bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Implied Reliability Levels in Different Load Models for Offshore Wind Turbines
Authors: Agarwal P. , Manuel L.
Published: September 2014

Assuring uniform reliability levels across various system configurations is the intent of design standards based on the Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) methodology. One such design standard for offshore wind turbines developed by the International Electrotechnical Commission was based on the European experience and may not necessarily represent conditions suited for U.S. waters where several offshore wind energy projects are being planned. It is, hence, of interest to investigate how uniform is the reliability of offshore wind turbines under various levels of wind and wave loads. We assess the reliability of bottom-supported offshore wind turbines in ultimate limit states associated with the fore-aft tower bending moment at the mudline. We compare reliability index estimates for different characteristic load definitions and assumed coefficients of variation for wind and wave loads, as well as for various hydrodynamic to aerodynamic load influences. Effectively, such variations serve to describe different sites and turbine designs. Since large-diameter monopile support structures are dominated by inertia forces, while jacket or tripod support structures with smaller diameter members are dominated by drag forces, we extend an available combined wind-wave load effect model for offshore wind turbines, to include both drag and inertia forces. We show that reasonably uniform reliability levels may be achieved for various combinations of wind and wave loads. Results suggest that drag-dominated wave load cases result in smaller and less uniform reliability estimates than is the case for inertia-dominated wave load cases.
Evaluation of the Stress Magnification Factor in Angled Discontinuities of Longitudinal Stiffeners
Authors: Yamatoki Shuichi , Hamamoto Yoshitaka , Gotoh Koji
Published: September 2014

In ship hull design, longitudinal stiffeners may be twisted or knuckled to keep the continuity of strength along the vessel. This occurs at angled discontinuities such as discontinuous connections at the transverse web between two longitudinal stiffeners having different angles, e.g., a side shell longitudinal stiffener in the rounded part of the ship’s hull. Although the criteria for selection of “twist”, “knuckle”, or “angled discontinuity” as it is should be strength criteria, there are no generalized criteria or published systematic studies, and ship hull designers usually depend on experimental rules.

In this study we evaluate and compare the stress magnification factors and define the relative ratio between the stresses in the discontinuity and continuity structures by using finite element analysis from a strength-of-materials point of view. Our results show that under lateral load conditions the stress factor is larger in the twist structure than in the angled discontinuity structure, although under axial load conditions the stress factor in the knuckle and angle discontinuity structures is larger than in the twist structure. Additionally, we propose a formula that estimates the factor in the knuckle structure based on the strength-of-materials approach.
Application of Fuzzy Time Series Techniques in Wind and Wave Data Forecasting
Authors: Stefanakos Christos N. , Schinas Orestis , Eidnes Grim
Published: September 2014

This work explores the applicability of widely known fuzzy time series forecasting techniques for the prediction of wind and wave data. These techniques have extensively been used with great success to the forecasting of stock prices. In the present work, long-term time series of wind speed, significant wave height, and peak period are examined and used for the verification of the forecasting performance of the fuzzy models. To examine the forecasting accuracy, the root mean squared error (RMSE) is used as an evaluation criterion to compare the forecasting performance of the listing models. As the importance of quality of wind and wave data increases, effective forecasting could further benefit designers of offshore structures and environmental researchers.
A New Ballasted Floating Support for Offshore Wind Turbine
Authors: Poirette Yann , Perdrizet Timothée , Gilloteaux Jean Christophe , Pourtier Alice , Mabile Claude
Published: September 2014

In the framework of the developments of renewable marine energy and especially offshore wind energy, different design options of floating support have already been presented in the community such as barge-type, spar-type or semi-submersible-type floating structures. In the present paper, a study conducted by IFPEN is presented in order to design of a new floating platform concept dedicated to a multi-megawatt wind turbine. The design of the concept consists in a circular platform ballasted with water and concrete, anchored to the sea bed through a spread mooring system and designed to accommodate a multi-megawatt (in the range of 5 to 8 MW) offshore wind turbine.

The paper focuses on the methodology used in the conceptual and preliminary design phases and then on the major results obtained on the performance of the concept for a wide range of design load cases. The results, at current level, show that the concept is viable and interesting, and that the design can be improved further while requiring some additional validation.
An Experiment of Acoustic Navigation System Using Inverse Super Short Baseline for Underwater Vehicle
Authors: Watanabe Yoshitaka , Ochi Hiroshi , Shimura Takuya
Published: September 2014

Recently underwater vehicles are typically navigated with an inertial navigation system (INS), a Doppler velocity log (DVL), and an acoustic positioning system (APS). APS are necessary, especially in deep sea observation, because it is absolute positioning method. Super short baseline (SSBL) is frequently used because it is easy to operate. In SSBL, the position of vehicle is obtained on the mother ship. In order to use the positioning result to navigate the vehicle, the result is transmitted to the vehicle with a certain amount of delay.

Authors are developing a test system of new type APS using inverse SSBL (ISSBL) method. In this method, the vehicle is equipped with a receiver array. Arrival direction of acoustic signal from mother ship is detected, and relative position between the mother ship and the vehicle is calculated with the obtained direction and the depth. Information of ship’s position is included in the transmitted acoustic signal, then absolute position of the vehicle can be calculated with the relative position and the included information. The vehicle position can be obtained in the vehicle in real-time and be used directly to navigate. No reply from the vehicle is necessary.

An ocean experiment of this method was conducted in Sagami Bay in Japan. Experimental device was moored on the seabed and the ship cruised with acoustic signal transmission. As a result, this method was available in deep sea area. Demodulation of information in the method was feasible, and positioning of the experimental device was achieved. High rate positioning is useful suppress random error with filtering.
Low Frequency Vibration Control of the Offshore Fixed Platforms by Using Tuned Liquid Column Damper
Authors: Lee Chan Hui , Kim Heui Won , Joo Won Ho
Published: September 2014

The offshore fixed platforms are confronted with greater wind and wave forces as their installation site moves toward the deep sea, so it is definitely necessary to reduce the low frequency vibration of structures for the safety and comfort of crews.

The dynamic dampers are generally used to reduce vibration of structures. Especially, the tuned liquid column damper (TLCD) has been applied to reduce the low frequency vibration of onshore tall buildings.

In this paper, the design procedure of TLCD is proposed to control the low frequency vibration of fixed platforms through the simulation and experiment with a small-scale model. The vibration control target is the surge motion of fixed platforms and the major design variables of TLCD are mass and damping ratios.

The optimized design variables of TLCD are determined from the calculation of the amplification factor. In the experiment, the effects of mass and damping ratios are considered by changing the breadth of column, the opening ratio and number of the orifices. The results of experiment are found to well agree with the simulation. The 83% of structure vibration level can be reduced by applying the optimized TLCD.
Dynamic Response of a Fluid-Conveying Riser Subject to Vortex-Induced Vibration: Integral Transform Solution
Authors: Gu Jijun , Song Zhenhua , Zhang Kang , Su Liguo , Duan Menglan
Published: September 2014

Analysis of dynamic response of a fluid-conveying riser is an important aspect in subsea production system. In the present paper, dynamic response of a pinned-pinned riser subject to external fluid force was solved by the generalized integral transform technique (GITT). A nonlinear wake oscillator models was used to represent the cross-flow and in-line force acting on the riser, leading to a coupled system of second-order Partial Differential Equations (PDEs). The GITT approach was used to transform the system of PDEs to a system of Ordinary Differential Equations (ODEs), which was numerically solved by using the Adams-Moulton and Gear method (DIVPAG) developed by the International Mathematics and Statistics Library (IMSL). Numerical results were presented for comparison to those given by the numerical and experimental results, allowing a critical evaluation of the technique performance. The influence of conveying fluid velocity and mean top tension were evaluated to show that they should not be negligible in numerical simulation of Vortex-Induced Vibration of a long flexible riser.
Model Testing of Fish Farms for Validation of Analysis Programs
Authors: Berstad Are Johan , Heimstad Line Fludal , Walaunet Jørgen
Published: September 2014

This paper presents a case study where results from numerical analysis have been compared to model experiments, performed on a 1/16 scale model. The tested model is a circular cage system with a polyethylene cage. The system is tested both in waves and current.

Numerical analysis to document the structural integrity of the fish farms are now a requirement. The state of the art analysis tool used in the aquaculture industry is AquaSim [1].

Results from model experiments are compared to numerical analysis carried out in AquaSim. Uncertainties in the model experiments are investigated and discussed. The differences between the experimental and numerical results are in the same range as the uncertainties.
Time Series Based Damage Detection and Localization in an Offshore Platform Using Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Nandan Harsh , Abrahamson Eric , Wang Xiangyu , Brinkmann Carl
Published: September 2014

Continuous structural integrity monitoring (SIM) can be a valuable complementary tool to the current practice of periodic inspections in detecting damage in jacket platforms. This paper demonstrates the technical feasibility of adopting the recent advances in onshore SIM technology for offshore jacket platforms. Both the analysis method and hardware technology are investigated. To demonstrate the feasibility of the analysis method, a time series based damage detection and localization algorithm is evaluated. Nodal acceleration and brace strain responses from a jacket platform computer model are simulated and used to determine the Autoregressive (AR) model coefficients. Mahalanobis distance calculated from the first 10 AR coefficients is used as the damage feature (DF). The DF’s from three different damage cases comprising of missing member, dented member (stiffness reduction), and cracked member (nonlinear behavior), respectively, are compared with those from the healthy baseline case to detect and localize damage. To demonstrate the feasibility of hardware technology, a survey of the state-of-the-art in wireless sensor network technology is conducted. The survey shows that wireless accelerometers and strain gauges packaged for underwater use can be fitted in a wireless sensor network throughout the jacket using the electromagnetic communication approach. A conceptual configuration of underwater damage detection wireless sensor network for offshore jacket platforms is presented.
Comparison of Dynamic Loading of Light Weight and Steel Drillpipes During Tripping Operations
Authors: Mehrabi Mehran , Miska Stefan , Merlo Antonino
Published: September 2014

Depletion of shallow depth reservoirs has driven the industry towards drilling of ultra-deep HPHT wells to reach unexploited reserves. Drilling such challenging wells is the most compelling reason for drilling companies to look for alternative drill pipes that meet their requirements. Currently, with the emergence of light-weight drill pipes, a thorough study of their advantages and disadvantages compared with conventional drill pipes is needed. Weight of drillstring, dynamic load at the surface and produced surge and swab pressures can be considered as the most significant parameters during tripping operations in ultra-deep wells. The deeper the well the more crucial becomes the management of the dynamic load. In this study the main focus is on the comparison of dynamic load along four different drillstrings in deep and ultra-deep vertical wells: Steel Drillpipe (SDP), Aluminum Drillpipe (ADP), Titanium Drillpipe (TDP) and Composite Drillpipe (CDP). A new approach for calculation of the dynamic load based on a semi-analytical solution of the wave equation has been developed. According to our calculation, the string made of SDP produces the highest dynamic load among those studied. It is shown that vibration along the composite drillstring lasts a much shorter time than vibration along the other types of drillstring. In other words, the impact of fluid damping is more effective on the composite drillstring than the others. Investigation of different slips removal velocity profiles reveals that an optimum slips removal velocity profile can reduce the magnitude of the produced dynamic load coming from the subsequent downward motion. This paper can help drilling engineers design an optimal drillstring for ultra-deep wells as well as optimal tripping velocity profiles.
Pipe Strength and Deformation Capacity: A Novel FE Tool for the Numerical Lab
Authors: Bartolini Lorenzo Maria , Battistini Alberto , Marchionni Lorenzo , Parrella Antonio , Spinazzè Maurizio , Vitali Luigino
Published: September 2014

Future offshore pipelines development moves towards challenging operating condition and deep/ultra-deep water applications. Understanding the failure mechanisms and quantifying the strength and deformation capacity of pipelines, special components (buckle arrestors, wye, etc.) and in-line structures (in-line sled, in-line valve, in-line tee, etc.) is a need, under installation and operation loads, taking in account different geometrical characteristics and mechanical behaviors. The objective of this paper is to present and discuss recent FEM approaches integrating global and local analyses to evaluate the pipeline response and local effects, respectively. Thanks to this method the results coming from the global FEM analysis (main loads and driving phenomena) are used as input data for local FE Model with the aim to detect stress/strain intensification and other issues due to the local characteristics.

In this paper:

• The challenges of future deep water offshore pipelines are briefly presented;

• The typical loading scenarios for pipelines during installation and operation are discussed;

• The PipeONE 2014 tool, developed to facilitate the input/output data sharing between global and local FEM analyses, is presented and fully described in its main characteristics and capabilities;

• An example is presented with the aim to understand and to appreciate the PipeONE 2014 functionality in FE modeling.
On the Ultimate Compressive Strength of Transversely Cracked Plates
Authors: Bayatfar Abbas , Pire Timothee , Rigo Philippe
Published: September 2014

This paper aims to numerically analyse the ultimate strength of transversely cracked steel plates under longitudinal compressive loading, considering the effect of initial distortion as well. The main objective of this study is to investigate the ultimate compressive strength characteristics of an unstiffened steel plate due to transverse cracking damages located in the middle (i.e. centre cracks and edge cracks). To achieve that, a series of non-linear finite element (FE) analyses are carried out using ANSYS commercial finite element code. The obtained FE results are discussed to indicate the amount of crack influence, in terms of its length and location, on the ultimate compressive strength of a steel plate element with different thicknesses.
A Cartesian Explicit Solver for Complex Hydrodynamic Applications
Authors: Bigay P. , Bardin A. , Oger G. , Le Touzé D.
Published: September 2014

In order to efficiently address complex problems in hydrodynamics, the advances in the development of a new method are presented here. This method aims at finding a good compromise between computational efficiency, accuracy, and easy handling of complex geometries. The chosen method is an Explicit Cartesian Finite Volume method for Hydrodynamics (ECFVH) based on a compressible (hyperbolic) solver, with a ghost-cell method for geometry handling and a Level-set method for the treatment of biphase-flows. The explicit nature of the solver is obtained through a weakly-compressible approach chosen to simulate nearly-incompressible flows. The explicit cell-centered resolution allows for an efficient solving of very large simulations together with a straightforward handling of multi-physics. A characteristic flux method for solving the hyperbolic part of the Navier-Stokes equations is used. The treatment of arbitrary geometries is addressed in the hyperbolic and viscous framework. Viscous effects are computed via a finite difference computation of viscous fluxes and turbulent effects are addressed via a Large-Eddy Simulation method (LES). The Level-Set solver used to handle biphase flows is also presented. The solver is validated on 2-D test cases (flow past a cylinder, 2-D dam break) and future improvements are discussed.
Failure in Drilling Riser Auxiliary Line Attributed to VIV
Authors: Kilner Andrew , Yoshioka Ricardo , Marcollo Hayden , Rogers Rick , Taha Mohamed
Published: September 2014

Some drilling operators have experienced a loss of pressure from drilling riser auxiliary lines during operations. In some instances the loss of pressure has been as a result of auxiliary line seals experiencing excessive wear at the pin-box connection.

In the case described within this paper, the failure was investigated and attributed to Vortex Induced Vibration of the main drilling riser. The rigid interface between the main riser and the outer auxiliary lines results in transfer of main drilling riser dynamic curvature motions directly into vertical axial motions at the pin-box connection. In the case considered, a high degree of VIV excitation was experienced through the drilling campaign which resulted in excessive wearing and ultimately failure of the pin-box seal.

This paper presents a methodology to compute the auxiliary line axial displacement resulting from the drilling riser displacement and curvature. This methodology provides a means of estimating the relative axial motion of the pin-box connection when the main drilling riser is under VIV lock-in. It will also assist in identifying if excessive seal wear will be a concern during a drilling campaign. In this case it suggested that the limiting condition for the drilling riser was not fatigue of the main drilling riser, but wear of the pin-box seal.

As a consequence of this investigation, it is recommended to include checks for excessive relative axial motion in general analysis methodology for deepwater drilling risers. As with VIV fatigue issues, the issue may be mitigated through VIV suppression.
Numerical Study of 3D Pulsating Source Green Function of Finite Water Depth
Authors: Yang Peng , Gu Xuekang , Tian Chao , Cheng Xiaoming , Ding Jun
Published: September 2014

The accurate and efficient evaluation of the Green function and its derivatives for a pulsating source in finite water depth is one of the most important aspects in wave force calculation for offshore structures, at the same time it is also one of the most challenging tasks due to the singularity in the Cauchy principal value integral and the oscillation behavior of the Bessel function. In this paper, a new integral equation is proposed in which the singular term is deducted from the Green function. Furthermore, the Gauss-Laguerre integral equation proposed by other researcher has been improved to obtain a new form of the equation. Using these two proposed methods, numerical calculations are performed for the pulsating source Green function and its derivatives for finite water depth. The results show that very good agreements are achieved between the present results and other published data. The precision and efficiency of the present methods are also investigated and compared with the series solution and traditional Gauss-Laguerre integral method. It shows that both of the new methods have better precision than the traditional Gauss-Laguerre integral, but less efficient than the series solution. On the other side, the series solution would lose precision in the near-fields approaching zero, but the new Gauss-Laguerre integral equation could obtain right results. Furthermore the series solution has poor precision in large wave frequency and water depth in which case both of the new methods could obtain right results. Finally, one strategy has been proposed which could properly obtain the value of green function and its derivatives.
CFD Study of Surface Flow and Gas Dispersion From a Subsea Gas Release
Authors: Pan Qing Qing , Olsen Jan Erik , Johansen Stein Tore , Reed Mark , Sætran Lars Roar
Published: September 2014

With increasing subsea oil and gas activities, the safety is challenged by accidental gas release. This can be caused by leakage from gas transport pipelines or blowouts from oil and gas wells. Risk assessment of such events is associated to the correct prediction of gas flux and gas distribution through the ocean surface and the resulting surface flows. A quantitative multiphase CFD model can satisfy such needs. Bubbles can be tracked by discrete phase model (DPM), using a parcel-based Lagrangian approach. Capturing the free surface formed by surfacing bubble plumes can be handled by a volume of fluid (VOF) model. This constitutes an Eulerian-Lagrangian model framework combining the DPM and VOF models. The model is presented and validated by experiments of a gas release in 7 m deep test basin. Results from modelling and experiments are consistent.
Relation Between the Mechanical Specific Energy, Cuttings Morphology, and PDC Cutter Geometry
Authors: Akbari Babak , Miska Stefan , Yu Mengjiao , Ozbayoglu Evren
Published: September 2014

This paper discusses a series of experiments performed on Carthage Marble Limestone rock samples in a high pressure single PDC cutter testing facility. The tests were performed at 450 psi confining pressure conditions and four different cutters were used. Two different cutter diameter sizes of 13 mm and 16 mm, each with two different chamfer sizes of 0.010 inch and 0.016 inch were tested. Effect of the cutter geometry on the MSE of the cutting action and grain size distribution are discussed in this paper.

The experimental results show that, in the tested range, the difference between the MSE when the two different cutter sizes are considered is insignificant. On the other hand, the results show that a change in the chamfer length from 0.010 inch to 0.016 inch can significantly increase the required MSE (as much as 20%). The cuttings produced at each test were gathered and tested in a particle size testing facility and the results were analyzed to determine which drilling parameters can be best correlated to the particle size distribution of the cuttings. The results show that the minimum particle size of the cuttings has a relatively strong dependency on the MSE of each test. The minimum particle size decreases as the MSE of the cutting increases and this is closely related to the extra energy required to regrind and crush the rock as a consequence of decreased drilling efficiency. In fact, the MSE can be estimated by the rock fracture surface energy and the grain size distribution.
Inversion of acoustical data from the “Shallow Water 06” experiment by statistical signal characterization
Authors: Taroudakis Michael , Smaragdakis Costas , Ross Chapman N.
Published: September 2014

This paper presents an application to validate an acoustic signal characterization scheme for ocean acoustic tomography and geoacoustic inversions proposed by Taroudakis, Tzagkarakis, and Tsakalides [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 119, 1396–1405 (2006)] using data from an experiment at sea. The data were collected during the Shallow water '06 (SW06) experiment off the New Jersey Continental Shelf and the inversion results (sea-bed geoacoustic parameters and source range) are compared with those reported from the same data by Bonnel and Chapman [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 130(2), EL101–EL107 (2011)]. The comparison and the signal reconstruction using estimated values of the model parameters are satisfactory indicating that the new signal characterization method is useful for practical applications of acoustical oceanography.
Synergistic Combinations of the CCR5 Inhibitor VCH-286 with Other Classes of HIV-1 Inhibitors
Authors: Asin-Milan Odalis , Sylla Mohamed , El-Far Mohamed , Belanger-Jasmin Geneviève , Haidara Alpha , Blackburn Julie , Chamberland Annie , Tremblay Cécile L.
Published: September 2014

Here, we evaluated the
in vitro
anti-HIV-1 activity of the experimental CCR5 inhibitor VCH-286 as a single agent or in combination with various classes of HIV-1 inhibitors. Although VCH-286 used alone had highly inhibitory activity, paired combinations with different drug classes led to synergistic or additive interactions. However, combinations with other CCR5 inhibitors led to effects ranging from synergy to antagonism. We suggest that caution should be exercised when combining CCR5 inhibitors
in vivo
.
Open-Label Crossover Study of Primaquine and Dihydroartemisinin-Piperaquine Pharmacokinetics in Healthy Adult Thai Subjects
Authors: Hanboonkunupakarn Borimas , Ashley Elizabeth A. , Jittamala Podjanee , Tarning Joel , Pukrittayakamee Sasithon , Hanpithakpong Warunee , Chotsiri Palang , Wattanakul Thanaporn , Panapipat Salwaluk , Lee Sue J. , Day Nicholas P. J. , White Nicholas J.
Published: September 2014

Dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine is an artemisinin-based combination treatment (ACT) recommended by the WHO for uncomplicated
Plasmodium falciparum
malaria, and it is being used increasingly for resistant vivax malaria where combination with primaquine is required for radical cure. The WHO recently reinforced its recommendations to add a single dose of primaquine to ACTs to reduce
P. falciparum
transmission in low-transmission settings. The pharmacokinetics of primaquine and dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine were evaluated in 16 healthy Thai adult volunteers in a randomized crossover study. Volunteers were randomized to two groups of three sequential hospital admissions to receive 30 mg (base) primaquine, 3 tablets of dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine (120/960 mg), and the drugs together at the same doses. Blood sampling was performed over 3 days following primaquine and 36 days following dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine dosing. Pharmacokinetic assessment was done with a noncompartmental approach. The drugs were well tolerated. There were no statistically significant differences in dihydroartemisinin and piperaquine pharmacokinetics with or without primaquine. Dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine coadministration significantly increased plasma primaquine levels; geometric mean ratios (90% confidence interval [CI]) of primaquine combined versus primaquine alone for maximum concentration (
C
max
), area under the concentration-time curve from 0 h to the end of the study (AUC
0–last
), and area under the concentration-time curve from 0 h to infinity (AUC
0–∞
) were 148% (117 to 187%), 129% (103 to 163%), and 128% (102 to 161%), respectively. This interaction is similar to that described recently with chloroquine and may result in an enhanced radical curative effect. (This study has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov under registration no. NCT01525511.)
Role for the A Domain of Unprocessed Accumulation-Associated Protein (Aap) in the Attachment Phase of the Staphylococcus epidermidis Biofilm Phenotype
Authors: Conlon Brian P. , Geoghegan Joan A. , Waters Elaine M. , McCarthy Hannah , Rowe Sarah E. , Davies Julia R. , Schaeffer Carolyn R. , Foster Timothy J. , Fey Paul D. , O'Gara James P.
Published: September 2014

The polysaccharide intercellular adhesin or the cell wall-anchored accumulation-associated protein (Aap) mediates cellular accumulation during
Staphylococcus epidermidis
biofilm maturation. Mutation of sortase, which anchors up to 11 proteins (including Aap) to the cell wall, blocked biofilm development by the cerebrospinal fluid isolate CSF41498. Aap was implicated in this phenotype when Western blots and two-dimensional (2D) electrophoresis revealed increased levels of the protein in culture supernatants. Unexpectedly, reduced levels of primary attachment were associated with impaired biofilm formation by CSF41498
srtA
and
aap
mutants. In contrast to previous studies, which implicated Aap proteolytic cleavage and, specifically, the Aap B domains in biofilm accumulation, the CSF41498 Aap protein was unprocessed. Furthermore,
aap
appeared to play a less important role in the biofilm phenotype of
S. epidermidis
1457, in which the Aap protein is processed. Anti-Aap A-domain IgG inhibited primary attachment and biofilm formation in strain CSF41498 but not in strain 1457. The nucleotide sequences of the
aap
gene A-domain region and cleavage site in strains CSF41498 and 1457 were identical, implicating altered protease activity in the differential Aap processing results in the two strains. These data reveal a new role for the A domain of unprocessed Aap in the attachment phase of biofilm formation and suggest that extracellular protease activity can influence whether Aap contributes to the attachment or accumulation phases of the
S. epidermidis
biofilm phenotype.
Antihyperglycaemic Effect of Laser Acupuncture Treatment at Bl20 in Diabetic Rats
Authors: Cornejo-Garrido Jorge , Becerril-Chávez Flavia , Carlín-Vargas Gabriel , Ordoñez-Rodríguez Juan Manuel , Abrajan-González María del Carmen , de la Cruz-Ramírez Rosario , Ordaz-Pichardo Cynthia
Published: September 2014

Objective

To investigate the antihyperglycaemic activity of laser acupuncture stimulation at 650 and 980 nm at BL20 in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats.

Methods

Seventy healthy adult male albino Wistar rats weighing 250±50 g were divided into seven groups of 10 animals each. Groups I–III comprised healthy control rats which were untreated (I) or stimulated with laser acupuncture at 650 nm (II) and 980 nm (III), respectively. Groups IV–VII underwent induction of diabetes with a single intraperitoneal administration of STZ at 50 mg/kg. Animals with blood glucose levels of ≥200 mg/dL on the fifth day were used for the experiments and were left untreated (group IV), treated with glibenclamide (group V) or stimulated with laser acupuncture at 650 nm (group VI) and 980 nm (group VII), respectively. Laser acupuncture was applied at BL20 on alternate days for a total of 12 sessions over a 28-day period.

Results

After 28 days of treatment, STZ-induced diabetic rats stimulated with laser acupuncture at 650 and 980 nm had significantly lower glucose levels compared with untreated diabetic rats (242.0±65.0 and 129.8±33.2 vs 376.5±10.0 mg/dL, both p≤0.05). Treatment at 980 nm also attenuated the increase in glucose between day 1 and day 28 compared with the glibenclamide-treated diabetic group (41.5±19.6 mg/dL vs 164.1±13.7 g/dL, p<0.05). Laser acupuncture treatment did not affect the blood count or biochemical profile and was not associated with any morphological changes in the pancreas, liver, kidney or spleen.

Conclusions

Stimulation with laser acupuncture at 650 and 980 nm at BL20 in STZ-induced diabetic rats has antihyperglycaemic activity. The results support further evaluation of laser acupuncture as an alternative or complementary treatment for the control of hyperglycaemia.
Acupuncture Therapy for Fever Induced by Viral Upper Respiratory Tract Infection (Urti) in Military Medical Service: A Case Series
Authors: Kwon SeungWon , Shin KyoungHo , Jung WooSang , Moon SangKwan , Cho KiHo
Published: September 2014

We report the cases of eight military patients with fever (≥38°C) induced by viral upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) who requested treatment with acupuncture in the military medical service room. All patients were treated immediately after diagnosis with classical acupuncture (GV14, GB20, TE8 points) and a new type of acupuncture, equilibrium acupuncture ( Feibing and Ganmao points). After one treatment session (20 min), reduction of body temperature was confirmed in all patients. Accompanying symptoms such as headache, myalgia and nasal obstruction also showed a tendency to decrease. Within 3 days of treatment, six of the eight patients had recovered from the URTI. No adverse effects of acupuncture treatment were reported.
Time-dependent pullout behavior of glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) soil nail in sand
Authors: Zhang Cheng-Cheng , Zhu Hong-Hu , Xu Qiang , Shi Bin , Mei Guo-Xiong
Published: September 2014

Glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) materials are gaining increasing use in geotechnical engineering applications in recent years. The long-term performance of reinforced geostructures may be influenced by the rheological properties of GFRP soil nails or anchors. However, a clear understanding of this effect is lacking. This work aims to investigate the interaction between GFRP soil nail and sand under pullout conditions considering the time-dependent effect. A time-dependent model was proposed to describe the load–deformation characteristics of a GFRP soil nail during pullout. Laboratory pullout tests were performed using a load-controlled pullout apparatus to verify the effectiveness of the proposed model. Quasi-distributed fiber Bragg grating (FBG) optical fiber sensors were adhered on the pre-grooved GFRP soil nail to capture the variations of axial strain during testing. The test results are presented, interpreted, and discussed. It is shown that there is good agreement between the simulation results and the experimental data under low stress levels. Additionally, the impacts of model parameters on the predicted time-dependent pullout behavior of a GFRP soil nail were examined through parametric studies. The results indicate that the distributions of tensile force and GFRP–sand interfacial shear stress along the nail length are highly time dependent. The creep displacement of a GFRP soil nail is significantly influenced by the rheological parameters of the proposed model.
Thermoregulation in a cold-adapted species (Cyren’s Rock Lizard, Iberolacerta cyreni): influence of thermal environment and associated costs
Authors: Aguado S. , Braña F.
Published: September 2014

Thermal constraints may limit the physiology and behaviour of ectotherms because of the high thermal dependence of metabolic functions. The adaptive mechanisms of thermoregulation and the cost of confronting thermal constraints were studied in the Cyren’s Rock Lizard (Iberolacerta cyreni (Müller and Hellmich, 1937)), a lacertid lizard endemic to mountain areas of central Spain. Semicontinuous monitoring of body temperature (Tb) in the laboratory indicated that the preferred temperature range for this population (Tpref) was lower than those found for most lacertid lizards, and field body temperatures of active animals in summer were even lower than Tpref. Overall these results, together with distribution of field operative temperatures (Te), indicate that I. cyreni is an active and relatively accurate thermoregulator, although limited by thermal constraints in their habitat. Laboratory experiments in contrasting thermal environments showed that even under thermally restricted conditions, lizards achieved their Tpref by modifying their thermoregulatory behaviour, principally through changes in space use, basking time, and body posture. However, these behavioural adjustments to reach the Tpref have associated costs, and lizards spent 80% of their time in thermoregulation when tested under low radiation conditions, which in the wild would limit the scope for other activities and eventually increase predation risk. Our results suggest that thermoregulatory behaviour may play an important role in coping with global climate change, hence predictions of the effects of climate warming on lizards inhabiting cold habitats should take into account the buffering role of behavioural thermoregulation.
Domain-Specific Optimization of Two Jacobi Smoother Kernels and Their Evaluation in the ECM Performance Model
Authors: Kronawitter Stefan , Stengel Holger , Hager Georg , Lengauer Christian
Published: September 2014

Our aim is to apply program transformations to stencil codes in order to yield the highest possible performance. We recognize memory bandwidth as a major limitation in stencil code performance. We conducted a study in which we applied optimizing transformations to two Jacobi smoother kernels: one 3D 1st-order 7-point stencil and one 3D 3rd-order 19-point stencil. To obtain high performance, the optimizations have to be customized for the execution platform at hand. We illustrate this by experiments on two consumer and two server architectures. We also verified the need for complex optimizations with the help of the Execution-Cache-Memory performance model. A code generator with knowledge about stencil codes and execution platforms should be able to apply our transformations automatically. We are working towards such a generator in project ExaStencils.
AdS/BCFT correspondence, holographic g-theorem and Gauss–Bonnet gravity
Authors: Najian Bahman
Published: September 2014

We investigate some aspects of holographic dual of boundary conformal field theories for higher derivative Gauss–Bonnet (GB) gravity. We explore the holographic g-theorem for GB gravity and introduce holographic g-functions in five and six dimensions. Focusing on the coefficients of the logarithmic terms in the partition functions of BCFTs holographically, and in the presence of higher derivative terms, in even dimensions we show that these are associated with corrected A-type trace anomaly. Building on this, in odd dimensions, we present supporting evidence for monotonicity property of boundary central charge in BCFT5 in Einstein gravity. However, in the GB gravity case, we find that the monotonicity behavior is violated. This invalidates the holographic g-theorem for the GB gravity.
A Unified Explanation of gm/ID-Based Noise Analysis
Authors: Ou Jack , Ferreira Pietro M.
Published: September 2014

We present an unified explanation of the transconductance-to-drain current (gm/ID)-based noise analysis in this paper. We show that both thermal noise coefficient (γ) and device noise corner frequency (f co ) are dependent on the gm/ID of a transistor. We derive expressions to demonstrate the relationship between the normalized noise power spectral density technique and the technique based on γ and f co . We conclude this letter with examples to demonstrate the practical implication of our study. Our results show that while both techniques discussed in this letter can be used to compute noise numerically, using γ and f co to separate thermal noise from flicker noise provides additional insight for optimizing noise.
INTERMEDIATE SEARCH ELEMENTS AND METHOD COMBINATION IN LEAD-USER SEARCHES
Authors: HYYSALO SAMPSA , HELMINEN PIA , MÄKINEN SAMULI , JOHNSON MIKAEL , JUNTUNEN JOUNI K. , FREEMAN STEPHANIE
Published: September 2014

Users play an increasingly important role in product and service innovation. Finding the right users can require substantial search effort. Network searches are increasingly popular in searching for rare lead users. In these searches, implicit and inexact referrals have been found to comprise a substantial number of network referrals; numbers as high as 70% of the most important referrals to sought people have been reported. To aid handling such referrals during network searches, we explicate their status as intermediate referral types, and how these referral types relate to known search methods. The constraints set by intermediate referrals could potentially be overcome and their potential be capitalized through more extensive method combination in network searches than has been trialed to date. We proceed to offer a proof of concept for such searches through documenting how we ran them in four realworld searches and chart future research avenues.
SHORT-RUN ARBITRAGE IN CRISIS MARKETS — EXPERIMENTAL EVIDENCE
Authors: SONSINO DORON , SHAVIT TAL
Published: September 2014

The field experimental approach was utilized to collect expectations-arbitrage portfolios from competent investors in late 2008 where stock prices shrunk by 50%. Positions were closed after three months and the four-factor model was applied to characterize strategies and derive risk-adjusted returns. In line with classic judgment literature findings (Lichtenstein et al., 1982), performance significantly improves with prior self-confidence, although the participants exhibit typical patterns of overconfidence. The time-series estimations reveal that the experimental arbitrageurs generally benefited from "leveraging the crisis", but the highly confident delivered positive alpha beyond loading on common premia. The experimental results are discussed in light of the literature on expertise and stock selection in crisis markets.
Contribution of Portuguese two-mica granites to stone built heritage: the historical value of Oporto granite
Authors: Almeida Angela , Begonha Arlindo
Published: September 2014

The historical centre of Oporto (Portugal), designated a UNESCO World Heritage of the Humanity, has been selected to illustrate the use of the local granite during the development of the city, invariably influencing the history, architecture, religion, culture and the personality of the local people.

The Oporto monumental heritage goes back to Roman occupation: the city has been developed by the construction of granite buildings strongly implanted on a hard granite substrate. The Oporto profile gives an impressive grey architecture according to different styles of granite work that characterize the city in all its aspects. The description of selected sites within the historical centre, where it is possible to recognize the importance of the granite in the character of the city, aims to call attention to the inextricable role of geology in the built heritage and culture, as well as to diagnose the deterioration processes, enhanced by the environment and the anthropogenic activity, that affect houses and monuments as a consequence of the intrinsic properties of the granite. The Oporto granite genesis, responsible for the nature of the mineralogy assemblage, the physical properties and the degree of weathering, provides specific features that make this granite particularly suitable for the ornamental work that defines the town monumental constructions. The old city wall, the medieval and baroque churches, the neoclassic houses and also the small humble habitations are a few examples of the profuse stone heritage of which Oporto is proud.
Study of the Chemical and Morphological Characteristics of Al2O3 and HfO2 Surfaces after Immersion in Time-Dependent pH Solutions
Authors: Molina Reyes Joel , Perez Ramos Berni Manolo
Published: September 2014

The chemical and morphological characteristics of ALD Al2O3 and HfO2 layers after the immersion in no-buffer pH solutions have been obtained. These films are usually used as sensing layers in chemical sensors applications, and the morphology and chemical characteristics are of great importance to the chemicall sensitivity which they can provide. Hence, morphological changes has been recorded by atomic force microscopy (AFM), while the chemical characteristics has been obtained by Fourirer Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). Also, the electrical characteristics, which need to be of high quality in ion-sensing applications, has been determined by High-Frequency Capacitance Voltage (C-V) measurements in Metal-Insulator-Metal capacitors (MIM). The results suggest that the changes experienced by the films under immersion are highly time and ionstrenght dependent, and this might be the main cause of drift in ionsensitive solid state sensors. Moreover, the data shows that HfO2 and Al2O3 exihibit different chemical characteristics after immersion than Si3N4, nonetheless, due to their high chemical sensitivity and higher dielecric constant these materials are well suited for applications in ion-sensing devices.
(Invited) Wireless Mechatronic Sensing Device for Long Tube Internal Deformation Inspection
Authors: Tang Liqiong , Fukuoka Morio
Published: September 2014

Chemical and process industry has high demand on inspection and measurement systems especially the sensing devices for thin and long tubes working under high temperature, high pressure and corrosive environment to encourage rapid chemical reactions. This research presents a sensing device that has potential to be a cost effective solution for a particular thin tube that plays a critical role in a chemical production process. The novel device is able to capture tube internal geometric deformation and check hundreds of similar tubes within a specific time frame. The captured data is wirelessly transferred to a data collection unit in real time. Field testing was conducted on an industrial testing platform. The results confirm that the sensing device can reliably carry out tube inspection within the required time frame.
Detection of Organic Molecules Using Conducting Materials
Authors: Chahma M'hamed , Enagala Sravya
Published: September 2014

Chiral conducting surfaces poly(EDOT-1)-Pt and poly(EDOT-2)-Pt have been prepared via electro-copolymerization of EDOT and alanine functionalized terthiophenes. Poly(EDOT-1)-Pt and poly(EDOT-2)-Pt were characterized by FTIR and cyclic voltammetry, and they exhibit excellent stability. Via hydrogen bond interactions, poly(EDOT-2)-Pt has the ability to recognize bioorganic molecules such as a dipeptide Leu-LeuOMe. The capacitive current of poly(EDOT-2)-Pt decreased by 30 % in the presence of Leu-LeuOMe as a result of hydrogen bond formation, which behaves as a barrier for supporting electrolyte ions. No significant change in the capacitive current has been observed for poly(EDOT-1)-Pt and Leu-LeuOMe interactions.
Determination of the Antioxidant Capacity in Medicinal Plants, Using a Laccase Screen Printed-Type Biosensor
Authors: Rodríguez-Sevilla Erika , Ramirez-Silva Maria Teresa , Palomar-Pardavé Manuel , Romero-Romo Mario A. , Hernández-Arana Andres , Ibarra-Escutia Pedro
Published: September 2014

The immobilization of Laccase from Trametes versicolor (TvL) by means of entrapment, cross-linking and covalent bonding methods was analyzed through the development and characterization of amperometric screen-printed sensors for phenolic compounds. In order to do the immobilization with each of the methods stated, polyvinyl alcohol, glutaraldehyde and N-ethyl-N’-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide clorhydrate were used, respectively. The electrochemical characterization was carried out at (30.0 ± 0.5) °C and pH = 4.70 ± 0.01. The apparent Michaelis-Menten constant, Km
´, for the enzymatic oxidation of hydroquinone, HQ, to p-quinone, Q, was used as comparison parameter, as well as the analytic parameter linked directly to the biosensor. After comparing the different immobilization methods, it became apparent that the best one was cross-linking at 40 °C, that gave the lowest Km
´ ((170.1 ± 3.2)µM), and HQ limit of detection ((17.0 ± 6.6)µM) values. The antioxidant capacity of real samples, infusion of medicinal plants, was evaluated using this biosensor.