bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identifying Failure Modes and Effects Through Design for Assembly Analysis
Authors: Hein Phyo Htet , Voris Nate , Dai Jiaying , Morkos Beshoy W.
Published: November 2018

Design for Assembly (DFA) time estimation method developed by G. Boothroyd and P. Dewhurst allows for estimating the assembly time of artifacts based on analysis of component features using handling and insertion tables by an assembler, who is assumed to assemble the artifact one-part-at-a-time. Using the tables, each component is assigned an assembly time which is based on the time required for the assembler to manipulate (handling time) and the time required for it to interface with the rest of the components (insertion time). Using this assembly time and the ideal assembly time (i.e. the absolute time it takes to assemble the artifact, assuming each component takes the ideal time of three seconds to handle and insert), this method allows to calculate the efficiency of a design’s assembly process. Another tool occasionally used in Design for Manufacturing (DFM) is Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA). FMEA is used to evaluate and document failure modes and their impact on system performance. Each failure mode is ranked based on its severity, occurrence, and detectability scores, and corrective actions that can be taken to control risk items. FMEA scores of components can address the manufacturing operations and how much effort should be put into each specific component. In this paper, the authors attempt to answer the following two research questions (RQs) to determine the relationships between FMEA scores and the DFA assembly time to investigate if part failure’s severity, occurrence, and detectability can be estimated if handling time and insertion time are known.

RQ (1): Can DFA metrics (handling time and insertion time) be utilized to estimate Failure Mode and Effects scores (severity, occurrence, and detectability)?

RQ (2): How does each response metric relate to predictor metrics (positive, negative, or no relationship)?

This is accomplished by performing Boothroyd and Dewhurst’s DFA time estimation and FMEA on select set of simple products. Since DFA metrics are based on combination of designer’s subjectivity and part’s geometric specifications and FMEA scores are based only on designer’s subjectivity, this paper attempts to estimate part failure severity, occurrence, and detectability less subjectively by using the handling time and insertion time. This will also allow for earlier and faster acquisition of potential part failure information for use in design and manufacturing processes.
A Formal Process to Support Resolution of Functional Trade-Offs in Complex Product Development
Authors: Tai Muyo , Ishida Keita , Oizumi Kazuya , Aoyama Kazuhiro
Published: November 2018

This paper proposes a method to resolve trade-off problems between functionalities, which hinders unconventional improvement of a product. As products have become increasingly complex, it becomes difficult to grasp the whole aspects of a product. In order to resolve trade-off problems of a complex product, it is required to model the product in an appropriate form and to gather knowledge of experts in each domain. Although there have been several models to tackle with this issue, modelling still poses difficulties due to lack of clear guideline. This paper classified models into three types: function-based, cognition-based and physics-based. Then, their roles and description guidelines are clarified. As a function-based model depicts functionality of a product in a rather simple description, it is employed to specify significant tradeoffs. A cognition-based model depicts the designers’ recognition of physical phenomena while a physics-based model rigorously depicts the physical phenomena. A cognition-based model is appropriate for ideation while physics-based model contributes to objectivity of a model. This paper proposes complimentary modelling and use of cognition-based and physics-based models. To support ideation of solution to the trade-offs, TRIZ is applied. The proposed method is demonstrated and validated by the case study of Continuously Variable Transmission.
Simulating Occupant Response to Low Speed, Automotive Rear-End Collisions
Authors: Kames Elisabeth , Thiess David , Kepinski Paul , Zaremba Ryan , Morkos Beshoy
Published: November 2018

This paper outlines the modeling and analysis of an occupant’s response to a low speed, in-line, rear end collision. The response of the occupant was modeled using two methods; MATLAB was used to model the equations of motion of the occupant’s head, neck and spine and ANSYS Workbench was used to perform a structural analysis of the occupant’s spine and head.

The occupant was assumed to be an average sized male, with a spine length of about 30”. The occupant was also assumed to be unaware of the impact, therefore not bracing themselves against the impact. Both of the vehicles were assumed to be 2000 kg. The leading (target) vehicle is stopped producing a velocity of 0 km/h, and the trailing (bullet) vehicle is going 16.1 km/h (10mph) producing an acceleration on impact of 22.35 m/s2. Both the MATLAB model and ANSYS model assumed that the occupant was not wearing a seat belt.

The ANSYS simulation produced an acceleration of the head of 9.40 g’s, while the MATLAB model produced 5.10 g’s of acceleration at the head. These values were compared to literature of experimental crash tests.

The results obtained from the two models were compared to one another as well as literature values from multiple sources to validate the results obtained. This report will outline the formulation of the two models, the results obtained from the two models, a comparison between the models, and a comparison to literature results for experimental test data.
Real-Time Occlusion Between Real and Digital Objects in Augmented Reality
Authors: Lesniak Kevin , Tucker Conrad S.
Published: November 2018

The method presented in this work reduces the frequency of virtual objects incorrectly occluding real-world objects in Augmented Reality (AR) applications. Current AR rendering methods cannot properly represent occlusion between real and virtual objects because the objects are not represented in a common coordinate system. These occlusion errors can lead users to have an incorrect perception of the environment around them when using an AR application, namely not knowing a real-world object is present due to a virtual object incorrectly occluding it and incorrect perception of depth or distance by the user due to incorrect occlusions. The authors of this paper present a method that brings both real-world and virtual objects into a common coordinate system so that distant virtual objects do not obscure nearby real-world objects in an AR application. This method captures and processes RGB-D data in real-time, allowing the method to be used in a variety of environments and scenarios. A case study shows the effectiveness and usability of the proposed method to correctly occlude real-world and virtual objects and provide a more realistic representation of the combined real and virtual environments in an AR application. The results of the case study show that the proposed method can detect at least 20 real-world objects with potential to be incorrectly occluded while processing and fixing occlusion errors at least 5 times per second.
Online Estimation of Lithium-Ion Battery Capacity Using Deep Convolutional Neural Networks
Authors: Shen Sheng , Sadoughi M. K. , Chen Xiangyi , Hong Mingyi , Hu Chao
Published: November 2018

Over the past two decades, safety and reliability of lithium-ion (Li-ion) rechargeable batteries have been receiving a considerable amount of attention from both industry and academia. To guarantee safe and reliable operation of a Li-ion battery pack and build failure resilience in the pack, battery management systems (BMSs) should possess the capability to monitor, in real time, the state of health (SOH) of the individual cells in the pack. This paper presents a deep learning method, named deep convolutional neural networks, for cell-level SOH assessment based on the capacity, voltage, and current measurements during a charge cycle. The unique features of deep convolutional neural networks include the local connectivity and shared weights, which enable the model to estimate battery capacity accurately using the measurements during charge. To our knowledge, this is the first attempt to apply deep learning to online SOH assessment of Li-ion battery. 10-year daily cycling data from implantable Li-ion cells are used to verify the performance of the proposed method. Compared with traditional machine learning methods such as relevance vector machine and shallow neural networks, the proposed method is demonstrated to produce higher accuracy and robustness in capacity estimation.
Fatigue and Failure Behavior of Homogeneous and Reinforced Compliant Mechanism Segments
Authors: Crews Joshua , Dharani Lokeswarappa R. , Midha Ashok
Published: November 2018

This paper presents a comprehensive study of the fatigue and failure behavior of both homogeneous and metallic-reinforced compliant segments. Baseline test results are presented for a homogeneous, fixed-free compliant segment constructed of thermoset urethane. The advantages of both polymeric and metallic materials for compliant mechanism construction are leveraged by designing and testing compliant test specimens containing a polymer casing and a metallic reinforcing element. Results obtained from fatigue testing of fixed-free compliant segments in a cyclic loading configuration show that the metallic-reinforced compliant specimens offer superior fatigue performance when compared to the homogeneous baseline specimens. Fractography, both macroscopic and microscopic, is used for a qualitative assessment of the failure behavior. This vein of research is undertaken using metallic reinforcement (inserts) toward the development of a new class of compliant mechanisms with significantly greater performance, particularly insofar as the problems of fatigue and creep are concerned.
Physics-Based State of Health Estimation of Lithium-Ion Battery Using Sequential Experimental Design
Authors: Lui Yu Hui , Li Meng , Sadoughi Mohammadkazem , Hu Chao , Hu Shan
Published: November 2018

State of health (SOH) estimation is a critical yet challenging task due to the complex degradation process of lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery. This paper proposes to combine physics-based modeling of Li-ion battery and sequential design of simulation experiments to build an accurate SOH estimator in a computationally efficient manner. A novel sequential backward optimization process is adopted to build a multivariate Gaussian process model that quantifies three degradation modes in a Li-ion battery cell: loss of lithium inventory and losses of active materials in the positive and negative electrodes. The sequential process for the design of simulation experiments is realized via the use of an acquisition function, the maximization of which gives rise to a new sample point in the design space for the next experiment. The acquisition function achieves an optimal balance between exploration of new regions in the design space with high prediction uncertainty and exploitation of challenging regions with high response nonlinearity. The preliminary results from COMSOL Multiphysics degradation scenario simulations show that the SOH estimator designed with the sequential sampling process can provide faster error decay in degradation estimation when compared to that without the sequential sampling process.
Design of a Novel Torsional Spring for the Next Generation Compliant Actuators
Authors: Yoon Jeong H. , Hong Dennis
Published: November 2018

Series Elastic Actuators (SEA) are one of the most widely studied compliant actuators in anthropomorphic robots and prostheses. However, due to the nature of its unique configuration, an unavoidable trade-off has to be made between compliance and bandwidth performance. In this paper, we show that by adopting a hypocycloid mechanism in rotary actuator designs, compliance and high force control bandwidth can be achieved at the same time, while reaping all the benefits of energy storage and shock absorption characteristics of mechanical springs.
A Conceptual Design Tool for Synthesis of Spatial Compliant and Shape Morphing Mechanisms
Authors: Patiballa Sreekalyan , Uchikata Kazuhiro , Ranganath Ramkumar Komanduri , Krishnan Girish
Published: November 2018

Synthesis of spatial compliant mechanisms for morphing surfaces in three dimensions is challenging as it not only involves meeting the kinematic requirement for spatial shape change, but also providing support against external loads. In three dimensions, there are no existing insightful techniques for synthesis, and the computational approaches are rendered complex. This paper builds on a new insightful technique to synthesize compliant mechanism topologies by visualizing a kinetostatic field of forces that flow through the mechanism geometry. Such a framework when extended to three dimensions, enables a maximally decoupled synthesis framework of shape morphing compliant surfaces, where a primary mechanism meets the shape change requirement, and an auxiliary mechanism provides the required support under external loads. The preliminary design guidelines are implemented using an immersive Virtual Reality based design tool, and verified using finite element simulations for several spatial compliant mechanisms. This design framework is deemed useful for a larger class of shape morphing structures beyond the examples presented in the paper.
Development of a Totally Embedded Smart Insole
Authors: Tabrizi Mohammad M. , Sharifnezhad Ali , Agheli Mahdi
Published: November 2018

Athletes’ gait should be meticulously analyzed in order to let them get the best performance while practicing and rehearsal. In this research, a previously introduced smart insole has been developed and redesigned in order to make it more efficient and versatile. Unlike the previous version, the new version is totally wireless and subtle. This insole is equipped with different sets of electronics which let it acquire various gait parameters and further on use them for analyzing a person’s gait. Force sensors and IMU unit are the most important data acquisition units which are of high importance in analyzing a person’s motion behavior. All required electronics are embedded inside the insole making it a sealed and compact gait measurement unit.
An Empirical Study of a Decision-Making Process Supported by Simulation in the Automotive Industry
Authors: Sissoko Timothé M. , Jankovic Marija , Paredis Christiaan J. J. , Landel Eric
Published: November 2018

The design process can be considered as series of decisions supported by modeling and simulation (M&S). Current developments aim at supporting this decision making with regard to increasing resources committed in the M&S process. To understand possible decision support, we conducted an empirical study in a car manufacturing company to map out the decision-making process during the development phase. A qualitative data analysis was performed to understand the difficulties and the needs expressed by decision makers. Industrial preliminary observations have shown that decisions regarding design issues are often postponed, causing iterations, and time and cost overruns in the development process. The study revealed that decisions are escalated to upper hierarchical levels as complexity and uncertainty increase and as the tradeoffs become impactful. A lack of knowledge about the M&S performance and limits, a lack of clarity due to design ambiguity, and uncertainty are more likely to cause iterations and delay. In addition, decision makers and stakeholders are sometimes unadvised of the influence of the decision under consideration on subsequent decisions and on the profit. These findings are interesting as they shed light in terms of decision supported needed in the future.
Co-Simulation Procedure for Multibody Reeving Systems
Authors: Orzechowski Grzegorz , Mikkola Aki M. , Escalona José L.
Published: November 2018

In this paper, co-simulation procedure for a multibody system that includes reeving mechanism will be introduced. The multibody system under investigation is assumed to have a set of rigid bodies connected by flexible wire ropes using a set of sheaves and reels. In the co-simulation procedure, a wire rope is described using a combination of absolute position coordinates, relative transverse deformation coordinates and longitudinal material coordinates. Accordingly, each wire rope span is modeled using a single two-noded element by employing an Arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian approach.
Optimized Hysteretic TMD for Seismic Control of a Nonlinear Steel Structure
Authors: Boccamazzo Antonio , Carboni Biagio , Quaranta Giuseppe , Lacarbonara Walter
Published: November 2018

The nonlinear dynamic response of a scale steel structure equipped with a hysteretic tuned mass damper (TMD) is investigated. Identification of the parameters of a nonlinear model of the structure is carried out via experimental tests while the optimal parameters of the TMD are obtained by using a differential evolution algorithm. Such optimization algorithm can search the best solution in a large parameter space without making restrictive assumptions on the optimization problem. The seismic performance of the optimized hysteretic TMD mounted on a nonlinear structure is compared with that of a more conventional, linear tuned mass damper.
Administrative Strategies for Delivering High-Quality Instruction in a University-Based Physical Activity and Wellness Program
Authors: Brock Sheri J. , Russell Jared A. , Cosgrove Brenna , Richards Jessica
Published: November 2018

The School of Kinesiology at Auburn University has a large Physical Activity and Wellness Program (PAWP) that services approximately 8,000 students each academic year. The roughly 470 courses offered annually include aquatics, leisure, martial arts, fitness, and individual- and team-sport offerings taught predominantly by graduate teaching assistants. Overall, Auburn University has experienced a great deal of success in providing a PAWP program that students enjoy and often wish to repeat although these courses are not required as compulsory credit. Delivering high-quality undergraduate educational experiences is paramount to the overall instructional mission of the School of Kinesiology. This paper outlines administrative strategies to ensure that PAWP instructors are prepared and supported in their instructional responsibilities.
U.S. labs clamor for marmosets
Authors: Servick Kelly
Published: November 2018

Shortage develops as new transgenic models for neurological diseases stoke interest.
Giant study links DNA to same-sex experiences
Authors: Price Michael
Published: November 2018

People who reported having at least one same-sex partner are more likely to share certain genetic variants.
Fallout for co-authors
Authors: McCook Alison
Published: November 2018

When a scientist has papers retracted for scientific misconduct, collaborators can suffer career damage.
Volunteer watchdogs pushed a small country up the rankings
Authors: Oransky Ivan
Published: November 2018

Romania has among the highest retraction rates, thanks partly to oversight by volunteers.
Mass Media fellows wrap up productive summer
Authors: Ham Becky
Published: November 2018

Smaller, regional media outlets in the United States were the focus of the 2018 program
Agouti-related peptide 2 facilitates convergent evolution of stripe patterns across cichlid fish radiations
Authors: Kratochwil Claudius F. , Liang Yipeng , Gerwin Jan , Woltering Joost M. , Urban Sabine , Henning Frederico , Machado-Schiaffino Gonzalo , Hulsey C. Darrin , Meyer Axel
Published: November 2018

Showing their stripes

The adaptive radiation of East African cichlids has led to more than 1200 species across a number of lakes. Across these species, many convergent traits have emerged, including the presence or absence of horizontal stripes. Kratochwil
et al.
show that the appearance or loss of stripes is related to changes in the
agouti-related peptide 2
gene, which acts as a kind of on-off switch for stripe generation (see the Perspective by Gante). This action has enabled rapid and repeated evolution of stripes across this speciose radiation.

Science
, this issue p.
457
; see also p.
396
The nearshore cradle of early vertebrate diversification
Authors: Sallan Lauren , Friedman Matt , Sansom Robert S. , Bird Charlotte M. , Sansom Ivan J.
Published: November 2018

Shallow-water diversification

Most of what we know about the relationship between diversification and environment in ancient marine environments has come from invertebrates. The influence of habitat on vertebrate diversification thus remains a persistent question. Sallan
et al.
studied fossil vertebrates spanning the mid-Paleozoic, including both jawed and jawless fish (see the Perspective by Pimiento). They found that diversification occurred primarily in nearshore environments, with diversified forms later colonizing deeper marine or freshwater habitats. Furthermore, more robust forms remained in the nearshore, whereas more gracile forms moved to deeper waters. This split is similar to current relationships between form and environment in aquatic habitats.

Science
, this issue p.
460
; see also p.
402
Comment on “The earliest modern humans outside Africa”
Authors: Sharp Warren D. , Paces James B.
Published: November 2018

Hershkovitz
et al
. (Reports, 26 January 2018, p. 456) interpreted the Misliya-1 fossil maxilla as evidence of the earliest known anatomically modern human outside Africa. However, the fossil’s reported age of 177,000 to 194,000 years relies on flawed interpretations of uranium-series data. We contend that those data support a minimum age of no more than ~60,000 to 70,000 years.
Super-resolution chromatin tracing reveals domains and cooperative interactions in single cells
Authors: Bintu Bogdan , Mateo Leslie J. , Su Jun-Han , Sinnott-Armstrong Nicholas A. , Parker Mirae , Kinrot Seon , Yamaya Kei , Boettiger Alistair N. , Zhuang Xiaowei
Published: November 2018

Imaging chromatin spatial organization

The genome is organized within the nucleus as three-dimensional domains that modulate DNA-templated processes. Bintu
et al.
used high-throughput Oligopaint labeling and imaging to observe chromatin dynamics inside the nuclei of several different mammalian cell lines. After combining the datasets, single-cell matrices revealed chromatin arranged in topologically associating domains (TADs). Removing cohesin resulted in a loss of aggregate TADs among populations of cells, but specific TADs were still detected at the single-cell level. Furthermore, higher-order organization was detected, suggestive of cooperative interactions within the genome.

Science
, this issue p.
eaau1783
RETRACTED: A room-temperature single-photon source based on strongly interacting Rydberg atoms
Authors: Ripka Fabian , Kübler Harald , Löw Robert , Pfau Tilman
Published: November 2018

Single photons from inflated atoms

Single-photon emitters are of interest for many applications, such as quantum sensing and quantum secure communication. Although efficient on-demand solid-state sources based on quantum dots, defect color centers in diamond, and single molecules are available, most of these systems require cryogenic temperatures for optimal performance. Ripka
et al.
used a cloud of warm excited rubidium atoms confined to a gas cell and exploited the exaggerated interaction of Rydberg states to generate single photons on demand. The results demonstrate the viability of atomic gases for application in the development of quantum technologies.

Science
, this issue p.
446
Threats to timely sharing of pathogen sequence data
Authors: dos S. Ribeiro Carolina , Koopmans Marion P. , Haringhuizen George B.
Published: November 2018

The Nagoya Protocol may impose costs and delays
PIEZOs mediate neuronal sensing of blood pressure and the baroreceptor reflex
Authors: Zeng Wei-Zheng , Marshall Kara L. , Min Soohong , Daou Ihab , Chapleau Mark W. , Abboud Francois M. , Liberles Stephen D. , Patapoutian Ardem
Published: November 2018

Heart rate and blood pressure control

PIEZO1 and PIEZO2 are two mechanically activated ion channels that are highly expressed in lungs, bladder, and skin. Zeng
et al.
found that both ion channels are expressed in sensory neurons of a ganglion complex that contribute to the baroreflex, a homeostatic mechanism that helps to keep blood pressure stable (see the Perspective by Ehmke). Conditional double knockout of PIEZO1 and PIEZO2 in these neurons abolished the baroreflex and disrupted blood pressure regulation and heart rates in mice. These changes were very similar to those seen in patients with baroreflex failure. In mice, selective activation of PIEZO2-expressing ganglion neurons triggered immediate increases in heart rate and blood pressure.

Science
, this issue p.
464
; see also p.
398
Our shallow-water origins
Authors: Pimiento Catalina
Published: November 2018

Coastal habitats represent a cradle of diversification for early vertebrates
The chromatin accessibility landscape of primary human cancers
Authors: Corces M. Ryan , Granja Jeffrey M. , Shams Shadi , Louie Bryan H. , Seoane Jose A. , Zhou Wanding , Silva Tiago C. , Groeneveld Clarice , Wong Christopher K. , Cho Seung Woo , Satpathy Ansuman T. , Mumbach Maxwell R. , Hoadley Katherine A. , Robertson A. Gordon , Sheffield Nathan C. , Felau Ina , Castro Mauro A. A. , Berman Benjamin P. , Staudt Louis M. , Zenklusen Jean C. , Laird Peter W. , Curtis Christina ,   The Cancer Genome Atlas Analysis Network, Greenleaf William J. , Chang Howard Y. , Akbani Rehan , Benz Christopher C. , Boyle Evan A. , Broom Bradley M. , Cherniack Andrew D. , Craft Brian , Demchok John A. , Doane Ashley S. , Elemento Olivier , Ferguson Martin L. , Goldman Mary J. , Hayes D. Neil , He Jing , Hinoue Toshinori , Imielinski Marcin , Jones Steven J. M. , Kemal Anab , Knijnenburg Theo A. , Korkut Anil , Lin De-Chen , Liu Yuexin , Mensah Michael K. A. , Mills Gordon B. , Reuter Vincent P. , Schultz Andre , Shen Hui , Smith Jason P. , Tarnuzzer Roy , Trefflich Sheyla , Wang Zhining , Weinstein John N. , Westlake Lindsay C. , Xu Jin , Yang Liming , Yau Christina , Zhao Yang , Zhu Jingchun
Published: November 2018

Cancer chromatin accessibility landscape

The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) provides a high-quality resource of molecular data on a large variety of human cancers. Corces
et al.
used a recently modified assay to profile chromatin accessibility to determine the accessible chromatin landscape in 410 TCGA samples from 23 cancer types (see the Perspective by Taipale). When the data were integrated with other omics data available for the same tumor samples, inherited risk loci for cancer predisposition were revealed, transcription factors and enhancers driving molecular subtypes of cancer with patient survival differences were identified, and noncoding mutations associated with clinical prognosis were discovered.

Science
, this issue p.
eaav1898
; see also p.
401
DbdR, a New Member of the LysR Family of Transcriptional Regulators, Coordinately Controls Four Promoters in the Thauera aromatica AR-1 3,5-Dihydroxybenzoate Anaerobic Degradation Pathway
Authors: Pacheco-Sánchez Daniel , Molina-Fuentes Águeda , Marín Patricia , Díaz-Romero Alberto , Marqués Silvia
Published: November 2018

Thauera aromatica
AR-1 is a facultative anaerobe that is able to use 3,5-dihydroxybenzoat (3,5-DHB) as the sole carbon and energy source in a process that is dependent on nitrate respiration. We have shown that a single LysR-type regulator with unusual properties, DbdR, controls the expression of the pathway in response to the presence of the substrate; unlike other regulators of the family, DbdR does not repress but activates its own synthesis and is able to bind and activate three promoters directing the synthesis of the pathway enzymes. The promoter architecture is conserved among the three promoters but deviates from that of typical LTTR-dependent promoters. The substrate must be metabolized to an intermediate compound to activate transcription, which requires basal enzyme levels to always be present. The regulatory network present in this strain is designed to allow basal expression of the enzymatic machinery, which would rapidly metabolize the substrate when exposed to it, thus rendering the effector molecule. Once activated, the regulator induces the synthesis of the entire pathway through a positive feedback, increasing expression from all the target promoters to allow maximum growth.
Parents’ perception of children’s mental health: seeing the signs but not the problems
Authors: Huang Li , Hiscock Harriet , Dalziel Kim M
Published: November 2018

Background

It is a public heath priority to understand why many children with mental health problems fail to access mental health services. This study aims to quantify under-recognition of children’s mental health problems by parents across income quintiles.

Methods

We estimated under-recognition with parent-reported mental health problems and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) using a nationally representative Australian data set for children aged 4–15 years with 24 269 person-wave observations.

Results

Under-recognition was the highest in the lowest income quintile, with 11.5% of children from the lowest income quintile families who scored in the clinical range on the SDQ perceived by parents as having no mental health problems. For the highest income quintile this was 2.4%. In terms of gender and age, under-recognition was greater for boys and younger children.

Conclusions

Parent’s mental health literacy, especially for low-income families, warrants prioritised attention from researchers, clinicians and policymakers.
Evaluation of paliperidone on social function in patients with chronic schizophrenia
Authors: Gu Yan , Peng Hong , Dai Jingjing , Gao Hui , Yang Xianghong , Sheng Jialing , Zhang Chen
Published: November 2018

Background

The impairment of social function is widespread in the patients with chronic schizophrenia, which seriously affects family, life and work conditions.

Aims

The main purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of paliperidone in the treatment of social function in chronic schizophrenia.

Methods

A total of 81 patients who met the standard criteria for schizophrenia and long-term hospitalised inpatients were randomly divided into the treatment group and normal control group following a 1- year prospective follow-up study. The reatment group (41 cases) used paliperidone extended-release tablets for reducing dosage, as appropriate, based on the original treatment strategy; and the control group (40 cases) used the former drugs. All patients were assessed using the Positive and Negative Symptom Scales (PANSS), and the Treatment Emergent Symptom Scale (TESS) was used to assess adverse drug reactions. The Hospitalised Psychiatric Patients’ Social Functions Rating Scale (SSPI) was used to assess social function of participants before and after 8  weeks, 6  months and 1 year of treatment.

Results

At baseline there were no significant differences between the two groups in age, duration of illness, educational background and dosage of antipsychotic drugs (converted into chlorpromazine equivalency). There was statistically significant difference in PANSS positive symptoms by interaction effect (Fgroup×time=18.24, df=3237, p<0.001) and time effect (Ftime=21.66, df=3, p<0.01) and the difference in PANSS positive symptoms by grouping effect (Fgroup=0.68, df=1, p=0.41) was not statistically significant. The difference of grouping effect of PANSS negative symptoms (Fgroup=9.93, df=1, p=0.002), time effect (Ftime=279.15, df=3, p<0.001) and interaction effect (Fgroup×time=279.15, df=3237, p<0.001) were statistically significant. There were statistically significant differences in the grouping effect (Fgroup=6.59, df=1, p=0.012), time effect (Ftime=152.97, df=3, p<0.001) and interaction effect (Fgroup×time=148.82, df=3237, p<0.001) of PANSS general pathological symptoms, the same as the total score of the PANSS, which showed large differences in grouping effect (Fgroup=7.04, df=1, p=0.001), time effect (Ftime=210.78, df=3, p<0.001) and interaction effect (Fgroup×time=205.20, df=3237, p<0.01). We found in the total SSPI score, grouping effect (Fgroup=31.70, df=1, p<0.001), time effect (Ftime=161.84, df=3, p<0.001) and interaction effect (Fgroup×time=132.74, df=3237, p<0.001) were demonstrated to be significantly different. Even though adverse reactions occurred 7 times in the treatment group and 44 times in the control group based on the Treatment Emergent Symptom Scale (TESS), incidence rate was significantly lower than that of the control group (χ²=18.854, p<0.001).

Conclusion

Paliperidone can safely and effectively improve negative symptoms and social function in patients with chronic schizophrenia.
Hyperpolarised xenon magnetic resonance spectroscopy for the longitudinal assessment of changes in gas diffusion in IPF
Authors: Weatherley Nicholas D , Stewart Neil J , Chan Ho-Fung , Austin Matthew , Smith Laurie J , Collier Guilhem , Rao Madhwesha , Marshall Helen , Norquay Graham , Renshaw Stephen A , Bianchi Stephen Mark , Wild Jim M
Published: November 2018

Prognosticating idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is challenging, in part due to a lack of sensitive biomarkers. A recent article inThoraxdescribed how hyperpolarised xenon magnetic resonance spectroscopy may quantify regional gas exchange in IPF lungs. In a population of patients with IPF, we find that the xenon signal from red blood cells diminishes relative to the tissue/plasma signal over a 12-month time period, even when the diffusion factor for carbon monoxide is static over the same time period. We conclude that hyperpolarised129Xe MR spectroscopy may be sensitive to short-term changes in interstitial gas diffusion in IPF.
Neighbourhood tobacco supply and individual maternal smoking during pregnancy: a fixed-effects longitudinal analysis using routine data
Authors: Clemens Tom , Dibben Chris , Pearce Jamie , Shortt Niamh K
Published: November 2018

Background

Tobacco policy is increasingly focusing on the ‘tobacco endgame’ which commits to eradicating tobacco use (prevalence below 5%) within the next two decades. Strategies for achieving the endgame are likely to include addressing the supply of tobacco products, yet current evidence to support this approach is primarily cross-sectional.

Methods

We use longitudinal smoking information from routine maternity records of all women who gave birth in Scotland between 2000 and 2015. We linked this data to the residential density of retailers selling tobacco products and the neighbourhood prevalence of smoking during pregnancy. In the analysis, individual mothers act as their own controls because we compare changes in their smoking behaviour between pregnancies to changes in exposure to tobacco retailing that arises from residential movement between pregnancies.

Results

Adjusted ORs showed an increased risk of being a smoker associated with increases in exposure to retailer density (OR 1.67, 95% CI 1.27 to 2.20).

Conclusions

The results provide the strongest evidence to date of an association between the neighbourhood availability of tobacco and smoking, and the first to do so among pregnant women. These findings provide supportive evidence for interventions targeting the supply of tobacco products in achieving the endgame.
Paul Reginald Greenough
Authors: Blowey Roger , McNab Ian , Weaver David
Published: November 2018

A well‐known Somerset cattle practitioner with a major interest in lameness of dairy cows, he later emigrated to Saskatoon, Canada, where he was on the clinical staff of the university for over 40 years.
Financial issues in construction companies: bibliometric analysis and trends
Authors: Gundes Selin , Atakul Nur , Buyukyoran Faruk
Published: November 2018

The success of construction contractors largely depends on the specific terms and the availability of sufficient funds for realizing planned projects. Financial issues in construction have been discussed since mid 1970s, yet no consensus about progress has been reached in the construction finance literature. A systematic analysis of 259 finance related studies in construction is undertaken to identify research trends, critical topics, and performance of journals and authors. To map the productivity in construction finance field, Scopus database was searched for the entire period for which this database provides online coverage. Results reveal that “financial health” category, in particular one group of studies aiming to monitor and assess the financial performance of construction organizations for broader strategic issues pervaded the construction finance research. However, notably the “identification of capital structure, determinants and financing instruments” category received less and only recent attention from scholars, despite the significance of capital structure decisions under firm and country specific determinants in preventing company failures.
Chronic inhibition of nitric oxide synthase modulates calcium handling in rat heart
Authors: Özakca Işıl , Özçelikay A. Tanju
Published: November 2018

Systemic infusion of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitors increases peripheral vascular resistance due to inhibition of endothelial NOS leading to the activation of the arterial baroreceptor mechanisms and inhibition of central sympathetic outflow. In the current study, we explored that systemic NOS blockage activates protein kinase A (PKA)-mediated signaling pathway through maintained cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG) activation. Rats were treated with 3 different concentrations of N(ω)-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) for 14 days. Systemic L-NAME treatment induced a dose-dependent increase in blood pressure and increased mRNA levels of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and phosphorylation levels of p44/42 MAPK without any change in cardiac mass. The cardiac cGMP levels and PKG-mediated phosphorylation of vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP) (Ser239) did not alter in any group. At the highest dose of treatment (100 mg/kg per day), PKA-mediated phosphorylations of VASP (Ser157) and troponin I (TnI) (Ser23/24) were enhanced significantly indicating the increase in PKA activation in response to chronic NOS blockage. Alterations in both phosphorylated phospholamban (Ser16/Thr17) and sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA2) levels can increase cytosolic Ca2+ load and impair Ca2+ handling. Our data suggest that the increased PKA activation in response to chronic NOS blockage appears to be responsible for cardiac abnormalities that occur due to prolonged L-NAME treatment.
Effects of an introduced, novel prey on diet and reproduction in the diet-specialist European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)
Authors: Williams T.D. , Cornell A. , Gillespie C. , Hura A. , Serota M.
Published: November 2018

Diet specialization has important consequences for how individuals or species deal with environmental change that causes changes in availability of prey species. We took advantage of a “natural experiment” — establishment of a commercial insect farm — that introduced a novel prey item, black soldier flies (Hermetia illucens (Linnaeus, 1758)), to the diet-specialist European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris Linnaeus, 1758). We investigated evidence for individual diet specialization (IDS) and the consequences of diet specialization and exploitation of novel prey on breeding productivity. In all 4 years of our study, tipulid larvae were the most common prey item. Soldier flies were not recorded in diets in 2013–2014; however, coincident with the establishment of the commercial insect farming operation, they comprised 22% and 30% of all prey items in the diets of European Starling females and males, respectively, in 2015. There was marked individual variation in use of soldier flies (4%–48% and 2%–70% in females and males, respectively), but we found little evidence of dichotomous IDS, i.e., where only some individuals have a specialized diet. We found no evidence for negative effects of use of soldier flies on breeding productivity: brood size at fledging and chick quality (mass, tarsus length) were independent of the number and proportion (%) of soldier flies returned to the nest.
On the stability of Einstein universe in f(R, T, Rμν Tμν) gravity
Authors: Sharif M. , Waseem Arfa
Published: November 2018

This paper investigates the existence and stability of Einstein universe in the context of f(R, T, Q) gravity, where Q = R[Formula: see text] T[Formula: see text]. Considering linear homogeneous perturbations around scale factor and energy density, we formulate static as well as perturbed field equations. We parametrize the stability regions corresponding to conserved as well as non-conserved energy–momentum tensor using linear equation of state parameter for particular models of this gravity. The graphical analysis concludes that for a suitable choice of parameters, stable regions of the Einstein universe are obtained which indicates that the big bang singularity can be avoided successfully by the emergent mechanism in non-minimal matter-curvature coupled gravity.
Interfacial thermal conductance at metal–nonmetal interface via electron–phonon coupling
Authors: Shi Bo , Tang Xiaofeng , Lu Tingyu , Nakayama Tsuneyoshi , Li Yunyun , Zhou Jun
Published: November 2018

Interfacial thermal conductance between dissimilar materials plays an important role in solving the overheating problem and thus improving the performance of photonic and electronic devices, especially those at micro- and nano-scale. However, conclusive heat transfer mechanism across interfaces is absent, especially across metal–nonmetal interfaces. Heat transfer across a metal–nonmetal interface is determined by the interplay among different heat carriers. In the metal, both electrons and phonons carry heat, while in the nonmetal, only the phonons are the dominant heat carriers. The interactions among these carriers can be classified into three categories, which correspond to three heat transfer channels, i.e. (i) phonon(metal)–phonon(nonmetal) interactions, which have been widely studied on the basis of the acoustic mismatch theory, diffuse mismatch model, lattice/molecular dynamics simulations; (ii) electron(metal)–phonon(metal) interactions followed by phonon(metal)–phonon(nonmetal) interactions, which were introduced to provide thermal resistance in series with that of the first channel; (iii) electron(metal)–phonon(nonmetal) direct interactions. The third channel has been introduced in order to explain the deviation between experimental results and the existing models incorporating the channel (i) and the channel (ii). Currently, there have been no models to comprehensively capture the underlying mechanism, mainly due to the difficulty in determining/defining the interfacial states at microscopic level and the temperature. Experimentally, it is hard to distinguish the contributions from these channels due to the resolution/sensitivity of the experimental system. Therefore, we here mainly concern with the investigations on the contributions of the channel (iii) from both experimental and theoretical aspects.
Dynamic learning super network modeling of a complex product system based on multi-organization cooperation
Authors: Kan Shuang , Lv Wei , Guo Fu
Published: November 2018

Super network modeling has become an effective approach for analyzing complex systems. In this study, a super network is proposed in terms of systems science. A vital aspect of the modeling is the unique dynamic mechanism of the complex system, particularly the preferential mechanism. The preferential mechanism is the driving force of system evolution. However, in current studies, preferential probability has been mostly related to node degree, and there has been little consideration of multi-attribute decision-making based on complex system characteristics (multi-level, multi-traffic, etc.). Furthermore, association analysis of driving forces and the topology structure of the complex system should be highlighted to explore the operating mechanism. In this study, we consider a complex production system (CoPS) as the research object, propose a unique learning motivation mechanism and interaction mechanism of the CoPS, develop a preferential algorithm based on the interval-valued intuitionistic uncertain linguistic (IVIUL) operator, and construct a multi-organization knowledge learning super network model. A simulation experiment was conducted to explore the effect of the preferential parameter on learning performance. The results show that the feature of the project team has an important influence on the learning improvement velocity of the super network.
Crosscap numbers of a family of Montesinos knots
Authors: Li Miaowang , Li Fengling , Lei Fengchun
Published: November 2018

This paper is concerned with the crosscap numbers of Montesinos knots. For a family of Montesinos knots, we give a lower bound of [Formula: see text] among all essential surfaces [Formula: see text] embedded in the exterior, where [Formula: see text] denotes the ratio of negative Euler characteristic of the surface and the number of sheets. From this result, we determine the crosscap numbers of a family of Montesinos knots. Our method relies on the algorithm of enumerating all essential surfaces for Montesinos knots given by Hatcher and Oertel.
A result on the Slope conjectures for 3-string Montesinos knots
Authors: Leng Xudong , Yang Zhiqing , Liu Ximin
Published: November 2018

The Slope Conjecture and the Strong Slope Conjecture predict that the degree of the colored Jones polynomial of a knot is matched by the boundary slope and the Euler characteristic of some essential surfaces in the knot complement. By solving a problem of quadratic integer programming to find the maximal degree and using the Hatcher–Oertel edgepath system to find the corresponding essential surface, we verify the Slope Conjectures for a family of 3-string Montesinos knots satisfying certain conditions.
Self C2-equivalence of two-component links and invariants of link maps
Authors: Melikhov Sergey A.
Published: November 2018

We use Kirk’s invariant of link maps [Formula: see text] and its variations due to Koschorke and Kirk–Livingston to deduce results about classical links. Namely, we give a new proof of the Nakanishi–Ohyama classification of two-component links in [Formula: see text] up to [Formula: see text]-link homotopy. We also prove its version for string links, which is due (in a slightly different form) to Fleming–Yasuhara. The proofs do not use Clasper Theory.
Two-variable polynomial invariants of virtual knots arising from flat virtual knot invariants
Authors: Kaur Kirandeep , Prabhakar Madeti , Vesnin Andrei
Published: November 2018

We introduce two sequences of two-variable polynomials [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], expressed in terms of index value of a crossing and [Formula: see text]-dwrithe value of a virtual knot [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are variables. Basing on the fact that [Formula: see text]-dwrithe is a flat virtual knot invariant, we prove that [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are virtual knot invariants containing Kauffman affine index polynomial as a particular case. Using [Formula: see text] we give sufficient conditions when virtual knot does not admit cosmetic crossing change.
Triple crossing number and double crossing braid index
Authors: Nishida Daishiro
Published: November 2018

Traditionally, knot theorists have considered projections of knots where there are two strands meeting at every crossing. A triple crossing is a crossing where three strands meet at a single point, such that each strand bisects the crossing. In this paper we find a relationship between the triple crossing number and the double crossing braid index for unoriented links, namely [Formula: see text]. This yields a new method for determining braid indices. We find an infinite family of knots that achieve equality, which allows us to determine both the double crossing braid index and the triple crossing number of these knots.