bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Competitive growth characteristics between Microcystis aeruginosa and Cyclotella sp. accompanying changes in river water inflow and their simulation model
Authors: Mikawa Masahiro , Sugimoto Koichi , Amano Yoshimasa , Machida Motoi , Imazeki Fumio
Published: June 2016

When the water quality in Lake Tega was the worst among Japanese lakes in the 1970s, cyanobacteria (mainly the genus Microcystis) were observed to be the dominant species in the summer. Since 2000, for water quality improvement, a large amount of the Tone River water was discharged into Lake Tega, resulting in an improvement in the water quality together with transition of algal dominant species from cyanobacteria to diatoms (mainly the genus Cyclotella). Although several factors including nutrient concentration and daily renewal rate (d) could have been related to the succession of algal dominant species, these effects have not been understood very well. This study investigated the effects of the daily renewal rate and nitrate‐nitrogen (hereafter nitrogen) concentration (N) on the competition between the cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa and the diatom Cyclotella sp. through monoculture and monoxenic culture experiments. Based on the experimental results, a simulation model was constructed to predict the competitive growth pattern of each species. Monoxenic culture experiments showed that M
. aeruginosa outcompeted Cyclotella sp. under conditions of N = 0.5 (1.0 mg‐N L−1) and d = 5, 15, and 20%. The domination of M
. aeruginosa could be attributed to smaller values for the half‐saturation constant and the minimum nitrogen cell quota for this species with respect to Cyclotella sp. However, Cyclotella sp., possessing higher values of nitrogen cell quota and nitrogen uptake rate, dominated by an increasing nitrogen concentration (N = 1.0 mg L−1) and daily renewal rate (d = 30%). The competitive growth patterns of M
. aeruginosa and Cyclotella sp. could roughly be predicted by the simulation model. These results suggested that the daily renewal rate as well as the nitrogen concentration, could affect the competition and be influential factors as to which species dominates between M
. aeruginosa and Cyclotella sp.
Expansion of aquaculture parks and the increasing risk of non‐native species invasions in Brazil
Authors: Lima Luciano B. , Oliveira Fagner Junior M. , Giacomini Henrique C. , Lima‐Junior Dilermando P.
Published: June 2016

Aquaculture is the main vector for introduction of non‐native species in Brazil and around the world. Despite the potentially serious and irreversible ecological impacts caused by non‐native species, they continue to be in many cases the preferred option in aquaculture farms, of which the recent plans of aquaculture expansion promoted by the Brazilian Government are an emblematic example. In this study, we present a survey of publicly available information on aquaculture parks to be installed across the Brazilian territory, with emphasis on species status as native or non‐native, and discuss the implications for the conservation of aquatic biodiversity. One hundred and thirty‐nine aquaculture parks (APs), with a total of 1556 sites covering 941.38 hectares, have been called for bids. Among these, 122 APs will contain at least one non‐native species, and 68 APs will be based exclusively on their cultivation. A predictable consequence is the enhancement of propagule pressure in surrounding aquatic ecosystems, increasing the risk of non‐native species establishment or persistence, which will likely intensify the environmental impacts already in course in four major river basins and along the Brazilian coast. These impacts will add up to more direct effects of aquaculture farming – for example elevated input of nutrients and organic matter – and include changes in habitat and water quality, spread of diseases, biotic homogenization, loss of population viability resulting from hybridization and outbreeding depression, and the local extirpation of native species.
Buffalo (Bubalus bubali) Late Embryo and Foetus Development: A Morphological Analysis
Authors: Morini AC , Pieri NCG , Roballo KCS , Martins DS , Ambrósio CE , Morini Junior JC , Favaron PO , Minervino AHH , Pereira FVT , Miglino MA
Published: June 2016

Contents

Many researches describe the embryonic developmental features in domestic animals; however, in farm animals, they are scarce. Most farm animal studies are related to assisted reproduction and embryos transfer techniques. But, morphological features and size measure to estimate the age gestation are rarely reported in literature. Thus, in this study, we described the developmental changes in the bubaline (Bubalus bubali) concepts from 21 to 60 days of gestation. Our results revealed that buffalo embryos similar morphological characteristics similar to other mammalian species. Also, similarities between bovine and bubaline persist; except on foetal stages when buffalos have a faster development than bovine. Therefore, buffalo's gestation period exhibits some varieties and accurate embryo age is more difficult. Yet, when we use a combination of the crown–rump, macroscopic analysis and alizarin red, it is possible to describe better the whole embryogenesis stages of the buffalo and which can contribute for future reproduction researches and applications in veterinary practice.
Micro X‐ray fluorescence (μXRF) line scanning on Cretaceous rudist bivalves: A new method for reproducible trace element profiles in bivalve calcite
Authors: de Winter Niels J. , Claeys Philippe
Published: June 2016

The reconstruction of palaeoclimate on a sub‐annual scale requires the measurement of chemical proxies in fossil material at a high spatial resolution. While various methods for trace element analysis on the micrometre scale are available, they are usually destructive to the sample or not widely accessible. This study evaluates the performance of a table‐top micro X‐ray fluorescence scanner in obtaining reproducible trace element profiles on bivalve calcite. Standard calibration and repeatability tests demonstrate the robustness of results obtained with this new generation micro X‐ray fluorescence device that uses a comparatively high excitation energy of 30 W. Results show that elemental abundances measured using this fast, readily accessible and non‐destructive analytical set‐up are reproducible on the μg g−1 level, and therefore suitable for the analysis of the abundance of commonly studied elements in bivalve calcite (for example, Sr, Mn and Fe). Spectra obtained in this study show considerable improvement in terms of signal to noise ratio compared to earlier table‐top micro X‐ray fluorescence studies. Reliability of the measurements is tested using a conservative detection and quantification limit. Count rates of Ca are used to check for point measurements disturbed by irregularities on the sample surface. Furthermore, the method allows semi‐quantitative two‐dimensional element mapping, which is a convenient tool for the detection of diagenetic alteration in fossil samples. The method reveals records of Sr/Ca, Fe/Ca and Mn/Ca ratios in a Late Campanian Vaccinites vesiculosus shell, with Sr/Ca ratios showing a trend opposite to Mn/Ca and Fe/Ca. Resulting trace element records are discussed in terms of seasonal cyclicity in the Late Cretaceous and diagenetic alteration of the fossil shell.
From Generation to Generation: Changing Dimensions of Intergenerational Farm Transfer
Authors: Chiswell Hannah M.
Published: June 2016

The transfer of managerial control between generations on the family farm has long been understood as a critical and often problematic phase, with implications for both the individual farm business and more broadly, the sustainability of family farming systems. Drawing on empirical data from interviews with prospective successors and farmers in Devon, England, the article provides a contemporary analysis of the transfer of managerial control on family farms. Although in line with traditional conceptualisations, findings reaffirm how many prospective successors were delegated tasks of increasing responsibility, with limited access to the higher responsibility financial management tasks, an emergent cohort of younger prospective successors enjoyed a contrasting progression towards managerial control, involving varied involvement across all aspects of farm management. With reference to late modernity and the individualisation thesis, the article explores how unconstrained by tradition the emerging cohort described a wealth of off‐farm experiences, including what the article terms short‐term diversions, which the analysis reveals have informed and shaped their progression towards managerial control. In view of these findings, the article offers an alternative and up‐to‐date conceptualisation of the transfer of managerial control in the form of the succession matrix, before considering the potential applications and some avenues for future research.
The influence of gender and age on the thickness and echo‐density of skin
Authors: Firooz A. , Rajabi‐Estarabadi A. , Zartab H. , Pazhohi N. , Fanian F. , Janani L.
Published: June 2016

Background

The more recent use of ultrasound scanning allows a direct measurement on unmodified skin, and is considered to be a reliable method for in vivo measurement of epidermal and dermal thickness. The objective of this study was to assess the influence of gender and age on the thickness and echo‐density of skin measured by high frequency ultrasonography (HFUS).

Materials and methods

This study was carried out on 30 healthy volunteers (17 female, 13 male) with age range of 24–61 years old. The thickness and echo‐density of dermis as well as epidermal entrance echo thickness in five anatomic sites (cheek, neck, palm, dorsal foot, and sole) were measured using two different types of B mode HFUS, 22 and 50 MHz frequencies.

Results

The epidermal entrance echo thickness and thickness of dermis in males were higher than females, which was statistically significant on neck and dorsum of foot. The echo‐density of dermis was higher in females on all sites, but was only statistically significant on neck. The epidermal entrance echo thickness and thickness of dermis in young age group was statistically higher than old group on sole and dorsal of the foot respectively. Overall, the skin thickness decreased with age.

Conclusion

High frequency ultrasonography method provides a simple non‐invasive method for evaluating the skin thickness and echo‐density. Gender and age have significant effect on these parameters. Differences in study method, population, and body site likely account for different results previously reported.
Characterising the variations in ethnic skin colours: a new calibrated data base for human skin
Authors: Xiao K. , Yates J. M. , Zardawi F. , Sueeprasan S. , Liao N. , Gill L. , Li C. , Wuerger S.
Published: June 2016

Background

Accurate skin colour measurements are important for numerous medical applications including the diagnosis and treatment of cutaneous disorders and the provision of maxillofacial soft tissue prostheses.

Methods

In this study, we obtained accurate skin colour measurements from four different ethnic groups (Caucasian, Chinese, Kurdish, Thai) and at four different body locations (Forehead, cheek, inner arm, back of hand) with a view of establishing a new skin colour database for medical and cosmetic applications. Skin colours are measured using a spectrophotometer and converted to a device‐independent standard colour appearance space (CIELAB) where skin colour is expressed as values along the three dimensions: Lightness L*, Redness a* and Yellowness b*. Skin colour differences and variation are then evaluated as a function of ethnicity and body location.

Results

We report three main results: (1) When plotted in a standard colour appearance space (CIELAB), skin colour distributions for the four ethnic groups overlap significantly, although there are systematic mean differences. Between ethnicities, the most significant skin colour differences occur along the yellowness dimension, with Thai skin exhibiting the highest yellowness (b*) value and Caucasian skin the lowest value. Facial redness (a*) is invariant across the four ethnic groups. (2) Between different body locations, there are significant variations in redness (a*), with the forehead showing the highest redness value and the inner arm the lowest. (3) The colour gamut is smallest in the Chinese sample and largest in the Caucasian sample, with the Chinese gamut lying entirely the Caucasian gamut. Similarly, the largest variability in skin tones is found in the Caucasian group, and the smallest in the Chinese group.

Conclusion

Broadly speaking, skin colour variation can be explained by two main factors: individual differences in lightness and yellowness are mostly due to ethnicity, whereas differences in redness are primarily due to different body locations. Variations in lightness are more idiosyncratic probably reflecting the large influence of environmental factors such as exposure to sun.
The Effect of Perfusate Volume on Amikacin Concentration in the Metacarpophalangeal Joint Following Cephalic Regional Limb Perfusion in Standing Horses
Authors: Oreff Gil L. , Dahan Roee , Tatz Amos J. , Raz Tal , Britzi Malka , Kelmer Gal
Published: June 2016

Objective

To determine the influence of 3 perfusate volumes on amikacin concentration in the metacarpophalangeal joint following cephalic regional limb perfusion (RLP) in standing horses.

Animals

Seven healthy horses.

Methods

Three perfusate volumes (100, 60, and 30 mL), containing 2 grams of amikacin, were tested during intravenous RLP at the cephalic vein, placing the tourniquet at mid antebrachium, in standing sedated horses. Synovial fluid was collected from the metacarpophalangeal joint before perfusion and at 30 and 120 minutes after perfusion. Serum samples were taken from the jugular vein at the same time points. Samples were analyzed for amikacin concentrations and a repeated measures ANOVA, followed by least squares difference pairwise comparisons to identify differences in amikacin concentration across perfusate volumes. Differences were considered significant at P<.05.

Results

The mean amikacin concentration in synovial fluid at 30 minutes after perfusion was significantly higher following perfusate volume of 100 mL (579 μg/mL), compared to volumes of 60 mL (227 μg/mL) or 30 mL (282 μg/mL) (P<.05). When a threshold of 160 μg/mL was used, more horses reached the synovial therapeutic threshold following perfusate volume of 100 mL (100%), than horses receiving 60 mL (43%) and 30 mL (57%) at 30 minutes after injection.

Conclusion

The use of 100 mL volume for RLP at the cephalic vein in standing horses resulted in higher concentration of amikacin in the synovial fluid and is recommended for use in clinical cases.
Extraction of Anisotropic Mechanical Properties From Nanoindentation of SiC-6H Single Crystals
Authors: Datye Amit , Li Lin , Zhang Wei , Wei Yujie , Gao Yanfei , Pharr George M.
Published: June 2016

Because brittle solids fail catastrophically during normal tension and compression testing, nanoindentation is often a useful alternative technique for measuring their mechanical properties and assessing their deformation characteristics. One practical question to be addressed in such studies is the relationship between the anisotropy in the uniaxial mechanical behavior to that in the indentation response. To this end, a systematic study of the mechanical behavior the 6H polytype of a hexagonal silicon carbide single crystal (SiC-6H) was performed using standard nanoindentation methods. The indentation elastic modulus and hardness measured using a Berkovich indenter at a peak load of 500 mN varied over a wide range of crystal orientation by only a few percent. The variation in modulus is shown to be consistent with an anisotropic elastic contact analysis based on the known single crystal elastic constants of the material. The variation in hardness is examined using a single crystal plasticity model that considers the anisotropy of slip in hexagonal crystals. When compared to experimental measurements, the analysis confirms that plasticity in SiC-6H is dominated by basal slip. An anisotropic elastic contact analysis provides insights into the relationship between the pop-in load, which characterizes the transition from elasticity to plasticity during nanoindentation testing, and the theoretical strength of the material. The observations and analyses lay the foundations for further examination of the deformation and failure mechanisms in anisotropic materials by nanoindentation techniques.
Thermal Performance of Liquid Metal Alloy with Graphene Addition as Thermal Interface Material
Authors: Li Gen , Ji Yulong , Zhang Qingzhen , Tian Bohan , Ma Hongbin
Published: June 2016

A high thermal conductivity thermal paste can be developed by mixing the oxidized liquid metal alloy (OLMA) with graphene. Four kinds of graphene-OLMA pastes were synthesized at graphene concentrations of 0.25 wt%, 0.75 wt%, 1.5 wt%, and 2.0 wt%, respectively. The paste structures were characterized by MicroXCT-400, which can be used to readily measure the air pocket size, and their thermal conductivities measured by a laser flash analysis method. It is found that the OLMA structure is very different from the liquid metal alloy (LMA), and a small amount of air pockets were formed in the OLMA. The air pocket size significantly affected the thermal conductivity of the graphene-OLMA paste. When the graphene concentration increased, as shown in Fig. 1(c)-(e), the paste's thermal conductivity increased. However, more air pockets were formed around the graphene. In particular, when the graphene concentration increased to 2.0 wt%, clusters of graphene, as shown in Fig. 1(f), were formed resulting in the formation of big air pockets in the thermal paste, which directly affected the thermal conductivity as shown in Fig. 1(g). We thought that when the graphene concentration increases, the thermal conductivity should increases. But the results show that it was not and then we used MicroCT to see the internal structure of the thermal paste and found that the air pockets were formed and significantly affects the thermal performance.
Evaporative Characteristics of Al2O3 Nanofluid Droplet on Heated Surface
Authors: Kim Dae Yun , Lee Jae Bin , Lee Seong Hyuk , Jung Jung-Yeul
Published: June 2016

The present study experimentally investigates the evaporative characteristics for a nanofluid droplet on heated surface. For experiments, the alumina (Al2O3) nanoparticles having a 50 nm average diameter were distributed in deionized (DI)water. The equilibrium contact angles (ECA) of DI-water on bare (without texturing) and hole-patterned textured (by µ-CNC machine) copper surfaces were 60o and 82o. Also, advancing and receding contact angles were 73.3o and 25.8o for bare surface, and 101.3o and 55.2o for textured surface. Surface temperature was fixed as 100±0.2oC, measured by resistance temperature detector (RTD) sensors with data logger. During the experiments, the ambient temperature was 22oC with the relative humidity of 32%. At the initial stage, the dynamic contact angle (DCA) of 0.01 vol.% nanofluid droplet on the textured surface drastically increased over its own ECA due to the generation of large bubbles inside the droplet. However, the contact angle of 0.1vol.% nanofluid droplet at t = 5 s was smaller than that of 0.01vol.% case because the increase in nanofluid concentration caused the reduction of surface tension. After that, DCA gradually decreased until dried out, and total evaporation time was significantly delayed in the case of textured surface. Moreover,the heat transfer characteristics during evaporation phenomenon was affected by the nanofluid concentration and the contact area with the heated surface.
Design of a Transfer Chute for Multiple Operating Conditions
Authors: Gutierrez Alejandro , Garate Gonzalo
Published: June 2016

The kinematic and dynamic flow behavior of granular material on a transfer chute whose main feature is that it can adapt to different operating conditions while maintaining its configuration is studied. As a result, a geometry is obtained that can fulfill some design criteria such as minimum wear of the linings; easy change of the geometry for different configurations, minimize the probability of plugging; fast return to normal operating conditions after a jam; prevent spillage loss of material; and minimum dimensions. The design is obtained by a simulation based on the discrete element method (DEM), considering the mechanical properties of all the materials involved, with a particle size distribution in line with normal operating conditions, incorporating the distribution of the material’s size and moisture related to friction, cohesion and adhesion phenomena. The LIGGGHTS open source program is used to calculate the movement of the material, and the ParaView program to process the results.
A Piezoelectric Ultrasonic Atomisation System for Passive Humidification Device Intensive Care Patient Applications
Authors: Shafik Mahmoud , Lechevretel Anne
Published: June 2016

This paper presents a piezoelectric ultrasonic atomisation device for passive humidification device intensive care patient applications. The atomisation system is aiming to improve the passive humidification device heat and moisture exchange (HME) materials performance, by recovering the accumulated moisture, for a greater patient care. The atomisation device design, structure, working principles and analysis using finite element analysis (FEA) is discussed and presented in this paper. The computer simulation and modelling using FEA for the atomisation device has been used to examine the device design structure. It enabled to select the material of the vibration transducer, investigate the material deformation, defining the operating parameters and establish the working principles of the device. A working prototype has been fabricated to test the device, technical parameters, performance and practicality to utilise in such applications. Experimental tests showed that the electrical working parameters of the device are: Current: 50 m-amps, Voltage: 50 volts, Frequency: 41.7 kHz. The device integrated into the passive humidification device unit and initial results show some improvement in the HME materials and moisture return of the device by 2.5 mg per litre H2O.
Positional Accuracy Analysis in Serial Chain and Four-Bar Closed Chain Manipulator
Authors: Jawale H. P. , Thorat H. T.
Published: June 2016

Serial chain robots are integral part of industrial automation. Better reach within workspace, higher Degree of Freedom (DoF), flexibility and positional accuracy are credit performance features behind its wide acceptance. The flexibility and higher DoF of this configuration is underutilized, when it is used for a repetitive task in hard automation. The present paper considers application of closed chain four-bar mechanism as substitute of a serial chain robot for repetitive task involving single trajectory generation. The manipulators are modelled for positional accuracy under the influence of joint clearances and drive backlash. The positional error in both manipulators for a coupler point on sample path is estimated. The manipulators are considered to operate with identical input constraints. The error is expressed in terms of dimensionless number-as Error Index to estimate the comparative behaviour of the manipulators. The paper presents method of analysing the performance of a closed chain manipulator over serial robot.
A New Method for Hierarchical Clustering Analysis of Large-Scale Machine Tools
Authors: Gao Xianming , Hong Jun , Zheng Shuai , Zhen Yichao
Published: June 2016

Due to the various requirements of users and the complexity of machine tools, most machine tools were produced in a small-batch production mode, resulting in the largely prolonged design cycle and the reduced competitive ability of enterprise. To improve the design efficiency and reply to the changeful design requirements, the module design has been expected to be used in the rapid design of machine tools. To achieve the module design of machine tools, this paper proposed a method of module partition (one important step of module design) based on the function/means trees method and hierarchical clustering algorithm. The initial unit is firstly obtained by function/means trees method, and then the degree of correlation and its weight between function units is analyzed and calculated. Subsequently, a hierarchical module partition result (a hierarchical diagram) is calculated by hierarchical clustering algorithm. Furthermore, the function-structure mapping of the NC machine was achieved using an axiomatic design method focusing on the design requirement with one order of weight. In addition, this paper taken an example (precision horizontal machining center THM65160) to validate and analyze the characteristics of this method of module partition, and the test and analysis results showed that the size of initial function unit matrix is efficiently reduced by using function /means trees method, and the module result (which calculated by the hierarchical clustering algorithm) was helpful to achieve a rapid retrieval of module partition results for the products with the multi-weight design requirements. Compared to the other clustering algorithms, it can be summarized that this proposed method was beneficial to achieve the rapid clustering calculations and the relevant module design of products (which had the multi-weight design requirements).
Multi Objective Optimization and Knowledge Based Engineering to Improve Refrigerated Display Unit Design
Authors: Furini Francesco , Colombo Giorgio , Orlandi Maurizio
Published: June 2016

This paper presents a methodology to automatically design a family of products by integrating Knowledge Based Engineering and multi objective optimization. Methodologies for automatic design are able to dramatically reduce the development time of new models and also ensure a high quality of products. The approach presented here integrates the object-oriented modeling of product and process design with multi-parametric optimization. With this application is possible to define the initial configuration of new models and the optimization techniques may allow the choice and the optimal sizing of the main parts of the new product. To validate the proposed approach, a prototype has been developed for the optimized design of a family of refrigerated display units for commercial use. This paper describes the main aspects of the application considering the gathering of the knowledge, its implementation of this knowledge on automation codes, the description of the multi objective optimization and results achieved so far.
A Modular Optimization Method Based on a Multi-DOE Approach Proposed for a Centrifugal Impeller
Authors: Cicconi Paolo , Landi Daniele , Germani Michele
Published: June 2016

Nowadays, design processes need of agile and flexible tools and methods to meet market needs and Ecodesign directive in the industry of household appliances. Virtual prototyping techniques are widespread in design processes and practices, in order to reduce the project development lead-time and the cost related to any real physical prototyping.

The aim of this paper is the study of a generic modular approach to support the optimization process of simple mechanical parts, using virtual prototyping tools and a multi-DOE solving analysis based on virtual experiments. The target is to increase flexibility in design phases. The research context regards the optimization of a blower for cooker hood applications, in order to improve the fluid dynamic efficacy indicator in accordance with EU Ecodesign directive regarding ventilation fans. The increasing of fluid dynamic efficiency is a way to reduce electrical energy consumption during blower operation.

Particularly, this paper focuses on the design optimization of an impeller for kitchen hood. The research-work takes into account the optimization of the blade profile. Inlet and outlet fluid-blade angles have been analyzed and discussed. The methodology proposes the study of a set of geometrical parameters through an analysis based on DOE scheduling with virtual experiments. The proposed test case provides a study of two different fan wheel models for the same hood application. Three geometrical parameters have been considered. The DOE objective function fits the maximization of the fluid dynamic efficiency indicator, in order to reduce energy consumptions. A multi-DOE approach has been used to evaluate the best configuration set. Several CFD simulations have been conducted and the resultant impeller configuration has been also validated through physical tests.
Understanding Engineering Relational and Knowledge Structures for Facilitation of Collaboration and Global Development
Authors: Pezeshki Charles
Published: June 2016

The theme of the ASME 2014 Congress has been stated as “Engineering for Global Development”, and emphasizes the need for engineering collaboration for facing the complex challenges extant in the developing world for critical infrastructure, clean water, and so on. Yet there exists little awareness of how to structure design communities to create the knowledge, and the design solutions, for developing countries or global problems. And there is not even a general theory on how to create such design communities that can effectively come to terms with the immense problems facing the globe, as population expands, CO2 in the atmosphere goes up, and the challenges presented by climate change come home to roost on basic human need.

In this paper, the author presents an attempt at the creation of a neurogenic, empathy-based emergent model for creating such communities linking Clare Graves’ and Don Beck’s Spiral Dynamics, empathy development, and Conway’s Law. Coupled with work done previously by Andrew Kahneman, this paper will explain how to create larger design community structures based on empathetic development of design engineers, that will yield both the individuals, as well as the communities based on self-similar principles, that have the temporal and spatial awarenesses necessary to deal with these problems. Additionally, the author will discuss how such relational development will affect the physical structure of design solutions (such as concentrated, hierarchical, or distributed) by integrating this theory with Conway’s Law, which states that the structure of a given product will be a reflection of the organizational structure that created it.
Sustainability Assessment of Products: A Comparative Study of Sustainability Assessment Tools
Authors: Borja Vicente , Ávila Javier , López-Parra Marcelo , Ramírez-Reivich Alejandro , Espinosa Adrián
Published: June 2016

The number of existing tools, principles and approaches to assess sustainability in products is growing to meet industry and society needs. For those related to design and development in universities, research institutes and companies it is a fundamental issue to recognize features and details of the sustainability assessment tools in order to select the one that best fits their particular needs. This paper describes the outcomes of a product sustainability assessment carried out at Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, UNAM. The approach followed by the authors in this assessment was aimed at comparing the results provided by a set of software tools and a previous sustainability integrated-criteria tool developed by the research group.

The main contribution of this paper is the insight on the software tools used and on the results of the assessment since the design point of view. The results of the assessment included metrics such as: carbon footprint, energy use, end of life potential, toxicity, eco-toxicity, human toxicity, recyclability, and others. In the first part of the paper, an introduction of the criteria and the software based tools for sustainability assessment used by the authors is presented. Then a justification of the tools used and an explanation on how the comparison was achieved are given. The product used as a case study and the results of its sustainability assessment are presented. The case study part is a home appliance subsystem. In the end of the paper conclusions, insights and further work are given.
Investigations on Deformation in Spur Gear for Transmission Efficiency
Authors: Jawale H. P. , Thorat H. T. , Zalke Harshal
Published: June 2016

Mechanical gears are important power transmission element in drive systems. The efficiency of the gear drive is important as it is employed in almost all mechanical systems for obtaining desired speed-torque characteristics. Spur gears are obvious choice as a transmission element. The efficiency of spur gear is function of the friction factor, lubrication and dynamic factors like nature of contact and loading on teeth. Loads on gear teeth results in local elastic deformation at point of contact on profile, in addition to cantilever effect. Under tri-axial strains at teeth contour, strain energy is utilized, which is neither capable of performing useful work; nor capable of resuming it as useful energy to the drive.

The present paper considers the effect of tri-axial strain on gear teeth. The deformation in profile is estimated. Strain energy required for elastic deformation under tooth load is predicted. Resulting effect on the transmission efficiency of spur gear is predicted.
Wind Turbine Blade Structure Parameterization Using T4T
Authors: Strofylas Giorgos A. , Mazanakis Georgios I. , Nikolos Ioannis K.
Published: June 2016

A software tool named “T4T” (Tools for Turbomachinery) has been developed for the parametric design of turbomachinery and wind turbine blades. The complete design procedure is object-oriented and parametric, providing the ability to the user to define various types of blades. It has been developed in QT C++, utilizing OpenCascade graphical and computational libraries. The software allows the user to design the outer surface either by specifying some physical parameters for each blade section, or by directly interpolating a surface through a cloud of points. The new/enhanced version of “T4T” software tool, introducing the definition of internal blade structure for wind turbines rotors, is fully parametric and customizable, allowing the user for defining the internal blade structure, including shear webs. The computational procedure finally produces compound solids, which can be further imported to mesh generation and analysis software through standard geometry exchange protocols, for cooperation with CFD and CSD solvers.
Decision-Making Competencies in Engineering and Medicine
Authors: Kahlen Franz-Josef , Swingler George , Alves Anabela C. , Flumerfelt Shannon
Published: June 2016

A number of studies conducted since the turn of the millennium have identified several deficits in engineering education; the most widely cited are deficits in critical analysis, systems thinking, and visualizing non-linear cause-effect chains. The field of engineering education has undergone a number of notable changes in response to such identified deficits but recent field studies such as Vision 2030 identified remaining shortfalls in engineering competencies as well as significant discrepancies in the perception of the severity of these deficits. While academic engineering programs feel that their programs adequately prepare engineering students for the practice of engineering, entry-level hiring managers disagree.

In the practice of medicine, decision-making in practicing physicians is a critical competency which can make the difference between appropriate and incorrect diagnoses, and may affect the patient’s well-being or his life. Making a decision for an appropriate treatment plan in the face of insufficient or contradicting data points often times is compounded by the fact that time-scales can be significantly shorter than in the case of a machine design project. And while the majority of patients is discharged from hospital care in better health, medical professionals and educators are questioning their own approach to decision making in light of technological advances affecting their disciplines, and because of an improved understanding of the biochemistry and opportunities of genetic manipulations of the human body. Therefore, the field of medical decision making is also undergoing an overhaul in the education and training of medical students.

This paper contrasts the current decision-making competencies that are imparted as part of the respective fields’ academic education, identifies the challenges in each discipline, and identifies opportunities for cross-pollination of better practices to develop decision-making competencies.
Fuzzy Decision Making for Conceptual Design of a Visual Servoing System Using Mechatronic Multi-Criteria Profile (MMP)
Authors: Mohebbi Abolfazl , Achiche Sofiane , Baron Luc , Birglen Lionel
Published: June 2016

Mechatronic systems are of increased importance in engineering and their relevance goes hand in hand with the increasing complexity of the tasks they perform. Due to the inherent complexity of mechatronic systems, a concurrent systematic and multi-objective design thinking methodology is crucial to replace the often used sequential design approach that tends to deal with the different domains separately. In this research we present a new multi-criteria profile (MMP) for mechatronic system performance evaluation in the stage of conceptual design. Based on the assessed MMP for each of generated design concepts and using a method of aggregation for interacting criteria, a global performance index will be calculated. Best mechatronic configurations are determined by maximizing this performance index. In the presented paper two nonlinear fuzzy integrals called 2-additive Choquet and Sugeno will be used for the aggregation of criteria and fitting the intuitive requirements for decision-making in the presence of interacting criteria. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed design method alongside each of the decision making models will be validated via a case study of designing a robotic visual servoing system. The comparative simulation results for the overall system performance will also be presented for both cases of using Choquet and Sugeno integrals.
Comparing the effects of age on amplitude modulation and frequency modulation detection
Authors: Wallaert Nicolas , Moore Brian C. J. , Lorenzi Christian
Published: June 2016

Frequency modulation (FM) and amplitude modulation (AM) detection thresholds were measured at 40 dB sensation level for young (22–28 yrs) and older (44–66 yrs) listeners with normal audiograms for a carrier frequency of 500 Hz and modulation rates of 2 and 20 Hz. The number of modulation cycles, N, varied between 2 and 9. For FM detection, uninformative AM at the same rate as the FM was superimposed to disrupt excitation-pattern cues. For both groups, AM and FM detection thresholds were lower for the 2-Hz than for the 20-Hz rate, and AM and FM detection thresholds decreased with increasing N. Thresholds were higher for older than for younger listeners, especially for FM detection at 2 Hz, possibly reflecting the effect of age on the use of temporal-fine-structure cues for 2-Hz FM detection. The effect of increasing N was similar across groups for both AM and FM. However, at 20 Hz, older listeners showed a greater effect of increasing N than younger listeners for both AM and FM. The results suggest that ageing reduces sensitivity to both excitation-pattern and temporal-fine-structure cues for modulation detection, but more so for the latter, while sparing temporal integration of these cues at low modulation rates.
α-Synuclein binds to TOM20 and inhibits mitochondrial protein import in Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Di Maio Roberto , Barrett Paul J. , Hoffman Eric K. , Barrett Caitlyn W. , Zharikov Alevtina , Borah Anupom , Hu Xiaoping , McCoy Jennifer , Chu Charleen T. , Burton Edward A. , Hastings Teresa G. , Greenamyre J. Timothy
Published: June 2016

The Parkinson’s disease–associated protein α-synuclein binds to the mitochondrial protein import receptor TOM20, which causes downstream impairment of mitochondrial function.
I’ll have a turkey and cheese sandwich
Authors: Kashyap Purna
Published: June 2016

Aryl hydrocarbon receptor ligands from bacterial metabolism of tryptophan can mitigate inflammation in the gut and central nervous system.
Lighting the path from the gut to the brain
Authors: Stanley Sarah A.
Published: June 2016

A circuit from the gut to the brain senses the presence of food in the intestine and regulates intestinal function.
Exocytosis of Alphaherpesvirus Virions, Light Particles, and Glycoproteins Uses Constitutive Secretory Mechanisms
Authors: Hogue Ian B. , Scherer Julian , Enquist Lynn W.
Published: June 2016

Many molecular and cell biological details of the alphaherpesvirus assembly and egress pathway remain unclear. Recently we developed a live-cell fluorescence microscopy assay of pseudorabies virus (PRV) exocytosis, based on
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otal
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nternal
r
eflection
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luorescence (TIRF) microscopy and a virus-encoded pH-sensitive fluorescent probe. Here, we use this assay to distinguish three classes of viral exocytosis in a nonpolarized cell type: (i) trafficking of viral glycoproteins to the plasma membrane, (ii) exocytosis of viral light particles, and (iii) exocytosis of virions. We find that viral glycoproteins traffic to the cell surface in association with constitutive secretory Rab GTPases and exhibit free diffusion into the plasma membrane after exocytosis. Similarly, both virions and light particles use these same constitutive secretory mechanisms for egress from infected cells. Furthermore, we show that viral light particles are distinct from cellular exosomes. Together, these observations shed light on viral glycoprotein trafficking steps that precede virus particle assembly and reinforce the idea that virions and light particles share a biogenesis and trafficking pathway.

IMPORTANCE
The alphaherpesviruses, including the important human pathogens herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1), HSV-2, and varicella-zoster virus (VZV), are among the few viruses that have evolved to exploit the mammalian nervous system. These viruses typically cause mild recurrent herpetic or zosteriform lesions but can also cause debilitating herpes encephalitis, more frequently in very young, old, immunocompromised, or nonnatural hosts. Importantly, many of the molecular and cellular mechanisms of viral assembly and egress remain unclear. This study addresses the trafficking of viral glycoproteins to the plasma membrane, exocytosis of light particles, and exocytosis of virions. Trafficking of glycoproteins affects immune evasion and pathogenesis and may precede virus particle assembly. The release of light particles may also contribute to immune evasion and pathogenesis. Finally, exocytosis of virions is important to understand, as this final step in the virus replication cycle produces infectious extracellular particles capable of spreading to the next round of host cells.
A Universal Next-Generation Sequencing Protocol To Generate Noninfectious Barcoded cDNA Libraries from High-Containment RNA Viruses
Authors: Moser Lindsey A. , Ramirez-Carvajal Lisbeth , Puri Vinita , Pauszek Steven J. , Matthews Krystal , Dilley Kari A. , Mullan Clancy , McGraw Jennifer , Khayat Michael , Beeri Karen , Yee Anthony , Dugan Vivien , Heise Mark T. , Frieman Matthew B. , Rodriguez Luis L. , Bernard Kristen A. , Wentworth David E. , Stockwell Timothy B. , Shabman Reed S.
Published: June 2016

This report establishes and validates a standard operating procedure (SOP) for select agents (SAs) and other biosafety level 3 and/or 4 (BSL-3/4) RNA viruses to rapidly generate noninfectious, barcoded cDNA amenable for next-generation sequencing (NGS). This eliminates the burden of testing all processed samples derived from high-consequence pathogens prior to transfer from high-containment laboratories to lower-containment facilities for sequencing. Our established protocol can be scaled up for high-throughput sequencing of hundreds of samples simultaneously, which can dramatically reduce the cost and effort required for NGS library construction. NGS data from this SOP can provide complete genome coverage from viral stocks and can also detect virus-specific reads from limited starting material. Our data suggest that the procedure can be implemented and easily validated by institutional biosafety committees across research laboratories.
Workplace bullying in the UK NHS: a questionnaire and interview study on prevalence, impact and barriers to reporting
Authors: Carter Madeline , Thompson Neill , Crampton Paul , Morrow Gill , Burford Bryan , Gray Christopher , Illing Jan
Published: June 2016

Objectives

To examine the prevalence and impact of bullying behaviours between staff in the National Health Service (NHS) workplace, and to explore the barriers to reporting bullying.

Design

Cross-sectional questionnaire and semi-structured interview.

Setting

7 NHS trusts in the North East of England.

Participants

2950 NHS staff, of whom 43 took part in a telephone interview.

Main outcome measures

Prevalence of bullying was measured by the revised Negative Acts Questionnaire (NAQ-R) and the impact of bullying was measured using indicators of psychological distress (General Health Questionnaire, GHQ-12), intentions to leave work, job satisfaction and self-reported sickness absence. Barriers to reporting bullying and sources of bullying were also examined.

Results

Overall, 20% of staff reported having been bullied by other staff to some degree and 43% reported having witnessed bullying in the last 6 months. Male staff and staff with disabilities reported higher levels of bullying. There were no overall differences due to ethnicity, but some differences were detected on several negative behaviours. Bullying and witnessing bullying were associated with lower levels of psychological health and job satisfaction, and higher levels of intention to leave work. Managers were the most common source of bullying. Main barriers to reporting bullying were the perception that nothing would change, not wanting to be seen as a trouble-maker, the seniority of the bully and uncertainty over how policies would be implemented and bullying cases managed. Data from qualitative interviews supported these findings and identified workload pressures and organisational culture as factors contributing to workplace bullying.

Conclusions

Bullying is a persistent problem in healthcare organisations which has significant negative outcomes for individuals and organisations.