bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Eliciting a policy response for the rising epidemic of overweight‐obesity in India
Authors: Khandelwal S. , Reddy K. S.
Published: September 2013

India is experiencing multiple transitions with respect to nutrition patterns, epidemiology and demography. Along with staggering childhood undernutrition, a rapid rise in chronic diseases and their risk factors including overweight‐obesity (O‐O), among all sections of society, is compounding India's health challenges. We present an overview of the O‐O scenario (prevalence, determinants) and profile existing initiatives to address this modifiable risk factor in India. Urgent attention from all sectors, committed resources, policy support and targeted actions are warranted to combat the dual burden of malnutrition. The health systems should be reoriented and strengthened, in addition to enabling actions in other sectors, to address prevention and control of non‐communicable diseases and associated risk factors like O‐O.
Nutrition transition in Bangladesh: is the country ready for this double burden
Authors: Khan Shusmita Hossain , Talukder Shamim Hayder
Published: September 2013

Malnutrition has dominated Bangladesh development, encouraged by the Bangladesh Integrated Nutrition Programme under the first Sector‐Wide Approach (SWAp) World Health Organization, and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization. To date, all the SWAps for health, nutrition and population well‐being have identified malnutrition as a priority. Donors, United Nations organizations and non‐governmental organizations provide extensive support to prevent and tackle malnutrition in the country. The government has delineated an effective policy response to the high prevalence of undernutrition. Bangladesh has a wide range of policies encouraging appropriate infant and young child feeding practices, 6 months of paid maternity leave in the public sector, school meals for vulnerable communities, micronutrient supplementation interventions and more. However, almost all of these efforts address the undernutrition aspect of malnutrition, neglecting the other form of malnutrition – overnutrition. Trend data from national surveys show steady increases in overweight and steady decreases in underweight among women of reproductive age. This paper sheds light on the trend data, showing the transition from under‐ to overnutrition and the double burden of malnutrition among Bangladeshi women of reproductive age. It also discusses the national policy and programme responses to overweight and obesity in Bangladesh among the same population.
Brazilian obesity prevention and control initiatives
Authors: Jaime P. C. , da Silva A. C. F. , Gentil P. C. , Claro R. M. , Monteiro C. A.
Published: September 2013

Obesity prevalence in the Brazilian adult population is 12.5% among men and 16.9% among women. Obesity control has been a subject of concern in Brazilian health policies since the publication of the National Food and Nutrition Policy in 1999. The initiatives include a comprehensive national intersectorial plan for obesity prevention and control focused on confronting its social and environmental causes, development of a food and nutrition education framework aimed at intersectorial public policies in the food and nutritional security field, promotion and provision of healthy food in school environments (linked to family farming), structuring nutrition actions in primary healthcare in the national healthcare system, promoting community physical activity, food regulation and control, and encouragement of public participation and food control. We conclude that several initiatives have been developed in Brazil to deal with the challenge of implementing an intergovernmental, intersectorial response to reverse the rising overweight and obesity rates. The success of this response will depend on a governance model that promotes joint and integrated action by different sectors and active participation of society to consolidate the actions, places and laws that protect health and promote healthy lifestyles.
New dynamics in global obesity facing low‐ and middle‐income countries
Authors: Popkin B. M. , Slining M. M.
Published: September 2013

Levels of overweight and obesity across low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMIC) have approached levels found in higher‐income countries. This is particularly true in the Middle East and North Africa and in Latin America and the Caribbean. Using nationally representative samples of women aged 19–49, n = 815,609, this paper documents the annualized rate of increase of overweight from the first survey in early 1990 to the last survey in the present millennium. Overweight increases ranged from 0.31% per year to 0.92% per year for Latin America and the Caribbean and for the Middle East and North Africa, respectively. For a sample of eight countries, using quantile regression, we further demonstrate that mean body mass index (BMI) at the 95th percentile has increased significantly across all regions, representing predicted weight increases of 5–10 kg. Furthermore we highlight a major new concern in LMICs, documenting waist circumference increases of 2–4 cm at the same BMI (e.g. 25) over an 18‐year period. In sum, this paper indicates growing potential for increased cardiometabolic problems linked with a large rightward shift in the BMI distribution and increased waist circumference at each BMI level.
Ultra‐processed products are becoming dominant in the global food system
Authors: Monteiro C. A. , Moubarac J.‐C. , Cannon G. , Ng S. W. , Popkin B.
Published: September 2013

The relationship between the global food system and the worldwide rapid increase of obesity and related diseases is not yet well understood. A reason is that the full impact of industrialized food processing on dietary patterns, including the environments of eating and drinking, remains overlooked and underestimated. Many forms of food processing are beneficial. But what is identified and defined here as ultra‐processing, a type of process that has become increasingly dominant, at first in high‐income countries, and now in middle‐income countries, creates attractive, hyper‐palatable, cheap, ready‐to‐consume food products that are characteristically energy‐dense, fatty, sugary or salty and generally obesogenic. In this study, the scale of change in purchase and sales of ultra‐processed products is examined and the context and implications are discussed. Data come from 79 high‐ and middle‐income countries, with special attention to Canada and Brazil. Results show that ultra‐processed products dominate the food supplies of high‐income countries, and that their consumption is now rapidly increasing in middle‐income countries. It is proposed here that the main driving force now shaping the global food system is transnational food manufacturing, retailing and fast food service corporations whose businesses are based on very profitable, heavily promoted ultra‐processed products, many in snack form.
Alopecia and Hypotrichosis as Characteristic Findings in Woodhouse‐Sakati Syndrome: Report of a Family with Mutation in the C2orf37 Gene
Authors: Nanda Arti , Pasternack Sandra M. , Mahmoudi Hassnaa , Ishorst Nina , Grimalt Ramon , Betz Regina C.
Published: September 2013

Woodhouse‐Sakati syndrome (WSS) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by alopecia, hypogonadism, diabetes mellitus, intellectual disability, sensorineural deafness, extrapyramidal signs, and low insulinlike growth factor 1 levels. Inter‐ and intrafamilial phenotypic variability have been reported. Mutations in the C2orf37 gene cause WSS. The present report describes the clinical signs and symptoms of three affected siblings from a consanguineous Bedouin family from Kuwait. Direct sequencing of the C2orf37 gene revealed that the c.436delC (p.Ala147Hisfs*9) mutation was present in a homozygous state in all affected siblings and in a heterozygous state in the parents and a healthy sister. Nine C2orf37 mutations causing WSS have been identified. This family shared the mutation reported earlier in Saudi families and families of Bedouin tribes from Qatar and Israel. No phenotypic or genotypic correlation has been observed. Despite the great phenotypic variability of WSS, hypotrichosis has been observed in all individuals with WSS reported. This condition has not been reported in the dermatologic literature. WSS should be included in the differential diagnosis of syndromic congenital hypotrichosis.
Netherton Syndrome Associated with Growth Hormone Deficiency
Authors: Aydın Banu Küçükemre , Baş Firdevs , Tamay Zeynep , Kılıç Gürkan , Süleyman Ayşe , Bundak Rüveyde , Saka Nurçin , Özkaya Esen , Güler Nermin , Darendeliler Feyza
Published: September 2013

Netherton syndrome (NS) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by ichthyosiform scaling, hair abnormalities, and variable atopic features. Mutations in the serine protease inhibitor Kazal type 5 (SPINK5) gene leading to lymphoepithelial Kazal‐type‐related inhibitor (LEKTI) deficiency cause NS. Growth retardation is a classic feature of NS, but growth hormone (GH) deficiency with subsequent response to GH therapy is not documented in the literature. It is proposed that a lack of inhibition of proteases due to a deficiency of LEKTI in the pituitary gland leads to the overprocessing of human GH in NS. Herein we report three patients with NS who had growth retardation associated with GH deficiency and responded well to GH therapy.
Hemorrhagic Acneiform Lesions in a Teenager as the Initial Presentation of Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis
Authors: Dosal Jacquelyn , Good Erica , Alshaiji Jasem , De Solo Santiago , Ricotti Carlos , Alvarez‐Connelly Elizabeth
Published: September 2013

A 19‐year‐old girl presented with hemorrhagic acneiform lesions on the face for several months that was unresponsive to conventional acne treatment. A biopsy revealed a noninfectious suppurative granulomatous dermatitis with hemorrhage, possibly representing a ruptured folliculitis. A second biopsy revealed chronic granulomatous dermal inflammation and hemorrhage with foreign body giant cells non‐infectious by stains. No vasculitis was noted in either biopsy. Later in her course she developed a severe sinusitis and eventually presented with severe fevers, rapid weight loss, sinusitis, and cough. Further workup produced the diagnosis of granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Wegener's granulomatosis). She rapidly improved with intravenous steroids and rituximab. To date, acneiform lesions have only been reported in young adult patients and may represent a clinical manifestation of granulomatosis with polyangiitis unique to this age group, as illustrated in our patient.
Effects of dietary inositol with sucrose stimulation on chewing and swallowing motor patterns in larvae of the silkworm Bombyx mori
Authors: SASAKI KEN , OOKI YUJI , ENDO YUUKI , ASAOKA KIYOSHI
Published: September 2013

The effects of dietary inositol with sucrose stimulation on chewing and swallowing motor patterns in the larvae of Bombyx mori L. are investigated. Feeding activities of the larvae are significantly enhanced by a test diet containing an inositol–sucrose mixture compared with a test diet of sucrose only. Motor patterns of the mandibular closer muscle are accelerated with shorter burst durations and shorter inter‐burst intervals with the test diet of inositol–sucrose compared with sucrose. In terms of swallowing behaviours, inositol–sucrose shortens the duration of drinking. Motor patterns of the cibarial compressor muscle are accelerated with shorter burst durations and shorter inter‐burst intervals with the inositol–sucrose mixture. Peripheral interactions between inositol‐ and sucrose‐sensitive cells in the maxilla are not detected. Thus, such interactions cannot explain the positive effects of inositol on chewing and swallowing. Responses of inositol‐sensitive cells in the epipharyngeal sensillum are not affected by sucrose. These results suggest that dietary inositol can modify chewing and swallowing motor patterns when coupled with sucrose stimuli. These modifications may occur in the central neural networks involved in chewing and swallowing motor patterns but not in peripheral sensory interactions.
Association of Type D personality with the autonomic and hemodynamic response to the cold pressor test
Authors: Kupper Nina , Pelle Aline , Denollet Johan
Published: September 2013

Mechanisms relating Type D personality to poor health are largely unknown, with autonomic nervous system function being a candidate. This study examined the physiologic response to cold stress. Undergraduates (N = 101, 84% female) underwent a cold pressor test. An electrocardiogram, impedance cardiogram, and blood pressure were recorded. Type D personality was assessed by self‐report questionnaire. Type D was associated with increased systolic and diastolic blood pressure reactivity. Exploratory analyses showed Type D men to respond with increased respiratory sinus arrhythmia (i.e., higher parasympathetic activity), and decreased pre‐ejection period (i.e., larger sympathetic activity), while Type D women showed a reciprocal response pattern. In conclusion, Type D personality was associated with an exaggerated hemodynamic response to cold stress, which may contribute to an increased risk of hypertension in Type D individuals.
Cortical and cerebellar modulation of autonomic responses to loud sounds
Authors: Mueller‐Pfeiffer Christoph , Zeffiro Thomas , O'Gorman Ruth , Michels Lars , Baumann Peter , Wood Nellie , Spring Justin , Rufer Michael , Pitman Roger K. , Orr Scott P.
Published: September 2013

Detecting unexpected environmental change causes modulation of autonomic activity essential for survival. Understanding the neural mechanisms associated with responses to loud sounds may provide insights into the pathophysiology of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), since individuals withPTSDexhibit heightened autonomic responses to unexpected loud sounds. We combinedfMRIwith autonomic psychophysiological assessment to investigate central and peripheral reactivity to loud tones in 20 healthy participants. Activity in anterior insula, pregenual anterior cingulate cortex, anterior midcingulate cortex, supplementary motor area, supramarginal gyrus, and cerebellar lobulesVIII–IXwas associated with both tones and concomitant skin conductance responses. Since regions signaling unexpected external events modulate autonomic activity, heightened loud tone autonomic responses inPTSDmay reflect sensitization of this “salience” network.
A Framework to Optimize Biodiversity Restoration Efforts Based on Habitat Amount and Landscape Connectivity
Authors: Tambosi Leandro R. , Martensen Alexandre C. , Ribeiro Milton C. , Metzger Jean P.
Published: September 2013

The effectiveness of ecological restoration actions toward biodiversity conservation depends on both local and landscape constraints. Extensive information on local constraints is already available, but few studies consider the landscape context when planning restoration actions. We propose a multiscale framework based on the landscape attributes of habitat amount and connectivity to infer landscape resilience and to set priority areas for restoration. Landscapes with intermediate habitat amount and where connectivity remains sufficiently high to favor recolonization were considered to be intermediately resilient, with high possibilities of restoration effectiveness and thus were designated as priority areas for restoration actions. The proposed method consists of three steps: (1) quantifying habitat amount and connectivity; (2) using landscape ecology theory to identify intermediate resilience landscapes based on habitat amount, percolation theory, and landscape connectivity; and (3) ranking landscapes according to their importance as corridors or bottlenecks for biological flows on a broader scale, based on a graph theory approach. We present a case study for the Brazilian Atlantic Forest (approximately 150 million hectares) in order to demonstrate the proposed method. For the Atlantic Forest, landscapes that present high restoration effectiveness represent only 10% of the region, but contain approximately 15 million hectares that could be targeted for restoration actions (an area similar to today's remaining forest extent). The proposed method represents a practical way to both plan restoration actions and optimize biodiversity conservation efforts by focusing on landscapes that would result in greater conservation benefits.
Restoration of Young Forests in Eastern Finland: Benefits for Saproxylic Beetles (Coleoptera)
Authors: Hekkala Anne‐Maarit , Päätalo Marja‐Leena , Tarvainen Oili , Tolvanen Anne
Published: September 2013

Effective fire suppression in combination with intensive forestry has caused a large number of dead wood‐dependent (saproxylic) species to become threatened in Fennoscandia. In order to return the fire disturbance dynamics and to increase the amount of dead wood, restoration actions are urgently needed. We studied the effects of restoring young (under 30 years old) pine‐dominated (Pinus sylvestris L.) forest stands on saproxylic beetle assemblages in eastern Finland, focusing especially on rare, red‐listed, and pyrophilous (RRLP) species. Our experiment included a restoration treatment including two tree felling levels for fuel load (10 or 20 m3/ha) followed by burning, and an untreated control. We sampled beetles before restoration in 2005, during the year of restoration in 2006, and in two post‐treatment years in 2007 and 2011. Both restoration treatments increased the number of saproxylic and RRLP species. The species richness increased most in the year of restoration in 2006 and this trend continued in the following year 2007, but no differences in species assemblages were detected between the two fuel load levels. By 2011, however, the species richness and abundance had declined back to the pre‐treatment level. We suggest that restoration burning can also be directed to young forests where biodiversity values are initially low. On the basis of the observed decline in the species richness, we suggest that fire could be introduced in neighboring areas in approximately 5‐year intervals to maintain populations of the most demanding pyrophilous species.
Aminopeptidase N facilitates entry and intracellular survival of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in monocytes
Authors: Ho Hsin‐Tsung , Tsai I‐Fang , Wu Chien‐Liang , Lu Yen‐Ta
Published: September 2013

Background and objective

Aminopeptidase N (CD13) is an ectoenzyme located in the outer membrane of a variety of cells. Proteomic profiling indicates an increased expression of CD13 in phagocytes during Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of CD13 on the internalization and intracellular survival of M. tuberculosis in monocytes.

Methods

Magnetic nanoparticles and confocal microscopy were used to observe interactions between CD13 and M. tuberculosis. Mycobacterial entry and intracellular survival in monocytes were assessed with and without anti‐CD13 antibody (WM15 and WM47) using flow cytometry and colony formation assay.

Results

By using magnetic nanoparticles and confocal microscopy, M. tuberculosis was found to be capable of binding to either soluble CD13 or membranous CD13 on monocytes. Flow cytometry showed that pretreatment of monocytes with WM15 or WM47 reduced the number of intracellular M. tuberculosis. Collectively, the data suggest that CD13 is a binding and entry receptor for M. tuberculosis on monocytes. Treatment of infected monocytes showed a greater effect of WM47 than WM15 in reducing the intracellular colonization of M. tuberculosis, suggesting that specific epitopes of CD13 may play an important role modulating intracellular M. tuberculosis survival.

Conclusions

CD13 acts as a receptor for M. tuberculosis on human monocytes. The molecule facilitates internalization, and interaction of CD13 with an anti‐CD13 antibody reduces intracellular M. tuberculosis survival.
Infrequent Dialysis: A New Paradigm for Hemodialysis Initiation
Authors: Rhee Connie M. , Unruh Mark , Chen Jing , Kovesdy Csaba P. , Zager Phillip , Kalantar‐Zadeh Kamyar
Published: September 2013

Nearly a half‐century ago, the thrice‐weekly hemodialysis schedule was empirically established as a means to provide an adequate dialysis dose while also treating the greatest number of end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) patients using limited resources. Landmark trials of hemodialysis adequacy have historically been anchored to thrice‐weekly regimens, but a recent randomized controlled trial demonstrated that frequent hemodialysis (six times per week) confers cardiovascular and survival benefits. Based on these collective data and experience, clinical practice guidelines advise against a less than thrice‐weekly treatment schedule in patients without residual renal function, yet provide limited guidance on the optimal treatment frequency when substantial native kidney function is present. Thus, during the transition from Stage 5 chronic kidney disease to ESRD, the current paradigm is to initiate hemodialysis on a “full‐dose” thrice‐weekly regimen even among patients with substantial residual renal function. However, emerging data suggest that frequent hemodialysis accelerates residual renal function decline, and infrequent regimens may provide better preservation of native kidney function. Given the high mortality rates during the first 6 months of hemodialysis and the survival benefits of preserved native kidney function, initiation with twice‐weekly treatment schedules (“infrequent hemodialysis”) with an incremental increase in frequency over time may provide an opportunity to optimize patient survival. This review outlines the clinical benefits of post‐hemodialysis residual renal function, studies of twice‐weekly treatment regimens, and the potential risks and benefits of infrequent hemodialysis.
Complexes and Their Constituents
Authors: Batchelor Roderick
Published: September 2013

We sketch a general theory of complex objects and their constituents.
Open Parallel Cooperative and Competitive Decision Processes: A Potential Provenance for Quantum Probability Decision Models
Authors: Fuss Ian G. , Navarro Daniel J.
Published: September 2013

In recent years quantum probability models have been used to explain many aspects of human decision making, and as such quantum models have been considered a viable alternative to Bayesian models based on classical probability. One criticism that is often leveled at both kinds of models is that they lack a clear interpretation in terms of psychological mechanisms. In this paper we discuss the mechanistic underpinnings of a quantum walk model of human decision making and response time. The quantum walk model is compared to standard sequential sampling models, and the architectural assumptions of both are considered. In particular, we show that the quantum model has a natural interpretation in terms of a cognitive architecture that is both massively parallel and involves both co‐operative (excitatory) and competitive (inhibitory) interactions between units. Additionally, we introduce a family of models that includes aspects of the classical and quantum walk models.
Evaluation of RANS Models in Predicting Low Reynolds, Free, Turbulent Round Jet
Authors: Ghahremanian Shahriar , Moshfegh Bahram
Published: September 2013

In order to study the flow behavior of multiple jets, numerical prediction of the three-dimensional domain of round jets from the nozzle edge up to the turbulent region is essential. The previous numerical studies on the round jet are limited to either two-dimensional investigation with Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) models or three-dimensional prediction with higher turbulence models such as large eddy simulation (LES) or direct numerical simulation (DNS). The present study tries to evaluate different RANS turbulence models in the three-dimensional simulation of the whole domain of an isothermal, low Re (Re = 2125, 3461, and 4555), free, turbulent round jet. For this evaluation the simulation results from two two-equation (low Re k-ɛ and low Re shear stress transport (SST) k-ω), a transition three-equation (k-kl-ω), and a transition four-equation (SST) eddy-viscosity turbulence models are compared with hot-wire anemometry measurements. Due to the importance of providing correct inlet boundary conditions, the inlet velocity profile, the turbulent kinetic energy (k), and its specific dissipation rate (ω) at the nozzle exit have been employed from an earlier verified numerical simulation. Two-equation RANS models with low Reynolds correction can predict the whole domain (initial, transition, and fully developed regions) of the round jet with prescribed inlet boundary conditions. The transition models could only reach to a good agreement with the measured mean axial velocities and its rms in the initial region. It worth mentioning that the round jet anomaly is still present in the turbulent region of the round jet predicted by the low Re k-ɛ. By comparing the k and the ω predicted by different turbulence models, the blending functions in the cross-diffusion term is found one of the reasons behind the more consistent prediction by the low Re SST k-ω.
Fabrication of Centimeter Long, Ultra-Low Aspect Ratio Nanochannel Networks in Borosilicate Glass Substrates
Authors: Pinti Marie , Kambham Tanuja , Wang Bowen , Prakash Shaurya
Published: September 2013

Nanofluidic devices have a broad range of applications resulting from the dominance of surface-fluid interactions. Examples include molecular gating, sample preconcentration, and sample injection. Manipulation of small fluid samples is ideal for micro total analysis systems or lab on chip devices which perform multiple unit operations on a single chip. In this paper, fabrication procedures for two different ultra-low aspect ratio (ULAR) channel network designs are presented. The ULAR provides increased throughput compared to higher aspect ratio features with the same critical dimensions. Channel network designs allow for integration between microscale and nanoscale fluidic networks. A modified calcium assisted glass–glass bonding procedure was developed to fabricate chemically uniform, all glass nanochannels. A polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-glass adhesive bonding procedure was also developed as adhesive bonding allows for more robust fabrication with lower sensitivity to surface defects. The fabrication schemes presented allow for a broad array of available parameters for facile selection of device fabrication techniques depending on desired applications for lab on chip devices.
Deformation Characterization of Mouse Oocyte Cell Using Inverse Finite Element and Levenberg–Marquardt Optimization Algorithm in Needle Injection Experiment
Authors: Abbasi Ali A. , Ahmadian M. T.
Published: September 2013

In order to better understand the mechanical properties of biological cells, characterization and investigation of their material behavior is necessary. In this paper hyperelastic Neo-Hookean material is used to characterize the mechanical properties of mouse oocyte cell. It has been assumed that the cell behavior is continues, isotropic, nonlinear and homogenous material. Then, by matching the experimental data with finite element (FE) simulation result and using the Levenberg–Marquardt optimization algorithm, the nonlinear hyperelastic model parameters have been extracted. Experimental data of mouse oocyte captured from literatures. Advantage of the developed model is that it can be used to calculate accurate reaction force on surgical instrument or it can be used to compute deformation or force in virtual reality based medical simulations.
Chaos and Bifurcation of Composite Laminated Cantilever Rectangular Plate
Authors: Zhang Wei , Zhao Minghui , Guo Xiangying
Published: September 2013

According to the Reddy’s high-order shear deformation theory and the von-Karman type equations for the geometric nonlinearity, the chaos and bifurcation of a composite laminated cantilever rectangular plate subjected to the in-plane and moment excitations are investigated with the case of 1:2 internal resonance. A new expression of displacement functions which can satisfy the cantilever plate boundary conditions are used to make the nonlinear partial differential governing equations of motion discretized into a two-degree-of-freedom nonlinear system under combined parametric and forcing excitations, representing the evolution of the amplitudes and phases exhibiting complex dynamics. The results of numerical simulation demonstrate that there exist the periodic and chaotic motions of the composite laminated cantilever rectangular plate. Finally, the influence of the forcing excitations on the bifurcations and chaotic behaviors of the system is investigated numerically.
Integration, Development and Performance of the 500 TFLOPS Heterogeneous Cluster (Condor)
Authors: Barnell Mark , Wu Qing , Linderman Richard
Published: September 2013

The Air Force Research Laboratory Information Directorate Advanced Computing Division (AFRL/RIT) High Performance Computing Affiliated Resource Center (HPC-ARC) is the host to a very large scale interactive computing cluster consisting of about 1800 nodes. Condor, the largest interactive Cell cluster in the world, consists of integrated heterogeneous processors of IBM Cell Broadband Engine (Cell BE) multicore CPUs, NVIDIA General Purpose Graphic Processing Units (GPGPUs) and Intel x86 server nodes in a 10Gb Ethernet Star Hub network and 20Gb/s Infiniband Mesh, with a combined capability of 500 trillion floating operations per second (TFLOPS). Applications developed and running on CONDOR include large-scale computational intelligence models, video synthetic aperture radar (SAR) back-projection, Space Situational Awareness (SSA), video target tracking, linear algebra and others. This presentation will discuss the design and integration of the system. It will also show progress on performance optimization efforts and lessons learned on algorithm scalability on a heterogeneous architecture.
Endogenous Progress Potential
Authors: Dong Andy , Sarkar Somwrita
Published: September 2013

This paper provides a graph-theoretic framework for assessing the progress potential for a product or class of products based on the underlying knowledge structure. We characterize the knowledge structure based on singular value signatures and extend the characterization to multi-dimensional functional model representations of product knowledge. We show that the progress potential for a product is partially determined by graph properties of the knowledge structure, and whether the graph structure is modular, random, or hierarchically modular. The characterization is empirically tested on energy harvesting devices. Our model connects the knowledge underlying a product to its potential for progress, appropriately taking into account the nature of product knowledge and its ‘complexity’.
Gait Fitting Algorithms for Snake Robots With Binary Actuators
Authors: Miao Yunjie , Gao Feng , Zhang Yong
Published: September 2013

This paper introduces a new snake robot with binary actuators and mainly focuses on the simulations of various snake gaits. Three categories of fitting algorithms are proposed. They are 1) Fitting Algorithm of One Module; 2) Position-Fitting Algorithm of Multiple Modules; 3) Configuration-Fitting Algorithm of Multiple Modules. All the fitting algorithms and their fitting results are elaborated in simulations of lateral undulation, one of the most widely used snake gaits. As the best fitting algorithm for lateral undulation, Configuration-Fitting Algorithm of Four Modules is also applied to a snake robot of different dimensions to demonstrate that it is a universal gait fitting algorithm for all kinds of snake robots with binary actuators.
Parametric Resonances of a Spinning Cyclic Symmetric Rotor Assembled to a Flexible Stationary Housing via Multiple Bearings
Authors: Tai W. C. , Shen I. Y.
Published: September 2013

This paper is to present findings from a theoretical study on free vibration and stability of a rotor-bearing-housing system. The rotor is cyclic symmetric and spinning at constant speed, while the housing is stationary and flexible. Moreover, the rotor and housing are assembled via multiple, linear, elastic bearings. For the rotor and the housing, their mode shapes are first obtained in rotor-based and ground-based coordinate systems, respectively. By discretizing the kinetic and potential energies of the rotor-bearing-housing system through use of the mode shapes, a set of equations of motion appears in the form of ordinary differential equations with periodic coefficients. Analyses of the equations of motion indicate that instabilities could appear at certain spin speed in the form of combination resonances of the sum type. To demonstrate the validity of the formulation, two numerical examples are studied. For the first example, the spinning rotor is an axisymmetric disk and the housing is a square plate with a central shaft. Moreover, the rotor and the housing are connected via two linear elastic bearings. Instability appears in the form of coupled vibration between the stationary housing and spinning rotor through three different formats: rigid-body rotor translation, rigid-body rotor rocking, and elastic rotor modes that present unbalanced inertia forces or moments. For the second example, the rotor is cyclic symmetric in the form of a disk with four evenly spaced slots. The housing and bearings remain the same. When the rotor is stationary, natural frequencies and mode shapes predicted from the formulation agree well with those predicted from a finite element analysis, which further ensures the validity of the formulation. When the cyclic symmetric rotor spins, instability appears in the same three formats as in the case of axisymmetric rotor. Number of instability zones, however, increases because the cyclic symmetric rotor has more elastic rotor modes that present unbalanced inertia forces or moments.
A Physics-Based Terrain Model for Off-Road Vehicle Simulations
Authors: Madsen Justin , Ayers Paul , Reid Alexander , Seidl Andrew , Bozdech George , O’Kins James , Negrut Dan
Published: September 2013

We present the development of a three-dimensional Vehicle/Tire/Terrain Interaction Model (VTTIM) consisting of a general 3D tire-terrain traction model which operates on a novel deformable terrain representation that utilizes a soil compaction model. Rather than utilizing popular empirical terramechanics models that only consider the pressure/sinkage directly under the tire, the governing equations of the terrain are based on i) the propagation of subsoil stresses due to vehicular loads, and ii) the resulting stress/strain which is based on a visco-elastic-plastic soil model developed by Ayers and Bozdech. The implementation of the terrain model is modularized in the form of an API, as the vehicle and tire are assumed to be contained in commercial simulation software as to focus on the implementation of the deformable terrain model. A number of test simulations are run using a rigid tire with and without grousers to show the capability of the VTTIM to predict tire forces for use in vehicle mobility and traction performance simulations. Power and energy required to deform the terrain will also be presented with the simulation results, which allows the prediction of the extra power required by a vehicle traveling on off-road, deformable soil.
Virtual Fixtures and Automatic Mode Switching for Teleoperation Tasks
Authors: Wrock Michael R. , Nokleby Scott B.
Published: September 2013

In this work a novel command strategy is presented for tele-operating a mobile-manipulator system. To test its effectiveness, the command strategy was implemented on the mobile-manipulator system “Omnibot MMS”. The Omnibot MMS is teleoperated using a three degree-of-freedom haptic joystick and is controlled by driving either the base or the manipulator using an intuitive automatic mode switching command strategy. Virtual fixtures are used to provide additional information to the operator about the configuration of the Omnibot MMS, as well as increase accuracy and decrease errors. Through testing it was shown that new operators increased performance faster using the novel command strategy, and both accuracy and efficiency were improved, when compared to the traditional method of control using two joysticks.
Design of Viscous Dynamic Vibration Absorber for a Vertical-Axis Wind Turbine
Authors: Kouroussis Georges , Ben Fekih Lassaad , Bottieau Jean-Yves , Verlinden Olivier
Published: September 2013

This paper presents the investigations brought to fruition for the design of a dynamic vibration absorber (DVA) for vertical-axis wind turbine. A first step is devoted to the experimental analysis of the structure, by seeking its modal behaviour in low frequency range. A numerical model of the turbine system consisting of finite elements is developed. Their dynamics and geometrical characteristics are updated, by fitting the first three bending numerical mode shapes with the experimental ones. Finally, a mathematical model of DVA is implemented and the vibration reduction is evaluated with the help of the updated finite element model, considering the modal decomposition of the structure. The results exhibit significant vibration reduction performance evidencing this kind of device. A tuneable anti-vibration device is then designed, with a purpose of simplicity and low-cost production. The possible non-linearity of the DVA is also studied, by comparing behaviours of linear and quadratic selected dampers.
Predictive Simulation of Human Walk-to-Run Transition
Authors: Chung Hyun-Joon , Xiang Yujiang , Bhatt Rajan , Arora Jasbir S. , Abdel-Malek Karim
Published: September 2013

A general optimization formulation for walk-to-run transition prediction using 3D skeletal model is presented. The walk-to-run transition is used to connect fast walking to slow running by using a step-to-step transition formulation. Walk-to-run transition includes four phases: double support walking phase, single support swinging phase, running phase, and finally single support running phase. The transition task is formulated as an optimization problem in which the dynamic effort is minimized subject to basic physical constraints. The joint torques and ground reaction forces (GRF) are recovered and analyzed from the simulation. The optimal solution of transition simulation is obtained in a few minutes by using predictive dynamics method.
Human Carrying Simulation With Symmetric and Asymmetric Loads
Authors: Xiang Yujiang , Arora Jasbir S. , Rahmatalla Salam , Chung Hyun-Joon , Bhatt Rajan , Abdel-Malek Karim
Published: September 2013

Human carrying is simulated in this work by using a skeletal digital human model with 55 degrees of freedom (DOFs). Predictive dynamics approach is used to predict the carrying motion with symmetric and asymmetric loads. In this process, the model predicts joints dynamics using optimization schemes and task-based physical constraints. The results indicated that the model can realistically match human motion and ground reaction forces data during symmetric and asymmetric load carrying task. With such prediction capability the model could be used for biomedical and ergonomic studies.
Visual Expectation Effect on Tactile Texture: Toward Sensory Design Using Expectation Disconfirmation
Authors: Yanagisawa Hideyoshi , Takatsuji Kenji
Published: September 2013

A surface texture is a common design factor that affects a customer’s sensory perception of product quality. Customers perceive a surface quality using multiple sensory modalities, for example, vision and touch, and switch them through an interaction with a product, for example, a transition from vision to touch. Between such sensory modality transitions, human beings often predict subsequent modal perceptions using a prior modality, for example, predicting the tactile quality of a product from its appearance before actually touching it. We believe that a disconfirmation between prediction using a modality and an experience using another modality affects a perceived quality. In this paper, we propose a method to evaluate the quality of a surface texture with attention to the effects of a disconfirmation between a prior visual prediction and posterior tactual experience. To identify the textural factors contributing to such an effect, we conducted a sensory evaluation experiment with combinations of visual and tactile texture samples that were synthesized using a half-mirror. We demonstrate the appropriateness of the method with analysis of the results of an experiment using fourteen plastic texture samples having different textures that are commonly used in a product design.
Parameter Identification of a Nonlinear Beam Energy Harvester
Authors: Tweten Dennis J. , Mann Brian P.
Published: September 2013

This paper describes the application of the harmonic balance parameter identification method to beam energy harvesters. The method is applied to weakly nonlinear and nonlinear, bistable fixed-free piezoelectric beams with tip masses. It is shown that only one measurement is required to identify parameters even though the systems are continuous. In addition, an experimental method of determining the number of restoring force coefficients required to accurately model the systems is presented. The harmonic balance parameter identification method is extended to account for multiple concurrent frequencies in order to identify parameters of weakly nonlinear systems. Finally, parameters are identified for two experimental energy harvesters. Good agreement is shown between the experimental data and the identified parameters using simulations and closed form solutions.
The Effects of Symmetry on Optimal Transducer Location for Active Vibration Control
Authors: Daraji A. H. , Hale J. M.
Published: September 2013

In this article, the global optimal configuration of sensors and actuators has been investigated for active vibration reduction of plates with symmetrical and asymmetrical geometries and boundary conditions.

An isotropic plate element stiffened by beam elements on its edges and with piezoelectric sensor/actuator pairs bonded to its surfaces is modeled, using Hamilton’s principle and the finite element method taking into account piezoelectric mass, stiffness and electromechanical coupling effects. The modeling is based on Mindlin-Reissner plate and Timoshenko beam theories. Optimization is obtained by means of a genetic algorithm using minimization of linear quadratic index is taken as an objective function. The program is written in Matlab m-code and incorporates results from an ANSYS finite element model of the basic structure to take the effects of the first six modes of vibration collectively. The plates with different boundary conditions and geometries are represented by the ANSYS package using two dimensional shell63 elements and three dimensional soild45 elements for the passive structure, and solid5 elements for the active piezoelectric components. The first six modes of vibration are validated experimentally.

The genetic algorithm is used to obtain optimal placement of eight and ten piezoelectric sensor/actuator pairs to suppress the first six modes of vibration, investigating the effects of plate boundary conditions and geometry on the optimal distribution of piezoelectric actuators. It is shown that structures with symmetrical geometries and boundary conditions have optimal transducer locations distributed with the same axes of symmetry.
Effects of Non-Linear Eddy-Airfoil Interaction on the Acoustic Radiation of a Thin Wing
Authors: Manela A.
Published: September 2013

We study the combined effect of boundary animation (small-amplitude heaving) and incoming flow unsteadiness (incident vorticity) on the vibroacoustic signature of a thin rigid airfoil in low-Mach high-Reynolds number flow. The nonlinear dynamical problem for the vortex trajectory is studied using potential flow theory. The dynamical description then serves as an effective source term to evaluate the far-field sound using Powell-Howe’s analogy. The results identify the fluid-airfoil system as a dipole-type source, and demonstrate the significance of non-linear eddy-airfoil interaction on the acoustic radiation. At low heaving frequencies (ωa/U < 1, where ω denotes the heaving frequency, 2a the airfoil chord, and U the mean stream speed), the effect of heaving is minor, and the acoustic field can be approximated by neglecting airfoil motion. However, at ωa/U > 1, heaving becomes dominant, radiating sound through an “airfoil motion” dipole (oriented along the direction of heaving) and airfoil-induced oscillations in the vortex trajectory. In contrast with the periodic “airfoil motion” signal, the non-periodic incident vortex sound has a component along the airfoil chord, which becomes significant when the vortex passes close to the airfoil. The work is suggested as a preliminary tool to examine the acoustic radiation during flapping flight at unsteady flow conditions.
Nonlinear Numerical Analysis of Extruding Cantilever Laminated Composite Plates
Authors: Zhang Wei , Lu Shufeng
Published: September 2013

This paper focus on the nonlinear numerical analysis for an extruding cantilever laminated composite plates subjected to transversal and in-plane excitation. Based on the Reddy’s shear deformable plate theory, the nonlinear partial differential equations of motion were established by using the Hamilton Principal. And then, after choosing suitable vibration mode-shape functions, the Galerkin method was used to reduce the governing partial differential equations to a two-degree-of-freedom nonlinear ordinary differential equation. Finally, we numerical solved the nonlinear ordinary differential equation, and analyzed the influences of varying extruding speeds and thickness of plates on the stability of the plates.
Priming Designers to Communicate Sustainability
Authors: She Jinjuan , MacDonald Erin
Published: September 2013

A prime is an artifact, exposure, or experience that stimulates increased cognitive accessibility of mental content. Priming designers has thus far focused on generating more features, novel features, relevant features, and addressing latent customer needs. This article presents a design method that uses priming specifically to help designers to communicate sustainability via design at an early stage in the design process. The authors have determined that sustainable products face a special challenge in the market because many of their best features, such as decreased energy usage, recyclability, or material selection, are hidden from the customer. Marketing messages are not always trusted. Designers need to communicate sustainability to the customer through product features that customer will identify as sustainable. We propose and test a new design method that designers can use to generate product features that communicate sustainability to the customer. The method involves priming the designer with a sensory-heightening activity before generating ideas for sustainable features. We investigate primes in the form of a questionnaire or a collage activity. The design method significantly helps designers to generate product features that communicate sustainability.