bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Decision Support Development for Product-Process Coupling in Mass Customized Automotive Assembly
Authors: Peterson Matthew , Mocko Gregory
Published: January 2015

In modern automotive manufacturing the data associated with the products and the assembly processes required to build a car are not intelligently linked. This becomes problematic when trying to efficiently create best practice templates for assembly processes because the procedure for linking these best practice assembly processes with vehicle components becomes a daunting task. This research is aimed at the development of a decision support system and cyber infrastructure for efficiently linking product information and process information. Specifically, tools are developed to link product and process information in the automotive industry. The goal of this research is to develop and encode rules to guide the linking of product and process information. These rules are formed from historical data and provide suggestions to process planners as to which variants of parts can be assigned to the same standardized set of assembly instructions which exist as process sheet templates. The part data used consists of a standard text description of the part, the bounding box coordinates for all possible installation locations of the part, a unique identifier for the part, and a logic string which defines valid vehicle configurations such as platforms, models, and options for which the part is valid. A portion of this data is analyzed and used as the basis for development of the part grouping rules. Each rule will compare two parts with respect to the relevant part data and determine whether the two parts are capable of being assigned to the same process sheet. The development of the rules is discussed along with examples, followed with a discussion regarding the implementation of the rules into a prototype system. The rules are tested against part data not used in the development process, and a discussion of the results is presented. The paper concludes with conclusions drawn from testing of the rules and a discussion of future work.
Closed-Loop Control and Release Mechanism Development for Microgravity Free Flyer
Authors: Reher Jake , Yule Joan , Fritz Eric , Wheeler Max , Nelson Carl A. , Dungan Larry K.
Published: January 2015

As human exploration into our solar system expands, the necessity for robotic assistance increases. A free-flying robotic apparatus would be beneficial for space exploration missions to aid humans in small programmed tasks as well as remote planetary or asteroid exploration. The design of these drones would need to account for the fact that much of their time would be spent in a microgravity environment. As this complicates the design, a method for simulating exposure to microgravity was developed by NASA Johnson Space Center: the Active Response Gravity Offload System (ARGOS). ARGOS has been confirmed as accurate for gravity compensation of large payloads, but its reliability is less certain for small-scale loads. To test the accuracy of ARGOS on small-scale devices, a free-flying octocopter was developed and flown both on ARGOS and in a reduced-gravity aircraft to compare the reduced gravity effects. This testing helped identify the need for an improved control system and a release mechanism to provide consistent initial conditions, which were subsequently added to the system. This paper describes the robotic flyer design, control, and release mechanism, along with results of reduced-gravity testing.
Cooperative Design Optimization (CDO) for Multidisciplinary Systems
Authors: Hamel J. M.
Published: January 2015

Design engineers and decision-makers across various fields are constantly working to make optimal design decisions for multidisciplinary engineering systems in an effort to improve performance and reduce costs. The multiple disciplines that decision-makers are forced to consider can range from different physical components of a system, to competing physical phenomena influencing a component (e.g. flow forces and structural strength), to completely separate models of interest to a system (e.g. engineering performance and lifecycle cost). The common element that all these decision-making scenarios share is the presence of couplings between the considered disciplines (or subsystems). How the values for these coupling parameters are determined within a decision-making or optimization framework is the subject of countless research efforts. At present the multidisciplinary design optimization (MDO) community has settled on a few proven techniques such Collaborative Optimization (CO) and Analytic Target Cascading (ATC). However, current MDO techniques have issues that limit their effectiveness in solving various MDO problems. Many of these strategies require close coordination between subsystem optimization solvers, require significant effort by decision-makers to pose their problems in a suitable format, and/or can have large computational efficiency problems due to the fact that they involve solving nested optimization problems. In an effort to alleviate some of these issues and make MDO easier to implement and more computationally efficient, a new sequential MDO algorithm called Cooperative Design Optimization (CDO) is proposed. The CDO approach functions through a series of subsystem optimizations using a successively smaller cooperation space. The cooperation space is analogous to the design space of a traditional optimization problem, but includes only the coupling parameters that are a factor in multiple subsystems. A single iteration of the approach can be thought of as a negotiation between all of the subsystems regarding the boundaries of the cooperation space. To facilitate this cooperation, each subsystem optimization problem is restructured as a multi-objective optimization problem so that a Pareto set of optimal solutions, or agreeable design alternatives, are produced. As a result, after all subsystem optimizations are accomplished, each subsystem’s obtained Pareto optimal solution sets are compared with respect to the coupling parameters and new bounds in the cooperation space are determined for the next iteration. This process allows each subsystem to be optimized completely independently within the boundaries of the agreed upon cooperation space while coordination is achieved through an analysis of obtained optimal solutions for each subsystem. Iterations, or negotiations, are repeated until an acceptable solution or set of solutions is obtained for all included subsystems through this cooperative process.
A Hardware-in-the-Loop Platform for a Series Hybrid Powertrain Featuring Two Equivalent Consumption Minimization Strategies
Authors: Mohon Sara , Dey Satadru , Ayalew Beshah , Pisu Pierluigi
Published: January 2015

Hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) platforms enable rapid evaluation of different system configurations and energy management strategies for electrified/hybrid powertrains without building full vehicle prototypes. This paper outlines a HIL platform for a series hybrid powertrain and discusses particular control strategies. The main hardware components of the platform are a gasoline generator, a lead acid battery pack, a bi-directional dc/dc converter, a programmable dc load, strain gauges, and a rotary encoder. Along with these hardware components, a real-time control prototyping system is used to implement energy management strategies and monitor several signals form the HIL platform. The effectiveness and performance of this platform is demonstrated by implementing two versions of the Equivalent Consumption Minimization Strategy (ECMS). The first version uses a constant equivalence factor for weighting the cost of electrical energy storage, while the second version uses an adaptive equivalence factor based on the deviation of battery state of charge (SOC) from a reference SOC.
Research Experience for Veterans and Teachers: Motivation, Program Description, Outcomes and Expectations for Future
Authors: Mandala Mahender , Goldberg Mary , Pearlman Jonathan , Cooper Rory
Published: January 2015

Students, especially from the underrepresented groups, are largely underprepared for and unaware of all the STEM opportunities at the undergraduate level. We have recognized this need with two populations: students that come directly out of K-12 schools and military veterans transitioning into college.

We offer two programs to combat lower STEM enrollment and attrition at post-secondary institutions: a Research Experience for Teachers program that instructs teachers on an innovative product realization process to excite their K-12 students about STEM disciplines and an Experiential Learning for Veterans in Assistive Technology and Engineering program as a mechanism to advise and prepare Veterans with disabilities for their transition from the combat field to an academic career.

In the following paper we look at a novel attempt to combining the two seemingly diverse populations of Teachers and Veterans in a single training initiative, made possible by their overlapping needs and STEM theme.
Towards a Computational Multiphysics Framework for Modeling Antibiofouling Processes
Authors: Iliopoulos Athanasios , Michopoulos John G. , DeGiorgi Virginia , Policastro Steven
Published: January 2015

Biofouling is a process of major concern on naval vessels because it considerably affects their performance, maintenance and operational costs due to the fact that induces an increased hydrodynamic drag that leads to higher fuel consumption that in turn demands expensive cleaning procedures. A possible antibiofouling system can be designed by enhancing an existing impressed current cathodic protection system and taking advantage of the chlorine oxidants produced during its operation. In this work we present a design methodology for such a system, together with the associated multiphysics formulation framework based on a coupled chemical reactions — electric currents, species mass transport and electromigration model. This framework predicts the spatio-temporal distributions of the Chlorine species concentration that tend to inhibit the biofouling formations. We also demonstrate the applicability of the computational framework on a number of platforms ranging from simple panels up to a full scale boat. The computational results are compared with the actual field experiments.
Design Considerations for Hybridizing Additive Manufacturing and Direct Write Technologies
Authors: Perez K. Blake , Williams Christopher B.
Published: January 2015

The layer-by-layer nature of additive manufacturing (AM) allows for access to the entire build volume of an artifact during manufacture, including its internal structure. Internal voids are accessible during the build process and allow for components to be embedded and sealed with subsequently printed layers. When AM is combined with Direct Write (DW) of conductive materials, the resulting hybrid process enables the direct manufacture of parts with embedded electronics, including interconnects and sensors. However, the hybridization of DW and AM technologies is non-trivial due to (i) identifying DW materials and processes that are compatible with AM infrastructure, throughput and resolution, (ii) temperature processing requirements, and (iii) interactions between the two materials.

In this paper, the authors explore DW technologies and materials to identify those that are most compatible with AM. From this exploration, the authors abstract a set of generalized design considerations for the design of a hybrid AM and DW process. These considerations are then employed in a systematic design process in which a DW system for depositing conductive materials during the PolyJet manufacturing process is realized. The resulting system is able to create embedded functional electronic interconnects and sensors in printed parts composed of both stiff and flexible polymers.
Application of Analytical Target Cascading for Engine Calibration Optimization Problem
Authors: Kianifar Mohammed Reza , Campean Felician
Published: January 2015

This paper presents the development of an Analytical Target Cascading (ATC) Multidisciplinary Design Optimization (MDO) framework for a steady-state engine calibration optimization problem. The implementation novelty of this research is the use of the ATC framework to formulate the complex multi-objective engine calibration problem, delivering a considerable enhancement compared to the conventional 2-stage calibration optimization approach [1]. A case study of a steady-state calibration optimization of a Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) engine was used for the calibration problem analysis as ATC. The case study results provided useful insight on the efficiency of the ATC approach in delivering superior calibration solutions, in terms of “global” system level objectives (e.g. improved fuel economy and reduced particulate emissions), while meeting “local” subsystem level requirements (such as combustion stability and exhaust gas temperature constraints). The ATC structure facilitated the articulation of engineering preference for smooth calibration maps via the ATC linking variables, with the potential to deliver important time saving for the overall calibration development process.
Use of ANCF Surface Geometry in the Rigid Body Contact Problem: Application to Railroad Vehicle Dynamics
Authors: Hamper Martin B. , Wei Cheng , Shabana Ahmed A.
Published: January 2015

In the analysis of multibody system (MBS) dynamics, contact between two arbitrary rigid bodies is a fundamental feature in a variety of models. Many procedures have been proposed to solve the rigid body contact problem, most of which belong to one of two categories: off-line and on-line contact search methods. This investigation will focus on the development of a contact surface model for the rigid body contact problem in the case where an on-line three-dimensional non-conformal contact evaluation procedure, such as the elastic contact formulation - algebraic equations (ECF-A), is employed. It is shown that the contact surface must have continuity in the second order spatial derivatives when used in conjunction with ECF-A. Many of the existing surface models rely on direct linear interpolation of profile curves which leads to first order spatial derivative discontinuities. This, in turn, leads to erroneous spikes in the prediction of contact forces. To this end, an absolute nodal coordinate formulation (ANCF) thin plate surface model is developed in order to ensure second order spatial derivative continuity to satisfy the requirements of the contact formulation employed. A simple example of a railroad vehicle negotiating a turnout, which includes a variable cross-section rail, is tested for the cases of the new ANCF thin plate element surface, an existing ANCF thin plate element surface with first order spatial derivative continuity, and the direct linear profile interpolation method. A comparison of the numerical results reveals the benefits of using the new ANCF surface geometry developed in this investigation.
3D Flow Simulations in a Simplified Right Ventricle Model
Authors: Vruddhula Varun , Borazjani Iman
Published: January 2015

The right ventricle (RV) pumps the de-oxygenated blood to the lungs for oxygen absorption. Characterizing the RV geometry, its motion, and the ventricular flow is critical in assessing the heart’s health to provide important clinical diagnostic and prognostic information. However, RV flow has not been observed as closely as the flow in the left side of the heart. The current imaging techniques are limited in their ability to characterize the three-dimensional flow of blood through the heart. There is no single experimental technique available today capable of comprehensively quantifying the 3D flow pattern of blood in heart. As a result, there exists a need for computer simulations in order to understand the complex 3D flow pattern in the heart. In this paper, the sharp-interface immersed boundary method was used to carry out simulations of the flow in a simplified RV model. The reconstructed geometry of the RV was approximated to have a crescent-shape cross-section. In contrast to the previous work, in which the atrium was ignored, the atrium was added with an almost spherical shape attached above the RV. The RV motion was prescribed based on a model that produces physiologic flow waveforms for the RV. The simulations show a complex swirling flow pattern in the RV and the formation of a vortex ring during diastole.
Comparison of Contact Capabilities for Underactuated Parallel Jaw Grippers for Use on Industrial Robots
Authors: Carpenter Ryan , Hatton Ross , Balasubramanian Ravi
Published: January 2015

In this paper, we propose the addition of passive hydraulic mechanisms to simple parallel robotic grippers for improving disturbance rejection while maintaining the low cost of an industry standard gripper design. Each adaptive jaw on our gripper consists of three parallel hydraulic cylinders that are connected to a common local reservoir. The resultant passive hydraulic system is fully encased in the finger and moves independently of the actuator that closes the fingers. Such a design eliminates the need to engineer a complex cable or linkage system to allow for finger adaptability as many underactuated grippers do. Specifically, hydraulic cylinders need only be selected and connected together. As with other underactuated devices, the unconstrained freedoms of this design allow the gripper to adapt to unknown objects instead of creating a custom gripper shape for each new object the robot needs to grasp. In this paper, we analyze the ability of this gripper to maximize contact points over various sized objects and object placements while creating immobilizing form closure grasps. We than tested these improvements on a physical robot and found that grasp performance increased by up to 30% over a gripper lacking underactuation.
Damage Identification in a Parabolic Arch via Orthogonal Empirical Mode Decomposition
Authors: Romeo Francesco , Lofrano Egidio , Paolone Achille
Published: January 2015

Localized damage in a parabolic arch is identified by combining a time-frequency vibration signals processing technique and modal-based properties. The approach is devised to detect and locate damaged areas in the structure from its free vibrations and relies on the comparison between information gathered for the undamaged and damaged states. The non-stationary acceleration data are decomposed by applying the orthogonal empirical mode decomposition to derive the orthogonal intrinsic mode functions. The latter provide a multi-frequency basis enabling to build “pseudo-modes” based on which a new damage index is proposed. The performance of the devised approach is shown through pseudo-experimental tests on a damaged arch.
An Efficient Reliability Analysis Method for Structures With Epistemic Uncertainty Using Evidence Theory
Authors: Zhang Zhe , Jiang Chao , Wang G. Gary , Han Xu
Published: January 2015

Evidence theory has a strong ability to deal with the epistemic uncertainty, based on which the uncertain parameters existing in many complex engineering problems with limited information can be conveniently treated. However, the heavy computational cost caused by its discrete property severely influences the practicability of evidence theory, which has become a main difficulty in structural reliability analysis using evidence theory. This paper aims to develop an efficient method to evaluate the reliability for structures with evidence variables, and hence improves the applicability of evidence theory for engineering problems. A non-probabilistic reliability index approach is introduced to obtain a design point on the limit-state surface. An assistant area is then constructed through the obtained design point, based on which a small number of focal elements can be picked out for extreme analysis instead of using all the elements. The vertex method is used for extreme analysis to obtain the minimum and maximum values of the limit-state function over a focal element. A reliability interval composed of the belief measure and the plausibility measure is finally obtained for the structure. Two numerical examples are investigated to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Defining Exercise Motions Using a Segment-Joint Kinematic Model: Part I — Problem Formulation and Methodology
Authors: Aguirre Aldo , Scott Michael J.
Published: January 2015

Extensive research in exercise, a subcategory of physical activity, has been conducted with the aim of instructing the individual in the proper techniques when performing specific aerobic and anaerobic forms of exercise. This past research, however, does not answer the basic question of how to specify an exercise motion mathematically. This is the first part of a two-part paper that presents a new approach to defining specific exercise motions by using a segment-joint model of the human body. This model makes use of kinematic equations used in robotics and visually represents various exercise motions using a 3-D virtual reality human manikin. In this first part of the paper, we introduce the segment-joint model and how this is utilized in combination with a systematic methodology in order to define specific exercise motions. Part II is concerned with providing a complete validation of the proposed segment-joint model approach.
A Joint Torque Augmentation Robot (JTAR) for Ankle Gait Assistance
Authors: Hollander Kevin W. , Cahill Nathan , Holgate Robert , Churchwell Ray , Clouse Preston , Kinney Darren , Boehler Alexander , Ward Jeffrey
Published: January 2015

A Joint Torque Augmentation Robot (JTAR) was developed to aid walking in an unconstrained outdoor environment. JTAR is a unidirectional, compliant actuator based wearable robot that is designed to power an ankle joint. Since the robot is used to navigate uneven terrain, nearly full ankle range of motion is required to accomplish this goal. The device powers the forward locomotion while permitting out of plane kinematic motion to occur. Metabolic savings of 9% to 20% have been observed while using the JTAR device, when compared to an unpowered/uncoupled state.
A Passive and Active Joint Torque Augmentation Robot (JTAR) for Hip Gait Assistance
Authors: Hollander Kevin W. , Cahill Nathan , Holgate Robert , Churchwell Ray , Clouse Preston , Kinney Darren , Boehler Alexander
Published: January 2015

A series of Joint Torque Augmentation Robot (JTAR) devices were created to assist the hip joint in walking. Both passive and active assistance approaches were developed. The active device has been demonstrated in an unconstrained outdoor environment.
The Development of a Homecare Platform to Support Informal Caregivers
Authors: Song Yu
Published: January 2015

In many European countries, the aging population and the consequent increase in the incidence of chronic disease is causing challenges to health care systems. One solution to avoid a collapse of the systems is to conduct patient care in home environments by informal caregivers. However, constantly caring and monitoring patients may lead to heavy physical and emotional burdens on those informal caregivers. To cope with this problem, this research presents a homecare platform to partially relieve those burdens. Using community-based co-design method, the requirements of the platform are generated first where the compatibility, portability, modularity, accessibility, usability, security, affordability and scalability are addressed. Based on those requirements, an architecture of the platform is constructed where a pervasive computing homecare environment and a web-based service form the core of the platform. In the proposed pervasive computing homecare environment, activities and locations of the patient are recorded as events via a wireless sensor network. Those events are then sent and stored in a web database. Possible critical situations are identified based on the analysis of those recorded events. If any critical situations are detected, the platform will push an alarm to mobile devices of responsible caregivers for possible interventions. To verify the effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed platform, an experiment were conducted to test different technical functionalities and the usability of the platform. Limitations of the proposed platform and future research directions are discussed as well.
Manufacturing Patient-Specific Phantoms to Treat Aneurysms Using Rotational Angiography and 3-D Modeling
Authors: O’Hara Ryan P. , Iacobucci Gary , Russ Megan , Ionita Ciprian
Published: January 2015

The purpose of this study is to manufacture a patient-specific phantom containing multiple aneurysms that can be observed and tested to determine the need for interventional treatment. The vasculatures for the phantoms are taken from unhealthy individuals using rotational angiography as part of a stroke study. Different neurovascular sections exhibiting aneurysms from five patients were combined into a single Circle of Willis with 3D modeling software. Physicians and investigators can use this phantom to test treatment options, such as catheter interventions involving stents and coils.
The dynamic motion of single bubbles with unique shapes rising freely in hydrophobically modified alkali-soluble emulsion polymer solutions
Authors: Ohta Mitsuhiro , Kobayashi Naoto , Shigekane Yoshihiko , Yoshida Yutaka , Iwata Shuichi
Published: January 2015

The motion of single bubbles rising through hydrophobically modified alkali-soluble emulsion polymer (HASE) solutions is experimentally examined. In this study, we prepare 1.0, 1.1, and 1.6 wt. % HASE solutions and the bubble rise motion is explored depending on the value of the suspending viscosity. Consequently, in a HASE solution with high-viscosity, we find threadlike thin and long branches formed at the trailing edge of the bubble. For moderate-viscosity, we observe bubbles with long and large trailing skirts. These are different from those for Newtonian fluid systems. In the case of low-viscosity, many thread-shaped tails are formed along the bottom edge of the bubble. We observe that threadlike tails irregularly or regularly (unidirectionally) rotate depending on the bubble size along the bottom edge of the bubble. In addition, the bubble rise motion is considered based on modified physical parameters and the terminal bubble rise velocity. In our experimental conditions, it is reported that a jump discontinuity of the terminal bubble rise velocity has not occurred.
Enhancing and Inhibiting TGF-β Signaling in Infection
Authors: Gough Nancy R.
Published: January 2015

Influenza activates extracellular TGF-β, which promotes bacterial coinfection; whereas the innate immune response of infected cells inhibits TGF-β signaling.
Polymyxin B Resistance and Biofilm Formation in Vibrio cholerae Are Controlled by the Response Regulator CarR
Authors: Bilecen Kivanc , Fong Jiunn C. N. , Cheng Andrew , Jones Christopher J. , Zamorano-Sánchez David , Yildiz Fitnat H.
Published: January 2015

Two-component systems play important roles in the physiology of many bacterial pathogens.
Vibrio cholerae
's CarRS two-component regulatory system negatively regulates expression of
vps
(
Vibrio
polysaccharide) genes and biofilm formation. In this study, we report that CarR confers polymyxin B resistance by positively regulating expression of the
almEFG
genes, whose products are required for glycine and diglycine modification of lipid A. We determined that CarR directly binds to the regulatory region of the
almEFG
operon. Similarly to a
carR
mutant, strains lacking
almE
,
almF
, and
almG
exhibited enhanced polymyxin B sensitivity. We also observed that strains lacking
almE
or the
almEFG
operon have enhanced biofilm formation. Our results reveal that CarR regulates biofilm formation and antimicrobial peptide resistance in
V. cholerae
.
Swain–Scott relationships for nucleophile addition to ring-substituted phenonium ions
Authors: Tsuji Yutaka , Richard John P.
Published: January 2015

The products of the reactions of 2-(4-methoxyphenyl)ethyl tosylate (MeO-1-OTs) and 2-(4-methyphenyl)ethyl tosylate (Me-1-OTs) with nucleophilic anions were determined for reactions in 50:50 (v/v) trifluoroethanol (TFE) / water at 25 °C. In many cases, the nucleophile selectivity kNu/ks ((mol/L)−1) for reactions of nucleophile and solvent, calculated from the ratio of product yields, depends upon [Nu−]. This demonstrates the existence of competing reaction pathways, which show different selectivities for reactions with nucleophiles. A 13C NMR analysis of the products of the reactions of substrate enriched with 13C at the α-carbon, X-1-[α-13C]OTs (X = −OCH3 or −Me), with nucleophilic anions in 50:50 (v/v) TFE/water at 25 °C shows the formation of X-1-[β-13C]OH, X-1-[β-13C]OCH2CF3, and X-1-[β-13C]Nu (Nu = Br, Cl, CH3CO2, or Cl2CHCO2) from the trapping of symmetrical phenonium ion reaction intermediates X-2+. The observation of excess label in the α-position, [α-13C]/[β-13C] > 1.0, for both the water and nucleophile adducts, shows that these nucleophiles also react by direct substitution at X-1-[α-13C]OTs. The ratios of product yields, [α-13C]/[β-13C], and observed nucleophile selectivity (kNu/ks)obs were used to dissect the contribution of nucleophile addition at Me-1-OTs and trapping of X-2+ to the product yields. The product yields from partitioning of the intermediate gave the nucleophile selectivity kNu/ks for X-2+. Swain–Scott plots of log(kNu/ks) are correlated by slopes of s = 0.78 and s = 0.73 for reactions of MeO-2+ and Me-2+, respectively. This shows that the sensitivity of bimolecular substitution at X-2+ to changes in nucleophile reactivity is smaller than for nucleophilic substitution at the methyl iodide.
Topology properties of a weighted multi-local-world evolving network
Authors: Dai Meifeng , Zhang Danping , Li Lei
Published: January 2015

Many real-world networks, ranging from the world trade web to the Internet network, have been described by multi-local-worlds. It is obvious that the nodes within a local world are much more connected to each other than to the others outside the local world. A multi-local-world model can capture and describe these real-world networks’ topological properties. Based on the local-world model, a weighted multi-local-world evolving network model is presented. This model combines selected nodes with preferential attachment and three kinds of local changes of weights. Using a rate equation and the mean-field method, we study the network’s properties: the weight distribution and the strength distribution. We theoretically prove that the weight distribution and the strength distribution follow a power-law distribution in some conditions. Numerical simulations are in agreement with the theoretical results.
Emission characteristics of fast target protons in ultrarelativistic 16O–nucleus collisions
Authors: Abdelsalam A. , El-Nagdy M.S. , Rashed N. , Badawy B.M. , Osman W. , Fayed M.
Published: January 2015

The target fragmentation in 60A and 200A GeV 16O interactions with emulsion nuclei is analyzed. The validity of the nuclear limiting fragmentation hypothesis is confirmed at ultrarelativistic energies. The emission mechanism of the fast target proton (grey particle) is investigated in terms of the multiplicity characteristics. The anisotropy ratio and asymmetry parameter, while found to be independent of the projectile size or incident energy, are dependent on the target size and system centrality. This dependence is insignificant for heavy targets and in more central regions, where constancy exists. In this species, the system of the grey particle emission cannot exhibit the optimum symmetry or asymmetry between the forward and backward hemispheres. It is seen that these target protons originate from two emission sources in the earlier stage of the target fragmentation. One them emits nucleons isotropically in the 4π space. The other is the main emission source, which emits nucleons, in the forward hemisphere only, as a result of the binary nucleon–nucleon collisions and (or) intranuclear cascade.
Efficacy of Adjunctive Treatments Added to Olanzapine or Clozapine for Weight Control in Patients with Schizophrenia: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Choi Yun-Jung
Published: January 2015

Objectives. This study was conducted to review systematically adjunctive treatments for weight reduction in patients with schizophrenia and compare efficacies of clinical trials through meta‐analysis, so as to provide effective clinical guideline regarding weight control for patients taking atypical antipsychotics. Methods. Candidate clinical trials were identified through searching the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PubMed, and PsycINFO. Fourteen randomized clinical trials were included for systematic review and meta‐analysis from 132 potential trials. The Comprehensive Meta‐Analysis version 2 was used for meta‐analysis. Results. Difference in means and significances from meta‐analyses regarding weight control by adjunctive treatments showed that topiramate, aripiprazole, or sibutramine was more effective than metformin or reboxetine. Psychiatric evaluations did not show statistically significant changes between treatment groups and placebo groups except topiramate adjunctive treatments. Adverse effects regarding adjunctive therapies were tolerable and showed statistically no significances compared to control groups. Conclusion. Though having several reports related to exacerbation of psychiatric symptoms, topiramate and aripiprazole are more efficacious than other medications in regard to weight reduction and less burden of critical adverse effects as well as being beneficial for clinical improvement.
Prognostic Value of Angiopoietin-2 for Death Risk Stratification in Patients with Metastatic Colorectal Carcinoma
Authors: Jary Marine , Vernerey Dewi , Lecomte Thierry , Dobi Erion , Ghiringhelli François , Monnien Franck , Godet Yann , Kim Stefano , Bouché Olivier , Fratte Serge , Gonçalves Anthony , Leger Julie , Queiroz Lise , Adotevi Olivier , Bonnetain Franck , Borg Christophe
Published: January 2015

Background: Baseline prognostic biomarkers stratifying treatment strategies in first-line metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) are lacking. Angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) is proposed as a potential biomarker in several cancers. We therefore decided to establish the additional prognostic value of Ang-2 for overall survival (OS) in patients with first-line mCRC.

Methods: We enrolled 177 patients treated with a bevacizumab containing chemotherapy in two prospective phase II clinical trials. Patient plasma samples were collected at baseline. ELISAs were used to measure Ang-2.

Results: The multivariable Cox model identified increased lactate dehydrogenase [HR, 1.60; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.04–2.45; P = 0.03] and Ang-2 log-transformation level (HR, 1.59; 95% CI, 1.14–2.21; P = 0.0065) as two significant independent OS prognostic factors. It exhibited good calibration (P = 0.8) and discrimination (C-index: 0.64; 95% CI, 0.58–0.68). Ang-2 parameter inclusion in the GERCOR reference model significantly and strongly improved its discriminative ability because the C-statistic increased significantly from 0.61 to 0.63 (bootstrap mean difference = 0.07; 95% CI, 0.069–0.077). Interestingly, the addition of Ang-2 binary information with a 5 ng/mL cutoff value to the GERCOR model allowed the reclassification of intermediate-risk profile patients (41%) into two subsets of low and high risks.

Conclusions: Our study provides robust evidence in favor of baseline Ang-2 prognostic value for OS adding to the conventional factors. Its assessment appears to be useful for the improvement in risk stratification for patients with intermediate-risk profile.

Impact: Ang-2 ability to predict OS at diagnosis could be of interest in the selection of patients eligible for intermittent or sequential therapeutic strategies dedicated to the optimization of patients' quality of life and chemotherapy cost-effectiveness. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 24(3); 603–12. ©2015 AACR.
Characterization of Neuronal Death and Functional Deficits following Nerve Injury during the Early Postnatal Developmental Period in Rats
Authors: Kemp Stephen W.P. , Chiang Cameron D. , Liu Edward H. , Wood Matthew D. , Willand Michael P. , Gordon Tessa , Borschel Gregory H.
Published: January 2015

In contrast to adult rat nerve injury models, neonatal sciatic nerve crush leads to massive motor and sensory neuron death. Death of these neurons results from both the loss of functional contact between the nerve terminals and their targets, and the inability of immature Schwann cells in the distal stump of the injured nerve to sustain regeneration. However, current dogma holds that little to no motoneuron death occurs in response to nerve crush at postnatal day 5 (P5). The purpose of the current study was to fully characterize the extent of motor and sensory neuronal death and functional recovery following sciatic nerve crush at mid-thigh level in rats at postnatal days 3-30 (P3-P30), and then compare this to adult injured animals. Following nerve crush at P3, motoneuron numbers were reduced to 35% of that of naïve uninjured animals. Animals in the P5 and P7 group also displayed statistically fewer motoneurons than naïve animals. Animals that were injured at P30 or earlier displayed statistically lower sensory neuron counts in the dorsal root ganglion than naïve controls. Surprisingly, complete behavioral recovery was observed exclusively in the P30 and adult injured groups. Similar results were observed in muscle twitch/tetanic force analysis, motor unit number estimation and wet muscle weights. Rats in both the P5 and P7 injury groups displayed significant neuronal death and impaired functional recovery following injury, challenging current dogma and suggesting that severe deficits persist following nerve injury during this early postnatal developmental period. These findings have important implications concerning the timing of neonatal nerve injury in rats.
Exploring Disparities Between Acoustic and Digital Sound Outputs
Authors: Sa Adriana
Published: January 2015

Mapping digital sound to an acoustic input enables the performer and the software to ‘talk’ simultaneously. Whilst the performer has direct control over the acoustic outcome, the digital can become a means of destabilization because it is mediated through code. Musical expression substantiates as the performer addresses the unexpected resourcefully. This text describes the performative dynamics in terms of perceptual mechanics.
Sensitive Chaos
Authors: Strang David
Published: January 2015

This paper describes the life (and death) of the interface in the installation Tiny Moments by David Strang. Tiny Moments is a sound and light interactive installation that explores natural phenomena surrounding heat, ice and presence/ proximity. This installation explores the process of natural materials in computer interaction in a way beyond simple hardware devices available to users. What is created is a space filled with ever changing rhythms of light and sound in complete synchronicity that no user feels to have any control of.
Morphological and molecular characterisation of Helicotylenchus pseudorobustus (Steiner, 1914) Golden, 1956 and related species (Tylenchida: Hoplolaimidae) with a phylogeny of the genus
Authors: Subbotin Sergei A. , Vovlas Nicola , Yeates Gregor W. , Hallmann Johannes , Kiewnick Sebastian , Chizhov Vladimir N. , Manzanilla-López Rosa H. , Inserra Renato N. , Castillo Pablo
Published: January 2015

Morphological identification of spiral nematodes of the genus Helicotylenchus is a difficult task because most characters used for their diagnosis vary within species. In this paper we provide morphological and molecular characterisations of several spiral nematodes, H. broadbalkiensis, H. digonicus, H. dihystera, H. microlobus, H. paxilli and H. pseudorobustus, collected in different geographical areas of USA, Switzerland, Italy, New Zealand, Spain, UK, South Korea and Russia. We suggest that H. microlobus and H. pseudorobustus are valid species separated from each other morphologically and molecularly. Seven species with distinct molecular characteristics are also distinguished, but are not ascribed morphologically to any specific taxon because of the low number of specimens available. Phylogenetic relationships of H. pseudorobustus with other Helicotylenchus species are given as inferred from the analyses of 154 sequences of the D2-D3 of 28S rRNA gene and 37 sequences of ITS rRNA gene.
Rhynchonema dighaensis sp. nov. (Monhysterida: Xyalidae): a marine nematode from the Indian coast with an illustrated guide and modified key for species of Rhynchonema Cobb, 1920
Authors: DATTA TRIDIP KUMAR , NAVARRETE ALBERTO DE JESUS , MOHAPATRA ANIL
Published: January 2015

A small bodied, free-living marine nematode, Rhynchonema dighaensis sp. nov., is described from the intertidal sand of the east coast of India. It is characterized by having a small buccal cavity, longer left spicule and symmetrical dorsal gubernaculum apophysis. Other species of the genus are discussed with their type locality. A modified key has been prepared for species of Rhynchonema with an illustrated guide. Species of Rhynchonema primarily differ from each other by the shape and size of the spicules, shape of the gubernaculum and dorsal apophysis, size of the buccal cavity and position of the amphid.
Kwestie i spory religijne na terenie Rusi Zakarpackiej w czechosłowackim epizodzie jej dziejów
Authors: Jarnecki Michał , Palinczak Mykoła
Published: January 2015

The issues and religious disputes in Carpathian Ruthenia in Czechoslovak period and its echoes behind the AtlanticIn Subcarpathian Ruthenia in the interwar period – during her membership in Czechoslovakia, one of the sharper conflict was a dispute between two Christian churches. In fact, the rivalry of the two churches began even earlier, during the Hungarian reign – before 1918, but broke out with the new intensity in the interwar period. The Czech authorities, retained neutrality in the confessional disputes, unlike its predecessors, favoring the units. The dispute also had political significance – namely in the conflict between national orientations: Russophile and Ukrainian. Both churches were not monoliths and shook them as internal tensions, including politically motivated ones. Religious conflicts had also their roots and echoes on the other side of the Atlantic. Part of the Greek-Catholic immigrants Transcarpathian did not want to submit to the American Catholic hierarchy, who failed to see the specifics of this group of emigrants. During the period between the Uniate Church recorded outflow faithful to the Orthodox Church, by almost 5% (from nearly 55% to 50.2%) and Orthodox increase by approximately the same proportion – over 15% of the population. Kwestie i spory religijne na terenie Rusi Zakarpackiej w czechosłowackim epizodzie jej dziejówNa Rusi Zakarpackiej w okresie międzywojennym, podczas jej przynależności do Czechosłowacji, jednym z ostrzejszych konfliktów był spór pomiędzy dwoma chrześcijańskimi Kościołami. Faktycznie rywalizacja dwóch Kościołów zaczęła się wcześniej, za rządów węgierskich – przed 1918 rokiem, ale rozgorzała z nową intensywnością w okresie międzywojennym, kiedy władze czeskie, zachowywały neutralność w tych konfesyjnych sporach, w przeciwieństwie od poprzedników, faworyzujących unitów. Spór miał także aspekt polityczny – ocierając się o konflikt między orientacjami narodowymi: ukraińską i rosyjską. Oba Kościoły nie były monolitami i wstrząsały nimi także wewnętrzne napięcia, w tym na tle politycznym. Konflikty na tle religijnym miały też swoje zaoceaniczne korzenie i echa, gdzie część grekokatolickich emigrantów zakarpackich nie chciała się podporządkować amerykańskiej hierarchii katolickiej, nie dostrzegającej specyfiki tej grupy wychodźców. Podczas okresu międzywojennego Kościół unicki odnotował odpływ wiernych na rzecz prawosławia, o prawie 5% (z prawie 55 do 50,2%), a Cerkiew Prawosławna przyrost o mniej więcej o ten sam odsetek – do ponad 15% mieszkańców.
O roli polskiej muzyki w kształtowaniu tożsamości narodowej
Authors: Zaniewicz Joanna Ewa
Published: January 2015

On the influence of Polish music on national identityThe article deals with the role of patriotic songs in shaping national identity of the Polish. The discourse is divided into three matters. The first part is introductory and treats about the most essential issues and research problems, regarding the key topic. I attempt to answer the raised questions in the last part of the work. The middle part of a historical character presents crucial research assumptions, along with all the transformations that have taken place over the years, and have been influencing our comprehending of national songs and strengthening the feeling of national identity. The final part sums the discourse up and is critical to the key topic. I strive to foresee possible consequences of the described phenomena. I derive my conclusions from the analysis, presented in the second part of the article, and from my personal experience, which has been gained due to long years of participating and organizing patriotic concerts and performances. O roli polskiej muzyki w kształtowaniu tożsamości narodowejW poniższym artykule zajmuję się rozważaniami na temat współczesnej roli pieśni patriotycznej w kształtowaniu tożsamości narodowej Polaków. Artykuł został podzielony na trzy części. Pierwsza z nich ma charakter wprowadzający i przedstawia najważniejsze problemy badawcze dotyczące tematu. Druga część ma charakter historyczny, przedstawia najistotniejsze założenia badaczy oraz przemiany na przestrzeni lat naszego rozumienia znaczenia pieśni patriotycznych w kształtowaniu i umacnianiu polskiej tożsamości narodowej. Ostatnia część stanowi próbę przewidzenia przyszłych następstw analizowanego problemu. Przedstawione wnioski opierają się na analizie oraz obserwacjach własnych wynikających z wielu lat uczestniczenia, organizowania i tworzenia koncertów o charakterze patriotycznym.
The Contours of Rich and Poor: Student Socioeconomic Stratification and Academic Progress at a University in South Africa
Authors: Mpofu Bhekimpilo
Published: January 2015

One of the major debates in South African higher education is whether or not certain universities have lowered their academic standards by admitting academically underprepared students. However, these debates reflect the official voice of higher education institutions and there is little analytical work on students’ perceptions and experiences of their academic progress, particularly those of low-income students. Taking a cue from Merleau-Ponty on the salience of perceptions in his phenomenology of perception, this study analyses students’ perceptions and the quality of the undergraduate experience in one faculty at a South African university using the institution’s Student Profile Questionnaire Survey dataset and linking this to their academic progress from 2008 to 2013. The analysis points to the deleterious effects of race and class on the academic progress of low-income students. The study employs the capability approach, which is premised on enabling wellbeing, social justice and the development of a conducive environment for human prosperity, and ascertaining the capabilities and constraints of individual students in relation to their academic progress at university.