Engineering Sciences Research Research Articles

Investigation of the coupling between tunable split-ring resonators

We acknowledge financial support from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) of the United Kingdom, via the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Metamaterials (Grant No. EP/L015331/1). W.L.B. acknowledges the support of the European Research Council through project Photmat (ERC-2016-AdG-742222). I.R.H. acknowledges support from the EPSRC via the TEAM-A prosperity partnership (Grant No. EP/L015331/1).

Intensity modulation as a preemptive measure against blinding of single-photon detectors based on self-differencing cancellation

A.K.-S. gratefully acknowledges financial support from Toshiba Research Europe Ltd. and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) through an Industrial CASE studentship Grant No. NMZE\187 (RG84410).

Continence technologies whitepaper: Informing new engineering science research.

Advances in healthcare technology for continence have historically been limited compared to other areas of medicine, reflecting the complexities of the condition and social stigma which act as a barrier to participation. This whitepaper has been developed to inspire and direct the engineering science community towards research opportunities that exist for continence technologies that address unmet needs in diagnosis, treatment and long-term management. Our aim is to pinpoint key challenges and highlight related research opportunities for novel technological advances. To do so, we draw on experience and expertise from academics, clinicians, patients and patient groups linked to continence healthcare. This is presented in four areas of consideration: the clinical pathway, patient perspective, research challenges and effective innovation. In each we introduce seminal research, background information and demonstrative case-studies, before discussing their relevance to engineering science researchers who are interested in approaching this overlooked but vital area of healthcare.

Thermodynamic Nonequilibrium Features in Binary Diffusion**Supported by the MOST National Key Research and Development Programme under Grant No. 2016YFB0600805, the China Post-doctoral Science Foundation under Grant No. 2017M620757, the Center for Combustion Energy at Tsinghua University, Natural Science Foundation of Hebei Province under Grant Nos. A2017409014, ZD2017001 and A201500111, FJKLMAA, Fujian Normal University, and the UK Engineering and Physical Sciences

Diffusion is a ubiquitous physical phenomenon where thermodynamic nonequilibrium effects (TNEs) are outstanding issues. In this work, we employ the discrete Boltzmann method to investigate the TNEs in the dynamic process of binary diffusion. The main features of the distribution function in velocity space are recovered and discussed. It is found that, with the decreasing gradients of macroscopic quantities (such as density, concentration, velocity, etc.), both the local and global TNEs decrease with the time but increase with the relaxation time in a power law, respectively.

Correction to 'Information sensitivity functions to assess parameter information gain and identifiability of dynamical systems'.

Open AccessMoreSectionsView PDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack Citations ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditEmail Cite this article Pant Sanjay 2018Correction to ‘Information sensitivity functions to assess parameter information gain and identifiability of dynamical systems’J. R. Soc. Interface.152018035320180353http://doi.org/10.1098/rsif.2018.0353SectionOpen AccessCorrectionCorrection to ‘Information sensitivity functions to assess parameter information gain and identifiability of dynamical systems’ Sanjay Pant Sanjay Pant http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2081-308X Google Scholar Find this author on PubMed Search for more papers by this author Sanjay Pant Sanjay Pant http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2081-308X Google Scholar Find this author on PubMed Search for more papers by this author Published:06 June 2018https://doi.org/10.1098/rsif.2018.0353This article corrects the followingResearch ArticleInformation sensitivity functions to assess parameter information gain and identifiability of dynamical systemshttps://doi.org/10.1098/rsif.2017.0871 Sanjay Pant volume 15issue 142Journal of The Royal Society Interface16 May 2018J. R. Soc. Interface15, 20170871 (Published online 16 May 2018) (doi:10.1098/rsif.2017.0871)The funding statement and reference [10] should be revised as follows:FundingThe author acknowledges the financial support provided by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC, grant no. EP/R010811/1).Footnotes© 2018 The Authors.Published by the Royal Society under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/, which permits unrestricted use, provided the original author and source are credited.ReferencesReference10Banks HT, Davidian M, Samuels JR, Sutton KL. 2009An inverse problem statistical methodology summary. In Mathematical and statistical estimation approaches in epidemiology (eds Chowell G, Hyman JM, Bettencourt LMA, Castillo-Chavez C), pp. 249–302. Dordrecht, The Netherlands: Springer. Crossref, Google Scholar Previous Article VIEW FULL TEXT DOWNLOAD PDF FiguresRelatedReferencesDetailsRelated articlesInformation sensitivity functions to assess parameter information gain and identifiability of dynamical systems16 May 2018Journal of The Royal Society Interface This IssueJune 2018Volume 15Issue 143 Article InformationDOI:https://doi.org/10.1098/rsif.2018.0353PubMed:29875285Published by:Royal SocietyOnline ISSN:1742-5662History: Published online06/06/2018Published in print30/06/2018 License:© 2018 The Authors.Published by the Royal Society under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/, which permits unrestricted use, provided the original author and source are credited. Citations and impact Subjectsbioengineeringbiomathematicsbiophysics

The Dangers of Following Trends in Research: Sparsity and Other Examples of Hammers in Search of Nails

Trends, they are not only for the fashion industry after all. Within the engineering and computer science research communities as well, we periodically observe the phenomenon, see how certain methods suddenly start receiving particular attention, and sometimes, even though they emerge as an attractive solution for a given set of problems, they tend to become a hammer looking for new nails. At first, using a new method on old problems is the natural and reasonable way to proceed. There have been remarkable successes achieved through the adoption of a tool from another field or a new way of looking at old problems that brings new insights and solutions.

Structure and Reactivity of Cu-doped Au(111) Surfaces

The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) is acknowledged for the funding of FG (EP/M029077/1) and RM (EP/506631/1). FG also acknowledges the European Union for funding the SURMOF project under which part of this work was undertaken (contract number NMP4-CT-2006-032109).

Bayesian learning of models for estimating uncertainty in alert systems: Application to air traffic conflict avoidance

This research was largely supported by the UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) grant GR/R24357/01 “Critical Systems and Data-Driven Technology”.

Exploring Interactivity and Co-Creation in Rural China

Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities, China (2015BAH22F00), and Chinese Science and Technology Research Program (K1306027-11), Markor Furnishings’ donation, The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) grants EP/J017205/1 and EP/K009559/1 and Georgia Tech Faculty Development Grant (4901326).

Urban systems complexity in sustainability and health: an interdisciplinary modelling study

BackgroundImproving urban health and sustainability raises complex questions that are best addressed through interdisciplinary and even transdisciplinary approaches, in which scientific research and analysis and stakeholder engagement have important roles. In this study we report pilot work in Nairobi (Kenya) and London (UK) that uses innovative methods to integrate qualitative and quantitative modelling to provide evidence to support policy development for health and sustainability in these cities. MethodsWe used two primary modelling methods, system dynamics and microsimulation, and sought to understand the value of these tools in combination to support policy decisions. System dynamics was used to establish an aggregated and non-linear causal map of the interconnections between diverse variables, and thus to gain insight into the policies and specific processes that need to be examined in further depth. System dynamics was a key tool for city-level stakeholder engagement. In part informed by the outcome of the system dynamics process, microsimulation was then used to quantify local effects on health of selected policy options. The results were mapped using geographic information systems methods. FindingsThe combination of system dynamics and microsimulation models provided a framework that enhanced collective knowledge about the interrelationships of policy decisions, funding, public awareness, and environmental and health effects. Our initial participatory system dynamics work on air pollution in Nairobi found that a combination of policies that focus on households and outdoor air could reduce household air pollution by about 50%, leaving it still above WHO-recommended levels. Yet, the investments in monitoring and health impact assessment have the potential to trigger reinforcing mechanisms that create synergies among existing policies and increase the return on investment. Preliminary 106-year microsimulation runs of the effects of PM2·5 in London revealed that anthropogenic emissions are associated with about 2300 incident cases of ischaemic heart disease annually. The two methods appeared to have valuable complementarity in their focus on aggregated dynamics at the policy level versus local policy effects. InterpretationThe use of system dynamics can produce a quantitative model of the policy implementation process, including the organisational barriers and opportunities for change. This can be extended to include aggregate outputs from other models to quantify a more holistic and high-level quantitative model of the dynamics of selected policy questions. Together, these methods can estimate regional environmental and local health effects of selected policies, but also inform about overcoming the barriers to these policies. FundingThe Housing in Nairobi's Informal Settlements—A Complex Urban System project funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, and the Complex Urban Systems for Sustainability and Health project funded by the Wellcome Trust.

Child mortality in England compared with Sweden: a birth cohort study

SummaryBackgroundChild mortality is almost twice as high in England compared with Sweden. We aimed to establish the extent to which adverse birth characteristics and socioeconomic factors explain this difference.MethodsWe developed nationally representative cohorts of singleton livebirths between Jan 1, 2003, and Dec 31, 2012, using the Hospital Episode Statistics in England, and the Swedish Medical Birth Register in Sweden, with longitudinal follow-up from linked hospital admissions and mortality records. We analysed mortality as the outcome, based on deaths from any cause at age 2–27 days, 28–364 days, and 1–4 years. We fitted Cox proportional hazard regression models to estimate the hazard ratios (HRs) for England compared with Sweden in all three age groups. The models were adjusted for birth characteristics (gestational age, birthweight, sex, and congenital anomalies), and for socioeconomic factors (maternal age and socioeconomic status).FindingsThe English cohort comprised 3 932 886 births and 11 392 deaths and the Swedish cohort comprised 1 013 360 births and 1927 deaths. The unadjusted HRs for England compared with Sweden were 1·66 (95% CI 1·53–1·81) at 2–27 days, 1·59 (1·47–1·71) at 28–364 days, and 1·27 (1·15–1·40) at 1–4 years. At 2–27 days, 77% of the excess risk of death in England was explained by birth characteristics and a further 3% by socioeconomic factors. At 28–364 days, 68% of the excess risk of death in England was explained by birth characteristics and a further 11% by socioeconomic factors. At 1–4 years, the adjusted HR did not indicate a significant difference between countries.InterpretationExcess child mortality in England compared with Sweden was largely explained by the unfavourable distribution of birth characteristics in England. Socioeconomic factors contributed to these differences through associations with adverse birth characteristics and increased mortality after 1 month of age. Policies to reduce child mortality in England could have most impact by reducing adverse birth characteristics through improving the health of women before and during pregnancy and reducing socioeconomic disadvantage.FundingThe Farr Institute of Health Informatics Research (through the Medical Research Council, Arthritis Research UK, British Heart Foundation, Cancer Research UK, Chief Scientist Office, Economic and Social Research Council, Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, National Institute for Health Research, National Institute for Social Care and Health Research, and the Wellcome Trust).

The Efficiency of Inefficiency: Medicine Distribution in Sudan

Research in Medical & Engineering Sciences The Efficiency of Inefficiency: Medicine Distribution in Sudan Abdeen Mustafa Omer* Occupational Health Administration, Ministry of Health, Sudan *Corresponding author: Abdeen Mustafa Omer, Occupational Health Administration, Ministry of Health, Khartoum, Sudan Submission: March 05, 2018; Published: March 27, 2018 DOI: 10.31031/RMES.2018.04.000589 ISSN: 2576-8816Volume4 Issue3

Modeling Cracks of Reinforced Concrete Slabs under Fire Conditions

The authors gratefully acknowledge the support of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council of Great Britain under Grant No. EP/I031553/1.

The Effects of Retrospective Household Income on Neurocognitive Disorders: Results from Project Frontier Data

Research in Medical & Engineering Sciences The Effects of Retrospective Household Income on Neurocognitive Disorders: Results from Project Frontier Data Hosik Min1, Roma S Hanks1*, Benjamin D Hill1, Diego F Alvarez1, Leigh Johnson2 and Sid E O'Bryant2 1University of South Alabama, USA 2University of North Texas Health Sciences Center, USA *Corresponding author: Roma S Hanks, University of South Alabama, AL, USA Submission: January 22, 2018; Published: February 22, 2018 DOI: 10.31031/RMES.2018.03.000574 ISSN: 2576-8816Volume3 Issue5

Future research directions in demand management

Pricing and revenue management faces new research challenges against the background of new markets for trading of personal data, new regulations on data privacy, opportunities for personalised pricing, demand learning and many more emerging trends and developments. In order to explore these challenges, the British Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council funded an interdisciplinary workshop to identify future research directions in demand management. The workshop (led by the authors Strauss and Currie) took place in September 2017 in London, and brought together 33 academics and practitioners in demand management and related disciplines, including law, computer science, digital marketing and operational research.

An Optimized Algorithm Regarding Extraction of Specification of Brain Electrical Signal in BCI in Order to Diagnosis Epidemic

Research in Medical & Engineering Sciences An Optimized Algorithm Regarding Extraction of Specification of Brain Electrical Signal in BCI in Order to Diagnosis Epidemic Maryam Sajedi* Islamic Azad University Damavand, Iran *Corresponding author: Maryam Sajedi, Islamic Azad University Damavand, Iran Submission: January 20, 2018; Published: February 06, 2018 DOI: 10.31031/RMES.2018.03.000564 ISSN: 2576-8816Volume3 Issue3

Versatile Multiplexed Super-Resolution Imaging of Nanostructures by Quencher-Exchange-Paint

The work was supported by funding from the Human Frontier Science Program (No. 0027/2013) and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council of the UK (No. EP/N008235/1).

Building a world-class Australian decommissioning industry

Collaboration in decommissioning offshore infrastructure could save both industry and taxpayers billions of dollars and facilitate new industries and exports for Australia, especially in the Asia-Pacific region. At the end of the liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant construction boom, Australia must not miss out on this major new opportunity. The 2017 bid for Commonwealth funding to establish a Decommissioning Offshore Infrastructure Cooperative Research Centre (DOI-CRC) involved more than 30 participants and many other collaborators. High-level commitments were made by Chevron, Woodside, Shell, BHP, ExxonMobil, Quadrant, The University of Western Australia, Curtin University, the University of New South Wales, Deakin University, Australian Maritime College, CSIRO and Australian Institute of Marine Science. A Perth-based DOI-CRC was supported by National Energy Resources Australia, National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority and other Australian Government bodies and by the Western Australian Government and its Chief Scientist and agencies but did not receive sufficient support from the CRC Advisory Committee. Meeting decommissioning challenges in the North West Shelf, Bass Strait and the Northern Territory in a timely, robust, scientific, efficient and cost-effective manner that contributes to a sustainable marine environment should draw upon and augment international best practice with local capability and expertise. Good science and innovative engineering are needed to support regulatory approval of options such as ‘rigs to reefs’ and commercial opportunities such as in waste management and expanded fishing and tourism. APPEA and operators wish to maintain DOI-CRC’s momentum and learn from UK research arrangements through funding marine science projects. But we must be much broader if we are to build a sustainable world-class Australian decommissioning industry. In particular, we need to work more closely with state and federal regulators and policymakers and undertake more engineering science research and innovation.

Measurement of the bulk and surface bands in Dirac line-node semimetal ZrSiS**Project supported by the National Key R&D Program of China (Grant No. 2017YFA0305400), Chinese Academy of Science–Shanghai Science Research Center (Grant No. CAS-SSRC-YH-2015-01), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 11674229), the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council Platform (Grant No. EP/M020517/1), and the Hefei Science–Center Chinese

Dirac semimetals are materials in which the conduction and the valence bands have robust crossing points protected by topology or symmetry. Recently, a new type of Dirac semimetals, so called the Dirac line-node semimetals (DLNSs), have attracted a lot of attention, as they host robust Dirac points along the one-dimensional (1D) lines in the Brillouin zone (BZ). In this work, using angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) and first-principles calculations, we systematically investigated the electronic structures of non-symmorphic ZrSiS crystal where we clearly distinguished the surface states from the bulk states. The photon-energy-dependent measurements further prove the existence of Dirac line node along the X–R direction. Remarkably, by in situ surface potassium doping, we clearly observed the different evolutions of the bulk and surface electronic states while proving the robustness of the Dirac line node. Our studies not only reveal the complete electronic structures of ZrSiS, but also demonstrate the method manipulating the electronic structure of the compound.

Centrifuge Modeling Study of the Response of Piled Structures to Tunneling

This work was supported by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) [EP/K023020/1, 1296878, EP/N509620/1].