Flexible Use Research Articles

Prediction of Poly-methyl-methacrylate Laser Milling Process Characteristics Based on Neural Networks and Fuzzy Data

Laser milling is a recent technology adopted in rapid prototyping to produce tool, mould and polymer-based microfluidic devices. In this process, a laser beam is used to machine a solid bulk, filling the area to be machined with a number of closely spaced parallel lines. Compared to traditional machining, this method has some advantages, such as: greater flexibility of use, no mechanical contact with the surface, a reduction in industrial effluents, a fine accuracy of machining, even with complex forms, and the possibility to work different kind of materials. While it is relatively easy to predict the depth of the area worked, the surface roughness is more difficult to predict due to the materials behaviors at microscopic level. This is truer when polymer processing is considered due to the local thermal effects. The paper addresses the application of an artificial neural network computing technique to predict the depth and the surface roughness in laser milling tests of poly-methyl-methacrylate. The tests were carried out adopting a CO2 laser working in continuous and pulsed wave mode. The obtained results showed a good agreement between the model and the experimental data. As a matter of fact, despite the thermal degradation that occurs on the PMMA surface, neural network processing offers an effective method for the prevision of roughness parameters as a function of the adopted process parameters.

Leading change: introducing an electronic medical record system to a paramedic service.

Purpose Leaders in health-care organizations introducing electronic medical records (EMRs) face implementation challenges. The adoption of EMR by the emergency medical and ambulance setting is expected to provide wide-ranging benefits, but there is little research into the processes of adoption in this sector. The purpose of this study is to examine the introduction of EMR in a small emergency care organization and identify factors that aided adoption. Design/methodology/approach Semi-structured interviews with selected paramedics were followed up with a survey issued to all paramedics in the company. Findings The user interfaces with the EMR, and perceived ease of use, were important factors affecting adoption. Individual paramedics were found to have strong and varied preferences about how and when they integrated the EMR into their practice. As company leadership introduced flexibility of use, this enhanced both individual and collective ability to make sense of the change and removed barriers to acceptance. Research limitations/implications This is a case study of one small organization. However, there may be useful lessons for other emergency care organizations adopting EMR. Practical implications Leaders introducing EMR in similar situations may benefit from considering a sense-making perspective and responding promptly to feedback. Originality/value The study contributes to a wider understanding of issues faced by leaders who seek to implement EMRs in emergency medical services, a sector in which there has been to date very little research on this issue.

Smart nest box: a tool and methodology for monitoring of cavity‐dwelling animals

SummaryCamera recording and video analysis have emerged as a successful non‐invasive method for collecting a wide range of biological data on many different taxa of animals. However, camera monitoring has rarely been applied to long‐term surveillance of cavity or box‐nesting species and ordinary off‐the‐shelf cameras are employed.We present methodology and data on the effectiveness of nest box monitoring using a camera system embedded in four ‘smart nest boxes’ (SNBoxes). We applied theSNBoxes to eight Tengmalm's owl (Aegolius funereus) nests in the Czech Republic during a 5‐month period in 2014. EachSNBox consisted of a pair of cameras with infrared lighting, an event detector, a radiofrequency identification reader, auxiliary sensors and a 60 Ah 12 V battery to power the whole system. All devices used were centrally managed by an embedded computer with specifically developed software.Using fourSNBoxes, we observed owl nesting continually during the incubation, nestling and fledgling phases, in total 309 days, resulting in 3382 owl video events. Batteries were changed every 6·5 days. A memory of 4 GB was found sufficient to store monthly data. We identified 12 types of male and female parental activities and their timing, the diet composition and frequency of prey delivery, the manner of prey storage, the light intensity at the time of each parental activity, the temperature inside the clutch and outside the box and the duration of nestling period of each young. We also produced a video on owl nesting for the general public.TheSNBox and related methodology show enormous potential as a non‐invasive tool for monitoring animals using boxes or natural cavities. The main advantage of theSNBox is the possibility to study both nocturnal and diurnal animal species and great flexibility in use of the software and hardware for different tasks. As a result, theSNBox provides an opportunity for novel insights into the breeding, roosting, hibernating, and food storage activities of a wide range of cavity‐living birds, mammals and reptiles.

How Technology Affected Our Privacy

After the recent spread of the Internet, many technology terms appeared like Smartphone, social media and cloud computing. Flexibility in use this technology encourage people to communicate and share their information in all kinds: photos, videos, documents and sometimes sensitive information like bank account. Annually we note the increased number of users of this technology to be arrived over billions of users. Most of these users are public which they do not realize ambiguity of technology and therefore easier to access their information. The abundance of information and poor knowledge of users about privacy led to the emergence of numerous threats and fears under this term. Thus, the importance of educating people about privacy issues and related risk factors become essential. This paper views the definition of privacy and what level of awareness should be applied. With try to understand some security issues and related laws. And compare between two different privacy laws.

Perceptions of the effects of e-cigarettes

BackgroundThe use of e-cigarettes has become a growing trend especially among smokers and former smokers. These electronic nicotine delivery devices deliver nicotine along with other chemical constituents of the e-liquid as a vapour and look similar to a tobacco cigarette. Despite lack of evidence on safety and effects on users, they have been used as a smoking cessation aid amid a rising concern that they might re-normalise smoking. Few qualitative studies have investigated the reasons why people use them and how their effects are perceived. This study explored the perceptions of e-cigarette users, including why they use them and the perceived harmful and beneficial effects. MethodsRecruitment was through distribution of fliers at e-cigarette shops in Liverpool and the University of Liverpool intranet between April 8 and June 30, 2014. In this qualitative study of six men and three women (seven PhD psychology students, one manager, and one hospitality professional), in-depth interviews were recorded digitally, transcribed, and analysed thematically. Informed consent was obtained and ethics approval granted by the University of Liverpool. FindingsFive themes emerged: on motivations for use, perceived health effects, use as a smoking cessation aid, stigma, and perceptions of the effects of proposed regulations. Motivations for use included an aid to reduce or quit smoking, cost (cheaper than tobacco cigarettes), and flexibility of use at work and social places. Participants reported health benefits of improved breathing and body odour and an adverse effect of dry throat. As a smoking cessation aid, users reported behavioural benefits including the ability to continue “the hand-to-mouth motion” and “blow smoke” which made e-cigarettes more acceptable than nicotine replacement therapies. E-cigarettes were perceived to be a better fit socially in terms of adopting a similar pattern of daily routines. Most participants perceived that use of nicotine replacement treatments to quit smoking was stigmatising because of their appearance. Lastly, participants perceived that proposed regulations might cause e-cigarettes to be banned at work and social places diminishing benefits of use. InterpretationThese findings suggest that e-cigarettes were perceived to be a more acceptable smoking cessation aid because of the behavioural and social benefits derived from their use and less stigmatising than nicotine replacement treatments. FundingNone.

EVALUATION OF EXTREMELY ASYMMETRIC TYPES OF DISTRIBUTIONS OF GEOFEATURES VALUES

Statistical and geometric patterns were disclosed that are inherent to extremely asymmetric types of formation of stochastic frequencies of geofeatures values with the help of the exponential, probabilistic, structural, and Zipf distribution laws, which are most often used to describe them. A sophisticated pattern with exponential and hyperbolic nature of the probabilistic frequencies formation development was found. Based on these features, a leading concept of using major structure-forming characteristics of the distribu- tion of variable parameters as desired theoretical distribution function was used for parameterization of an extremely asymmetric distribution model. A median and modal frequency of geofeatures distribution were defined as the theoretical parameters of the desired distribution model. A structure was constructed and formulas were derived for determination of the statistical characteristics of the recommended distribution model. Approbation of the distribution model was conducted on an example of morphometric signs empirical distributions among the localities of varying complexity and qualitative indicators of a number of gold and rare metal deposits; inhesion of its approxi- mating power and flexibility of use was revealed.

A Promising Approach in the World: Tensile Structures Roofing

Civil engineering roof systems for outdoor environments find use in bazaars, car park areas, outdoor sport facilities and places built to protect people or their goods from environmental effects such as sun and heavy rain. Therefore, such roofing systems have great amount of application and each country spends huge volumes of materials to build these roof systems to improve life quality of people in cities. Thus, it is evident that further research on these civil engineering structures has the potential to decrease the cost of these roof systems and build more efficient ones. Generally these roof systems are manufactured employing structural steel material. As is well known, steel has promising mechanical properties such as high strength and high stiffness which can be exploited in structures that expected to receive very high magnitude of loadings, such as earthquake resistant buildings. However, there also exist some disadvantages of completely using steel in these roof systems. For instance, due to unit weight of material the roofs manufactured using steel are very heavy. So, construction process requires significant labour and time. Also steel construction is an expensive process considering measure of covered area for outdoor roof systems. Moreover, these kinds of roofs manufactured using completely steel are not flexible in use, that is to say, when it is unnecessary for some period of time it is not possible to remove the roof covering and re-cover it when it is necessary again. This paper investigates a novel concept in the world called as “tensile structures” used to cover wide outdoor areas. This concept actually combines civil engineering designs and some architectural aspects. Instead of using materials with high stiffness, tensile structures adapt membrane materials to cover wide areas. Cable elements accompany those membranes to transmit the internal forces and stresses to structural columns or ground. Although membrane materials have lower strengths compared to steel, these structures offer flexibility in use, light coverings, lower costs and faster construction time. Since these structures are built utilizing membrane materials and cables which support tension forces only, conventional stress office methods are not capable of handling their analyses and designs. Consequently, specific computational methods must be used to perform such designs. In this paper special commercial software is used to investigate behaviour of tensile structures. Three different configurations are employed to cover a wide area. Structural analysis procedures of those configurations are undertaken and stress distributions in membranes are investigated. Discussions pertaining to motivation behind these structures, load carrying capabilities and working principles are provided. Outcomes of this study illustrate that these tensile structures have the potential to replace some applications of steel roofs to lead lighter, flexible, low cost and more aesthetic structures for outdoor environments.

Static performance improvement of an industrial robot by means of a cable-driven redundantly actuated system

Abstract Every industrial robot has a specific kinematics, which often results in anisotropic performance within its workspace in terms of force and velocity. A cable-driven system can be used to improve the force manipulability of a robot by introducing an actuation redundancy. Such system acts directly on the robot end-effector increasing its flexibility of use in applications where a higher and more uniform force performance is required. This work is focused on high-thrust operations, for example robotic friction stir welding or incremental forming, realized by means of a highly anisotropic industrial robot.

Synthesis, Processing and Tensile Testing of a Poly(l‐lactide‐co‐caprolactone) Monofilament Fiber for Use as an Absorbable Surgical Suture

SummarySummary A poly(l‐lactide‐co‐caprolactone), P(LL‐co‐CL), 75:25 mol % copolymer was synthesized via the bulk ring‐opening copolymerization of l‐lactide (LL) and ϵ‐caprolactone (CL) at 130 °C for 48 hrs. The P(LL‐co‐CL) copolymer obtained was characterized in terms of its molecular weight (GPC), copolymer composition (1H‐NMR), monomer sequencing (13C‐NMR) and thermal properties (DSC, TGA). For processing, the P(LL‐co‐CL) was melt spun into a monofilament fiber with fast cooling and minimal draw in order to produce an as‐spun fiber that was largely amorphous and unoriented. This enabled the required oriented semi‐crystalline morphology to be gradually built into the as‐spun fiber in a series of controlled off‐line annealing and hot‐drawing steps. The final fiber, which combined sufficient tensile strength with flexibility for use as a suture material, exhibited a stress and strain at break of 344 MPa and 70%, respectively.

Secure and privacy preserving data processing support for active authentication

Keystroke dynamics and mouse movements are effective behavioral biometric modalities for active authentication. However, very little is done on the privacy of collection and transmission of keyboard and mouse data. In this paper, we develop a rule based data sanitization scheme to detect and remove personally identifiable and other sensitive information from the collected data set. Preliminary experiments show that our scheme incurs on average 5.69 % false negative error rate and 0.64 % false positive error rate. We also develop a data transmission scheme using the Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol (XMPP) to guarantee privacy during transmission. Using these two schemes as a basis, we develop two distinct architectures for providing secure and privacy preserving data processing support for active authentication. These architectures provide flexibility of use depending upon the application environment.

Iridium(III) Luminescent Probe for Detection of the Malarial Protein Biomarker Histidine Rich Protein-II

This work outlines the synthesis of a non-emissive, cyclometalated Ir(III) complex, Ir(ppy)2(H2O)2+ (Ir1), which elicits a rapid, long-lived phosphorescent signal when coordinated to a histidine-containing protein immobilized on the surface of a magnetic particle. Synthesis of Ir1, in high yields,is complete O/N and involves splitting of the parent cyclometalated Ir(III) chloro-bridged dimer into two equivalents of the solvated complex. To confirm specificity, several amino acids were probed for coordination activity when added to the synthesized probe, and only histidine elicited a signal response. Using BNT-II, a branched peptide mimic of the malarial biomarker Histidine Rich Protein II (pfHRP-II), the iridium probe was validated as a tool for HRP-II detection. Quenching effects were noted in the BNT-II/Ir1 titration when compared to L-Histidine/Ir1, but these were attributed to steric hindrance and triplet state quenching. Biolayer interferometry was used to determine real-time kinetics of interaction of Ir1 with BNT-II. Once the system was optimized, the limit of detection of rcHRP-II using the probe was found to be 12.8 nM in solution. When this protein was immobilized on the surface of a 50 µm magnetic agarose particle, the limit of detection was 14.5 nM. The robust signal response of this inorganic probe, as well as its flexibility of use in solution or immobilized on a surface, can lend itself toward a variety of applications, from diagnostic use to imaging.

Iridium(III) Luminescent Probe for Detection of the Malarial Protein Biomarker Histidine Rich Protein-II.

This work outlines the synthesis of a non-emissive, cyclometalated Ir(III) complex, Ir(ppy)2(H2O)2+ (Ir1), which elicits a rapid, long-lived phosphorescent signal when coordinated to a histidine-containing protein immobilized on the surface of a magnetic particle. Synthesis of Ir1, in high yields,is complete O/N and involves splitting of the parent cyclometalated Ir(III) chloro-bridged dimer into two equivalents of the solvated complex.To confirm specificity, several amino acids were probed for coordination activity when added to the synthesized probe, and only histidine elicited a signal response. Using BNT-II, a branched peptide mimic of the malarial biomarker Histidine Rich Protein II (pfHRP-II), the iridium probe was validated as a tool for HRP-II detection. Quenching effects were noted in the BNT-II/Ir1 titration when compared to L-Histidine/Ir1, but these were attributed to steric hindrance and triplet state quenching. Biolayer interferometry was used to determine real-time kinetics of interaction of Ir1 with BNT-II. Once the system was optimized, the limit of detection of rcHRP-II using the probe was found to be 12.8 nM in solution. When this protein was immobilized on the surface of a 50 µm magnetic agarose particle, the limit of detection was 14.5 nM. The robust signal response of this inorganic probe, as well as its flexibility of use in solution or immobilized on a surface, can lend itself toward a variety of applications, from diagnostic use to imaging.

Smart Technologies with Wireless Sensor Networks

In recent years, the studies in inter-devices communication (M2M) which is considered to be the Internet, ecosystem of the objects have accelerated in line with the developments in mobile communication technologies. This way, development of systems making human lives easier in smart environment, smart agriculture, smart grid fields with monitoring purposes which can be considered among M2M implementations is now possible. These systems can be developed with sensor node platform which can detect and communicate. Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) consists of these sensor nodes containing simple processors, low power consuming antennas and various detectors. As the sensor networks do not require wired communication infrastructure, they can easily and inexpensively be formed with no harm to the environment. The sensor nodes have the ability to store and process data locally thanks to the software and hardware structure they have. The fact that they can get in contact with each other enables them to collaborate in performing complicated tasks along with exchanging information. As the communication means have low power consumption, it ensures that the life of the sensor nodes is long. The fact, too, that the nodes are programmable after being placed in the medium provides greater advantages. Because of the low cost and flexibility in use, the wireless sensor nodes are convenient to be used in many industrial and environmental applications. In this study, -how to develop smart environment, smart agriculture, smart grid with WSN- is analyzed.

CURRICULUM/CURRICULAR FRAMEWORK

Reformulating and utilizing five Cs standards and progress indicators included in Standards for Learning Korean (2012), the Standards-Based College Curriculum for Korean Language Education presents a full-fledged curriculum that begins with level 1 and level 2 or heritage Level, proceeds to level 3 and level 4, and culminates at level 5 and level 6. The successive levels, from 1 to 6, correspond to the development trajectory of proficiency from novice to advanced high. While the overall curriculum is based on a spiral model, it is designed in modular forms for ease and flexibility of use in meeting various needs and interests of students and accommodating divergent instructional settings and conditions. Each level is organized around a series of themes, composed of communication functions and settings in level 1 and level 2, content topics in level 3 and level 4, and subject areas in level 5 and level 6. Each macro-level theme comprises two to four subtopics that serve as the unit of curricular specifications. Each unit is in the form of a comprehensive template of guidelines and lists of resources for developing teaching materials, instructional activities, classroom tasks, and student projects. More specifically, it includes (a) explicit learning objectives with respect to the five Cs (i.e., Communication, Cultures, Connections, Comparisons, and Communities); (b) key words and content topics to be explored; (c) suggested tasks and activities; and (d) lists of useful texts and audiovisual materials in published textbooks or from other authentic sources. The curriculum aims to be a blueprint for development of innovative and imaginative Korean courses and materials that realize the vision of Standards for Learning Korean. It is intended to be a practical template for revising and expanding an existing curriculum as well as for designing of new courses or curriculum.

On-going collaborative priority-setting for research activity: a method of capacity building to reduce the research-practice translational gap.

BackgroundInternational policy suggests that collaborative priority setting (CPS) between researchers and end users of research should shape the research agenda, and can increase capacity to address the research-practice translational gap. There is limited research evidence to guide how this should be done to meet the needs of dynamic healthcare systems. One-off priority setting events and time-lag between decision and action prove problematic. This study illustrates the use of CPS in a UK research collaboration called Collaboration and Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care (CLAHRC).MethodsData were collected from a north of England CLAHRC through semi-structured interviews with 28 interviewees and a workshop of key stakeholders (n = 21) including academics, NHS clinicians, and managers. Documentary analysis of internal reports and CLAHRC annual reports for the first two and half years was also undertaken. These data were thematically coded.ResultsMethods of CPS linked to the developmental phase of the CLAHRC. Early methods included pre-existing historical partnerships with on-going dialogue. Later, new platforms for on-going discussions were formed. Consensus techniques with staged project development were also used. All methods demonstrated actual or potential change in practice and services. Impact was enabled through the flexibility of research and implementation work streams; ‘matched’ funding arrangements to support alignment of priorities in partner organisations; the size of the collaboration offering a resource to meet project needs; and the length of the programme providing stability and long term relationships. Difficulties included tensions between being responsive to priorities and the possibility of ‘drift’ within project work, between academics and practice, and between service providers and commissioners in the health services. Providing protected ‘matched’ time proved difficult for some NHS managers, which put increasing work pressure on them. CPS is more time consuming than traditional approaches to project development.ConclusionsCPS can produce needs-led projects that are bedded in services using a variety of methods. Contributing factors for effective CPS include flexibility in use and type of available resources, flexible work plans, and responsive leadership. The CLAHRC model provides a translational infrastructure that enables CPS that can impact on healthcare systems.

Using the SR\3–60 Railgun in Augmented Mode

Augmentation is a well-known method to increase the velocity of railgun projectiles, while at the same time keeping the driving currents down. At the French-German Research Institute of Saint-Louis (ISL), several experiments using augmented railguns were performed. Here we report on a study using the SR\3-60 as a augmented railgun. The SR\3-60 is a 2-m-long railgun composed of three identical pairs of rails that are rotated by an angle of 60° with respect to each other. This railgun offers flexibility in use. In earlier experiments, it was used to accelerate a single projectile using a serial or overlapping configuration of the rail pairs, to enable a fire rate of 400 Hz, or to accelerate a strongly segmented projectile. In this paper, a brush armature projectile with a 20-g payload is accelerated using one pair, while the other two pairs are connected in series to augment the magnetic field inside the railgun. A series of shots with and without augmentation is performed and discussed.

Probing the Young’s modulus and Poisson’s ratio in graphene/metal interfaces and graphite: a comparative study

By analyzing phonon dispersion, we have evaluated the average Young’s modulus and Poisson’s ratio in graphite and in graphene grown on Ru(0001), Pt(111), Ir(111), Ni(111), and BC3/NbB2(0001). In both flat and corrugated graphene sheets and in graphite, we find a Poisson’s ratio of 0.19 and a Young’s modulus of 342 N/m. The unique exception is graphene/Ni(111), for which we find different values because of the stretching of C-C bonds occurring in the commensurate overstructure (0.36 and 310 N/m for the Poisson’s ratio and Young’s modulus, respectively). Such findings are in excellent agreement with calculations performed for a free-standing graphene membrane. The high crystalline quality of graphene grown on metal substrates leads to macroscopic samples with high tensile strength and bending flexibility for use in technological applications such as electromechanical devices and carbon-fiber reinforcements.

An Energy-Efficient Tunable CMOS UWB Pulse Generator

The design of an energy-efficient tunable ultra-wideband (UWB) pulse generator which complies with FCC regulations, without the need for shaping filter, is presented. The proposed pulse generator is based on carrier architecture. A new baseband UWB wavelet is used to modulate digital input data, ensuring better spectral efficiency. By using digital implementation technique, the proposed UWB pulse generator can adjust both the pulse width and the pulse amplitude, allowing more flexibility for use with different UWB technique. The design was simulated by a standard 65-nm CMOS technology. Simulation results show that the consumed energy by pulse is 19.8pJ decreased proportionally as bandwidth spectrum is higher. This shows a very good agreement with the low-power, low-cost UWB systems. The tuning spectrum complies with 3.1–5 GHz regulations.

An experimental study on the surface mechanisms formation during the laser milling of PMMA

Laser milling is a recent technology adopted in rapid prototyping to produce tools, molds, and polymer‐based microfluidic devices. In this process, a laser beam is used to machine a solid bulk, filling the area to be machined with a number of closely spaced parallel lines. Compared to traditional machining, this method has some advantages, such as: greater flexibility of use, no mechanical contact with the surface, reduction of industrial effluents, fine machining accuracy even with complex forms, and the possibility to work different kinds of materials. In the present article, an experimental study on poly‐methyl‐methacrylate (PMMA) laser milling is carried out with the aim to study the influence of the process parameters on the removed volume, depth and roughness. Laser milling tests were performed on a PMMA plate, using a 30 W CO2 laser source working in continuous wave or pulsed wave mode. To estimate the depth and the roughness of the milled pockets, a semi‐empirical model, based on energy considerations, was developed. The results showed a good agreement between the model and the experimental data. However, the results clearly show that the mechanisms of interaction change considerably in dependence of the processing parameters. POLYM. COMPOS., 36:1063–1071, 2015. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers

Resource efficient low power laser cleaning of compact discs for material reuse by polycarbonate recovery

This paper deals with laser cleaning of compact discs with the aim to recover the polycarbonate layers and allow their reuse for further applications. A low power 30W MOPFA and Q-switched pulsed Yb:YAG fibre laser is employed to ablate the metal substrate located between the polycarbonate layer and the outer serigraphy of the CDs. Compared to traditional cleaning processes, this method offers low environmental impact and greater flexibility of use. Two experimental test series are carried out to investigate the interaction mechanisms involved in the process and the effect of the process parameters on the mechanism of separation. The final aim is to identify the process conditions that could ensure a 100% cleaned surface without polymer degradation and evaluate the process time required to clean a CD.