bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Keystroke Dynamics Identification Based on Triboelectric Nanogenerator for Intelligent Keyboard Using Deep Learning Method
Authors: Zhao Guangquan , Yang Jin , Chen Jun , Zhu Guang , Jiang Zedong , Liu Xiaoyong , Niu Guangxing , Wang Zhong Lin , Zhang Bin
Published: August 2018

Due to the heavy reliance on computers and networks, security issues have become a major concern for individuals, companies, and nations. Traditional security measures such as personal identification numbers, tokens, or passwords only provide limited protection. With the development of intelligent keyboard (IKB), this paper proposes a deep‐learning‐based keystroke dynamics identification method for increased security. The IKB is a kind of self‐powered, nonmechanical‐punching keyboard, which converts mechanical stimuli applied to the keyboard into local electronic signals. Multilayer deep belief network (DBN) is established to mine the useful information from raw electronic signals and output the keystroke dynamics identification result. The contributions include development of a novel solution that does not rely on manual feature extraction, and provides promising recognition accuracy on large amount of typing samples. One significant advantage of the proposed method is that it extracts features adaptively from the raw current signals and automatically recognizes the typing pattern, which simplifies the design of verification and identification system. The experimental results on 104 typing samples demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method. The proposed method has extensive applications in keyboard‐based information security.
Cost‐Effective, Flexible, Hydrophobic, and Tunable Structural Color Polymeric Bragg Reflector Metastructures
Authors: Resende Pedro M. , Sanz Ruy , Caballero‐Calero Olga , Martín‐González Marisol
Published: August 2018

The synthesis of flexible photonic materials, by sustainable and scalable methods, is proved to be a difficult task for the materials science and industrial communities. Alongside, the modern society has also grown a strong dependence on polymeric materials, demanding superpolymers that combine functionality and cost with superior after‐use properties. The path for accomplishing this aim is made possible by mimicking nature through the merging of self‐ordered nanostructures and a commodity thermoplastic, resorting to basic fabrication infrastructure. This work presents the development of a flexible material that exhibits tunable structural color due to its 3D polyethylene based nanonetwork. These nanonetworks are hydrophobic, and change color depending on the refractive index of the material filling their voids. This developed flexible metamaterial is projected to open opportunities for the fabrication of economically affordable (around 0.008 € cm−2) and solvent‐free photonic nanostructures with multipurpose applications such as sensing, energy saving, clothing, and photovoltaics, among others.
A General Concept for Solar Water‐Splitting Monolithic Photoelectrochemical Cells Based on Earth‐Abundant Materials and a Low‐Cost Photovoltaic Panel
Authors: Kasemthaveechok Sitthichok , Oh Kiseok , Fabre Bruno , Bergamini Jean‐François , Mériadec Cristelle , Ababou‐Girard Soraya , Loget Gabriel
Published: August 2018

Like photosynthesis, where light is transformed into energy‐rich molecules, sunlight energy can be converted into H2 and O2 using water‐splitting photoelectrochemical cells (PECs). These systems are highly promising to produce H2 without carbon emissions, however, their fabrication is still based on expensive fabrication procedures and nonabundant materials, which prevents their manufacturing and study by many laboratories. Here, an original concept for preparing monolithic water‐splitting PECs based on the integration of a low‐cost Si photovoltaic (PV) panel with two Si‐based photoelectrodes fabricated by simple procedures and earth‐abundant materials is demonstrated. In contrast with previous approaches, in the present system, the PV solid junction and the two solid/liquid junctions participate in the creation of the effective photovoltage applied for water splitting. This simple device that can split water from various electrolytes for several hours should promote new advances in the field of solar fuels.
Improved Input and State Estimation for Linear Stochastic Systems with Direct Feedthrough
Authors: Ding Bo , Zhang Tianping , Fang Huajing
Published: August 2018

This paper is concerned with the problem of joint input and state estimation for linear stochastic systems with direct feedthrough. Based on the fact that each unknown input between any two time steps is always bounded, a novel improved algorithm is proposed. Compared with existing results, this algorithm can effectively enhance estimation accuracy. Moreover, the stability of the algorithm is also discussed. Finally, an illustrative example is given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
C–H Activation of the 5‐(Pyridine‐3‐yloxy)isophthalic Acid to Construct Iridium, Rhodium, and Ruthenium Binuclear Metallocyclophanes
Authors: Kang Philjae , Jeon Yonggoon , Kim Younghun , Choi Moon‐Gun
Published: August 2018

The multitopic ligand, 5‐(pyridine‐3‐yloxy)isophthalic acid (m‐POiPH2, 1), containing two different coordination sites of pyridine and isophthalic acid linked by the C–O–C bond, is prepared. The reaction of 1 with half sandwich complexes of [Cp*Rh(OAc)2] (Cp* = η5‐C5Me5), [Cp*Ir(OAc)2], and [(p‐cymene)Ru(OAc)2 afford the construction of binuclear metallocyclophanes [(Cp*Ir)2(m‐POiP)2] (2), [(Cp*Rh)2(m‐POiP)2 (3), and [((p‐cymene)Ru)2(m‐POiP)2] (4) in high yields. Crystal structures of 2, 3, and 4 illustrate binuclear metallocyclophanes constructed by cyclometallation by ortho‐C–H activation and coordination of N‐donor with metals which is confirmed by a single crystal X‐ray diffraction (SC‐XRD). Each metallocyclophanes shows unique packing structure by intermolecular hydrogen bonding; 2 and 3 shows 1D linear chain network, while the packing of 4 presents the 2D sheet.
Triaryl Pyrazole Toll‐Like Receptor Signaling Inhibitors: Structure–Activity Relationships Governing Pan‐ and Selective Signaling Inhibitors
Authors: Pollock Julie A. , Sharma Naina , Ippagunta Sirish K. , Redecke Vanessa , Häcker Hans , Katzenellenbogen John A.
Published: August 2018

The immune system uses members of the toll‐like receptor (TLR) family to recognize a variety of pathogen‐ and host‐derived molecules in order to initiate immune responses. Although TLR‐mediated, pro‐inflammatory immune responses are essential for host defense, prolonged and exaggerated activation can result in inflammation pathology that manifests in a variety of diseases. Therefore, small‐molecule inhibitors of the TLR signaling pathway might have promise as anti‐inflammatory drugs. We previously identified a class of triaryl pyrazole compounds that inhibit TLR signaling by modulation of the protein–protein interactions essential to the pathway. We have now systematically examined the structural features essential for inhibition of this pathway, revealing characteristics of compounds that inhibited all TLRs tested (pan‐TLR signaling inhibitors) as well as compounds that selectively inhibited certain TLRs. These findings reveal interesting classes of compounds that could be optimized for particular inflammatory diseases governed by different TLRs.
Nanostructured SnS2 Thin Films from Laser Ablated Nanocolloids: Structure, Morphology, Optoelectronic and Electrochemical Properties
Authors: Johny Jacob , Sepulveda Guzman Selene , Krishnan Bindu , Avellaneda Avellaneda David , Shaji Sadasivan
Published: August 2018

Tin disulfide (SnS2) is a binary chalcogenide semiconductor having applications in solar cells, energy storage, and optoelectronics. SnS2 thin films were deposited by spraying the nanocolloids synthesized by pulsed laser ablation in liquid. The structure, morphology, and optoelectronic properties were studied for films obtained from two liquid media (ethanol and isopropanol) and after heat treatments at various temperatures. X‐ray diffraction analysis confirmed the hexagonal crystal structure of the films, whereas the 2‐H polytype structure was identified by micro‐Raman spectroscopy. Oxidation states of Sn (4+) and S (2−) identified from high resolution X‐ray photoelectron spectra confirmed the composition and chemical states of the films. The SnS2 thin films exhibited distinct porous surface morphologies as the liquid medium in laser ablation was varied. All as‐prepared and annealed films showed photoluminescence with a high intensity peak at 485 nm and a low intensity peak at 545 nm. Thin films annealed at 300 °C showed improved electrochemical properties upon illumination using a blue LED light source. Current‐voltage curves recorded in dark and light as well as the photoresponse measurements showed their suitability for utilization in optoelectronic devices. The results of this study may trigger further research towards fabrication of nanostructured thin films in large area for optoelectronic and photoelectrochemical applications in an environment friendly and cost‐effective way.
Dissemination of exposure in the treatment of anxiety disorders and post‐traumatic stress disorder among German cognitive behavioural therapists
Authors: Schumacher Sarah , Weiss Deborah , Knaevelsrud Christine
Published: August 2018

The efficacy of exposure is beyond doubt, which is reflected in guidelines recommending its application in the treatment of anxiety disorders and post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Research suggests exposure to be underutilized in clinical practice in the United States and Europe. A systematic investigation of the dissemination of exposure in Germany is lacking. The present study examined the dissemination and application frequency of exposure among German cognitive behavioural therapists working in routine care. In an online‐based survey, 331 psychotherapists provided information on treatment of patients with panic disorder, phobia, and PTSD. By means of multinomial logistic regression analysis, application frequency of exposure (non‐users vs. users vs. frequent users) was predicted by various therapist characteristics. Younger age and less negative beliefs about exposure significantly predicted the affiliation to the frequent users group compared to the non‐users in the treatment of panic disorder or phobia. Concerning treatment of PTSD, only negative beliefs about exposure was identified as significant predictor. Sex, educational level, and number of exposure sessions performed during clinical training were not of predictive value. Current findings suggest that negative beliefs about exposure and age impact the frequent provision of exposure to patients. Modification of negative attitudes might be achieved through specific training strategies.
A Core–Shell‐Structured Silver Nanowire/Nitrogen‐Doped Carbon Catalyst for Enhanced and Multifunctional Electrofixation of CO2
Authors: Yang Heng‐Pan , Zhang Han‐Wen , Wu Yu , Fan Liang‐Dong , Chai Xiao‐Yan , Zhang Qian‐Ling , Liu Jian‐Hong , He Chuan‐Xin
Published: August 2018

Numerous catalysts have been successfully introduced for CO2 fixation in aqueous or organic systems. However, a single catalyst showing activity in both solvent types is still rare, to the best of our knowledge. We developed a core–shell‐structured AgNW/NC700 composite using a Ag nanowire (NW) core encapsulated by a N‐doped carbon (NC) shell at 700 °C. Through control experiments and density functional theory calculations, it was confirmed that Ag nanowires acted as the active sites for CO2 fixation and the uniformly coating of N‐doped carbon created a CO2‐rich environment around the Ag nanowires, which could significantly improve the catalytic activity of Ag nanowires for electrochemical CO2 fixation. Under mild conditions, up to 96 % faradaic efficiency of CO, 95 % yield of Ibuprofen and 92 % yield of propylene carbonate could be obtained in the electrochemical CO2 direct reduction, carboxylation and cycloaddition, respectively, using the same AgNWs/NC700 catalyst. These results might provide an alternative strategy for efficient electrochemical fixation of CO2.
LiCl as Phase‐Transfer Catalysts to Synthesize Thin Co2P Nanosheets for Oxygen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Pan Zhiming , Niu Pingping , Hou Yidong , Fang Yuanxing , Liu Minghui , Wang Xinchen
Published: August 2018

Inorganic salts have been widely studied as templates for the synthesis of 2D layer structures. However, these salts normally can only serve as templates without any catalytic activity. Here, we report that LiCl used for the synthesis of ultrathin nanosheets not only serves as template for the synthesis of ultrathin Co2P nanosheets with a thickness of 0.7 nm but also acts as a catalyst that induces the phase‐transfer from CoP to Co2P. The Co2P nanosheets have a high electrochemical performance for oxygen evolution reaction.
Tryptophan and arginine catabolic enzymes and regulatory cytokines in clinically isolated syndrome and multiple sclerosis
Authors: Cha Lilian , Jones Anderson P , Trend Stephanie , Byrne Scott N , Fabis‐Pedrini Marzena J , Carroll William M , Lucas Robyn M , Cole Judith M , Booth David R , Kermode Allan G , Hart Prue H
Published: August 2018

Objectives

Clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) is the earliest clinical episode in multiple sclerosis (MS). A study of circulating cells from patients with CIS may help us understand the transition to, and processes associated with, the development of MS.

Methods

As immune cell activity can be determined by flux through metabolic pathways, the mRNA expression of l‐tryptophan‐ and l‐arginine‐catabolising enzymes, indoleamine 2,3‐dioxygenase (IDO) 1 and IDO2 and arginase (ARG) 1 and ARG2, respectively, was compared between peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from healthy controls, and patients with CIS and definite MS. As one measure of cell function, cytokine mRNA levels were analysed directly ex vivo and in cells after culture for 4 h in the absence of regulatory factors in autologous serum.

Results

When measured directly ex vivo, the expression of IDO and ARG was greater in cells from patients with CIS and MS than cells from healthy controls. Although not linked to IDO and ARG expression, PBMCs from the CIS patients were characterised by low IL‐10 and TGFB mRNA levels and not by greater expression of proinflammatory cytokines. When the cells were cultured for 4 h without autologous serum, pro‐ and anti‐inflammatory cytokine mRNA levels positively correlated with IDO1 expression, and TGFB mRNA levels correlated with ARG1 expression.

Conclusion

Higher IDO and ARG expression in CIS and MS provides one sustained homeostatic mechanism to control MS‐associated inflammation. However, potent extrinsic mediators in serum may regulate immune cell function in CIS and associations between IDO, ARG and cytokine expression.
Assessing the reproducibility of an O‐glycopeptide enrichment method with a novel software, Pinnacle
Authors: Pap Adam , Prakash Amol , F. Medzihradszky Katalin , Darula Zsuzsanna
Published: August 2018

A novel software, Pinnacle was used to reassess the reproducibility of a 2‐step lectin‐based O‐glycopeptide enrichment method. A publicly available dataset consisting of 12 data files representing 3 technical replicates of enriched glycopeptides from human serum was investigated. Previously, an attempt for reproducibility assessment was made utilizing an MS/MS scan (MS2)‐based method. However, the stochastic nature of precursor ion selection strongly biased this approach leading to underestimated rate of reproducibility. To bypass this problem, our present method follows the general path to confidently identify O‐glycopeptides (database search with MS/MS data) supplemented with full scan/survey scan (MS1)/extracted ion chromatogram (XIC) mining in all files using two software packages, Pinnacle and Skyline. Confident MS/MS identifications were delivered by Protein Prospector. With this input Skyline indicated a 70% reproducibility for our workflow. However, Pinnacle performed better, indicating the presence of 90% of the confidently assigned glycopeptides in all the three replicates. Pinnacle, just like Skyline, performs ion extraction using the high accuracy, high resolution mass measurement data but it also utilizes all the available MS/MS spectra, even from different activation methods, within the same file to make mass spectrometric data evaluation for glycopeptides more reliable.
Financial integration and the Great Leveraging
Authors: Carvalho Daniel
Published: August 2018

This paper studies the joint dynamics of international capital flows and domestic credit and money growth. It finds a strong statistical relationship between cross‐border flows and the decoupling of these two variables—the Great Leveraging—a stylized fact documented for several economies in the past decades, due to faster credit than money growth, and associated with the expansion of banks nonmonetary liabilities. Results indicate that, in addition to the equity/debt breakdown, it is important to split capital flows according to the domestic recipient sectors: banking sector flows display, in general, a stronger correlation with the growth of credit and with its excess growth over money. Furthermore, the country's FX regime also plays a role, as money holdings tend to be less responsive to cross‐border capital flows in fixed FX regimes. In broad terms, this approach sheds light on the mechanisms through which the international banking activity might have consequences for the composition of the domestic aggregate bank balance sheet.
Application of a System Engineering Framework to the Subsea Front‐End Engineering study
Authors: Engen Siv , Falk Kristin
Published: August 2018

This article applies formal system engineering methods in early‐phase concept studies in the subsea oil and gas industry to identify early‐phase needs, and reduce late‐phase design changes. The oil industry is changing, demanding more cost efficient, flexible, and modularized systems. In order to improve their offering, suppliers within this industry are turning towards the systems engineering domain. To better understand the problem, we investigated the engineering processes at the supplier, went into details of technical project reports, and interviewed main stakeholders at the supplier. Based on our research we propose to adjust the early phase of the project execution process for the company, and adapt to a system engineering framework. At an early stage we recommend using unformal models to communicate decisions and to set up a foundation for applying more formal models in the later phases. A case study from field development illustrates the new process and methods. Some of these systems engineering methods have already been adopted in the company to improve the front‐end engineering studies.
Developing a Configure‐to‐Order Product in the Subsea Oil and Gas Domain
Authors: Ulsvik Ole Kaare , Falk Kristin
Published: August 2018

This paper explores a configure‐to‐order strategy in the subsea oil and gas industry. A major supplier in the industry is investigating standardization and modularization of their systems and products to shorten delivery times and reduce cost. Consequently, changing from an “engineer‐to‐order” to a “configure‐to‐order” strategy.

We have studied part of the Subsea Production System, namely the subsea hydraulic control system and a new product development project as a basis for our research. The new product development project was our case for developing a standardized and modularized design that meets various customer needs. Applying the systems engineering framework together with lean product development principles helped us define a process to decide product specific variants of the new product through a configurator.

Results from our research show that we could configure the product based on functional requirements if the engineers consider modularity during product design. The research gives strong indications that the subsea oil and gas industry can achieve significant reduction in cost and time associated with design, documentation and production of the new product by using a Configure‐to‐Order strategy.
Developing conceptual smart training system for advanced plant design and FEED engineers based on a tailored systems engineering process
Authors: Dae‐Geun Hong , Suk‐Hwan Suh , Chang‐Woo Park , Hwal‐Won Sur , So‐Yeon Kang
Published: August 2018

Global engineering market has been growing by an average of 6% per year, and is expected to reach $1.7 trillion by 2020. With drastic expansion of the engineering market, competition between companies to win engineering contracts is becoming increasingly fierce. However, Front End Engineering Design (FEED), currently dominated by a few advanced countries, creates the highest added‐value in the in plant construction industry. In the domestic plant engineering industry, it is difficult to acquire its own technology capability and experience due to lack of experience and shortage of experts in advanced design fields such as basic design and FEED. To achieve competitiveness with the advanced countries, it is necessary to establish smart training system for advanced plant design and FEED engineers. So, this study aims to propose the tailored systems engineering approach for developing a plant design education system for plant designers and FEED engineers, and to apply the proposed approach to a Korean case study, Smart‐PETS that learns design knowledge based on educational content and experience based on design stage for chemical plant.
Creating and Applying A3 Architecture Overviews: A Case Study in Software Development
Authors: Viken Anders , Muller Gerrit
Published: August 2018

We observed in our company that the commissioning phases of projects were inefficient when it came to effort, measured in hours. In order to meet this challenge, the management team decided to create a software program that would enable shipyard engineers to perform software changes by themselves directly in the automation systems. By enabling shipyard engineers, the goal is to save valuable person‐hours on each commissioning phase.

The A3 report is a tool that can be used in most problem‐solving situations. It can be used both as a way of structuring thinking and as a tool for communication and learning. After Toyota's success of using it as a tool for problem solving and report writing, many other domains have adopted the A3 report as a structured problem‐solving approach.

In this study, the author explains how A3 reports can facilitate validation and communication during system design of a software program. During software development, the project team used the A3 reports when discussing the software internally and with stakeholders. Observations recorded during this study indicate that the A3 report is a valuable tool for sharing ideas and capturing feedback, both in planned and spontaneous sessions. This study also explains how the format of the A3 report can encourage reading and writing of documentation in hectic industrial settings.
Safety Analysis in Early Concept Development and Requirements Generation
Authors: Leveson Nancy G.
Published: August 2018

This paper shows how a new hazard analysis technique, STPA (System Theoretic Process Analysis), can be used to generate high‐level safety requirements early in the concept development phase that can then assist in the design of the system architecture. These general, system‐level requirements can be refined using STPA as decisions are made. The process goes hand‐in‐hand with design and the rest of the lifecycle as STPA can be used to provide information to assist in decision‐making throughout the development and even operations phases. STPA also fits into a model‐based engineering process as it works on a model of the system (which is also refined as design decisions are made) although that model is different than the architectural models usually proposed for model‐based system engineering today. The process promotes traceability throughout the development process so decisions and designs can be changed with minimum requirements for redoing previous analyses. Finally, while this paper describes the approach with respect to safety, it can be applied to any emergent system property.
An Agile Model‐Based Approach for Managing Engineering Processes
Authors: Meier Erich
Published: August 2018

This paper describes a new approach for managing engineering process. Based on proven system engineering and agile concepts, we created a model‐based process component concept for organizations to quickly define new existing engineering processes and adjust existing ones in an agile way. With our approach, engineering processes can be tailored in a program‐ or project‐specific way and executed in existing PLM or ALM engineering tools. Business‐critical compliance to standards like ISO 26262, DO‐178C, IEC 62304, or ISO 15288 can be assured through a mapping mechanism. We also describe how large engineering companies like General Motors, Honeywell Aerospace, or Siemens Diagnostics successfully applied our approach, became leaner and more agile, and could therefore efficiently react to disruptive engineering challenges.
An Analytic Model of Success for Information Technology Decision Making
Authors: Clemons T.M. , Chang KC , Tzeng Sean
Published: August 2018

To assist managers in monitoring the progress of their IT programs, we propose a Bayesian Network stochastic model, the IT Decision Management System (ITDMS), to simulate the program's evidence observations, complex interrelationships, and the dynamic/temporal relationships. Based on the Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL)®1 The model aligns the sub‐process of each ITIL Phase in a Bayesian structure measuring status to provide the decision maker a measurement of the likelihood of program success.
San Diego, We Do NOT Have a Problem! SE Leadership in the Construction Industry
Authors: Hoehne Oliver , Russell Jennifer
Published: August 2018

Problem Statement. Construction holds the dubious honor of having the lowest productivity gains of any industry. The Economist reported recently that more than 90% of the world's infrastructure projects are either late or over‐budget. Even the sharpest of tech firms are not immune from this affliction. Apple's new headquarters in Silicon Valley, for instance, opened two years behind schedule and cost $2B more than budgeted (Economist, 2017). While many US sectors including agriculture and manufacturing have increased productivity ten to 15 times since the 1950s, the productivity of the construction industry remains stuck at the same level as 80 years ago, according to the McKinsey Global Institute (Barbosa, 2017).

Root Cause(s). The construction industry has become less likely to reinvest in productivity. Volatility in demand for construction, extensive fragmentation of construction companies, and slim margins lead to a tendency to defer improvement investments. Often projects have more than a dozen subcontractors, each keen to maximize profit rather than collaborate to contain costs. The result is an industry that mostly ignores tools that might improve productivity (Barbosa, 2017). A variety of factors account for poor productivity and cost outcomes: poor organization, inadequate communication, contractual misunderstandings, poor short‐term planning. Contractors and suppliers identify misaligned contracts as the most important root cause of low productivity (Barbosa, 2017).

Possible Solution(s). Examples of innovative firms and regions suggest that acting in several areas simultaneously could boost productivity by 50 to 60 percent. Many of these actions translate directly into Systems Engineering activities, including rewiring of the contractual framework, rethinking design and engineering processes, improving procurement and supply‐chain management, and introducing holistic project‐operating systems into infrastructure megaprojects (Barbosa, 2017).

Systems Engineering Challenge(s): Most individual construction industry players lack both the incentives and the scale to change the system, resulting in industry that is literally not willing and not able to make changes to improve productivity. Systems engineering attempts are commonly met with a firm “San Diego, we do NOT have a problem, we have always done it this way!” The true systems engineering challenge is therefore to nudge industry players towards “being willing and able” to make changes by applying organizational change management skills while cautiously introducing systems engineering elements. This paper demonstrates how systems engineers – despite the identified obstacles – can be successful in identifying systems engineering opportunities, and using influence and leadership to drive change from within construction projects, as illustrated by two real world construction megaprojects.
What do we mean by “system”? – System Beliefs and Worldviews in the INCOSE Community
Authors: Sillitto Hillary , Griego Regina , Arnold Eileen , Dori Dov , Martin James , McKinney Dorothy , Godfrey Patrick , Krob Daniel , Jackson Scott
Published: August 2018

The System Definition Survey issued to INCOSE Fellows in December 2016 revealed at least five radically distinct worldviews on Systems within a relatively small, but moderately representative, part of the INCOSE community. We describe and analyse the survey results, and comment on differences between the responses from the Fellows and the responses to a similar survey issued to the System Science Working Group a month later. Then we discuss how the different worldviews on “system” revealed by the surveys map onto different areas of the set of system definitions described in a previous paper. We conclude that all the worldviews identified offer useful perspectives for systems engineering, and that Systems Engineers need the flexibility to adopt different worldviews for different situations, or at least to act “as if” different worldviews are true in different situations.
Composing Complex Capability: The Stakeholder Driven Development Framework
Authors: Vencel Les , Sweetman Elizabeth , Lante Norman
Published: August 2018

The National Security and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Division (NSID) of the Defence Science and Technology Group (DST Group) is involved in the research, development and fielding of program strategies to grow complex capabilities in support of Integrated ISR. More recently, NSID has developed a framework of ideas, stratagems and methodologies aimed at composing complex capability. This framework, termed the Stakeholder Driven Development Framework (SDDF), allows incremental growth of complex capabilities in a measured and balanced manner; “measured” in terms of having a regard for progressive and stable growth of realisable aspects of the complex capability and “balanced” to reflect the risk based facilitation processes between stakeholder priorities and program complexities. It is based on a set of foundational principles that provide the rules of practice for complex capability development. The SDDF utilises systems thinking, is tightly coupled with stakeholder interaction and comprises progressive cycles of analysis, synthesis and assessment. It analyses the problem space from different worldviews, thereby providing a more comprehensive understanding from which to select a mix of methodologies to synthesise solution options. The aim is to deliver stakeholder mediated and facilitated candidate solutions.
Version 1.0 of the New INCOSE Competency Framework
Authors: Gelosh Don S. , Heisey Mimi , Nidiffer Ken , Snoderly John R. , Beasley Richard
Published: August 2018

The next major evolution of the INCOSE Competency Framework (ICF) is Version 1.0. This paper describes the major sections of the ICF Version 1.0 document. The main section of the document is the competency framework structure which has evolved into five competence groups and 36 core competence areas across five levels of proficiency. Because this is a role‐based competency framework, another major section is a guide to role definition that describes the typical roles systems engineers may assume. This paper also describes how the Competency Framework relates to the Systems Engineering processes as described in the INCOSE SE Handbook, 4th Ed. A subsequent section of the ICF Version 1.0 document provides use cases for the framework with a detailed look at recruitment, candidate assessment, education program improvement, resources for professional development, curriculum alignment, and career path development. The document also includes a section that explains how to tailor the competency framework to suit using organizations. The paper concludes by exploring the next steps to successfully publish and review Version 1.0 of the new INCOSE Competency Framework.
The vertebrate middle and inner ear: A short overview
Authors: Pfaff Cathrin , Schultz Julia A. , Schellhorn Rico
Published: August 2018

The evolution of the various hearing adaptations is connected to major structural changes in nearly all groups of vertebrates. Besides hearing, the detection of acceleration and orientation in space are key functions of this mechanosensory system.

The symposium “show me your ear – the inner and middle ear in vertebrates” held at the 11th International Congress of Vertebrate Morphology (ICVM) 2016 in Washington, DC (USA) intended to present current research addressing adaptation and evolution of the vertebrate otic region, auditory ossicles, vestibular system, and hearing physiology. The symposium aimed at an audience with interest in hearing research focusing on morphological, functional, and comparative studies. The presented talks and posters lead to the contributions of this virtual issue highlighting recent advances in the vertebrate balance and hearing system. This article serves as an introduction to the virtual issue contributions and intends to give a short overview of research papers focusing on vertebrate labyrinth and middle ear related structures in past and recent years.
The “Warm‐Arctic/Cold‐continents” pattern during 1901–2010
Authors: Chen Linling , Francis Jennifer , Hanna Edward
Published: August 2018

The “Warm‐Arctic/Cold‐continents” (WACC) winter weather pattern is investigated using the European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts 20th Century reanalysis data (ERA20C) spanning 1901–2010. Both the 1920–1940 and 1990–2010 periods are characterized by Arctic amplification (AA) and mid‐latitude continental cooling, although the Arctic warming signal for 1990–2010 is twice as strong as that for 1920–1940. Significant weakening in the mid‐latitude polewards temperature gradient and zonal wind, wavier upper‐level flow character, and strong regional blocking frequency/intensity changes are also detected during both AA periods. These results based on statistical analyses highlight the possible role of AA in affecting mid‐latitude weather patterns, but further work is needed to quantify the influence of AA on particular mid‐latitude dynamical features.
Local delivery of a zoledronate solution improves osseointegration of titanium implants in a rat distal femur model
Authors: AbuMoussa Samuel , Ruppert David S. , Lindsay Christopher , Dahners Laurence , Weinhold Paul
Published: August 2018

This study aimed to determine whether locally applied anti‐resorptive agents acetazolamide or zoledronic acid would improve mechanical stability in implant osseointegration when applied as a solution within the medullary canal. Thirty‐three rats received titanium‐implants bilaterally in their intramedullary femoral canals. Prior to implantation, animals received 0.1 ml saline, 1 mM acetazolamide solution, or 0.7 mM zoledronic acid solution directly into the medullary cavity. The control group only received saline within the medullary canal while the treatment groups only received the respective treatment to which they were randomized. Animals were allowed to heal 4 weeks, at which time they were euthanized and femurs isolated for mechanical and radiographic evaluation. Push‐out force to failure increased 152% in the zoledronic acid group relative to the control. There was no significant difference in push‐out force with acetazolamide relative to control. Also, zoledronic acid increased metaphyseal bone volume fraction 46% and increased metaphyseal bone–implant contact 58% relative to the control. Recent research exploring local injection of medications to improve implant osseointegration and minimize systemic‐effects has failed to quantitatively evaluate implant fixation strength on non‐hydroxyapatite coated implants or implants without previous bone compaction. This study demonstrated that a simple injection of zoledronic acid into the medullary canal, rather than coatings or commercial gels, can increase fixation strength of an uncoated titanium‐implant. Our findings indicate simple injection of zoledronic acid in saline solution has the potential for improving fixation of uncemented joint implants. Clinical Significance: Intramedullary injection of local bisphosphonate solutions could be implemented to improve osseointegration in cementless arthroplasty. © 2018 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 36:3294–3298, 2018.
OH‐ and NH2‐Terminated Hyperbranched Polysiloxanes: Controlled Synthesis, Characterization, Toughening, and Reinforcing Epoxy Resin
Authors: Chen Kelong , Zhang Tong , Cui Yi , Wang Zhiyong , Li Bin
Published: August 2018

A new silicon‐containing hyperbranched polysiloxane (HAHBPs) is successfully synthesized via a one‐pot A2 + B3 strategy using diethylene glycol and (3‐aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (KH550) under solvent‐free and catalyst‐free conditions. Then, for the first time, the HAHBPs are used to modify epoxy resin E51. TGA results display significantly lower thermal stability compared with that of the neat epoxy resin. Experimental results also show that the addition of HAHBPs simultaneously improves flexural strength and impact strength. In particular, a great increase (2.48 times its original toughness) in the toughness of epoxy resin E51 is achieved with 20 wt% HAHBPs loading. More importantly, fracture morphology and DMA measurements show no obvious phase separation due to the strong interfacial bonds between the HAHBPs and epoxy matrix. These results indicate that the HAHBPs containing OH‐ and NH2‐ can be a potentially effective epoxy resin toughener.
Synthesis and Properties of Networks Based on Thiol‐ene Chemistry Using a CO2‐Based δ‐Lactone
Authors: Chen Lifeng , Ling Jun , Ni Xufeng , Shen Zhiquan
Published: August 2018

3‐Ethylidene‐6‐vinyltetrahydro‐2H‐pyran‐2‐one, a divinyl δ‐lactone derived from CO2 and 1,3‐butadiene, is used for the synthesis of networks with various compositions through the thiol‐ene click reaction with di‐ and tri‐thiol compounds. Thermal, mechanical, and optical properties of the networks are characterized. The networks have sharp and uniform glass transitions and show good thermal stability with T
d from 287 to 332 °C. Mechanical properties of the networks can be adjusted by the cross‐link density; 6.18 MPa of tensile strength, 574% break elongation and 1.84 of tan δ at maximum are reached. Metal complexation makes the networks tougher due to additional cross‐links. The highly homogeneous networks are transparent with average 90% transmittance of visible light, and of decent refractive indices around 1.55. Swelling‐induced twist shape transformation and visible QR code under UV light is realized by pattern of the network.
Construction method for generating functions of special numbers and polynomials arising from analysis of new operators
Authors: Simsek Yilmaz
Published: August 2018

The aim of this paper is to construct a new method related to a family of operators to define generating functions for special numbers and polynomials. With the help of this method, we investigate various properties of these special numbers and polynomials with their generating functions, functional equations, and differential equations. We also give some algorithms to calculate the values of these numbers and polynomials. Moreover, we introduce some fundamental properties of this operator. By applying integral method to this operator, we obtain integral formulas together with combinatorial sums. Moreover, by applying this operator, the Lagrange inversion formula and convolution formula to these generating functions, we derive some novel identities and relations including combinatorial sums and combinatorial numbers including these new numbers and polynomials, ie, the Apostol‐Bernoulli numbers, the Apostol‐Euler numbers, the Stirling numbers, the central factorial numbers, and the other special numbers and polynomials. In addition, we give some examples derived from relations between composita and this operator on the set of formal power series. Finally, we give complex form of the Fourier series for these generating functions. By using these Fourier series, we not only derive some series relations and trigonometric sums including trigonometric function and hyperbolic functions but also give an example for a differential equation.
Direct Observation of Bacterial Growth in Giant Unilamellar Vesicles: A Novel Tool for Bacterial Cultures
Authors: Morita Masamune , Katoh Kaoru , Noda Naohiro
Published: August 2018

Bacterial cultivation techniques are classic, basic, and common processes used to characterize the physiological activity of bacteria in their environment. Owing to recent advances in bacterial cultivation techniques, the physiological activity of bacteria can be elucidated at the single‐cell culture level. Here, we report a novel method to monitor the real‐time activity of bacterial growth at the single‐cell level inside giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs). This method consists of two steps: 1) encapsulation of single bacteria in 1–33 pL scale GUVs and 2) immobilization of the GUVs on a planar lipid bilayer membrane on a glass surface. We directly observed single E. coli cells actively growing to a great number of cells inside GUVs. GUVs also protected the bacteria from external antibiotic compounds during prolonged cultivation for more than 24 h. This approach can be applied widely in the fields of biochemistry, biotechnology, microbiology, and synthetic biology.
Preparation and characterization of a self‐catalyzed fluorinated novolac‐phthalonitrile resin
Authors: Li Zheng , Guo Ying , Wang Guangxing , Xu Shuangshuang , Han Yue , Liu Xiang , Luo Zhenhua , Ye Li , Zhou Heng , Zhao Tong
Published: August 2018

A self‐catalyzed fluorinated novolac‐phthalonitrile resin was synthesized by nucleophilic substitution reaction between fluorinated novolac oligomer and 4‐nitrophthalonitrile. Structure of the final product was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and proton nuclear magnetic resonance. With the introduction of fluorine into the backbone, the fluorinated novolac‐phthalonitrile presented elevated performance. Compared with the analogous novolac‐phthalonitrile resin, the dielectric constant of the cured fluorinated resin decreased from 3.30 to 3.15, and the dielectric loss effectively decreased from 0.012 to 0.004 at the frequency of 1 MHz. Furthermore, the fluorinated novolac‐phthalonitrile resin possessed a broader processing window and higher thermo‐oxidative stability than the analogous novolac‐phthalonitrile resin. Consequently, the fluorinated novolac‐phthalonitrile resin may be a good candidate for matrix of high performance composite in electronic and aerospace industries.
Evaporation‐Rate and Substrate‐Temperature Dependence of Direct Exciton Transitions in BiI3 Thin Films Formed by Hot‐Wall Technique on Al2O3 Substrates
Authors: Arishima Syunshiro , Murata Koki , Sakamoto Ryuta , Ueda Tomohiro , Ichikawa Fusao , Iwamitsu Kazunori , Akai Ichiro
Published: August 2018

Using a hot‐wall technique, BiI3 thin films are deposited on α‐Al2O3 substrates at different evaporation rates and substrate temperatures in order to optimize these conditions. From X‐ray diffraction (XRD) data, it is confirmed that BiI3 layers are regularly stacked. Absorption due to direct excitons in BiI3 is observed in the deposited thin films. To study the translational symmetry and homogeneity of the films, changes in direct exciton transitions are examined. Direct excitons can be split into inner XInner and interface XInter excitons due to a collapse of translational symmetry along the stacking direction for a finite thickness, and the mean value and the energy difference for the transition energies for these excitons are obtained. To evaluate the sample quality, the dependence of and on the deposition conditions is investigated based on a tight‐binding model for flake‐like crystals consisting of a finite number n of BiI3 layers. In this model, a site shift energy is introduced for the interfaced BiI3 layers, which represents the difference of the on‐site energy for the excitons. From the magnitude of , the BiI3 thin films are considered to consist of packed flake‐like crystals, whose translational symmetry will be maintained within four or five (n = 4 or 5) BiI3 layers. From the variations of , it is found that an evaporation rate of about 0.8 Å s−1 and a substrate temperature of 75 °C are the best conditions for BiI3 thin film deposition on α‐Al2O3 substrates.
Manipulating Doping of Organic Semiconductors by Reactive Oxygen for Field‐Effect Transistors
Authors: Qiu Yuming , Wei Peng , Wang Zihao , Lu Wanlong , Jiang Yihang , Zhang Chaofan , Qu Yongquan , Lu Guanghao
Published: August 2018

Thin film organic field‐effect transistors (OFETs) are usually featured with charge traps, limiting charge transport and leading to low mobility especially at low gate voltages. In this work, doping process of a model organic semiconductor 2,7‐didodecyl[1]benzothieno[3,2‐b][1]benzothiophene (C12‐BTBT) has been manipulated, using low‐cost reactive oxygen namely oxygen plasma or ozone. It is found that low‐pressure (20 Pa) oxygen plasma can induce a low‐moderate doping concentration, which is, however, sufficient to warrant field‐effect mobilities over 5 cm2 V−1 s−1 in a large gate voltage range and sharp subthreshold swings, without degradation of on/off ratio. Low‐pressure oxygen plasma can also positively shift the threshold voltage of the device, thus largely reducing the working voltages. Oxygen plasma with higher pressure than 100 Pa induces higher doping concentration, more significantly shifting the threshold voltage and deteriorating on/off ratio due to substantial bulk electrical conductivity, which is similar to the treatment by UV‐ozone at atmospheric pressure. As compared with the well‐studied organic dopant F4‐TCNQ, the doping process of reactive oxygen can be more easily in situ manipulated to reach an appropriate range of doping concentration, warranting higher performance and larger tunability for OFETs.