An Empirical Study on the Network Model and the Online Knowledge Production Structure

Mass production has attracted much attention as a new approach to knowledge production. The R software system is a typical product of mass production. For its unique architecture, the R software system accurately recorded the natural process of knowledge propagation and inheritance. Thus, this article established a dynamic complex network model based on the derivative relationship between R software packages, which reflects the evolution process of online knowledge production structure in R software system, and studied the process of knowledge propagation and inheritance via the dynamic complex network analysis method. These results show that the network size increases with time, reflecting the tendency of R software to accelerate the accumulation of knowledge. The network density and network cohesion decrease with the increase of scale, indicating that the knowledge structure of R software presents a trend of expansion. The unique extension structure of R software provides a rich research foundation for the propagation of knowledge; thus, the results can provide us a new perspective for knowledge discovery and technological innovation.

A semi qualitative study on the perception of the general public to the presence of the first COVID-19 patient in the locality

Introduction: Infectious diseases have had a significant role in shaping human history by engraving a subconscious sense of ‘fear of infection’. The three sequential stages of the rational response to fear- fear, denial, and frustration, have been reported as predominant among quarantined individuals during any outbreak. To our knowledge, this was one of the first studies to assess the impact of the first case of COVID-19 among the neighbouring dwellers. Methods: A semi-qualitative study was conducted through telephonic interviews. Detailed descriptions of the experiences of the inhabitants after coming to know about the first incidence of a patient of COVID-19 in the locality were obtained. Participants were recruited through purposive and snowball sampling. Semi-structured in-depth telephonic interviews were done at a time convenient for participants between April 9 to 11, 2020. Results: Source of information for all the participants was from a neighbour and the participants came to know about the news on 7th of April 2020. All the participants were aware of the correct attitudes and practices of the general public to be followed during the pandemic including hand hygiene, use of face masks, social distancing and adhering to the government lockdown rules. Mixed reactions of panic, fear and confusion were obtained. Most participants were concerned about children and elderly at home, financial constraints due to the blockage of the locality from adjoining areas, everyday hassles that they were about to experience, etc. Despite most participants having minimal fear of contracting the illness themselves, fear of a family member acquiring the same seemed to be significantly higher on hearing the news. ConclusionThe study adds to the existing literature that fear and anxiety during a pandemic are mostly due to the uncertainty related to the disease spread and misinformation. There is a need for phased and well informed lockdown implementation and better knowledge propagation among the general public in order to mitigate unwanted fear and panic among the general public.

Radial Waves Propagation in a Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube with Surface Irregularity

This work is an attempt to study the propagation of radial waves in an irregular single-walled carbon nanotube (ISWCNT). The characteristics equation of phase velocity of radial waves is derived using cylindrical thin shell theory. Taking into account the effects of the surface irregularity, dispersion curves are plotted and the effectiveness of surface irregularity is confirmed by comparing the obtained numerical results with those in cases of propagation of radial waves in uniform nanotube. The results turn out that, the phase velocity of radial waves is dependent on the surface irregularity and it is increasing with an increase of surface irregularity parameter. To the author best knowledge, propagation of radial waves in the irregular single-walled carbon nanotubes has not yet been studied, and the present work is an attempt to find out the dispersion relation of radial waves in ISWCNTs. Finally, the present results may serve as useful references for the application and the design of nano oscillators and nanodevices, in which single-walled carbon nanotubes act as the most prevalent nanocomposite structural element.

Radial Waves Propagation in a Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube with Surface Irregularity

This work is an attempt to study the propagation of radial waves in an irregular single-walled carbon nanotube (ISWCNT). The characteristics equation of phase velocity of radial waves is derived using cylindrical thin shell theory. Taking into account the effects of the surface irregularity, dispersion curves are plotted and the effectiveness of surface irregularity is confirmed by comparing the obtained numerical results with those in cases of propagation of radial waves in uniform nanotube. The results turn out that, the phase velocity of radial waves is dependent on the surface irregularity and it is increasing with an increase of surface irregularity parameter. To the author best knowledge, propagation of radial waves in the irregular single-walled carbon nanotubes has not yet been studied, and the present work is an attempt to find out the dispersion relation of radial waves in ISWCNTs. Finally, the present results may serve as useful references for the application and the design of nano oscillators and nanodevices, in which single-walled carbon nanotubes act as the most prevalent nanocomposite structural element.

Temporal design for additive manufacturing

Additive manufacturing (AM) is expected to generate huge economic revenue by 2025; however, this will only be realised by overcoming the barriers that are preventing its increased adoption to end-use parts. Design for AM (DfAM) is recognised as a multi-faceted problem, exasperated by constraints to creativity, knowledge propagation, insufficiencies in education and a fragmented software pipeline. This study proposes a novel approach to increase the creativity in DfAM. Through comparison between DfAM and in utero human development, the unutilised potential of design through the time domain was identified. Therefore, the aim of the research is to develop a computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) programme to demonstrate design through the time domain, known as Temporal DfAM (TDfAM). This was achieved through a bespoke MATLAB code which applies a linear function to a process parameter, discretised across the additive build. TDfAM was demonstrated through the variation of extrusion speed combined with the infill angle, through the axial and in-plane directions. It is widely accepted in the literature that AM processing parameters change the properties of AM materials. Thus, the application of the TDfAM approach offers the engineer increased creative scope and control, whilst inherently upskilling knowledge, in the design of AM materials.