bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fracture Toughness Evaluation in C(T) Specimens With Reduced Out-of-Plane Constraint
Authors: Kulka R. S. , Sherry A. H.
Published: August 2013

During fracture toughness testing of C(T) specimens, an important assumption is that the test specimen is highly constrained. This is ensured by testing a deeply cracked specimen, with in-plane and out-of-plane dimensions that are sufficient to guarantee an appropriate level of crack tip stress triaxiality. This condition guarantees that high-constraint fracture toughness values are derived, conservative for use in standard fracture mechanics assessments.

In reality, many components have small out-of-plane dimensions (small thicknesses). This often causes a reduction in crack tip constraint of a sufficient amount to increase the effective fracture toughness of the components. However, there is currently limited understanding as to the magnitude of the benefits that could be claimed from out-of-plane constraint loss.

Finite element and damage modelling of thin C(T) specimens under different loading conditions has been undertaken, looking at the effects of loss of out-of-plane constraint, to help validate the results of an on-going testing programme. When available, data from testing of thin C(T) specimens could allow the parameters of the damage model, based upon a ductile criterion, to be calibrated. Material resistance to fracture under different situations has been determined, leading to a correlation of toughness to the constraint condition for a nominal set of material parameters.
Evaluating the Effect of Nozzle Weld Stiffness When Using Shell Finite Element Models for ASME Code Evaluations
Authors: Dunlap Bryan , Ziada Hassan , Julyk John
Published: August 2013

Typically the use of SHELL finite elements to model nozzle/vessel interfaces will not include details of the weld at the interface. The omission of the weld details from SHELL element models is due to the difficulty in implementing such details and the assumption that additional interface stiffness due to the weld will have a negligible effect on results at locations of interest for Code evaluation. This study will demonstrate a proposed method for modeling weld details with SHELL elements and then evaluate the magnitude of the weld stiffness effect on results and Code compliance.

The method of modeling the weld details with SHELL elements used in this study will follow the guidance provided by ASME BPVC Section VIII, Division 2, Annex 5.A [2] for such interfaces. Models of nozzle/vessel interfaces will be shown comparing results of SOLID element models with and without the weld detail, and then SHELL element models both with and without the weld detail. The results from these models will be evaluated and recommendations for future modeling and evaluation of nozzle/shell interfaces with SHELL elements will be offered.
Probabilistic Estimation of Flow-Accelerated Corrosion Rate at the Welded Joints of the Nuclear Piping System
Authors: Lu Dongliang , Pandey M. D. , Jyrkama M. I.
Published: August 2013

Feeder piping is an integral part of the heat transport system (HTS) that supplies the primary coolant from the reactor to the steam generator in CANDU reactors. One of the life limiting factors of the feeder pipes is the highly localized wall thinning caused by the flow-accelerated corrosion (FAC) at the welded joints of the pipes. To ensure the fitness-for-service of the piping system, periodic inspections of the pipe wall thickness and estimation of the FAC thinning rate at the welded joints are needed.

A major challenge of FAC rate estimation at the welded joints is that the initial wall thickness is known precisely, since the grinding process before the welding introduces initial thinning in the pipes. Using the nominal wall thickness without considering this initial thinning is likely to overestimate the FAC rate. Another difficult is the sizing error in the wall thickness measurements, which also needs to be properly accounted.

This paper develops a sound probabilistic method for the FAC estimation for the welded joints considering both the initial thinning and sizing error. Predictions regarding the lifetime of individual welded joints are also obtained from the proposed method. A practical case study of the problem in a nuclear plant is presented.
Research and Development of Multiple Tuned Mass Damper for Excavators
Authors: Roppongi Satoshi , Fujita Satoshi , Minagawa Keisuke
Published: August 2013

In construction and destruction of buildings and industrial plants, an excavator is widly used. In addition, the excavator is used for processing of rubble at the time of a serious accident. In such cases, the excavator is required a quick work. Then, the burden on operators becomes large by especially vibration of the excavator. Therefore, the purpose of this study is research and development of vibration control device for excavators. In order to suppress uncomfortable vibrations such as mechanical vibration, wind vibration and traffic vibration, a Tuned Mass Damper (TMD) is most commonly used. Usually the TMD is tuned by using optimal design formula. This formula uses weight and stiffness of the control target. However the tuning violated if weight and stiffness of control target are varied. In order to solve this problem, a Multiple Tuned Mass Damper (MTMD) is proposed in this study. The MTMD consists of a primary mass and several secondary masses. The secondary masses are placed on the primary mass in series, and its weight ratio to the primary mass is about 5%. The effective target frequency range of vibration control can be widened by applying the secondary masses. This paper describes MTMD, and the investigation into vibration control performance for excavators by simulation and experiment.
Applicability of Semi-Analytical Finite Elements for Analyzing Uplift Displacement of Flat-Bottom Cylindrical Shell Tanks Statically
Authors: Nakashima Teruhiro , Taniguchi Tomoyo
Published: August 2013

The rocking motion of tanks due to earthquakes causes the uplift and partial deformation of the tank bottom plate that has been considered to contribute to damage of various tanks.

For analyzing the uplift displacement of the tank bottom plate numerically and precisely, this paper develops the analytical finite shell element, ring element and spring element partially attached to the ring element. These elements are defined as semi-analytical finite element models. Fourier series give their circumferential displacement function, while polynomial gives their radial displacement function.

Applicability of a set of these elements to analyze the shell deformation and contact between the tank bottom plate and the foundation subjected to ground acceleration induced loads is verified. For evaluating analytical accuracy of the proposed method, numerical results are compared with other numerical ones.
Startup and Shutdown Steam Generator Separator Piping Forces for a Coal-Fired Supercritical Power Plant
Authors: Vijaykumar Rajgopal , Jarvis Julie M. , Vieira Allen T. , Humphrey James , Zheng Dong
Published: August 2013

Coal-fired supercritical power plants have steam generator liquid/vapor separator systems used during transition to/from “drum” mode and “once-through” mode, which undergo flow transients, involving control systems and valve openings, during startup and shutdown. These transients result in fluid acceleration which can produce significant reaction loads on piping systems (20 kips or higher). The evaluation of these loads is used to design piping supports and to assess possible control system and valving modifications. The computation of these transient loadings is challenging because the conditions in steam generator separator systems range from supercritical to subcritical, two phase, cold water or steam conditions occurring over a wide range of pressures and valve operating characteristics. A transient analysis of a typical separator-condensate line is performed using computer codes RELAP5/MOD3.2 and R5FORCE for the hydrodynamic forcetime history. A range of hydraulic loads associated with a range of operating conditions is provided in this paper using different boundary conditions for separator tank pressure, initial temperature of water in pipe lines, and control valve opening/closing times. These sensitivity runs show the benefit of plant control system changes to prevent the control valves opening above 1400 psia, increasing the control valve opening time to over one second, and the effects of keeping the separator-condensate line hot.
Investigating Ductile Failure at the Microscale in Engineering Steels: A Micromechanical Finite Element Model
Authors: Li Dong-Feng , O’Dowd Noel P.
Published: August 2013

In this study, we present a microstructure-based micromechanical model to quantify failure mechanisms in engineering steels. Crystal plasticity at the microscale, governed by crystallographic slip, is explicitly taken into account in the frame-work of continuum mechanics. Furthermore, it is assumed that material damage at the microscale is controlled by the accumulated equivalent plastic strain, such that failure occurs once this strain exceeds a threshold. Both single- and poly-crystalline materials containing sufficient numbers of grains are investigated under a representative macroscopic loading. The calibration of the present model relies on uniaxial tensile test data. Both austenitic stainless steels (such as 316H) and martensitic steels (such as P91) are examined to illustrate the application of the method. The micromechanical modelling provides insights into understanding of the mechanical response at the microscale in engineering steels.
A Cyclic Plasticity Modeling for Uniaxial and Multiaxial Ratcheting Simulation of Austenitic Steel
Authors: Meziani Salim , Djimli Lynda
Published: August 2013

The first objective of this paper investigates the influence of the previous strain history on ratcheting of the 304 L stainless steel on ambient temperature. The identification is done using the Chaboche constitutive model. New tests were performed where different strain-controlled histories have been applied prior to ratcheting tests. It is demonstrated that under the same conditions, one can observe ratcheting, plastic shakedown or elasticity according to the prior strain-controlled history. The second objective points out the correlation between the experimental data base devoted to the identification of the material parameters and the quality of the predictions in cyclic plasticity. The results suggest that the choice of the tests should be closely linked to the capabilities of the model. In particular, the presence of non proportional strain-controlled tests in the data base may be not a good choice if the model itself is not able to represent explicitly such a character.
Improvement of Residual Stress Determination by Deep Hole Drilling Considering Plastic Deformation
Authors: Mochizuki Masahito , Kitano Houichi , Okano Shigetaka
Published: August 2013

The deep hole drilling technique (DHD) has received much attention in recent years as a method for measuring through-thickness residual stresses. However, the accuracy of the measurements of residual stresses by the DHD technique is affected by the deformation produced in the DHD process. In this study, the effects of the deformation are investigated in detail by FE analysis. Then, a new procedure for high accuracy evaluation of residual stresses by the DHD technique is discussed. In addition, the procedure are applied to the evaluation of some inner stress fields.
Effect of Partial Welding on Residual Stress and Structural Integrity in Piping Welds
Authors: Katsuyama Jinya , Masaki Koichi , Onizawa Kunio
Published: August 2013

When weld defects are found by inspection after welding, repair welding after removing the defects is performed. The partial repair welding has a possibility to make weld residual stress distribution complicated. In this study, we have performed thermal-elastic-plastic analyses to evaluate the weld residual stress produced by repair welding after piping butt-welding. The analysis results were validated by the comparison with measurements. From the analysis results with varying the repair welding conditions, we also performed structural integrity assessments related to stress corrosion cracking using probabilistic fracture mechanics analysis code PASCAL-SP. It was clearly shown that tensile stress in repair-welded region was increased and compressive stresses occurred outside the repair-welded region. Deeper mechanical cutting depth caused larger increases in tensile residual stress of repair-welded region. It was also clarified that partial repair welding might have a beneficial influence on the break probability of piping welds.
Numerical Analysis of Hydrogen Distribution in Welds of Structural Materials for Pressure Vessels
Authors: Mori Hiroaki , Saida Kazuyoshi , Ogiwara Hiroyuki , Kayano Rinzo , Nishimoto Kazutoshi
Published: August 2013

In order to predict and prevent cold cracking in welds in structural materials used in pressure vessels, the hydrogen distribution in the welds used to join stainless steel clad Cr-Mo steels, stainless steel overlay Cr-Mo steels and A533B steel was calculated in this study. In the calculation methods employed in this study, the diffusion and concentration of hydrogen in the welds was calculated using the diffusion equation based on activity considering the hardness and stress distributions, as well as the dependence on temperature for hydrogen diffusion coefficient. The diffusion and concentration behavior of hydrogen during welding, post weld heat treatment (PWHT) processing can be simulated using the calculation methods applied in this study. From the comparison between calculated and the experimental results of cold cracking tests such as the y-shape cold cracking test, cracking was prominently observed in the heat affected zone (HAZ), when the hydrogen content and residual stresses were over certain critical values. Based on the results of this analysis, it was suggested that it is possible to use this simulation method to predict the optimal hydrogen removal heat treatment conditions for these materials.
Development of Ultrasonic Phased Array Inspection of Polyethylene Pipe Joints
Authors: Troughton Mike , Spicer Malcolm , Hagglund Fredrik
Published: August 2013

The current practice for assuring the quality of butt fusion joints in polyethylene (PE) pipes during installation is by recording the welding parameters used, together with a visual inspection of the welded joint, supplemented by the destructive testing of welds on a sample basis using a short-term test. However, visual inspection can only examine the external surface of the pipe weld; it cannot provide evidence of embedded flaws or a weld with incomplete fusion or cold fusion. In addition, cutting a specimen from a weld for mechanical testing and then replacing it with a weld of unknown quality does not ensure the integrity of the pipeline. Volumetric non-destructive examination (NDE) will not destroy perfectly good welds and has the added environmental advantage of reduced waste.

This paper describes an ongoing European-funded project to develop ultrasonic phased array techniques for the inspection of butt fusion (BF) and electrofusion (EF) joints in PE pipes of diameters between 90 and 1000mm, and to determine critical defect sizes and particulate contamination levels using accelerated long-term testing. In addition, defect recognition and automated defect sentencing software will be developed to allow the system to automatically sentence detected flaws.
Correlation of Near-Fault Ground Motions for Western United States
Authors: Huang Yin-Nan
Published: August 2013

Design standards for safety-related nuclear facilities such as ASCE Standard 4-98 and ASCE Standard 43-05 require the correlation coefficient for two orthogonal components of ground motion for response-history analysis to be less than 0.3. The technical basis of this requirement was developed by Hadjian three decades ago using 50 pairs of recorded ground motions that were available at that time. Since then a significant number of ground-motion records have been acquired. The limiting value of 0.3 presented in ASCE Standards 4-98 and 43-05 is re-evaluated in this study using records from large ground-motion databases compiled recently for the near-fault WUS sites. In the past several years, research has addressed the correlation of spectral demand at different periods as well as its impact on the performance of structures. In this paper, the correlation coefficients of maximum spectral demands at different periods were computed and compared with those for geomean spectral demand developed by Baker and Jayaram.
Structural Seismic Analysis of a Nuclear Fuel Handling Machine
Authors: Sherfey Steven K.
Published: August 2013

All nuclear plants in the United States use Fuel Handling Machines (FHM). These complex machines are rail mounted, motorized, and computer controlled for precise positioning of the fuel that must be transferred around, over, into, and through the spent fuel pool. These machines are very top heavy and difficult to seismically qualify. Special analysis techniques are required to consider sliding along the rails or back driving of the drive motor/gearing mechanism in order to minimize the seismic response. This paper documents the seismic qualification of a FHM, using the machine’s back drive force for limiting the seismic effect in the direction of the rail. Qualification consideration is given to the member stresses and joint connections using the AISC Steel Manual 9th Edition (Allowable Stress Design) and CMAA-70-2000, “Specifications for Top Running Bridge & Gantry Type Multiple Girder Electric Overhead Traveling Cranes” by the Crane Manufacturers Association of America.
Thermal Analysis of a NAC-LWT Cask Under Normal and Fire Accident Conditions
Authors: Mittal Ketan , Greiner Miles
Published: August 2013

Two and three dimensional thermal models of a Nuclear Assurance Corporation Legal Weight Truck (NAC-LWT) cask were constructed using the PATRAN commercial finite element package. The two-dimensional model included the effect of radial stiffeners in the package’s external neutron shield but three-dimensional model did not. A normal conditions of transport (NCT) simulation using both models predicted the peak cladding temperature was roughly 210°C. The NCT package temperatures were used as initial conditions for transient fire/post-fire simulations. Different assumptions were used to determine when the neutron shield liquid drained from the tank and was replaced by air. When the liquid was assumed to remain within the tank during and after the fire, the peak cladding temperature was predicted to exhibit a temporal maximum of roughly 300°C, approximately 6 hours after the end of the fire. If the liquid drained from the tank during the fire, the cladding temperature did not exhibit a temporal peak. Rather, it eventually reached a maximum temperature of roughly 280°C, which is the steady state NCT peak temperature when air is in the neutron shield tank. This undergraduate project will be used to lay down a foundation for further research on NAC-LWT casks. Two and three dimension package of the cask will be constructed using ANSYS, and simulations will be run for NCT and fire/post-fire conditions. The models will also be linked to Container Analysis Fire Environment (CAFE) to predict response of the package in fire.
Electron depletion via cathode spot dispersion of dielectric powder into an overhead plasma
Authors: Gillman Eric D. , Foster John E.
Published: August 2013

The effectiveness of cathode spot delivered dielectric particles for the purpose of plasma depletion is investigated. Here, cathode spot flows kinetically entrain and accelerate dielectric particles originally at rest into a background plasma. The time variation of the background plasma density is tracked using a cylindrical Langmuir probe biased approximately at electron saturation. As inferred from changes in the electron saturation current, depletion fractions of up to 95% are observed. This method could be exploited as a means of communications blackout mitigation for manned and unmanned reentering spacecraft as well as any high speed vehicle enveloped by a dense plasma layer.
Frequency response and distortion properties of nonlinear image processing algorithms and the importance of imaging context
Authors: Wells Jered R. , Dobbins James T.
Published: August 2013

Purpose:

The most common metrics for resolution analysis in medical imaging are valid only for (approximately) linear systems. While analogues to these metrics have been used in attempts to describe resolution performance in nonlinear systems, the analysis is incomplete since distortion effects are often ignored. The authors have developed a methodology to analyze the amplitude modulation and waveform distortion properties of nonlinear systems with specific application to medical image processing algorithms.

Methods:

Using sinusoidal basis functions, two metrics were derived which distinguish amplitude modulation from nonlinear waveform distortion: principle frequency response and distortion power spectrum, respectively. Additionally, two figures of merit were developed to describe the relative impact of nonlinear distortion as a result of image processing: distortion index (DI) and ΣDI. Three nonlinear denoising algorithms, the median, bilateral, and wavelet denoising filters, were selected as example functions to demonstrate the utility of the metrics derived in this study.

Results:

Each filter showed very different resolution and waveform distortion properties. In particular, the amplitude and extent of nonlinear distortion depended strongly on image context and the type of nonlinear mechanism employed. Nonlinear waveform distortion constituted up to 30% of the median filter output signal power in high contrast‐to‐noise ratio (CNR) scenarios. Conversely, nonlinear distortion never exceeded 1% of the bilateral filter output signal power. The wavelet denoising response contained between 1% and 9% distortion which varied weakly as a function of CNR.

Conclusions:

The analytical metrics described in the paper demonstrate the importance of considering both resolution‐ and distortion‐related effects in characterizing the performance of nonlinear imaging systems with specific application to image processing algorithms. Findings with three common nonlinear algorithms demonstrate a range of CNR values over which it is important to consider the impact of the nonlinear nature of each algorithm. Background context is also shown to influence the degree to which the nonlinear nature of the algorithm influences resolution and distortion. While no single metric can yet anticipate observer performance in nonlinear systems, the approach described can demonstrate the range of imaging contexts over which such nonlinear effects are important to consider.
Octavius 4D characterization for flattened and flattening filter free rotational deliveries
Authors: McGarry Conor K. , O'Connell Barry F. , Grattan Mark W. D. , Agnew Christina E. , Irvine Denise M. , Hounsell Alan R.
Published: August 2013

Purpose:

In this study the Octavius detector 729 ionization chamber (IC) array with the Octavius 4D phantom was characterized for flattening filter (FF) and flattening filter free (FFF) static and rotational beams. The device was assessed for verification with FF and FFF RapidArc treatment plans.

Methods:

The response of the detectors to field size, dose linearity, and dose rate were assessed for 6 MV FF beams and also 6 and 10 MV FFF beams. Dosimetric and mechanical accuracy of the detector array within the Octavius 4D rotational phantom was evaluated against measurements made using semiflex and pinpoint ionization chambers, and radiochromic film. Verification FF and FFF RapidArc plans were assessed using a gamma function with 3%/3 mm tolerances and 2%/2 mm tolerances and further analysis of these plans was undertaken using film and a second detector array with higher spatial resolution.

Results:

A warm‐up dose of >6 Gy was required for detector stability. Dose‐rate measurements were stable across a range from 0.26 to 15 Gy/min and dose response was linear, although the device overestimated small doses compared with pinpoint ionization chamber measurements. Output factors agreed with ionization chamber measurements to within 0.6% for square fields of side between 3 and 25 cm and within 1.2% for 2 × 2 cm2 fields. The Octavius 4D phantom was found to be consistent with measurements made with radiochromic film, where the gantry angle was found to be within 0.4° of that expected during rotational deliveries. RapidArc FF and FFF beams were found to have an accuracy of >97.9% and >90% of pixels passing 3%/3 mm and 2%/2 mm, respectively. Detector spatial resolution was observed to be a factor in determining the accurate delivery of each plan, particularly at steep dose gradients. This was confirmed using data from a second detector array with higher spatial resolution and with radiochromic film.

Conclusions:

The Octavius 4D phantom with associated Octavius detector 729 ionization chamber array is a dosimetrically and mechanically stable device for pretreatment verification of FF and FFF RapidArc treatments. Further improvements may be possible through use of a detector array with higher spatial resolution (detector size and/or detector spacing).
Draft Genome Sequence of Helicobacter fennelliae Strain MRY12-0050, Isolated from a Bacteremia Patient
Authors: Rimbara Emiko , Matsui Mari , Mori Shigetarou , Suzuki Satowa , Suzuki Masato , Kim Hyun , Sekizuka Tsuyoshi , Kuroda Makoto , Shibayama Keigo
Published: August 2013

Helicobacter fennelliae
, a human enterohepatic pathogen, causes bacteremia and colitis. We isolated
H. fennelliae
strain MRY12-0050 from a female patient; this strain was isolated from 2 other patients from the same hospital during the same period, suggesting human-to-human transmission. This is the first report of an
H. fennelliae
genome sequence.
Complete Genome Sequence of Tick-Borne Encephalitis Virus Strain A104 Isolated from a Yellow-Necked Mouse (
Apodemus flavicollis
) in Austria
Authors: Frey Stefan , Essbauer Sandra , Zöller Gudrun , Klempa Boris , Weidmann Manfred , Dobler Gerhard , Pfeffer Martin
Published: August 2013

Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) strain A104 was isolated from the brain of a yellow-necked mouse in Austria in 1990. The complete genome sequence was 11,097 nucleotides long. Comparison with TBEV prototype strain Neudoerfl showed 32 amino acid exchanges and the absence of an internal poly(A) stretch within the 3′ noncoding region.
Complete Genome Sequence of a Variant of the Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus ST239 Lineage, Strain BMB9393, Displaying Superior Ability To Accumulate
ica
-Independent Biofilm
Authors: Costa Maiana Oliveira Cerqueira , Beltrame Cristiana Ossaille , Ferreira Fabienne Antunes , Botelho Ana Maria Nunes , Lima Nicholas Costa Barroso , Souza Rangel Celso , de Almeida Luiz Gonzaga Paula , Vasconcelos Ana Tereza Ribeiro , Nicolás Marisa Fabiana , Figueiredo Agnes Marie Sá
Published: August 2013

Biofilm is considered an important virulence factor in nosocomial infections. Herein, we report the complete genome sequence of a variant of methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
, strain BMB9393, which is highly disseminated in Brazil. This strain belongs to the lineage ST239 and displays increased ability to accumulate
ica
-independent biofilm and to invade human epithelial cells.
Genome Sequence of Klebsiella pneumoniae Strain ATCC 25955, an Oxygen-Insensitive Producer of 1,3-Propanediol
Authors: Wang Yu , Tao Fei , Li Chao , Li Lixiang , Xu Ping
Published: August 2013

Klebsiella pneumoniae
strain ATCC 25955 is a 1,3-propanediol-producing bacterium that is insensitive to oxygen. Here, we present a 5.29-Mb assembly of its genome sequence. We have annotated 10 coding sequences (CDSs) for 1,3-propanediol fermentation and 18 CDSs for glycerol uptake. The CDSs related to virulence and by-product formation were also annotated.
Junonia coenia
Densovirus (JcDNV) Genome Structure
Authors: Pham Hanh T. , Huynh Oanh T. H. , Jousset Françoise-Xavière , Bergoin Max , Tijssen Peter
Published: August 2013

The sequence of
Junonia coenia
densovirus was the first densovirus genome sequence published, but the first published sequence contained incomplete inverted terminal repeats and ambiguous nucleotides or indels leading to an incorrect map of the open reading frames. Our sequencing of clones of the complete genome demonstrated that this virus is closely related to other viruses in the
Densovirus
genus.
Genome Sequence of the 2,4,5-Trichlorophenoxyacetate-Degrading Bacterium Burkholderia phenoliruptrix Strain AC1100
Authors: Xu Ping , Yu Hao , Chakrabarty Ananda M. , Xun Luying
Published: August 2013

Burkholderia phenoliruptrix
strain AC1100 (ATCC 53867) degrades a variety of recalcitrant xenobiotics, including 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetate. The molecular mechanism of 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetate degradation has been extensively studied. Here we present a 7.8-Mb assembly of the genome sequence of this 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetate-degrading strain, which may provide useful information related to the degradation of chlorinated aromatic compounds.
Genome Sequence of the Cheese-Starter Strain Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp.
lactis
CRL 581
Authors: Hebert Elvira María , Raya Raúl R. , Brown Lucía , Font de Valdez Graciela , Savoy de Giori Graciela , Taranto María Pía
Published: August 2013

We report the genome sequence of
Lactobacillus delbrueckii
subsp.
lactis
CRL 581 (1,911,137 bp, GC 49.7%), a proteolytic strain isolated from a homemade Argentinian hard cheese which has a key role in bacterial nutrition and releases bioactive health-beneficial peptides from milk proteins.
Syncope: there is more than haemodynamic failure
Authors: Loesch Anna Mira , Becker Alexander , Noachtar Soheyl
Published: August 2013

Convulsive syncopes may be particularly difficult to differentiate from epileptic seizures. Recurrent syncopes are caused by autonomic or non-autonomic failure. In this report, we present a 22-year-old woman who was misdiagnosed as epileptic and whose first symptoms during neurocardiogenic syncope occurred prior to asystole. The patient sensed her aura and reached for the alarm button 2 s before a cardiac asystole was documented in the ECG. We conclude that so far unspecified autonomic mechanisms play a significant role in our patient leading to the symptoms of dizziness and nausea heralding her attacks prior to the occurrence of asystole.
Partial priapism
Authors: Hoyerup Peter , Azawi Nessn Htum
Published: August 2013

With only 34 prior cases in world literature, partial priapism (PP), also called partial segmental thrombosis of the corpus cavernosum, is a rare urological condition. The aetiology and treatment of PP is still unclear, but bicycle riding, trauma, drug usage, sexual intercourse, haematological diseases and α-blockers have been associated with PP. In this case report and world literature review, we describe the case of a 50-year-old man suffering from PP after ingesting 100 mg of sildenafil. The patient was treated with a surgical incision for corpus cavernosum and clot evacuation, as a conservative treatment of PP was not feasible due to severe pain and unresponsiveness to analgesics.
Clinical and imaging services for TIA and minor stroke: results of two surveys of practice across the UK
Authors: Brazzelli Miriam , Shuler Kirsten , Quayyum Zahid , Hadley Donald , Muir Keith , McNamee Paul , De Wilde Janet , Dennis Martin , Sandercock Peter , Wardlaw Joanna M
Published: August 2013

Objectives

Transient ischaemic attack (TIA) is a medical emergency requiring rapid access to effective, organised, stroke prevention. There are about 90 000 TIAs per year in the UK. We assessed whether stroke-prevention services in the UK meet Government targets.

Design

Cross-sectional survey.

Setting

All UK clinical and imaging stroke-prevention services.

Intervention

Electronic structured survey delivered over the web with automatic recording of responses into a database; reminders to non-respondents. The survey sought information on clinic frequency, staff, case-mix, details of brain and carotid artery imaging, medical and surgical treatments.

Results

114 stroke clinical and 146 imaging surveys were completed (both response rates 45%). Stroke-prevention services were available in most (97%) centres but only 31% operated 7 days/week. Half of the clinic referrals were TIA mimics, most patients (75%) were prescribed secondary prevention prior to clinic referral, and nurses performed the medical assessment in 28% of centres. CT was the most common and fastest first-line investigation; MR, used in 51% of centres, mostly after CT, was delayed up to 2 weeks in 26%; 51% of centres omitted blood-sensitive (GRE/T2*) MR sequences. Carotid imaging was with ultrasound in 95% of centres and 59% performed endarterectomy within 1 week of deciding to operate.

Conclusions

Stroke-prevention services are widely available in the UK. Delays to MRI, its use in addition to CT while omitting key sequences to diagnose haemorrhage, limit the potential benefit of MRI in stroke prevention, but inflate costs. Assessing TIA mimics requires clinical neurology expertise yet nurses run 28% of clinics. Further improvements are still required for optimal stroke prevention.
A mixed-methods study of the Care Needs of individuals with idiopathic Pulmonary fibrosis and their carers—CaNoPy: a study protocol
Authors: Byrne Anthony , Sampson Cathy , Baillie Jessica , Harrison Kim , Hope-Gill Ben , Hubbard Richard , Griffiths Gareth , Nelson Annmarie
Published: August 2013

Introduction

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive, life-threatening illness of unknown aetiology, with no proven pharmacological treatments. There is a limited evidence base indicating that the disease negatively affects quality of life, leading to increased dependence, restrictions on daily activities and fatigue. However, there is a paucity of in-depth information on disease impact across its trajectory, particularly in relation to unmet needs, outcomes of importance to patients and the experiences of carers. Furthermore, little is known about the support and information needs of individuals and their carers, or at what point individual need should trigger a referral to palliative care services.

Methods and analysis

A mixed-methods study is proposed recruiting individuals with IPF at different stages of the disease and their carers from three respiratory centres in England and Wales. In-depth interviews will be undertaken with participants, adopting an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis approach. The study will also use validated questionnaires to explore quality of life (EQ-5D), depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), breathlessness (Borg dyspnoea scale) and cough (Leicester Cough Questionnaire, Cough Symptom Score).

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approvals were gained in April 2012. Palliative care research is a developing field, but there has been limited focus on IPF. We anticipate that the results of the study will enable healthcare professionals to provide appropriate palliative care across the trajectory for individuals with the disease, and their carers, and we therefore aim to disseminate via relevant respiratory and palliative care journals and conferences. We will also support the lay representative involved in the project to disseminate the findings to patient groups.
Healthcare utilisation and empowerment among women in Liberia
Authors: Sipsma Heather , Callands Tamora A , Bradley Elizabeth , Harris Benjamin , Johnson Billy , Hansen Nathan B
Published: August 2013

Background

Many efforts have been undertaken to improve access to healthcare services in low-income settings; nevertheless, underutilisation persists. Women's lack of empowerment may be a central reason for underutilisation, but empirical literature establishing this relationship is sparse.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study using data from the 2007 Liberia Demographic and Health Survey. Our sample included all non-pregnant women who were currently married or living with a partner (N=3925 unweighted). We used multivariate logistic regression to assess the associations between constructs derived from the Theory of Gender and Power (TGP) and healthcare utilisation.

Results

Two-thirds of women (65.6%) had been to a healthcare facility for herself or her children in the past 12 months. Constructs from the three major theoretical structures were associated with healthcare utilisation. Women with no education, compared with women with some education, were less likely to have been to a healthcare facility (OR=0.76; 95% CI 0.62 to 0.93) as were women who had experienced sexual abuse (OR=0.65; 95% CI 0.45 to 0.95) and women who were married (OR=0.69, 95% CI 0.54 to 0.88). Women in higher wealth quintiles, compared with women in the next lower wealth quintile, and women with more decision-making power had greater odds of having been to a healthcare facility (OR=1.22; 95% CI 1.10 to 1.36 and OR=1.10; 95% CI 1.01 to 1.20; respectively).

Conclusions

Strong associations exist between healthcare utilisation and empowerment among women in Liberia, and gender imbalances are prevalent. This fundamental issue likely needs to be addressed before large-scale improvement in health service utilisation can be expected.
Wolverines (Gulo gulo luscus) on the Rocky Mountain slopes: natural heterogeneity and landscape alteration as predictors of distribution
Authors: Fisher J.T. , Bradbury S. , Anholt B. , Nolan L. , Roy L. , Volpe J.P. , Wheatley M.
Published: August 2013

A species’ occurrence can be influenced by natural and anthropogenic factors; disentangling these is a precursor to understanding the mechanisms of distribution. Anthropogenic factors may be especially important at contracting range edges. We test this premise for wolverines (Gulo gulo luscus L., 1758) at the edge of their Rocky Mountain range in Alberta, Canada, a mosaic of natural heterogeneity and extensive landscape development. As wolverines have a suspected negative response to human activity, we hypothesized their occurrence on the Rockies’ slopes is predicted by a combination of natural and anthropogenic features. We surveyed wolverines at 120 sites along a natural and anthropogenic gradient using hair trapping and noninvasive genetic tagging. We used abundance estimation, generalized linear, and hierarchical models to determine whether abundance and occurrence was best predicted by natural land cover, topography, footprint, or a combination. Wolverines were more abundant in rugged areas protected from anthropogenic development. Wolverines were less likely to occur at sites with oil and gas exploration, forest harvest, or burned areas, even after accounting for the effect of topography. The relative paucity of wolverines in human-impacted portions of this range edge suggests that effective conservation requires managing landscape development, and research on the proximal mechanisms behind this relationship.
FLIGHT SIMULATIONS OF A TWO-DIMENSIONAL FLAPPING WING BY THE IB-LBM
Authors: KIMURA YUSUKE , SUZUKI KOSUKE , INAMURO TAKAJI
Published: August 2013

The stability of flight by flapping wings is investigated by using the immersed boundary-lattice Boltzmann method (IB-LBM). First, the rotational motion with an initial small disturbance is computed, and it is found that the rotational motion is unstable for high Reynolds numbers. Second, we show simple ways to control the rotational and translational motion by bending or flapping the tip of the wing.
STABILITY ANALYSIS OF PARAMETRIC GENERALIZED EQUATIONS AND APPLICATIONS
Authors: LIU YONGCHAO
Published: August 2013

The paper studies the stability of parametric generalized equations (PGE) defined by adding two set-valued mappings. Under some moderate conditions, the open covering/metric regularity of the solution mapping of PGE are discussed. The results are used to analyze the stability of stochastic generalized equations and parametric mathematical programs with equilibrium constraints.
ANOMALOUS CROSSOVER FROM EFROS–SHKLOVSKII TO MOTT VARIABLE RANGE HOPPING IN SILICON MOSFETs
Authors: LIMOUNY L. , EL KAAOUACHI A. , DLIMI S. , SYBOUS A. , NARJIS A. , ERRAI M. , DAOUDI E.
Published: August 2013

In this paper, we investigate the temperature dependence of the electrical resistivity of a two-dimensional electron system in n-channel Si -MOSFETs at zero magnetic field down to 0.2 K. At low electron densities, near the metal–insulator transition point from the insulating side, our results show the existence of a crossover, from Efros–Shklovskii variable range hopping (ES-VRH), which is consistent with the existence of a Coulomb gap, where ρ = ρ0 exp (T ES /T)1/2 to Mott regime, where ρ = ρ0 exp (T M /T)1/3. With ρ0 is a pre-exponential factor that is found to be close to 2 (h/e2), this crossover occurs when T ~ 1 K .
REACTIVE DEPENDENT GROWTH KINETICS AND MORPHOLOGY OF A-B-COPOLYMER TERNARY MIXTURES
Authors: FENG WEN-QIANG , WANG KAI-MING , ZHU YUE-JIN
Published: August 2013

In this paper, we present Monte Carlo simulations of A-B-diblock-copolymer ternary mixtures simultaneously undergoing phase separation and reversible chemical reaction A + B ⇌ C . The results demonstrate that the competition of chemical reaction and thermal diffusion dynamics co-determine the self-assembling morphology and growth kinetics of the reactive ternary mixtures. The role of the chemical reaction on the growth kinetics count mainly on the copolymer–polymer interaction strength Jp. If Jp < 1.0, the introduction of chemical reaction speeds up the domain growth; while for Jp > 1.0, the chemical reaction slows down the domain growth. The domain growth exponent decreases linearly with increasing of the copolymer–polymer interaction strength. At a later stage, 〈1, 0〉 and 〈0, 1〉 oriented strip pattern formations are observed when Jp is strong.
A NOVEL SIMILARITY MEASURE BETWEEN INTUITIONISTIC FUZZY SETS AND ITS APPLICATIONS
Authors: CHEN SHYI-MING , RANDYANTO YONATHAN
Published: August 2013

In this paper, we propose a novel similarity measure between intuitionistic fuzzy sets and apply it to deal with pattern recognition problems and medical diagnosis problems. First, we propose a new similarity measure between intuitionistic fuzzy values based on the medians of intervals, the Hausdorff distance, and the ratio of the uncertainty degrees of intuitionistic fuzzy values. We also prove some properties of the proposed similarity measure between intuitionistic fuzzy values. Then, based on the proposed similarity measure between intuitionistic fuzzy values, we propose a novel similarity measure between intuitionistic fuzzy sets. It can overcome the drawbacks of existing methods for measuring the degree of similarity between intuitionistic fuzzy sets. We also prove some properties of the proposed similarity measure between intuitionistic fuzzy sets. Finally, we apply the proposed similarity measure between intuitionistic fuzzy sets to deal with pattern recognition problems and medical diagnosis problems.
RELATIVISTIC STELLAR MODEL ADMITTING A QUADRATIC EQUATION OF STATE
Authors: SHARMA R. , RATANPAL B. S.
Published: August 2013

A class of solutions describing the interior of a static spherically symmetric compact anisotropic star is reported. The analytic solution has been obtained by utilizing the Finch and Skea [Class. Quantum Grav.6 (1989) 467] ansatz for the metric potential grr which has a clear geometric interpretation for the associated background spacetime. Based on physical grounds, appropriate bounds on the model parameters have been obtained and it has been shown that the model admits an equation of state (EOS) which is quadratic in nature.
A MATHEMATICAL MODEL ON CTL MEDIATED CONTROL OF HIV INFECTION IN A LONG-TERM DRUG THERAPY
Authors: ROY PRITI KUMAR , CHOWDHURY SONIA , CHATTERJEE AMAR NATH , CHATTOPADHYAY JOYDEV , NORMAN RACHEL
Published: August 2013

Bonhoeffer et al.1studied the long-term dynamics of HIV drug therapy and virus load dynamics. It is well known that highly active anti retroviral therapy (HAART) can effectively control the HIV replication. It is also well known that reverse transcriptase inhibitors (RTIs) could block new infection and as a result control HIV infection. The positive feedback control on such dynamics plays an important role and CD4+T cells are not only produced from a source but also produced from existing T cells. The present investigation takes into account these factors in the original model of Bonhoeffer et al. The optimal control therapy and the effect of time delay in the positive feedback control function have been investigated. Numerical simulation of the nonlinear model has confirmed our analytical studies.
STUDY ON THE RESAMPLING TECHNIQUE FOR RISK MANAGEMENT IN THE INTERNATIONAL PORTFOLIO SELECTION BASED ON CHINESE INVESTORS
Authors: YU MEI , BIAN JIANGZE , XIE HAIBIN , ZHANG QIN , RALESCU DAN
Published: August 2013

In this paper, we employ the resampling method to reduce the sample errors and increase the robustness of the classic mean variance model. By comparing the performances of the classic mean variance portfolio and the resampled portfolio, we show that the resampling method can enhance the investment efficiency. Through an empirical study of Chinese investors who invest in both Chinese market and other twelve major financial markets, we show that the resampling method helps to improve the performance of the mean variance model.
Challenging deep-sea cosmopolitanism: taxonomic re-evaluation and biogeography of ‘Cythere dasyderma Brady, 1880’ (Ostracoda)
Authors: Brandão Simone N. , Yasuhara Moriaki
Published: August 2013

Abstract. Cythere dasyderma Brady, 1880 was described from samples collected from all the world’s oceans during the HMS Challenger expedition in the 1870s. Subsequently, Cythere dasyderma (or Echinocythereis dasyderma, or Henryhowella dasyderma) has been recorded from the Late Eocene to Recent, from Atlantic, Arctic, Indian, Pacific and Southern oceans, and from intertidal to deep abyssal environments. However, even cursory inspection of illustrations from over 50 publications shows that several species have been included in ‘Cythere dasyderma’. Here, all syntypes of Cythere dasyderma Brady, 1880 archived in the Natural History Museum, London have been re-studied. This species is re-described, re-diagnosed and illustrated with scanning electron microscope images. Cythere dasyderma is assigned to Ayressoleberis gen. nov., which is described here. The geographical distribution of Ayressoleberis dasyderma (Brady, 1880) comb. nov. is no longer cosmopolitan, and includes only the type locality in the abyssal southeastern Pacific. Most of the specimens previously identified as Cythere dasyderma, or its synonyms, belong to other trachyleberidid genera (e.g. Henryhowella, Legitimocythere, Pennyella) and not to Ayressoleberis dasyderma comb. nov. A new species of Ayressoleberis, very similar to Ayressoleberis dasyderma comb. nov., is described and illustrated from specimens previously included amongst the syntypes of ‘Cythere acanthoderma Brady, 1880’. These latter specimens were collected from the continental slope of the southwestern Indian Ocean. This new species is left in open nomenclature herein because only two left valves are currently available.