A survey of the machine interference problem

This paper surveys the research published on the machine interference problem since the 1985 review by Stecke & Aronson. After introducing the basic model, we discuss the literature along several dimensions. We then note how research has evolved since the 1985 review, including a trend towards the modelling of stochastic (rather than deterministic) systems and the corresponding use of more advanced queuing methods for analysis. We conclude with some suggestions for areas holding particular promise for future studies.Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) Discovery Grant 238294-200

In-situ laser sintering for the fabrication of fully 3D printed electronics composed of elastomeric materials

In-situ laser sintering can be used to locally sinter conductive inks in an uninterrupted process, enabling the embedding of printed electronics within 3D printed structures. In this work we apply a laser sintering method to create highly conductive silver features (50–125 $\mu\Omega$ cm) on top of and embedded within thermosensitive polymers printed by fused deposition modelling (FDM). We exploit this method to locally sinter silver inks deposited by direct ink writing (DIW) without external processing. Furthermore, we perform this while thermally preserving the 3D printed thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) substrate which has a low glass transition temperature. By analyzing the effect of the process for both small and large shapes of conductive features, we show the importance of the transmitted power and sintering time. Lastly, we apply the developed method to produce flexible conductors and sensors. These include pressure and bending sensors that could find their way into cost-effective and customized soft electronic devices

Air Health Trend Indicator: Association between Short-Term Exposure to Ground Ozone and Circulatory Hospitalizations in Canada for 17 Years, 1996–2012

The Air Health Trend Indicator is designed to estimate the public health risk related to short-term exposure to air pollution and to detect trends in the annual health risks. Daily ozone, circulatory hospitalizations and weather data for 24 cities (about 54% of Canadians) for 17 years (1996–2012) were used. This study examined three circulatory causes: ischemic heart disease (IHD, 40% of cases), other heart disease (OHD, 31%) and cerebrovascular disease (CEV, 14%). A Bayesian hierarchical model using a 7-year estimator was employed to find trends in the annual national associations by season, lag of effect, sex and age group (≤65 vs. >65). Warm season 1-day lagged ozone returned higher national risk per 10 ppb: 0.4% (95% credible interval, −0.3–1.1%) for IHD, 0.4% (−0.2–1.0%) for OHD, and 0.2% (−0.8–1.2%) for CEV. Overall mixed trends in annual associations were observed for IHD and CEV, but a decreasing trend for OHD. While little age effect was identified, some sex-specific difference was detected, with males seemingly more vulnerable to ozone for CEV, although this finding needs further investigation. The study findings could reduce a knowledge gap by identifying trends in risk over time as well as sub-populations susceptible to ozone by age and sex