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Traditional seismic evaluations for high‐voltage switchgear equipment, the critical power facilities, consider only structural failure mode and may underestimate the actual seismic risk. By additionally introducing a probable functional failure mode caused by the excessive deformation of the switchable blade of equipment, a novel copula‐based framework is proposed to utilize limited samples to generate simulation data and evaluate the joint failure probability (JFP). The correlation index and Akaike Information Criterion are employed to optimize the Copula function. For illustration, a disconnector, representative switchgear equipment, was selected as an example and modeled with the experiment validation. Model analysis results demonstrate the Clayton type is the most competent for evaluation. Neglecting functional failure can significantly underestimate the actual failure probability at various seismic intensities, up to 50%. Furthermore, it was found that the current equipment material strength level already meets the requirements, and enhancing strength alone does not effectively improve reliability under strong earthquakes. For PGA intensities ≥0.7 g, the blade deformation capacity plays the primary reliability constraint, independent of material stress. A cost‐effective seismic design should optimize the combination of allowable material stress and blade deformation based on the JFP considering seismic intensity and targeted reliability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thermoelectric generator (TEG) is a thermoelectric conversion device that mainly utilizes the Seebeck effect, and the electrical energy generated is usually directly converted from thermal energy. However, research on the global sensitivity analysis and optimization of three-stage TEG systems is currently lacking. In this study, a multistage semiconductor TEG system model based on functional failure probability and a global sensitivity analysis model were established. These models are first used to compare the performance of TEG configurations with different stages. Then, based on the double random uncertainties of design variables, a series of studies were conducted. The results showed that the performance parameters of the all TEG configurations exhibited similar performance variation trends. An first-best working current was identified to obtain the first-best output power and conversion efficiency. Next, as the sample size used to determine the variable uncertainty for a three-stage TEG increased, it increased to 4 × 106, the sensitivity indicators of the output response (P and η) tended to constant values of 0.02322 and 0.02039. Among the 11 considered design parameters, the uncertainties of the heat and cold source temperatures had the most significant influence on the functional failure probability of the three-stage TEG system, followed by the working current, Zeebek coefficient, number of temperature difference components in each stage, and heat transfer coefficient of the cold source. The remaining variables had negligible influence. Finally, small changes in the mean heat and cold source temperatures changed the sensitivity of the output response of the three-stage TEG to each critical design variable, but did not affect the relative ranking of the sensitivity indicators corresponding to each. The results of this study can provide some basis for the further development of TEG systems.

The increased complexity of modern system designs and demands for quicker time to market have made safety-related verification and validation of such systems more challenging. Incorporating safety and risk considerations at the early stages of design is one way to acquire a more robust initial design for novel systems. Inductive fault analysis has its significance at final stages of design, e.g., verification and validation. However, to preclude certain system failure states—especially for the systems with high failure consequences, a designer would innately prefer to trace back and remedy the causes of failure, as compared to a more cumbersome activity of identifying the faults individually and sifting the combinations that lead to the failure of interest. The work presented in this paper is aimed at the development of a backward failure propagation methodology for analyzing the origins of functional failures in a conceptual design of systems including but not limited to nuclear, mechanical, aerospace, process, electrical/electronics, telecommunication, automotive, etc. This method allows the designer to achieve a robust early design based on the analyses of the system's functional dependencies before proceeding to the detailed design and testing stages. The insights provided by the analysis at the conceptual design stage also reduce redesign efforts, testing costs, and project delays. The proposed method is a functional analysis approach that extends the Integrated System Failure Analysis for backward failure propagation. When provided with an abstract system configuration, a system's functional model, and a system's behavioral model, it utilizes a known functional state (typically a failure) to acquire system component modes and the states of other functions. The method includes inversion of the functional failure logic and component behavioral rules using propositional logic and deductive analysis to assess valid states of a system that satisfy the given initial conditions. To test the method's scalability, we applied the proposed method to a simplified representation of the secondary loop of a typical pressurized water reactor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Guidelines have improved the management of prosthetic joint infections (PJI). However, it is necessary to reassess the incidence and risk factors for treatment failure (TF) of Staphylococcus aureus PJI (SA-PJI) including functional loss, which has so far been neglected as an outcome. Methods: A retrospective cohort study of SA-PJI was performed in 19 European hospitals between 2014 and 2016. The outcome variable was TF, including related mortality, clinical failure and functional loss both after the initial surgical procedure and after all procedures at 18 months. Predictors of TF were identified by logistic regression. Landmark analysis was used to avoid immortal time bias with rifampicin when debridement, antibiotics and implant retention (DAIR) was performed. Results: One hundred twenty cases of SA-PJI were included. TF rates after the first and all surgical procedures performed were 32.8% and 24.2%, respectively. After all procedures, functional loss was 6.0% for DAIR and 17.2% for prosthesis removal. Variables independently associated with TF for the first procedure were Charlson ≥ 2, haemoglobin < 10 g/dL, bacteraemia, polymicrobial infection and additional debridement(s). For DAIR, TF was also associated with a body mass index (BMI) > 30 kg/m2 and delay of DAIR, while rifampicin use was protective. For all procedures, the variables associated with TF were haemoglobin < 10 g/dL, hip fracture and additional joint surgery not related to persistent infection. Conclusions: TF remains common in SA-PJI. Functional loss accounted for a substantial proportion of treatment failures, particularly after prosthesis removal. Use of rifampicin after DAIR was associated with a protective effect. Among the risk factors identified, anaemia and obesity have not frequently been reported in previous studies. Trial registration: This study is registered at clinicaltrials.gov, registration no. NCT03826108. Plain Language Summary: Staphylococcus aureus is one of the most virulent bacteria and frequently causes prosthetic joint infections. Knowledge of the treatment of this type of infection has advanced in recent years, and treatment guidelines have led to improved management. Typically, the successful treatment of these infections has been determined by clinical cure, that is, the symptoms of infection have disappeared, but has not taken into account loss of function (such as significant difficulties walking), which is critical for the patient's quality of life. Our aim in this study was to evaluate the success of current management strategies for S. aureus prosthetic joint infection, including recovery of functionality, and the factors that predict why some of these infections are not cured, to identify areas for improvement. In a multinational cohort of 128 patients with S. aureus prosthetic joint infection, rates of treatment failure were found to be high, with significant rates of loss of function, especially when the prosthesis needed to be removed. Loss of function was less frequent when the infection was initially treated with surgical cleaning without removal of the prosthesis, even when this procedure failed at first. We found that anaemia and obesity were associated with lower treatment success, and that the probability of treatment success increased when surgical cleaning without prosthesis removal was performed early, and when the antibiotic rifampicin was used in combination with another antibiotic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The biaxial tensile mechanical properties of P265GH steel liner are investigated. • An anisotropic tearing criterion for containment steel liner is established. • The fragility of containment under overpressure conditions is evaluated. • The proposed tearing criterion for containment steel liner is more practical and safer. To investigate the mechanical behavior of the steel liner under bi-directional tensile loading, 39 cruciform tensile specimens made of P265GH steel liner are examined by biaxial tensile tests with different loading ratios. Based on the strength theory of materials and test results, an anisotropic tearing criterion for the steel liner is established. Subsequently, the proposed tearing criterion is applied to the fragility analysis of the containment under overpressure conditions. Finally, the differences between the proposed and existing tearing criteria are discussed. The results show that the strength of the steel liner under biaxial tensile loading is improved, while the deformation capacity is significantly decreased. The proposed tearing criterion is more consistent with the actual behavior of steel liners under bi-directional tensile loading. When evaluating the probabilistic performance of the containment, it is more practical and safer to predict the functional failure of the containment by using the proposed tearing criterion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Gaussian Copula is limited for nonlinearly correlation of substation equipment. • Archimedean Copula is qualified for response simulation of substation equipment. • Existing non-correlation method significantly underestimate failure probabilities. • The Copula evaluation is stable with selections of sample ground motions. Seismic vulnerability evaluations of substation equipment under multiple correlated failure modes are urgently needed. The Copula method, an efficient tool for considering the correlation between variables, holds significant potential application value. However, due to the evident nonlinear correlation between structural and functional responses of substation equipment, the effectiveness of the Copula method is adversely affected. Therefore, this study takes four seismic intensity levels, investigates the distribution and correlation characteristics of seismic responses of typical substation equipment at different levels, and demonstrates the feasibility of the Copula method. The results indicate that the nonlinear correlation features of equipment responses have a significant impact on the choice of Copula functions. The widely used Gaussian Copula exhibits evident limitations, while the Archimedean family Copula is more suitable for substation equipment assessment. Traditional methods that do not consider multiple failure modes or neglect correlation between different modes yield significantly lower seismic vulnerability compared to the Copula-based method that considers correlations. Additionally, compared to traditional non-correlation assessment methods, the Copula method demonstrates better stability, with assessment results less affected by variations in the selection of sample ground motions. Therefore, the Copula method is suitable for assessing the seismic vulnerability of substation equipment and merits widespread application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a hybrid utilisation of the continuum damage mechanics approach and some novel techniques was employed for progressive failure analysis of internally pressurised filament-wound composite tubes. The constructed numerical model in Abaqus software, which is employed for prediction of functional and burst failure of the tubes, was validated with an experimental failure evaluation available in the literature. Results show the high accuracy and precision of the proposed model. Therefore, this model can be used as a cost-effective virtual failure exam prior to experimental tests or as their alternative. Then, this validated model has been used in the second part of this paper for optimisation. Due to some drawbacks of the previous optimisation methods, by using the Taguchi approach capabilities, a novel strategy is proposed for optimisation of the stacking sequence of tubes under various stress ratios with taking into account the manufacturing winding angle restrictions. Results reveal that the obtained optimal stacking sequences are asymmetric and highly dependent on calculation strategies and applied stress ratio. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Risk of multi-unit Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) site gets more and more attention in recent years, because more than one unit on the same site can be influenced by the environment. Functional failure is one of the important factors for passive safety system reliability analysis, and the climatic conditions of plant site have significant effect on functional failure evaluation. In this paper, based on the Thermal-Hydraulic behavior characteristics of the system, an efficient method is proposed for estimating the functional failure probabilities of passive safety systems on multi-unit NPP site through comparing the operation conditions among the units. The Passive Containment Cooling System (PCCS) in AP1000 is an important passive safety system used to improve the nuclear power plant safety, the functional failure probabilities of such systems on a two-unit NPP site are evaluated under different climatic conditions. The number of running T-H model for the second unit is about half of those for the first one. The results show that system functional failure probability is influenced by climatic conditions significantly. • A high calculation efficiency method is proposed for PCCS reliability analysis in AP1000 of multi-unit NPP. • The T-H model describing system performance should have some inherent characteristics. • The number of samples to run T-H model can be decreased by comparing the operation conditions of the units. • Climatic conditions influence the system reliability significantly. • Sensitivity analysis shows that correlation between air temperature and air pressure has important effect on result. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundCompared with transistors and small-scale integrated circuits, the total ionizing dose (TID) effect and testing of multifunctional large scale integrated microprocessors are more complex. The difficulty of testing is to analyze the failure mode of microprocessor online from limited information under irradiation.PurposeThis study aims to develop an extendable on-line test system for TID effect of microprocessor and carry out preliminary application.MethodsThe testing system was composed of control circuit, extendable signal acquisition circuit, tested sample interface, upper computer and software. Multiple parametric measurement or functional verification methods such as power consumption current, on-chip memory, communication, clock, analog-to-digital/digital-to-analog converter (ADC/DAC) and direct memory access of microprocessor were provided. Sixteen microprocessors with feature size 40 nm were irradiated with 60Co source and tested on-line.ResultsAfter the irradiation dose is accumulated to (377.44±20.34) Gy(Si), all samples are malfunctional with digital communication interruption, sudden drop in current consumption, abnormal ADC/DAC output and so on.ConclusionBased on all 12 kinds of parametric measurement or functional verification results, the TID effect of this type of microprocessor is probable to be a functional failure caused by some kernel instructions. The on-line test system of this study can provide more direct data information for the total dose failure mode analysis.

E-commerce service failures have been the bane of e-commerce, compelling customers to either abandon transactions entirely or switch to traditional brick-and-mortar establishments. Yet, there is a paucity of studies that investigates how such failures manifest on e-commerce websites and their impact on consumers. This paper, therefore, synthesizes extant literature on e-service and system success to arrive at a novel classification system that delineates e-commerce service failures into information, functional, and system categories, each with its own set of constituent dimensions. Extending expectation disconfirmation theory (EDT), we further distinguish among disconfirmed outcome, process, and cost expectancies as major consequences of e-commerce service failures. A theoretical model of e-commerce service failure classifications and their consequences was constructed together with testable propositions that relate the three failure categories to consumers' disconfirmed expectancies. Finally, we explore the validity of our theoretical model based on descriptive accounts of actual occurrences of e-commerce service failures and their corresponding consequences. Consistent with our theoretical model, information and functional failures were found to be associated with disconfirmed outcome and process expectancies respectively. System failures, on the other hand, do not affect consumers' disconfirmed expectancies, thereby contradicting our predictions. Post hoc analysis on constituent dimensions of information, functional, and system failures yielded additional insights on the preceding observations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the protective mechanism of thymosin α1 on liver injury in a rat model of multiple organ failure, based on adiponectin (ADPN)/ protein kinase B (Akt)/nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway. METHODS: Male SPF Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups: normal group, model group, experimental group, and control group. Rats in the model group, experimental group, and control group were given intraperitoneal injection of 500 mg/kg zymosan (50 g/L) to construct the rat multiple organ failure model. Normal rats were injected intraperitoneally with equal doses of normal saline. Thirty minutes after the injection, the rats in the experimental group and the control group were injected intraperitoneally with 2 mL of thymosin α1 and ganlixin with the dose of 0.5 mg/kg daily, respectively. The normal group and the model group were injected intraperitoneally with the same dose of normal saline. After 7 days of continuous administration, liver function parameters were tested; histopathological changes of rat liver tissues and cell apoptosis were detected using hematoxylin-eosin staining and TUNEL staining; immunohistochemistry and western blot were used to detect the expression of interleukin-10, tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), adiponectin (ADPN), adiponectin recepror 2, AdipoR2, p-AKT and NF-κB. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Compared with the normal group, the levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, total bilirubin in the serum, the pathological scores of liver injury, the cell apoptotic rate, and the expression levek of TNF-α and NF-κB were significantly increased in the model group, while the serum levels of total protein, interleukin-10, ADPN, AdipoR2 and p-AKT were significantly reduced in the model group (all P < 0.05). Compared with the model group, the serum levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, total bilirubin, the pathological scores of liver injury, and cell apoptotic rate in the experimental group and control group were significantly reduced, and the serum levels of total protein, interleukin-10, ADPN, AdipoR2 and p-AKT were significantly increased (all P < 0.05). To conclude, thymosin α1 has a protective effect on the liver of rats with multiple organ failure induced by zymosan. The mechanism is related to the ADPN/Akt/NF-κB signaling pathway. ADPN/Akt is activated and the activation of NF-κB is inhibited, then reducing the inflammatory response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A dynamic mission abort policy for multi-component transportation systems. • The transportation system with stochastic dependence and mission payload. • The dynamic mission abort problem is constructed as a Markov decision process. • A deep reinforcement learning approach with parameter sharing is customized. • The Markov decision process is solved by the deep reinforcement learning approach. The mission abort policy is considered an effective approach for managing operational risks in transportation systems, which are typically equipped with mission payloads to perform designated tasks. However, existing research mainly focuses on the impact of component failures on system survivability while neglecting situations where the system only experiences functional failures. Additionally, the stochastic dependence between components is always neglected. To address the above problems, a dynamic mission abort method is developed. First, a mission abort policy is proposed to consider the stochastic dependence and mission payload, and the specific mission abort action is determined based on the health state of components and the time in the mission. Next, to maximize the expected cumulative reward during the mission, a dynamic mission abort decision-making model is established based on the Markov decision process. Then, to address the dimensionality curse caused by a continuous state space, a customized deep reinforcement learning method is developed, where the parameter sharing technique is used to reduce the model parameters of the network. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed method is verified through a numerical example of a reconnaissance UAV, and the superiority of the proposed method is demonstrated by comparing it with heuristic policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the failure of glass-reinforced polyester mortar pipes with different cores subjected to pure and combined loading are analyzed. To enhance the stiffness of fiber-reinforced polyester pipe, filler layer is incorporated in between fiber-reinforced polyester plies. Thus, in this study, new nanocomposite materials are proposed as a core layer in the glass-reinforced polyester mortar pipes. The performance of the pipes in the presence of nanosilica/resin, nanosilica/fiberglass/resin and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)/resin and sand/resin cores are investigated. Finite element method is used to analyze the effects of extensive design parameters on the first ply failure and functional failure of glass-reinforced polyester mortar pipes. Maximum normal stress, Tsai–Wu and Tsai–Hill criteria are employed for the failure analysis. Two end boundary conditions are considered in the simulations. The effects of core material constituents, core thickness, filament winding angle and lay-up configurations, layers thicknesses and pipe radius are investigated. The results are also obtained under pure and combined loading conditions. The stress concentration around circular and rectangular holes in glass-reinforced polyester mortar pipes with sand/resin core is also studied. Accordingly, the stress concentration factors are reported for each case. Detailed discussions are done and brief design guidelines are given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Objective: The aim of the current study was to determine the incidence of organ function preservation failure (OFPF) in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) treated by (chemo)radiotherapy and to identify its risk factors.Study Design: Retrospective cohort analysis.Setting: Tertiary cancer care center.Subjects and Methods: A single-center retrospective cohort analysis was done (n = 703) in which OFPF after (chemo)radiotherapy was assessed. OFPF was defined as local failure or pure functional failure in the absence of local failure because of major surgical intervention (total laryngectomy, commando resection, permanent tracheostomy) or feeding tube dependence >2 years.Results: OFPF occurred in 153 patients (21.8%). Reasons for OFPF were local failure in 103 patients (14.6%) and functional failure in 50 patients (7.2%). Evidence of functional failure included need for total laryngectomy (n = 9, 1.3%), commando resection (n = 2, 0.3%), permanent tracheostomy (n = 16, 2.3%), and/or long-term feeding tube for functional reasons (n = 23, 3.3%). In a Cox proportional hazards model, OFPF was worse for patients with T4 tumors (hazard ratio [HR] <0.5 and P < .001 for all other stages), for laryngeal vs oropharyngeal cancer (HR, 1.83; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.20-2.79, P = .005, hypopharyngeal not significant), and for smokers (HR, 1.68; 95% CI, 1.10-2.56, P = .015). Exploratory multivariate analysis by tumor site showed that T4 tumor and pretreatment tracheostomy were the strongest predictive factors for OFPF in laryngeal and hypopharyngeal carcinoma while T4 tumor and smoking were predictive for poor OFPF in oropharyngeal carcinoma.Conclusion: This work shows a detrimental effect of smoking on functional outcomes after (chemo-)radiotherapy for HNSCC. Moreover, T4 tumor, laryngeal subsite, and pretreatment tracheostomy are strong predictors of OFPF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract Highlights • Lattice–spring model for shock-wave propagation and crack evolution was established. • Synchronicity between deformation wave and crack network was revealed and explained. • Strategy for delaying shock fracture and functional failure in ceramics was explored. Abstract The main challenge of ceramics in the applications upon shock-wave loading is their functional failure due to crack network extension. A lattice-spring model was employed to explore strategy for modulating and delaying the crack network. It reveals that numerous shear cracks nucleate around collapsing voids. Then, they compose a crack network during extending and interlacing. Propagation velocity of the meso-scale crack network is controlled directly by a macroscopic inelastic deformation wave, which evolves synchronously with void collapse process. Hence, it is practicable to delay the crack network via micro-voids modulation, to improve robustness and lifetime of the shocked ceramics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents an efficient geometry for active shielding of multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) bundle interconnects which cancels the crosstalk-induced functional failures in ternary logic. In this geometry, MWCNT bundles are used innovatively as shields on both sides of the signal transmission line to reduce the crosstalk effects while maintaining the minimum interconnect pitch. Simulations are performed using HSPICE for intermediate and global interconnects in ternary logic at 14-nm node. The results indicate that the crosstalk-induced functional failure in ternary logic is omitted by using the proposed structure. Moreover, according to the results, our proposed geometry reduces the crosstalk noise peak as compared to the widened MWCNT bundles, distanced MWCNT bundles and Cu interconnects on average by 41%, 44%, and 61% for the intermediate interconnects and 61%, 46%, and 74% for the global interconnects, respectively, without any considerable power consumption penalties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Interactions among software and hardware components play an important role in successful operation of a system. Researchers have identified two types of interaction failures: software failure influenced by hardware breakdown (hardware-driven software failure) and hardware failure influenced by software malfunction (software-driven hardware failure). The existing research in this domain either has not considered the entire spectrum of interaction failures or limited their work to mere failure analysis rather than reliability/availability modeling. In this paper, we are proposing a unified model to predict the worst case achievable reliability/availability of hardware-software combined system at early design phases. The proposed model identifies system functions from the requirements specification document. Then, these functions are mapped to corresponding conceptual design components. Subsequently, the functional design is simulated for sets of input data that have been randomly generated for different operation modes (failure/working) of the components. We also simulate system state transition due to the component operation modes. Finally, reliability and availability is predicted from simulation results. In this context, we address four important aspects: i) proposing a conceptual design based early reliability/availability prediction model, ii) apart from individual hardware-software component failure, the proposed model addresses different interaction failures such as, hardware-driven software and software-driven hardware failures, iii) implementing the proposed model through a case study, and iv) validating the model by comparing the obtained reliability/availability value using the proposed approach with an established method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Probabilistic risk assessment is expected to play a major role in the design and regulation framework for future reactors. Since the safety of a sodium-cooled fast reactor largely depends on the reliability of a decay heat removal system, which adopts a passive safety feature, it is necessary to assess the reliability of this system in order to conduct probabilistic risk assessment. Currently existing reliability assessment methodology is based on the probability of component failures and human errors. However, this design does not work as a passive safety system consisting of active components that do not need any external input to operate. In this study, a methodology for evaluating the reliability of a passive safety system that includes functional failure is proposed. The Prototype Gen-IV Sodium-cooled Fast Reactor that is currently under development in Korea was selected as the reference reactor, and the functional reliability of the decay heat removal system in the reactor was calculated by uncertainty propagation of the system parameters that can affect system failure. Sensitivity analysis was also performed to determine which parameters have crucial effects on system failure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies on the concept of untranslatability demonstrate that source text distortion and loss are sometimes inevitable because of linguistic and cultural clashes. Furthermore, the inefficiency of author's original intention conveyance may result in a functional failure of producing diverse effects and calling readers' reactions. Dimensions, which limit the extent of translatability, are valid for such an unploughed field as humour translation since forms like ambiguity, pun allusion, metaphor, and irony provide sufficient ground for uncertainty and confusion. Humour untranslatability is the central issue to be explored in this paper from linguistic, cultural and pragmatic perspectives aiming to analyze and compare the most problematic instances of humour translated version of J.K. Jerome's novels "Three Men in a Boat" and "Three Men on the Bummel", to discuss the ways to enhance them and provide more effective versions when possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• An uncertainty analysis model considering functional failure of PV cell is established. • Monte Carlo-based sensitivity analysis method to quantify the impact of variable on the functional failure of PV cell. • Latin hypercube sampling-based was used to study the impact of parameters on the functional safety probability of PV cell. • The evaluation standard of PV cell operation is expanded and ensure the desired system output power. In engineering practice, extensive uncertainties exist in photovoltaic (PV) cell material parameters owing to manufacturing process errors and in PV cell working environment parameters owing to environmental uncertainties. Ignoring the uncertainty of these parameters will greatly reduce the reliability of photovoltaic cells. In this study, a PV cell model was used to conduct an uncertainty analysis based on functional failure. Functional failure is defined as output power fluctuation beyond the specified range, and functional safety region is defined as the allowable fluctuation range of output power during operation. A global sensitivity analysis method based on the Monte Carlo method was employed to study the influence of parameter fluctuation on the functional failure probability of a PV cell. An uncertainty analysis method based on Latin hypercube sampling was applied to study the influence of parameters on the probability of PV cell operation in the functional safety domain. The results indicate that the uncertainty of surface temperature had the most significant influence on the failure probability, followed by the ideality factor, radiation intensity, and current temperature coefficient, the series and parallel resistances had the smallest impact. Optimal values of 510.200 W/m2, 284.600 K, and 1.446 were obtained for radiation intensity, surface temperature, and ideality factor, respectively, which ensured that system functional failure probability remained in the safety zone with values of 93.763 %, 99.211 %, and 98.856 %, respectively. Additionally, the lower series resistance and the higher parallel resistance, the more likely the system to operate in the functional safety domain. The results of study expand the evaluation standard for PV cell operation and ensure the desired system output power. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To study the mechanical properties related to the typical functional failure modes of non-absorbable suture anchor in clinical use, and to support product design, development and verification., Methods: By retrieving the database of relevant adverse events, the typical functional failure modes of non-absorbable suture anchor were summarized, and the influencing factors of functional failure were further analyzed by studying the mechanical properties related to functional failure. The publicly available test data was retrieved for verification and provided reference for the researchers., Results: The typical functional failure modes of non-absorbable suture anchor include anchor failure, suture failure, fix loosening, inserter failure, which are related to the mechanical properties of products, such as screw-in torque and break torque of screw-in anchors, insertion force of knock-in anchors, suture strength, pull-out force before and after system fatigue test and elongation of sutures after fatigue test., Conclusions: Enterprises should pay attention to improving the mechanical performance level of products through material, structural design and the suture weaving process to ensure the safety and effectiveness of products.

AIM: To analyze the rate of clinically significant fatigue and to search for its predictors in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA)/MATERIAL AND METHODS: The investigation included 95 patients with a valid RA diagnosis. The majority of the patients were women (87.4%); mean age was 46.7±1.2 years; mean disease duration was 135.5±11.6 months. The authors evaluated RA activity by the Disease Activity Score (DAS28), magnitude of fatigue by the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), that of pain by the Brief Pain Inventory, and functional status and quality of life by the Health Assessment Questionnaire and EQ-5D. A psychiatrist diagnosed mental disorders in accordance with ICD-10 and using the psychiatric and psychological scales and procedures/RESULTS: 80% of the patients felt clinically significant fatigue (FSS scores of ≥4). Multivariate analysis yielded a prognostic model that made it possible to state that clinically significant fatigue was primarily associated with the magnitude of depression by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the presence of a depressive episode, the duration of anxiety and depressive spectrum, the magnitude of pain (Ritchie index), DAS28, and the presence of osteoporosis/CONCLUSION: The presence and magnitude of depression along with the magnitude of pain are an important factor that influences the formation of fatigue in RA, which gives rise to evident functional failure and a low quality of life. Combination therapy for RA may be effective when mental disorders, mainly the anxiety and depressive spectrum, are timely diagnosed.

Board-level functional fault diagnosis is needed for high-volume production to improve product yield. However, to ensure diagnosis accuracy and effective board repair, a large number of syndromes must be used. Therefore, the diagnosis cost can be prohibitively high due to the increase in diagnosis time and the complexity of test execution and analysis. We propose an adaptive diagnosis method based on incremental decision trees (DTs). Faulty components are classified according to the discriminative ability of the syndromes in DT training. The diagnosis procedure is constructed as a binary tree, with the most discriminative syndrome as the root and final repair suggestions are available as the leaf nodes of the tree. The syndrome to be used in the next step is determined based on the observation of syndromes thus far in the diagnosis procedure. The number of syndromes required for diagnosis can be significantly reduced compared to the total number of syndromes used for system training. Moreover, online learning is facilitated in the proposed diagnosis system using an incremental version of DTs, so as to bridge the knowledge obtained at test-design stage with the knowledge gained during volume production. The diagnosis system can thus adapt to occurrences of new error scenarios on-the-fly. Diagnosis results for three complex boards from industry, currently in volume production, highlight the effectiveness of the proposed approach. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]