bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Kiwi Icons and the Re‐Settlement of New Zealand1 as Colonial Space
Authors: PICKLES KATIE
Published: May 2008

This article offers a critical reading of the celebratory biographical and autobiographical texts for three ‘kiwi icons’. It argues that kiwi icons signal the enduring influence of British colonialism upon national imaginings – through a process that I term ‘re‐settlement’. I demonstrate how representations of Barry Crump, Sir Edmund Hillary and Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, prominent New Zealanders during the 1990s, are entwined with dominant constructions of New Zealand society. Further, I explore how these kiwi icons are constructed to serve the quest for nationhood; an endeavour, it is argued, that is about the reinvention of settlement mythology that involves the continuation of particular narratives of colonisation from the past.
Black Spot and Rain: A Markov Chain Model for Appleby, New Zealand
Authors: RICHARDS KATRINA
Published: May 2008

Black spot (Venturia inaequalis) is a serious fungal disease of apples associated with rain. Control is by use of agrichemicals, but infection still occurs. A first‐order Markov chain probability model was applied to the distribution of spring wet spells for Appleby, for Sep–Dec, 1982–1990. Comparison with risk periods for primary black spot infection showed that, while 1‐day wet spells were the most frequent (41% probability of occurrence), the most frequent occurrence of risk periods was in association with 2‐day wet spells. Long wet spells (up to 18 days) were almost always associated with risk periods, but were infrequent.
Spatial Scale and the Geography of Tobacco Smoking in New Zealand: A Multilevel Perspective
Authors: MOON GRAHAM , BARNETT ROSS
Published: May 2008

Smoking in New Zealand is more common in deprived areas and in areas with a significant Maori population. Despite its status as a major health problem there has been little work investigating this apparent geography of smoking Data from the 1996 Census is used to construct a multilevel ‘proportions‐as‐responses’ model of smoking prevalence. This enables an exploration of the geography of smoking at different spatial scales. Levels within the model distinguish contextual variation between local authorities, census area units and meshblocks. Particular account is taken of the influence of deprivation and ethnicity on smoking. Results confirm the importance of ethnicity and deprivation and indicate that cross‐level interaction between meshblock and census area unit measures is significant. They also challenge crude stereotypes about the apparent geography of smoking and suggest that, while levels of smoking may be high in parts of North Island, they are less high than might be expected given the socio‐demographic composition of the areas concerned. Conversely, smoking is more prevalent than expected in parts of South Island. The paper notes the health policy implications of these emergent geographies.
An Interdisciplinary Combination of Qualitative and Quantitative Research on the ‘Skipper Effect’ in the Tasmanian Commercial Rock Lobster Fishery
Authors: BRADSHAW MATT , EATON LINDA
Published: May 2008

In this paper we report on a collaborative inquiry involving a human geographer and a mathematician‐cum‐data modeller. Our example is the existence and nature of a possible ‘skipper effect’ in the Tasmanian commercial rock lobster fishery. The term ‘skipper effect’ is used to describe the supposedly variable contribution of boats' skippers to catch. Following an introduction of the fishery and an outline of our research, we briefly introduce the skipper effect. We also discuss an approach to conceptualising knowledge before moving to our case study which we treat both qualitatively and quantitatively. Possible implications of the combination of qualitative and quantitative research for fishery management are also presented. In so doing, we relate a piece of work that is both multi‐method and multi‐disciplinary.
Sustainable Utilisation of Fisheries as Governmentality: Constraining the Potential for Ecosystems‐Based Management?
Authors: Massey Edwin , Rees Eugene
Published: May 2008

This paper examines the constitution of ‘sustainable management’ within the context of the New Zealand marine environment. Firstly this paper examines the difference between ‘sustainable ecosystems’ and ‘sustainable utilisation’. The distinction is important if we are to make sense of the different ways in which various stakeholders (fishers, fisheries companies, scientists, fisheries managers and environmental groups) use ‘sustainability’ in the management of New Zealand's marine environment. We then examine how contestation results in sustainable management becoming a governmentality. We propose that such contestation transforms stakeholders into subjects whose everyday practices and relationships are influenced by seemingly incommensurable understandings of the lexicon that surrounds sustainable management. We conclude try considering how the potential revelation of new unknowns may be needed in order for disparate stakeholders to forge a unified approach to New Zealand's marine management.
Recreational Access to Privately Owned Rural Land: A Case Study in Canterbury Hill Country, New Zealand
Authors: Hunter Grant
Published: May 2008

There is public concern that private ownership restricts public access to land for such uses as recreation and amenity value. There is little systematically collected information about the extent of unfavourable attitudes to public access in New Zealand. This case study analyses the responses of 94 farmers/foresters to a request to operate a series of large‐scale sporting events that traversed privately owned rural land. Issues of concern to landowners included visitor health and safety, disturbance to farm or forest management, and spread of disease. Despite these concerns 90 percent of the landowners who were approached allowed access to their land for recreation. An approach for handling possible landowner requests to charge for access for large‐scale events is suggested.
Black, Hispanic, and White Girls’ Perceptions of Environmental and Social Support and Enjoyment of Physical Activity
Authors: Grieser Mira , Neumark‐Sztainer Dianne , Saksvig Brit I. , Lee Jung‐Sun , Felton Gwen M. , Kubik Martha Y.
Published: May 2008

Background:  This study examines the differences among black, Hispanic, and white adolescent girls in their perceptions surrounding physical activity (PA), including support within the school climate, friend and family social support, and personal enjoyment.

Methods:  Participants included 1466 sixth‐grade girls from 36 middle schools across the United States. Participants were 20% black, 21% Hispanic, 47% white, and 12% of other or mixed races. Multivariate analyses were performed on each scale, adjusting for body mass index and free and reduced‐price lunch status.

Results:  Results showed racial differences on several variables. Black girls, compared with white girls, perceived significantly lower PA enjoyment (p < .001) and teacher support for PA (p = .004). Hispanic girls experienced less PA enjoyment (p = .003) and perceived less support for PA from boys (p = .001) and their families (p = .008) than white girls. Black girls reported significantly higher levels of physical education (PE) enjoyment than did white girls (p = .003).

Conclusions:  Differences in perceived PA support and enjoyment across race raise questions about why these differences exist and how best to address disparities within interventions.
Modal Epistemology: Our Knowledge of Necessity and Possibility
Authors: Evnine Simon
Published: May 2008

I survey a number of views about how we can obtain knowledge of modal propositions, propositions about necessity and possibility. One major approach is that whether a proposition or state of affairs is conceivable tells us something about whether it is possible. I examine two quite different positions that fall under this rubric, those of Yablo and Chalmers. One problem for this approach is the existence of necessarya posterioritruths and I deal with some of the ways in which these authors respond to the problem, including the use of two‐dimensional modal semantics. Conventionalism about modality offers a complementary approach to modal epistemology, prompting us to identify our knowledge of modal truths with our mastery of linguistic or conceptual conventions. Finally, I discuss an approach to modal epistemology deriving from David Lewis's work that seeks to identify structural features of the modal space over which necessity and possibility are defined.
Religious Diversity and its Challenges to Religious Belief
Authors: King Nathan L.
Published: May 2008

Contemporary Western culture is experiencing a heightened awareness of religious diversity. This article surveys a range of possible responses to such diversity, and distinguishes between responses that concern the salvation or moral transformation of persons (soteriologicalviews) and those that concern the alethic or epistemic status of religious beliefs (doctrinalviews). After providing a brief taxonomy of these positions and their possible relations to one another, the article focuses primarily on competing views about the truth and rationality of religious beliefs (e.g., pluralism, exclusivism, and skepticism). Here a heavy emphasis is placed on arguments for and against the rationality and moral propriety of retaining one's religious beliefs in the face of disagreement. The article surveys some of the more prominent arguments from the literature on this topic and closes with suggestions for further research.
To empower or to protect? Constructing the ‘vulnerable adult’ in English law and public policy
Authors: Dunn Michael C , Clare Isabel CH , Holland Anthony J
Published: May 2008

Recent judgments in England and Wales have confirmed and extended the High Court's inherent jurisdiction to make declarations about interventions into the lives of ‘vulnerable’, rather than simply ‘mentally incapacitated’ adults. We argue that this shift is problematic because of the ways that the ‘vulnerable adult’ has been constructed in order to justify such interventions. The accounts of vulnerability drawn upon in the constructive process highlight the person's inherent characteristics and/or the circumstances within which that person might be denied the ability to make a free choice. Such an approach parallels the public policy protection of ‘vulnerable adults’ from abuse in care services and the statutory protection of ‘vulnerable witnesses’ in the criminal justice system, and is built on an external and objective assessment of being ‘at risk’, rather than an understanding of the subjective experience of being vulnerable. We argue that this imbalance might act to disempower the ‘vulnerable adult’ by reducing that person's life to a series of risk factors that fail, first, to place him/her at the heart of the decision to intervene, and, secondly, to engage adequately with the experiences through which that person ascribes meaning to his/her life.
The Use of Bacterial Alkaline Phosphatase Assay for Rapid Monitoring of Bacterial Counts on Spinach
Authors: Park E.‐J. , Kang D.‐H.
Published: May 2008

ABSTRACT:  This study was undertaken to evaluate the applicability of bacterial alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity for rapid monitoring of total mesophilic bacteria counts in spinach. A set of fresh and decayed spinach mixtures were tested to rapidly (10 min) monitor spinach bacterial counts. To assay ALP activity, Lumigen APS‐5 was used as a substrate. Bovine ALP was reduced after heat treatment at 75 °C for 1 min; in contrast, bacterial ALP activity increased. To differentiate bacterial ALP from other ALP, heat treatment (75 °C, 1 min) was applied before measurement. As a result, a regression equation was established between the actual mesophilic aerobic bacteria count and ALP activity of spinach mixtures (r= 0.90). The predicted total mesophilic aerobic bacterial count calculated from the fitted regression line (predicted log10 CFU/g = 0.00056 × ALP values + 1.4002) showed a high correlation with the actual observed total bacterial count (r= 0.93). The ALP assay is a simple and rapid method to utilize for estimation of existing or contaminating microorganism levels on spinach.
Is oil palm agriculture really destroying tropical biodiversity?
Authors: Koh Lian Pin , Wilcove David S.
Published: May 2008

Oil palm is one of the world's most rapidly expanding equatorial crops. The two largest oil palm‐producing countries—Indonesia and Malaysia—are located in Southeast Asia, a region with numerous endemic, forest‐dwelling species. Oil palm producers have asserted that forests are not being cleared to grow oil palm. Our analysis of land‐cover data compiled by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization suggests that during the period 1990–2005, 55%–59% of oil palm expansion in Malaysia, and at least 56% of that in Indonesia occurred at the expense of forests. Using data on bird and butterfly diversity in Malaysia's forests and croplands, we argue that conversion of either primary or secondary (logged) forests to oil palm may result in significant biodiversity losses, whereas conversion of pre‐existing cropland (rubber) to oil palm results in fewer losses. To safeguard the biodiversity in oil palm‐producing countries, more fine‐scale and spatially explicit data on land‐use change need to be collected and analyzed to determine the extent and nature of any further conversion of forests to oil palm; secondary forests should be protected against conversion to oil palm; and any future expansion of oil palm agriculture should be restricted to pre‐existing cropland or degraded habitats.
Reflection and Transmission Coefficients of Plane Waves in Magnetoelectroelastic Layered Structures
Authors: Chen J. Y. , Chen H. L. , Pan E.
Published: May 2008

Reflection and transmission coefficients of plane waves with oblique incidence to a multilayered system of piezomagnetic and/or piezoelectric materials are investigated in this paper. The general Christoffel equation is derived from the coupled constitutive and balance equations, which is further employed to solve the elastic displacements and electric and magnetic potentials. Based on these solutions, the reflection and transmission coefficients in the corresponding layered structures are subsequently obtained by virtue of the propagator matrix method. Two layered examples are selected to verify and illustrate our solutions. One is the purely elastic layered system composed of aluminum and organic glass materials. The other layered system is composed of the novel magnetoelectroelastic material and the organic glass. Numerical results are presented to demonstrate the variation of the reflection and transmission coefficients with different incident angles, frequencies, and boundary conditions, which could be useful to nondestructive evaluation of this novel material structure based on wave propagations.
Forces That Drive Self-Assembly of Ternary Epilayer on a Solid Surface
Authors: Lu Wei , Kim Dongchoul
Published: May 2008

Experimental evidence has accumulated in the recent decade that nanoscale patterns can self-assemble on solid surfaces. This paper reports the development of a continuous phase field model that accounts for the self-assembly of a ternary monolayer. Coarsening due to phase boundary energy and refining due to surface stress competes, which determines the feature size and spatial ordering. A set of nonlinear diffusion equations couple the two concentration fields in the epilayer and the stress field in the substrate. Numerical simulations reveal the exciting possibility of controlling a nanoscale self-assembly process with designed pre-patterns.
An Integration Technique in Burnett Infinite Element
Authors: Li L.-X. , Sun J.-S. , Sakamoto H.
Published: May 2008

Burnett element [1] has been regarded as the most important contribution to infinite element method. It comprises two principal features: one is the use of confocal ellipsoidal coordinate system; another is the exact multi-pole expansion in the newly defined “radial” direction. The former leads in effect to a quasi one-dimensional problem from the infinite point of view, and thereby makes the latter be possibly carried out. However, in evaluating the system matrices, undefined integrals are involved. Hence, the resulting “stiffness”, “damping” and “mass” matrices don’t have definite physical significance. The potential disadvantage is that this efficient element cannot be directly used to solve transient problems. In this paper, presentation of the theory of multi-pole expansion used in Burnett element is changed in form and the shape functions are subsequently expressed in terms of local coordinates by using the infinite-to-finite geometry mapping. In addition to the use of Astley type weighting functions [2] and to the modification of the weighting factor, the system matrices of Burnett infinite element are eventually bounded and integrated term by term using Gauss rules.
Thermal Expansion Measurements of Cryoprotective Agents
Authors: Rabin Yoed , Bell Ernest
Published: May 2008

As part of an ongoing effort to characterize the mechanical behavior of biological tissues in the cryogenic temperature range, the current study focuses on the thermal expansion measurements of cryoprotective agents. This study focuses particularly on the upper part of the cryogenic temperature range, where the cryoprotectant behaves like low viscous liquid at all practical cooling rates. A new experimental apparatus for thermal expansion measurements is presented in this report. This report includes thermal expansion measurements of the cryoprotectant mixtures DP6 and VS55, and comparison with data from the literature on DMSO solutions.
Sensitivity Analysis of Hydro-Rim Deep Drawing of Cylindrical Cups
Authors: Abou-Hanna Jeries J. , McGreevy Timothy , Elbella Abdalla , Algousi Haithem
Published: May 2008

Extensive nonlinear finite element analyses were conducted to help predict practical test conditions of intelligent hydro-rim deep forming of cylindrical cups under controlled cooled punch and heated blank temperatures, punch speed, chamber and rim pressures, and punch friction. The study focused on finding practical process conditions for maximizing the drawing ratio by variations in blank and punch temperatures, friction, rim pressure, chamber pressure, and punch speed. The study was based on an experimental cell that aimed at using real time control of the mentioned parameters to delay the necking process. The finite element material model considered the plastic behavior to be strain rate and temperature dependent. While conventional deep drawing is limited to a Limit Drawing Ratio (LDR) of about 2, the results show that a parameters listed above. Blank temperature, punch friction, rim pressure, and chamber pressure provide significant influence of various degrees on increasing the cup drawing ratio. Blank heating is very effective, but does not by itself guarantee higher LDR. The presence of punch friction coupled with chamber pressure tends to delay the necking and moves the latter up along the cup wall and away from the cup bottom corner. Rim pressure, while difficult to implement, results in significant improvement of the LDR, since it helps push the material into the die, and in doing so reduces the cup-wall tension that causes the material instability. High rim pressure, on the other hand, increases the blank thickness resulting in increased blank holder loads. Punch temperature does not play as critical a role as the blank temperature in maintaining a high LDR under the conditions investigated. The study revealed that punch speed had to be above a certain critical level for a LDR of 4. However, increased punch speed proved to cause higher variations in the thickness along cup wall. It is important to mention that the results of this study do not necessarily apply to all metals; copper material was used here. Metals with low ductility, for example would react differently, a subject of future studies.
Design and Construction of a Novel Tubular Linear Motor With Controller for Robotics Applications
Authors: Kim Won-Jong , Murphy Bryan C.
Published: May 2008

A design for a novel brushless permanent-magnet tubular linear motor has been developed for use in high-precision robotics applications. In this design, the magnets in the moving part are oriented in a SN-SN—NS-NS fashion which leads to higher magnetic force near the like-pole region. The linear motor is used in conjunction with a position sensor, power amplifiers, and a controller to form a complete solution for precision actuation and control. In its current state, the motor has a rise time of 30 ms, a settling time of 60 ms, and 25% overshoot to a 5-mm step command. The motor has a maximum speed of 1.5 m/s. It has a 10-cm travel range and 26-N maximum pull-out force. The position resolution is better than 20 μm. The compact size of the motor suggests it could be used in robotic configurations requiring moderate force and precision from limited space. The motor could be used in applications such as robotic-gripper positioning or actuation. The moving part of the motor can extend significantly beyond its fixed support base. This reaching ability makes it useful in applications requiring a small, directly-driven actuator, which is required to extend into a spatially constrained environment.
Fracture Analysis and Retrofit Design of 1st Stage Blades for a Low-Pressure Steam Turbine
Authors: Park Jong-Po , Xu Zili , Ryu Seok-Ju
Published: May 2008

Cracking of blade fingers occurred in a few numbers of 1st stage blades for low-pressure steam turbines. In order to find out the fault mechanism, one of the cracked blades has been inspected. The inspection results showed that the cracking blades has been inspected. The inspection results showed that the cracking of the blade finger was caused by high cycle fatigue. Vibratory modes of the blade group have been calculated and measured using a 3-D finite element S/W and impact test, respectively. The results showed that resonance of the second type group axial vibration mode with nozzle passing frequency was the source of high cycle fatigue load. To avoid the dangerous resonance, the blade groups have been modified into 10 blades per group. The new blade groups have been operated safely more than one year since the modification.
Pressure Drop in Curved Atherosclerotic Arteries
Authors: Liu Biyue
Published: May 2008

The influence of fluid dynamics in atherogenesis has been intensively studied by many researchers (Caro et al., 1971, Giannoglou et al., 2002, Perktold et al., 1991, Qiu and Tarbell, 2000). It is widely believed that the atherosclerosis development and progression are affected by many risk factors, such as, static pressure, wall shear stress, blood viscosity flow velocity and geometry of the artery. Amongst those, static pressure plays a very important role. The objective of this work is to numerically analyze the blood flow in curved arteries with or without the presence of atherosclerotic plaque and to reveal how does the pressure drop along the inner wall of the arteries depend on the pressure drop along the inner wall of the arteries depend on the geometry of artery, plaque size and Reynolds number. A three-dimensional mathematical model is used and the finite element method is applied to spatial variables for solving the differential equations numerically. Computations are carried out with various values of physiological parameters, such as the angle of the curved artery, the size of plaque and Reynolds number. The numerical results show the pressure drop pattern along the inner wall of the curved arteries with or without plaque.
Hydrophobic Silicon-Direct Bonding for Fabrication of RF Microwave Devices
Authors: Bansal Iqbal K.
Published: May 2008

Direct wafer bonding (DWB) is an operation of ultra-fine alignment, joining and thermal bonding of two silicon wafers. The first silicon wafer “handle” substrate is a Czochralski () substrate with N+ arsenic dopant with very low bulk resistivity, whereas second wafer “device” is a float-zone () having extremely high resistivity N-phosphorus dopant. Prior to the joining step, silicon wafers are chemically cleaned in order to minimize surface contamination. The wafer surface is “hydrophobic” which is achieved using an insitu oxide etching process. The surface quality is also characterized in terms of sub-micron light point defects (LPD’s) counts and haze concentration using a laser beam scanning system. After chemical clean, none of the LPD’s counts is greater than 1.0 μ size. The joining step is performed in a Class 100 or better environment by employing a commercial joiner. Then, thermal bonding operation is carried out by employing an extended stream oxidation cycle at elevated temperatures. Typical failure modes of DWB are misalignment errors and “voided” or “disbonded” regions. The area of “voided” regions for each bonded pair is determined by employing a scanning acoustic microscope. Detailed product throughtput and yield data are presented in this paper. A spreading resistivity profile (SRP) system is employed for accurate measurement of doping carrier concentration as a function of the depth. The superior uniformity for capacitance-voltage characteristics of a Si-Si bonded wafer versus an inverse epitaxial silicon wafer substrate is shown in terms of the device performance. The applications of silicon-direct wafer bonded substrates provide a quantum jump in the device electrical performance of PIN diodes.
Thermodynamic Formulation of the Constructal Law
Authors: Bejan A. , Lorente S.
Published: May 2008

In this paper we develop an analytical and graphical formulation of the constructal law of maximization of flow access in systems with heat and fluid flow irreversibilities and freedom to change configuration. The flow system has global objective (e.g., minimization of global flow resistance) and global constraints (e.g., overall size, and total duct volume). The infinity of possible flow structures occupies a region of the two-dimensional domain of “global performance versus freedom to morph.” This region of “nonequilibrium” flow structures is bounded by a line representing the best flow structures that are possible when the freedom to morph is limited. The best of all such structures are the “equilibrium” structures: here the performance level is the highest, and it does not change even though the flow architecture continues to change with maximum freedom. The universality of this graphical and analytical presentation is illustrated with examples of flow structures from three classes: flow between two points, flow between a circle and its center, and flow between one point and an area. In sum, this paper presents an analytical and graphical formulation of the constructal principle of thermodynamic optimization of flow architecture under global constraints. The place of this new and self-standing principle in the greater framework of thermodynamics is outlined.
Stability Analysis of Coupled Simulation
Authors: Larsson Jonas , Krus Petter
Published: May 2008

Simulation involving several numerical integrators in parallel is necessary in many situations and at times also advantageous compared to using one central integrator. The solution de-coupling introduced by this coupled simulation is positive for development of complete systems containing several engineering domains. These systems can at times not be simulated in one tool, since e.g. existing models can be dependent on the numerical integrator used in the tools in which they reside. However, when several numerical integrators collaborate in a common problem, the error control is no longer functioning on a global level. Special techniques need to be utilized in order to have a stable and accurate simulation. The paper compares a number of solutions where minimum intrusion is needed into the simulation tools used and where tools can be utilized that do not have the possibility to restart a simulation step on external command. These restrictions are necessary for solutions that are to be applied to commercial simulation tools. The conclusion is that the options available for increasing accuracy in coupled simulation without solver or model intrusion are few. Some simple principles are however given and demonstrated successfully.
Entry Level Mechanical Engineering CAD Skills Assessments and Improvements
Authors: Schoonmaker Stephen J.
Published: May 2008

This paper presents information and discussion with respect to CAD skills for mechanical engineers entering the industrial environment. CAD systems are now an integral part of the functioning of virtually all engineering departments. This paper discusses how critical these systems have become to the practice of mechanical design and engineering. Naturally, then, CAD system skills become a consideration during the hiring of mechanical engineers. In order to deal with this situation, companies have considered or implemented CAD system skills assessments. The author investigates some of these assessments. Based on this investigation, a set of “core” skills or issues is presented which should be part of assessments or general hiring expectations. The core skills are not centered on specific CAD system software, but on general principles and practices that are essential to using these systems effectively.
Shear Superposition Micromixer: 3-D Analysis
Authors: Bottausci Fre´de´ric , Cardonne Caroline , Loire Sophie , Mezi Igor , Meinhart Carl
Published: May 2008

We present a theoretical and experimental study on an active micromixer. The mixer consists of a main mixing channel where the main flow is perturbated by jet flows emanating from a series of secondary channels in order to reorient the lamination from streamwise to cross-stream. Experiments were performed by oscillating the flow through the first pair of secondary channels. The mixing is studied numerically and experimentally by analyzing the flow visualizations. The mixing is characterized using the Mixing Variance Coefficient function which is defined in this paper. The 3-D flow is studied numerically and an optimization is presented.
Crystallization of Sputtered NiTi Films
Authors: Vestel Michael J. , Grummon David S. , Pisano Albert P.
Published: May 2008

Sputtered, crystalline thin films of nickel-titanium (NiTi) can display both superelastic properties and the shape memory effect, either of which may be used in films for MEMS sensors and actuators. However, direct deposition of crystalline NiTi films requires high deposition temperature and cooldown can lead to catastrophic delamination from extrinsic residual stress. To avoid delamination, especially for thick films (>5 micrometers) the amorphous form of NiTi can be sputter deposited at a low temperature, patterned and etched, released, and then crystallized to develop the proper microstructure. Here we report some results from a study of the crystallization process using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The minimum temperature for complete crystallization in a reasonable length of time was found to be about 400°C. Crystalline grains always nucleated first at the surface, rapidly grew laterally until impingement, and then continued to grow inward to form columnar grains as the parent amorphous phase was consumed. Surface roughness delayed the onset of surface nucleation. For very smooth surfaces, crystallization nucleated quickly, but after lateral impingement, growth inward was apparently more sluggish. Multiple DSC exotherms observed in some cases suggest that additional nucleation events may have occurred in the interior of the films.
Fabrication of a Micro-Opto-Mechanical Accelerometer Based on Intensity Modulation
Authors: Lee Seung-Jae , Cho Dong-Woo
Published: May 2008

Accelerometers are most frequently used to monitor machining states, and are therefore crucial for automated and unmanned plant operations. In such a harsh environment, micro-accelerometers based on optical methods can be effective. This paper presents a new type of micro-opto-mechanical accelerometer that was developed using a combination of new technologies, such as deep reactive ion etching (DRIE), micro-stereolithography, and intensity modulation. The advantages of intensity modulation include the simplicity of the detection principle and the lack of a requirement for a high-quality light source. This paper reports the design of two types of micro-accelerometer using the finite element method. Experiments showed that the fabricated micro-accelerometers had resonant frequencies of approximately 2 and 10 kHz, with suitable linear ranges and sensitivities. The developed micro-opto-mechanical accelerometers can thus be used for various practical purposes, including machining state monitoring in automated and unmanned plant operations.
Dynamic Analysis of a Flexible Manipulator With Passive Constrained Layer Damping
Authors: Zou J. Q. , Fung E. H. K. , Lee H. W. J.
Published: May 2008

This paper studies the vibration behavior of a flexible manipulator with passive constrained layer damping (PCLD) treatment. The manipulator rotates in a vertical plane and carries an end mass. Due to the highly nonlinear and coupled characteristics of the beam with PCLD treatment, “relative description” method is used to define the motions of the manipulator system. Using Lagrange’s equation and Rayleigh-Ritz method, the dynamic model of the manipulator is obtained and its vibration response is analyzed in the time domain. By assuming finite element shape functions as the displacement shape functions and using the complex damping model for the visco-elastic material (VEM) layer, the number of degrees of freedom of the system or the model dimension is greatly reduced. Numerical simulations show that the VEM not only reduces the amplitude of the elastic deflection but also quickly attenuates the vibration to zero. Also, it is confirmed that the geometry and physical properties of the PCLD treatment have significant effects on the dynamic response of the manipulator.
Study on Air Damping Force Exerted on an Oscillating Micro Cantilever
Authors: Aoyagi Seiji , Matsumoto Yoshimasa , Kasuda Yutaka , Arai Yasuhiko , Takano Masaharu
Published: May 2008

Air damping force exerted on an oscillating micro cantilever is studied in this paper. The contents consist of two parts. In the first part, force exerted on a cantilever is simulated by using FEM software. From simulation results, it is proved that the approximation of the damping coefficient to 3μ (μ: air viscosity) holds true only when the Reynolds number is very small (less than 0.1). In the second part, the relationship between the damping ratio of the cantilever and the ambient air pressure is investigated. A micro cantilever is set to a specially developed vacuum chamber, and the out-of-plane vibration of it is observed by a laser Doppler vibrometer. It is proved that the damping ratio decreases steeply below 1000Pa, whereas it does not decrease so much over this pressure. This trend can be explained theoretically by the transition from viscous flow to molecular flow.
Design of Compact and Lightweight Wearable Power Assist Device
Authors: Naruse Keitaro , Kawai Satoshi , Yokoi Hiroshi , Kakazu Yukinori
Published: May 2008

In this paper, the development of a compact and lightweight power assist device for lower back flexion and extension, when carrying a heavy load, is presented. For investigating the effect of the device, we model a human body as a planar seven-link system, and we analyze a compression force in the lower back, particularly at the disc between the fifth lumbar vertebra and the first sacrum. We built two prototypes of the device, and we apply the model to real data acquired by the prototype. The analysis results show that the proposed device can reduce the compression force in the disc. A controller for the device is developed, which can follow a voluntary human motion using surface myosignals.
Fixtures Design for Controlling Distortion of Pressure Vessel During Fabrication
Authors: Lee Hee-Tae , Shin Sang-Beom , Ko Sung-Hoon
Published: May 2008

The purpose of this study is to develop the integrated design system of supports, which are turning roller, dent pad and bracing pipe to control distortion of the pressure vessel. The optimum design condition for each support was established by analytical solution and finite element analysis with simple model and verified by comparing with the results of FEA for actual model. Based on the results, the Window-based computer program was developed using Visual C++. The program supports component feature-based modeling. In addition, user can easily determine the condition of supports and jigs during manufacturing of pressure vessels with user-friendly functions such as the material database of ASME, easy input, and detail output.
New Cryoprobe System With Powerful Heating Features and Its Performance Tests on Biomaterials
Authors: Liu Jing , Zhou Yi-Xin , Yu Tian-Hua , Gui Lin , Deng Zhong-Shan , Lv Yong-Gang
Published: May 2008

Cryosurgery is a clinical therapy aiming at destroying the target of diseased tissues through a controlled deep freezing and subsequent rewarming [1,2]. Applications of this treatment are quite wide in skin cancers, glaucoma, lung tumor etc. [3]-[10]. In contrast to the freezing therapy, heating of tumors has also long been proved to be an effective way of selectively killing the cells of cancerous tissues [11]-[13]. Clinical tests showed that heating the tumor to above a critical minimum temperature such as 42–43 °C for an extended period could effectively destroy the target. It was recently realized that freezing immediately followed by a rapid and strong heating of the target tissues would significantly improve the treatment effect [14]-[16]. Therefore, an apparatus thus developed will be of great importance in cancer clinics. But until now, most of the currently available cryoprobe systems are only capable of performing a single freezing function, in which the treated tissue is often let to naturally re-warm by simply switching off the apparatus. The first one and only commercially available cryoprobe system aiming at both freezing and heating therapy is perhaps Endocare Corporation’s Ar-He Cryoprobe system [14]. However, the highest tissue temperature for this system to achieve is about 0–20 °C [17], which is not high enough to thermally destroy the target tissues. Presently, there is a strong lack of freezing applicators with powerful heating functions for hyperthermia purposes. Without strong enough heating, tumors may still have a chance to regenerate. This is perhaps one of the critical reasons to impede the widespread of cryosurgery in destroying pathological tissues.
Study on Material Motion and Combustion Characteristics in Rotary Kiln
Authors: Ma Xiaoqian , Zhao Zengli , Li Haibin , Chen Yong , Zhang Xiaobing
Published: May 2008

We study the solid waste stream in a rotary kiln with L/D ≥ 10 in this paper. The particle trace is determined based upon the vector force analysis on it, and therefore, the distance and time of single particle motion in a circle are deduced. Using filling method, the mean distance and the mean residence time of material flow are then calculated, in which the motion results from the material beyond the critical angle of motion θ falling because of the kiln’s rotation. The influence of the filling angle of particles on the axial velocity is also analyzed. At the same time some experiments on different solid waste streams in the rotary kiln are carried on so that the equation of flow derived by theoretical analysis is modified according to the experimental results. Industrial analysis is done on several typical kinds of solid waste from two paper plants. Moreover, on a small scale rotary burning device, we conducted hot test on the solid waste from the paper plants to study the dependence of burnout rate on the residence time and the temperature inside the kiln. The results indicate that the water content and volatile content are high in the solid waste from paper plants. Hence, to ensure the high burnout rate, the solid waste has to stay in a rotary kiln for a long enough residence time at high temperature, which requires, in turn, that the rotary velocity of a rotary kiln be lower than 10 rpm, the inclination angle less than 2°, and the temperature inside higher than 800 °C. In addition, we conducted hot test on typical municipal residential waste in South China, from which we come to the conclusion that without enough air supply, clinker and slag are formed when the inside temperature is 850 °C.
Energy Aware Grid: Global Workload Placement Based on Energy Efficiency
Authors: Patel Chandrakant , Sharma Ratnesh , Bash Cullen , Graupner Sven
Published: May 2008

Computing will be pervasive, and enablers of pervasive computing will be data centers housing computing, networking and storage hardware. The data center of tomorrow is envisaged as one containing thousands of single board computing systems deployed in racks. A data center, with 1000 racks, over 30,000 square feet, would require 10 MW of power to power the computing infrastructure. At this power dissipation, an additional 5 MW would be needed by the cooling resources to remove the dissipated heat. At $100/MWh, the cooling alone would cost $4 million per annum for such a data center. The concept of Computing Grid, based on coordinated resource sharing and problem solving in dynamic, multi-institutional virtual organizations, is emerging as the new paradigm in distributed and pervasive computing for scientific as well as commercial applications. We envision a global network of data centers housing an aggregation of computing, networking and storage hardware. The increased compaction of such devices in data centers has created thermal and energy management issues that inhibit sustainability of such a global infrastructure. In this paper, we propose the framework of Energy Aware Grid that will provide a global utility infrastructure explicitly incorporating energy efficiency and thermal management among data centers. Designed around an energy-aware co-allocator, workload placement decisions will be made across the Grid, based on data center energy efficiency coefficients. The coefficient, evaluated by the data center’s resource allocation manager, is a complex function of the data center thermal management infrastructure and the seasonal and diurnal variations. A detailed procedure for implementation of a test case is provided with an estimate of energy savings to justify the economics. An example workload deployment shown in the paper aspires to seek the most energy efficient data center in the global network of data centers. The locality based energy efficiency in a data center is shown to arise from use of ground coupled loops in cold climates to lower ambient temperature for heat rejection e.g. computing and rejecting heat from a data center at nighttime ambient of 20°C. in New Delhi, India while Phoenix, USA is at 45°C. The efficiency in the cooling system in the data center in New Delhi is derived based on lower lift from evaporator to condenser. Besides the obvious advantage due to external ambient, the paper also incorporates techniques that rate the efficiency arising from internal thermo-fluids behavior of a data center in workload placement decision.
Pressure Drop Characteristics of Parallel-Plate Channel Flow With Porous Obstructions at Both Walls
Authors: de Lemos Marcelo J. S. , Tofaneli Luzia A.
Published: May 2008

In this work, numerical solutions are presented for turbulent flow in a channel containing fins made with porous material. The condition of spatially periodic cell is applied longitudinally along the channel. A macroscopic tow-equation turbulence model is employed in both the porous region and the clear fluid. The equations of momentum, mass continuity and turbulence transport equations are written for an elementary representative volume yielding a set of equations valid for the entire computational domain. These equations are discretized using the control volume method and the resulting systems of algebraic equations is relaxed with the SIMPLE method. Results are presented for the velocity field as a function of Reynolds number, porosity and permeability of the fins.
Multi Criteria Design Optimization of Backhoe Loader Front Mechanism
Authors: Hansen Michael Rygaard , Andersen Torben O.
Published: May 2008

In this paper the design upgrade of a front shovel mechanism of a backhoe loader is considered. The introduction of computer aided optimization techniques for this task clearly illustrates the complexity of improving a mature and in many ways already optimal design. The design task is formulated as a weighted multi criteria optimization problem where the criteria comprise both kinematic and static performance as well as a substantial set of equality and inequality side constraints. A special purpose computer program has been developed to solve the optimization problem doing the minimization using the well known quasi-Newton method: Davidon-Fletcher-Powell. The work has been carried out in cooperation with the danish company: Hydrema ApS, during a design upgrade of their backhoe loader.
DeltaBot: A New Cable-Based Ultra High Speed Robot
Authors: Behzadipour Saeed , Dekker Robert , Khajepour Amir , Chan Edmon
Published: May 2008

The growing needs for high speed positioning devices in the automated manufacturing industry have been challenged by robotic science for more than two decades. Parallel manipulators have been widely used for this purpose due to their advantage of lower moving inertia over the conventional serial manipulators. Cable actuated parallel robots were introduced in 1980’s to reduce the moving inertia even further. In this work, a new cable-based parallel robot is introduced. For this robot, the cables are used not only to actuate the end-effector but also to apply the necessary kinematic constraints to provide three pure translational degrees of freedom. In order to maintain tension in the cables, a passive air cylinder is used to push the end-effector against the stationary platform. In addition to low moving inertia, the new design benefits from simplicity and low manufacturing cost by eliminating joints from the robot’s mechanism. The design procedure and the results of experiments will be discussed in the following.
Radiofrequency Ablation With a Gaussian Heat Source in a Realistic Reconstructed Hepatic Geometry
Authors: Pandey Ajit K. , Chang Isaac , Myers Mathew , Banerjee Rupak K.
Published: May 2008

This study describes a detailed methodology for modeling a three-dimensional radiofrequency ablation procedure using reconstructed porous tissue geometries. In this study, MRI images of a sectioned liver tissue containing arterial vessels are converted into a finite element mesh. An rf heat source in the form of a spherically symmetric Gaussian distribution, fit from a previously computed profile, is employed Computations of temperature rise were performed for transient rf procedures in the case where the tumor is located near the bifurcation point of a hepatic artery. Results demonstrate a significant effect due to convective cooling by the large vessels. Substantial asymmetries in the temperature profiles indicate ablation procedures that may achieve adequate tumor destruction in some regions, but that elevate the temperature only minimally in other regions, thereby permitting possible tumor recursion. These critical features of the temperature field are due to the directional nature of the arterial flow and are difficult to capture with models that treat perfusion with a scalar source term in the bioheat equation.