of new technogenic soil-geochemical successions – chemical-contaminated soils, showing the features of salinity not typical for humid climate. The technique of technogeneous saline soil remediation was suggested based on indigenous halophyte plants phytomelioration sowing.
Effect of heating rate during annealing on microstructure and texture evolution of AA8021 aluminum foil
Authors: Chen Wei , Chen Minghe , Jin Xiaojie , Zhang Peng
Published: September 2020

The microstructure and texture evolution of AA8021 aluminum foil during annealing at 270 °C with heating rates of 10 °C h−1 and 40 °C h−1 were investigated by the optical microscope (OM), microhardness tester, field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) and x-ray diffractometer (XRD). The results show that the microhardness of aluminum foil gradually decreases during the heating process, and the microhardness of aluminum foil with the heating rate of 40 °C h−1 is higher than that of 10 °C h−1. After annealing at 270 °C for 16 h, the average grain size of aluminum foil with the heating rate of 10 °C h−1 is 13.0 μm and the maximum grain size does not exceed 35 μm, while the average grain size with the heating rate of 40 °C h−1 is 14.6 μm and its fraction of the grain area of greater than or equal to 40 μm is 2.4%. The slow heating rate is beneficial to grain refinement of AA8021 aluminum foil due to the release of most deformation energy in the low temperature stage during heating, which leads to the decrease of driving force for crystal nuclei growth. Under the two heating rates, the texture components of the material after annealing are basically the same, mainly the recrystallized Cube, R textures and the residual rolling textures.
Synthesis and evaluation of physical properties of Agar biopolymer film coating—an alternative for food packaging industry
Authors: Dora T Rajesh Kumar , Ghosh Somnath , Damodar R
Published: September 2020

The standard packaging material requirement is increasing proportionately with the increase in demand and consumption of packaged food. Indeed, it is challenging to design a perfect packaging material that can fall in line with international standards. It is a humongous task when it comes to handling conventionally and commercially available materials such as crude oil derivative polymers, as far as their recycling and degradability are concerned. In the present investigation, efforts were made to design a biopolymer-based film coating for the food packaging industry with adequate physical and mechanical properties. They can be used as a substitute for the conventionally available options till date. There is no shortage of biopolymers available for their application in food industry and they are already being used for similar purposes. However, still, there are some disadvantages associated with these materials. The present work is related to the synthesis, preparation of Agar based biopolymer film coating on a paper substrate, and their characterization according to specific standards prescribed by certifying agencies. It includes the study of Agar coated biopolymer film’s mechanical properties using nanoindentation technique, profilometry, and surface property such as hydrophobic nature of the coating and the gas barrier potential of the film as well. Apart from this, a new methodology (Image Processing Tools using MATLAB and Spectral Analysis) was used for studying the effect of moisture when these coatings were exposed to hot and moist environment.
Development of low temperature fuel cell holders for Operando x-ray micro and nano computed tomography to visualize water distribution
Authors: Kulkarni Devashish , Normile Stanley J , Connolly Liam G , Zenyuk Iryna V
Published: September 2020

Synchrotron x-ray imaging techniques, like x-ray computed tomography (CT) and radiography have proven instrumental in expanding the communities knowledge of complex transport and reaction kinetics in electrochemical devices such as fuel cells and electrolyzers. This work presents the development of novel x-ray CT imaging techniques for operando visualization of water within low temperature fuel cells at spatial resolutions spanning the micro and nano scales. The design of operando sample holders, for both micro x-ray CT and nano CT experiments is described in depth, and prototypes of these sample holders were evaluated across a set of requirements, the most important of which are x-ray transmissibility, electrical conductivity and mechanical stability. Water segmentation from micro x-ray CT data was enabled by an image subtraction method, where the image without water is subtracted from the one with water. Through iterative experimentations, the operando nano CT cell was developed to optimize mechanical compression, electric conductivity and gas flow. While three-dimensional fuel cell reconstructions were shown possible, there remain challenges to overcome at typical lower energies (8 keV) due to beam damage, whereas it is not as significant for higher energies (>17.5 keV).
Contextual and Parenting Factors Contribute to Shorter Sleep Among Hispanic/Latinx Compared to Non-Hispanic White Infants
Authors: Ash Tayla , Taveras Elsie M , Redline Susan , Haneuse Sebastien , Quante Mirja , Davison Kirsten
Published: September 2020

Background

Sleep is an important aspect of child development and health. Disparities in childhood sleep have been observed as early as infancy, but little is known about the factors contributing to them.

Purpose

The objective of this study was to examine whether intrinsic, contextual, and parenting factors contribute to differences in sleep duration between Hispanic/Latinx and non-Hispanic white infants at 6 months of age.

Methods

We analyzed data of 119 Hispanic/Latinx and 146 non-Hispanic white infants in Rise & SHINE, a prospective birth cohort study of mother–infant dyads. Mothers reported their infant’s sleep patterns using the Brief Infant Sleep Questionnaire at 6 months. Mothers also completed surveys measuring intrinsic (sex, gestational length, and birth weight), contextual (cultural, environmental, and familial), and parenting (behaviors and practices) factors. We used multivariable linear and logistic regression analyses to examine the contributing effects of these clusters of variables on the association between racial/ethnic background and infant sleep duration.

Results

Hispanic/Latinx infants slept 38 min less than white infants at 6 months (β: −0.63 [95% confidence interval: −1.07, −0.19]) and were nearly three times more likely to not meet the minimum sleep recommendation. The differences persisted after adjustment for intrinsic factors but were attenuated after additional adjustment for contextual and parenting factors, especially having a foreign-born mother and later bedtime.

Conclusions

The results of this study demonstrate that differences in sleep duration among Hispanic/Latinx infants compared to their white counterparts are present as early as 6 months of age and that context and parenting matter.
General and Eating Disorder Psychopathology in Relation to Short- and Long-Term Weight Change in Treatment-Seeking Children: A Latent Profile Analysis
Authors: Grammer Anne Claire , Best John R , Fowler Lauren A , Balantekin Katherine N , Stein Richard I , Conlon Rachel P Kolko , Saelens Brian E , Welch R Robinson , Perri Michael G , Epstein Leonard H , Wilfley Denise E
Published: September 2020

Background

Concurrent general psychopathology (GP) and eating disorder psychopathology (EDP) are commonly reported among youth with overweight/obesity and may impact weight change.

Purpose

We identified patterns of GP and EDP in children with overweight/obesity and examined the impact on weight change following family-based behavioral obesity treatment (FBT) and maintenance interventions.

Methods

Children (N = 172) participated in 4 month FBT and subsequent 8 month weight maintenance interventions. GP and EDP were assessed prior to FBT (baseline). Child percentage overweight was assessed at baseline, post-FBT (4 months), and post-maintenance (12 months). Latent profile analysis identified patterns of baseline GP and EDP. Linear mixed-effects models examined if profiles predicted 4- and 12-month change in percentage overweight and if there were two-way and three-way interactions among these variables, adjusting for relevant covariates.

Results

Results indicated a three-profile structure: lower GP and EDP (LOWER); subclinically elevated GP and EDP without loss of control (LOC; HIGHER); and subclinically elevated GP and EDP with LOC (HIGHER + LOC). Across profiles, children on average achieved clinically meaningful weight loss (i.e., ≥9 unit change in percentage overweight) from baseline to 4 month FBT and sustained these improvements at 12 month maintenance. There was no evidence that latent profiles were related to percentage overweight change from baseline to FBT (p > .05) or baseline to maintenance (p > .05). There was no evidence for two-way or three-way interactions (p > .05).

Conclusion

Concurrent GP and EDP do not portend differential short- or long-term weight change following FBT and maintenance. Future research is warranted on the durability of weight change among youth with GP and EDP.

Trial registration

NCT00759746.
COVID-19 Knowledge Graph: a computable, multi-modal, cause-and-effect knowledge model of COVID-19 pathophysiology
Authors: Domingo-Fernández Daniel , Baksi Shounak , Schultz Bruce , Gadiya Yojana , Karki Reagon , Raschka Tamara , Ebeling Christian , Hofmann-Apitius Martin , Kodamullil Alpha Tom
Published: September 2020

The COVID-19 crisis has elicited a global response by the scientific community that has led to a burst of publications on the pathophysiology of the virus. However, without coordinated efforts to organize this knowledge, it can remain hidden away from individual research groups. By extracting and formalizing this knowledge in a structured and computable form, as in the form of a knowledge graph, researchers can readily reason and analyze this information on a much larger scale. Here, we present the COVID-19 Knowledge Graph, an expansive cause-and-effect network constructed from scientific literature on the new coronavirus that aims to provide a comprehensive view of its pathophysiology. To make this resource available to the research community and facilitate its exploration and analysis, we also implemented a web application and released the KG in multiple standard formats.

Availability and implementation

The COVID-19 Knowledge Graph is publicly available under CC-0 license at https://github.com/covid19kg and https://bikmi.covid19-knowledgespace.de.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
BERTMeSH: deep contextual representation learning for large-scale high-performance MeSH indexing with full text
Authors: You Ronghui , Liu Yuxuan , Mamitsuka Hiroshi , Zhu Shanfeng
Published: September 2020

Motivation

With the rapid increase of biomedical articles, large-scale automatic Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) indexing has become increasingly important. FullMeSH, the only method for large-scale MeSH indexing with full text, suffers from three major drawbacks: FullMeSH (i) uses Learning To Rank, which is time-consuming, (ii) can capture some pre-defined sections only in full text and (iii) ignores the whole MEDLINE database.

Results

We propose a computationally lighter, full text and deep-learning-based MeSH indexing method, BERTMeSH, which is flexible for section organization in full text. BERTMeSH has two technologies: (i) the state-of-the-art pre-trained deep contextual representation, Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers (BERT), which makes BERTMeSH capture deep semantics of full text. (ii) A transfer learning strategy for using both full text in PubMed Central (PMC) and title and abstract (only and no full text) in MEDLINE, to take advantages of both. In our experiments, BERTMeSH was pre-trained with 3 million MEDLINE citations and trained on ∼1.5 million full texts in PMC. BERTMeSH outperformed various cutting-edge baselines. For example, for 20 K test articles of PMC, BERTMeSH achieved a Micro F-measure of 69.2%, which was 6.3% higher than FullMeSH with the difference being statistically significant. Also prediction of 20 K test articles needed 5 min by BERTMeSH, while it took more than 10 h by FullMeSH, proving the computational efficiency of BERTMeSH.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online
Progesterone receptor membrane component 1 is required for mammary gland development†
Authors: Kim Globinna , Lee Jong Geol , Cheong Seung-A , Yon Jung-Min , Lee Myeong Sup , Hong Eui-Ju , Baek In-Jeoung
Published: September 2020

The physiological functions of progesterone (P4) in female reproductive organs including the mammary glands are mediated via the progesterone receptor (PR), but not all P4 functions can be explained by PR-mediated signaling. Progesterone receptor membrane component 1 (PGRMC1), a potential mediator of P4 actions, plays an important role in the ovary and uterus in maintaining female fertility and pregnancy, but its function in mammary glands has not been elucidated. This study investigated the role of PGRMC1 in mouse mammary gland development. Unlike in the uterus, exogenous estrogen (E2) and/or P4 did not alter PGRMC1 expression in the mammary gland, and Pgrmc1-knockout (KO) mice displayed reduced ductal elongation and side branching in response to hormone treatment. During pregnancy, PGRMC1 was expressed within both the luminal and basal epithelium and gradually increased with gestation and decreased rapidly after parturition. Moreover, although lactogenic capacity was normal after parturition, Pgrmc1 KO resulted in defective mammary gland development from puberty until midpregnancy, while the expression of PR and its target genes was not significantly different between wild-type and Pgrmc1-KO mammary gland. These data suggest that PGRMC1 is essential for mammary gland development during puberty and pregnancy in a PR-independent manner.
Cortical Interlaminar Astrocytes Are Generated Prenatally, Mature Postnatally, and Express Unique Markers in Human and Nonhuman Primates
Authors: Falcone Carmen , Penna Elisa , Hong Tiffany , Tarantal Alice F , Hof Patrick R , Hopkins William D , Sherwood Chet C , Noctor Stephen C , Martínez-Cerdeño Verónica
Published: September 2020

Interlaminar astrocytes (ILAs) are a subset of cortical astrocytes that reside in layer I, express GFAP, have a soma contacting the pia, and contain long interlaminar processes that extend through several cortical layers. We studied the prenatal and postnatal development of ILAs in three species of primates (rhesus macaque, chimpanzee, and human). We found that ILAs are generated prenatally likely from radial glial (RG) cells, that ILAs proliferate locally during gestation, and that ILAs extend interlaminar processes during postnatal stages of development. We showed that the density and morphological complexity of ILAs increase with age, and that ILAs express multiple markers that are expressed by RG cells (Pax6, Sox2, and Nestin), specific to inner and outer RG cells (Cryab and Hopx), and astrocyte markers (S100β, Aqp4, and GLAST) in prenatal stages and in adult. Finally, we demonstrated that rudimentary ILAs in mouse also express the RG markers Pax6, Sox2, and Nestin, but do not express S100β, Cryab, or Hopx, and that the density and morphological complexity of ILAs differ between primate species and mouse. Together these findings contribute new information on astrogenesis of this unique class of cells and suggest a lineal relationship between RG cells and ILAs.
The Heritability of Cortical Folding: Evidence from the Human Connectome Project
Authors: Schmitt J Eric , Raznahan Armin , Liu Siyuan , Neale Michael C
Published: September 2020

The mechanisms underlying cortical folding are incompletely understood. Prior studies have suggested that individual differences in sulcal depth are genetically mediated, with deeper and ontologically older sulci more heritable than others. In this study, we examine FreeSurfer-derived estimates of average convexity and mean curvature as proxy measures of cortical folding patterns using a large (N = 1096) genetically informative young adult subsample of the Human Connectome Project. Both measures were significantly heritable near major sulci and primary fissures, where approximately half of individual differences could be attributed to genetic factors. Genetic influences near higher order gyri and sulci were substantially lower and largely nonsignificant. Spatial permutation analysis found that heritability patterns were significantly anticorrelated to maps of evolutionary and neurodevelopmental expansion. We also found strong phenotypic correlations between average convexity, curvature, and several common surface metrics (cortical thickness, surface area, and cortical myelination). However, quantitative genetic models suggest that correlations between these metrics are largely driven by nongenetic factors. These findings not only further our understanding of the neurobiology of gyrification, but have pragmatic implications for the interpretation of heritability maps based on automated surface-based measurements.
English Politics and the Blasphemy Act of 1698
Authors: Davies Eloise
Published: September 2020

In 1698, less than a decade after the Toleration Act, a blasphemy law was passed in England. No convictions were ever brought under the Act, and it has been largely neglected by historians. Yet, for all its apparent insignificance, the Blasphemy Act is an instructive episode in post-1688 politics, which sheds light on the political realignments of the post-revolutionary decade. The language of the blasphemy debates was theologically sophisticated, rooted in Calvin’s understanding of blasphemy as distinctively malicious, and it is clear that the contours of the extra-parliamentary Trinitarian controversy were a source of division in Westminster too. The Blasphemy Act was one means by which the Williamite bishops, under pressure from both the dissenter-dominated moral reform movement and High Church advocates of Convocation, tried to reassert the court’s moral leadership. But the significance of the dispute was not limited to ecclesiastical politics; the story of the Blasphemy Act was also closely entwined with that of the more famous ‘standing army’ controversy. William’s Court Whig ministers—often portrayed as areligious pragmatists—exploited the theological fault-lines among Country MPs to legitimise fiscal-military reform.
Compensatory and Multiplicative Advantages: Social Origin, School Performance, and Stratified Higher Education Enrolment in Finland
Authors: Heiskala Laura , Erola Jani , Kilpi-Jakonen Elina
Published: September 2020

The rules of intake, which determine how educational institutions are accessed, play a significant part in generating intergenerational educational inequalities. Different rules may allow parental advantages to compensate for students’ lack of advantages (such as academic performance) or to multiply and help only those students who are in a position to use such additional advantages. In this article, we study compensation and the multiplication of advantages in the context of the Finnish higher education system. Entrance exams and a dual model (universities and polytechnics) make this system stand out among many other Western countries and hence suitable for this study. Using high-quality Finnish register data, we study the associations between parental education and stratified higher education enrolment across the school performance distribution. Our results show that polytechnics provide access for poorly performing students from higher social origins (compensatory advantage). Polytechnic education also attracts well-performing students from lower social origins, which leads to a situation in which well-performing students with higher social origins have a substantially larger probability of enrolling in university compared to well-performing students with lower social origins (multiplicative advantage).