Continuum model for polymers with finite thickness

We consider the continuum limit of a recently-introduced model for discretized thick polymers, or tubes. We address both analytically and numerically how the polymer thickness influences the decay of tangent-tangent correlations and find how the persistence length scales with the thickness and the torsional rigidity of the tube centerline. At variance with the worm-like chain model, the phase diagram that we obtain for a continuous tube is richer; in particular, for a given polymer thickness there exists a threshold value for the centerline torsional rigidity separating a simple exponential decay of the tangent-tangent correlation from an oscillatory one.Comment: 8 pages, 4 figures. Accepted for publication in J. Phys.

Unveiling the relation between the challenges and benefits of Operational Excellence and Industry 4.0: A Hybrid Fuzzy Decision-Making Approach

Operational excellence (OpEx) is a direction toward learning and developing an excellent culture in all aspects of an organization. To reach this culture, revolutionizing activities using industry 4.0 (i4.0) technologies might be a significant empowering tool. This study aims to identify the challenges and benefits of both concepts and investigate their interrelationship to be considered in applying industry 4.0 technologies toward operational excellence. The challenges and benefits of OpEx and i4.0 are identified and finalized by reviewing the literature. The causal relations between the considered factors are extracted using the fuzzy DEMATEL (Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory) method. Then, the analytical network process (ANP) is applied to determine the importance and weight of the factors (challenges and benefits of OpEx and i4.0) according to the constructed network. The findings illustrated a strong network structure between the factors. First, the causal factors included OpEx and i4.0 challenges, while the OpEx challenges also affected the i4.0 challenges. Both group challenges had a significant effect on OpEx and i4.0 benefits. This means that challenges are the causal factors to be considered in the alignment of i4.0 toward OpEx. Among the OpEx challenges, lack of strategic planning and proper infrastructure were the main influential factors. In contrast, lack of government support and undeveloped business models were identified as the main challenges of i4.0. OpEx and i4.0 concepts are reviewed, and their pros and cons are studied. Previous studies determined an interaction among these concepts. However, from a practical viewpoint, the relation between the challenges and benefits of i4.0 and OpEx was studied for the first time for their alignment

Highly Designable Protein Structures and Inter Monomer Interactions

By exact computer enumeration and combinatorial methods, we have calculated the designability of proteins in a simple lattice H-P model for the protein folding problem. We show that if the strength of the non-additive part of the interaction potential becomes larger than a critical value, the degree of designability of structures will depend on the parameters of potential. We also show that the existence of a unique ground state is highly sensitive to mutation in certain sites.Comment: 14 pages, Latex file, 3 latex and 6 eps figures are include

Application of Foamed Concrete and Cold-Formed Steel Decking as Lightweight Composite Slabs: Experimental Study On Structural Behaviour

Foamed concrete composite slabs (FCCS) are currently enjoying great popularity in the construction industry. Unlike conventional composite slabs, FCCS has an advantage in solving the selfweight penalty. With the advanced research in concrete technology, foamed concrete with sufficient strength properties  to meet the requirements of standard code of practise has been successfully introduced. Foamed concrete is known for its lightweight and versatility. This paper presents an experimental study on ultimate load, maximum deflection and failure mode of FCCS. Of interest are the effects of dry density and slab thickness. The slab specimens with a span of 1800 mm, a width of 840 mm and different thicknesses from 100 mm to 150 mm were prepared for the three-point bending test. The dry density of foamed concrete is 1400 kg/m3, 1600 kg/m3, and 1800 kg/m3, which has a compressive strength of about 20 MPa to 40 MPa. Dry density and slab thickness have been observed to have significant effects on ultimate load and maximum deflection. Higher dry density of foamed concrete provides better slip resistance and thus reduces shear bond failure. On the other hand, slab specimens with a higher slab thickness tend to have better bearing capacity due to greater bending stiffness. The main failure mode is dominated by localised bending on the profiled steel deck, slip-displacement and fracture of the foamed concrete

Application of Foamed Concrete and Cold-Formed Steel Decking as Lightweight Composite Slabs: Experimental Study On Structural Behaviour

Foamed concrete composite slabs (FCCS) are currently enjoying great popularity in the construction industry. Unlike conventional composite slabs, FCCS has an advantage in solving the selfweight penalty. With the advanced research in concrete technology, foamed concrete with sufficient strength properties  to meet the requirements of standard code of practise has been successfully introduced. Foamed concrete is known for its lightweight and versatility. This paper presents an experimental study on ultimate load, maximum deflection and failure mode of FCCS. Of interest are the effects of dry density and slab thickness. The slab specimens with a span of 1800 mm, a width of 840 mm and different thicknesses from 100 mm to 150 mm were prepared for the three-point bending test. The dry density of foamed concrete is 1400 kg/m3, 1600 kg/m3, and 1800 kg/m3, which has a compressive strength of about 20 MPa to 40 MPa. Dry density and slab thickness have been observed to have significant effects on ultimate load and maximum deflection. Higher dry density of foamed concrete provides better slip resistance and thus reduces shear bond failure. On the other hand, slab specimens with a higher slab thickness tend to have better bearing capacity due to greater bending stiffness. The main failure mode is dominated by localised bending on the profiled steel deck, slip-displacement and fracture of the foamed concrete

Cardiac Rehabilitation Using The Family-Centered Empowerment Model Versus Home-Based Cardiac Rehabilitation In Patients With Myocardial Infarction: A Randomised Controlled Trial

Objective To determine if a hybrid cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programme using the Family-Centered Empowerment Model (FCEM) as compared with standard CR will improve patient quality of life, perceived stress and state anxiety of patients with myocardial infarction (MI). Methods We conducted a randomised controlled trial in which patients received either standard home CR or CR using the FCEM strategy. Patient empowerment was measured with FCEM questionnaires preintervention and postintervention for a total of 9 assessments. Quality of life, perceived stress, and state and trait anxiety were assessed using the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), the 14-item Perceived Stress, and the 20-item State and 20-item Trait Anxiety questionnaires, respectively. Results 70 patients were randomised. Baseline characteristics were similar. Ejection fraction was significantly higher in the intervention group at measurements 2 (p=0.01) and 3 (p=0.001). Exercise tolerance measured as walking distance was significantly improved in the intervention group throughout the study. The quality of life results in the FCEM group showed significant improvement both within the group over time (p\u3c0.0001) and when compared with control (p\u3c0.0001). Similarly, the perceived stress and state anxiety results showed significant improvement both within the FCEM group over time (p\u3c0.0001) and when compared with control (p\u3c0.0001). No significant difference was found either within or between groups for trait anxiety. Conclusions The family-centred empowerment model may be an effective hybrid cardiac rehabilitation method for improving the physical and mental health of patients post-MI; however, further study is needed to validate these findings. Clinical Trials.gov identifier NCT02402582. Trial registration number NCT02402582

Detection of nano scale thin films with polarized neutron reflectometry at the presence of smooth and rough interfaces

By knowing the phase and modules of the reflection coefficient in neutron reflectometry problems, a unique result for the scattering length density (SLD) of a thin film can be determined which will lead to the exact determination of type and thickness of the film. In the past decade, several methods have been worked out to resolve the phase problem such as dwell time method, reference layer method and variation of surroundings, among which the reference method and variation of surroundings by using a magnetic substrate and polarized neutrons is of the most applicability. All of these methods are based on the solution of Schrodinger equation for a discontinuous and step-like potential at each interface. As in real sample there are some smearing and roughness at boundaries, consideration of smoothness and roughness of interfaces would affect the final output result. In this paper, we have investigated the effects of smoothness of interfaces on determination of the phase of reflection as well as the retrieval process of the SLD, by using a smooth varying function (Eckart potential). The effects of roughness of interfaces on the same parameters, have also been investigated by random variation of the interface around it mean position

A randomized controlled multimodal behavioral intervention trial for improving antiepileptic drug adherence

Purpose: Medication nonadherence is one of the most important reasons for treatment failure in patients with epilepsy. The present study investigated the effectiveness of a multicomponent intervention to improve adherence to antiepileptic drug (AED) medication in patients with epilepsy. Methods: In a prospective, randomizedmulticenter trial, three sessions of face-to-facemotivational interviewing (MI) in combination with complementary behavior change techniques were compared with standard care.Motivational interviewing prompted change talk and self-motivated statements from the patients, planning their own medication intake regimen and also identifying and overcoming barriers thatmay prevent adherence. Participants were provided with calendars to self-monitor their medication taking behavior. A family member and the health-care teamwere invited to attend the last session ofMI in order to improve the collaboration and communication between patients, their caregiver or family member, and their health-care provider. At baseline and 6-month follow-up, psychosocial variables and medical adherence were assessed. Results: In total, 275 participantswere included in the study. Comparedwith the active control group, patients in the intervention group reported significantly highermedication adherence, aswell as stronger intention and perceptions of control for taking medication regularly. The intervention group also reported higher levels of action planning, coping planning, self-monitoring, and lower medication concerns. Conclusions: This study shows that MI can be effective in clinical practice to improvemedication adherence in patientswith epilepsy. It also provides evidence that combining volitional interventions, including action planning, coping planning, and self-monitoring withmotivational interviewing can promote the effectiveness of the medical treatments for epilepsy by improving adherenc