bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Design of a Compliant Gripper With Multimode Jaws
Authors: Hao Guangbo , Li Haiyang , Nayak Abhilash , Caro Stephane
Published: March 2018

This paper presents the design of a multimode compliant gripper, using the singularities of the four-bar mechanism with equilateral links. The mobility of the compliant gripper can be reconfigurable to grasp a variety of shapes or adapt to specific requirements. The compliant gripper is a compact and two-layer structure. Two linear actuators are required to enable the multiple operation modes, by the conversion of two pairs of slider-crank mechanisms. A multimode compliant four-bar mechanism is first presented and kinematically analyzed. The design and the kinetostatic modeling of the resulting compliant gripper are then performed. Finally, the analysis of the reconfigurable compliant gripper under different actuation schemes is carried out, including the comparison of the results obtained from analytical modeling, finite element analysis (FEA), and experimental testing.
Effect of Pressure-Equalizing Film on Hydrodynamic Characteristics and Trajectory Stability of an Underwater Vehicle With Injection Through One or Two Rows of Venting Holes
Authors: Ma Guihui , Chen Fu , Yu Jianyang , Song Yanping , Mu Zenan
Published: March 2018

Pressure-equalizing film is a slice of air film generated through exhausting and attached to the vehicle's exterior with nearly uniform inner pressure. Similar to ventilated cavity in composition, but of interest, here is the weakening of pitching moment and environment disturbance that the film offers, the film's forming speed and covering range upon vehicle determine the improvement effect of vehicle's trajectory stability as it emerges from water. This paper established a numerical approach to investigate the effect of single and double rows of venting holes on the evaluation of air film along vehicle's exterior, at the same time its influence on the trajectory stability of vehicle with three degrees-of-freedom (3DOF) motion is also analyzed. Results indicate that reverse flow forms between row-to-row spacing when exhausting with two rows of holes, which enhances the exhausting process with the film's size enlarged and axial length extended, meanwhile it brings about more complex vortices structure near venting holes compared to the single-row hole case. As for the 3DOF cases, the pressure difference between vehicle's front and back sides is dramatically reduced attributing to the existence of attached air film, consequently the rotation of vehicle is weaken, leaving a better attitude to vehicle after it piercing water surface. Besides, the rapid formation of air film in double-row hole cases is advantage for the timely inhibiting of vehicle's pitching motion compared to the single-row hole cases, and their weaker stagnation high pressure near film's closure region is also good for the reduction of vehicle's lateral load.
Elastoplastic Simulation of Stress–Strain Response Considering the Cyclic Degradation of Saturated Clay
Authors: Yao Haihui , Wang Jianhua
Published: March 2018

A modified anisotropic bounding surface model is developed to simulate the stress–strain response of saturated clay under cyclic loading. In this study, kinematic hardening variables are introduced into the equation for a rotational bounding surface, and an anisotropic bounding surface equation is established by strict mathematical derivation from the isotropic and kinematic hardening rules. To characterize the cyclic degeneration behavior of soil stiffness, the accumulated deviatoric plastic strain is incorporated into the plastic modulus interpolation function. This modified model is then validated by comparison to results of undrained cyclic triaxial tests of isotropic and anisotropic consolidated clay samples from the literature. The results show that the performance of the modified model is an improvement over the original model for simulating the hysteresis, accumulation, and cyclic degeneration of stress–strain response.
Voltage-Induced Snap-Through of an Asymmetrically Laminated, Piezoelectric, Thin-Film Diaphragm Micro-Actuator—Part 2: Numerical and Analytical Results
Authors: Tai W. C. , Shen I. Y.
Published: March 2018

In Part 2 of the two-paper series, the asymmetrically laminated piezoelectric shell subjected to distributed bias voltage as modeled in Part 1 is analytically and numerically investigated. Three out-of-plane degrees-of-freedom (DOFs) and a number of in-plane DOFs are retained to study the shell's snap-through phenomenon. A convergence study first confirms that the number of the in-plane DOFs retained affects not only the number of predicted equilibrium states when the bias voltage is absent but also the prediction of the critical bias voltage for snap-through to occur and the types of snap-through mechanisms. Equilibrium states can be symmetric or asymmetric, involving only a symmetric out-of-plane DOF, and additional asymmetric out-of-plane DOFs, respectively. For symmetric equilibrium states, the snap-through mechanism can evolve from the classical bidirectional snap-through and latching to a new type of snap-through that only allows snap-through in one direction (i.e., unidirectional snap-through), depending on the distribution of the bias voltage. For asymmetric equilibrium states, degeneration can occur to the asymmetric bifurcation points when the radii of curvature are equal. Finally, the unidirectional snap-through renders an explanation to the experimental findings in Part 1.
Vibration Absorbers for a Mistuned Bladed Disk
Authors: Sinha Alok
Published: March 2018

Mistuning refers to variations in modal properties of blades due to manufacturing tolerances and material defects. This can result in the amplification of a blade vibratory amplitude. This paper deals with the design of vibration absorbers for a mistuned bladed disk. First, the basic theory is established for undamped vibration absorbers using a single-mode model for each blade. Then, it is extended to include a multiple mode model of each blade and disk dynamics. The impact of mistuning on the bladed disk vibration is examined in the presence of undamped absorbers via Monte Carlo simulations. It is found that vibration absorbers can be an effective method to counter the detrimental effects of mistuning.
Application of the Semi-Analytic Complex Variable Method to Computing Sensitivities in Heat Conduction
Authors: Grisham James , Akbariyeh Ashkan , Jin Weiya , Dennis Brian H. , Wang Bo P.
Published: March 2018

Sensitivity information is often of interest in engineering applications (e.g., gradient-based optimization). Heat transfer problems frequently involve complicated geometries for which exact solutions cannot be easily derived. As such, it is common to resort to numerical solution methods such as the finite element method. The semi-analytic complex variable method (SACVM) is an accurate and efficient approach to computing sensitivities within a finite element framework. The method is introduced and a derivation is provided along with a detailed description of the algorithm which requires very minor changes to the analysis code. Three benchmark problems in steady-state heat transfer are studied including a nonlinear problem, an inverse shape determination problem, and a reliability analysis problem. It is shown that the SACVM is superior to the other methods considered in terms of computation time and sensitivity to perturbation size.
Effectiveness of Phase Change Material for Cooling of Photovoltaic Panel for Hot Climate
Authors: Waqas Adeel , Jie Ji
Published: March 2018

Phase change materials (PCMs) are investigated in this study as an option to reduce the surface temperature of the photovoltaic (PV) cell during sunshine hours to enhance the electrical efficiency of the cells. For this purpose, thermal energy balance model of the PV panel is integrated with PCM enthalpy model. The simulated results of the model have been validated with experimental results from the literature. The results indicate that PCM can be effectively used for limiting the temperature rise of the PV cell, thus increasing the efficiency of the PV cell up to 10%. Peak temperature of the PV cell can be reduced from 86 °C to 57 °C during the hottest summer month. It has observed that maximum benefits can be obtained when PCM melting point is selected in such a way that there is 10–12 °C difference between melting point of PCM and average minimum ambient temperature of the hottest summer month. PCM selected in such way will also require minimum mass. In current study, PCMs with melting points of 40 °C and 44 °C provide the best result compared to the PCMs having melting points of 35 °C and 30 °C with average minimum ambient temperature of 28 °C.
Linear-Time Thermal Simulation of As-Manufactured Fused Deposition Modeling Components
Authors: Zhang Yaqi , Shapiro Vadim
Published: March 2018

Like many other additive manufacturing (AM) processes, fused deposition modeling (FDM) process is driven by a moving heat source, and temperature history plays an important role in determining the mechanical properties and geometry of the final parts. Thermal simulation of FDM is challenging due to geometric complexity of manufacturing process and inherent computational complexity which requires numerical solution at every time increment of the process. We describe a new approach to thermal simulation of the FDM process, formulated as an explicit finite difference method that is applied directly on as-manufactured model described by a typical manufacturing process plan. The thermal model accounts for most relevant thermal effects including heat convection and radiation to the environment, heat conduction with build platform and between adjacent roads (and adjacent layers). We show that the proposed simulation method achieves linear time complexity both theoretically and numerically. This implies that the simulation not only scales to handle three-dimensional (3D) printed components of arbitrary complexity but also can achieve real-time performance. The approach is fully implemented, validated against known analytic solutions, and is tested on realistic complex shapes.
Managing Clinical Heterogeneity: An Argument for Benefit-Based Action Limits
Authors: Ramachandran Sudarshan , König Carola S. , Hackett Geoffrey , Livingston Mark , Strange Richard C.
Published: March 2018

The use of reference ranges is well established in medical practice and research. Classically, a range would be derived from the local healthy population and matched in age, gender, and other characteristics to the patients under investigation. However, recruiting suitable controls is problematic and the derivation of the range by excluding 2.5% at each end of the distribution results in 5% of the values being arbitrarily discarded. Thus, the traditional reference range is derived using statistical and not clinical principles. While these considerations are recognized by clinicians, it is often not realized that the application of whole population derived reference ranges to complex pathologies that comprise patient subgroups may be problematic. Such subgroups may be identified by phenotypes including genetic etiology, variations in exposure to a causative agent, and tumor site. In this review, we provide examples of how subgroups can be identified in diverse pathologies and how better management can be achieved using evidence-based action limits rather than reference ranges. We give examples from our clinical experience of problems arising from using the wrong reference ranges for the clinical situation. Identifying subgroups will often enable clinicians to derive specific action limits for treatment that will lead to customized management and researchers a route into the study of complex pathologies.
Bivariate Extreme Value Statistics of Offshore Jacket Support Stresses in Bohai Bay
Authors: Jian Zhang , Gaidai Oleg , Gao Junliang
Published: March 2018

This paper presents a generic Monte Carlo-based approach for bivariate extreme response prediction for fixed offshore structures, particularly jacket type. The bivariate analysis of extremes is often poorly understood and generally not adequately considered in most practical measurements/situations; that is why it is important to utilize the recently developed bivariate average conditional exceedance rate (ACER) method. According to the current literature study, there is not yet a direct application of the bivariate ACER method to coupled offshore jacket stresses. This study aims at being first to apply bivariate ACER method to jacket critical stresses, aiming at contributing to safety and reliability studies for a wide class of fixed offshore structures. An operating jacket located in the Bohai bay was taken as an example to demonstrate the proposed methodology. Satellite measured global wave statistics was used to obtain realistic wave scatter diagram in the jacket location area. Second-order wave load effects were taken into account, while simulating jacket structural response. An accurate finite element ANSYS model was used to model jacket response dynamics, subject to nonlinear hydrodynamic wave and sea current loads. Offshore structure design values are often based on univariate statistical analysis, while actually multivariate statistics is more appropriate for modeling the whole structure. This paper studies extreme stresses that are simultaneously measured/simulated at two different jacket locations. Due to less than full correlation between stresses in different critical jacket locations, application of the multivariate (or at least bivariate) extreme value theory is of practical engineering interest.
Modeling of Wave Propagation in Drilling Fluid
Authors: Golbabaei-Asl Mona , Povitsky Alex , Ring Lev
Published: March 2018

The study presents a one-dimensional (1D) numerical model of wave propagation as well as transmission/reflection phenomena in Newtonian and non-Newtonian drilling mud flow associated with oil/gas drilling activities. Propagation of wave formed due to back pressure changes by means of a choke is investigated. In general, the reflection and transmission of pressure waves at intersection of conduits with different cross sections or in case of partial blockage typical of drilling practices is multidimensional and caused by nonuniform boundary conditions over the cross section. The 1D approach is investigated to approximate the multidimensional reflection and transmission of pressure pulse at areal discontinuity in conduit. The approach is facilitated by introduction of a local force exerted by solid wall on the fluid at the intersection of the conduits into conservative form of the equation for momentum conservation. In addition, nonconservative formulation of momentum equation was explored. To solve the differential equations, MacCormack numerical scheme with second-order accuracy is applied to the nonlinear Euler and 1D viscous conservation equations. A grid refinement study is performed. It is shown that nonconservative form of the conservation laws results in more accurate prediction of transmission and reflection in case of areal discontinuity. The results of the numerical modeling are presented in terms of pressure wave propagation and attenuation upon reflection and transmission at consequent interfaces.
Thermal Performance Evaluation of Cork Phenolic for Nozzle External Thermal Protection System Using 250 kW Plasma Jet Facility
Authors: Aravindakshan Pillai L. , Sreenivas N. , Krishnaraj K. , Unnikrishnan Vinay , Ajith M.
Published: March 2018

In one of the launch vehicles of ISRO, there are two solid strap-ons attached to the core liquid engine. During the ascent phase, the external nozzle divergent of the strap-ons experiences heating due to radiation from the strap-ons as well as convective heating from the impingement of plumes from the core engine. Hence, the nozzle divergent of the strap-on beyond compliance ring is thermally protected by a coating of PC10 insulation applied over carbon/epoxy structural backup. Though the system worked satisfactorily, application of PC10 had increased the inert weight of each nozzle by 165 kg and took long time for realization. To reduce the inert weight as well as the time of application, precast phenolic based cork sheets (CkP) having lower density than PC10 were selected, as a replacement to PC10. As part of evaluating the thermal performance of the CkP material, specimen level tests with different configurations were carried out in 250 kW plasma jet facility of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) wherein both the heat flux and the shear stress as expected in flight were simulated simultaneously. At the end of the test program, CkP was found to be superior to PC10 for external thermal protection system (TPS). This paper highlights details of the qualification tests carried out for clearing the cork phenolic system for use in the future launches.
Numerical Investigations of the Effect of Radial Power Distribution and Inlet Orifice on the Stability Behavior of Parallel Multichannel Type Natural Circulation Boiling Water Reactor
Authors: Singh Sapna , Singal Garima , Nayak A. K. , Kannan Umasankari
Published: March 2018

In a natural circulation boiling water reactor (BWR), the core power varies in both axial and radial directions inside the reactor core. The variation along the axial direction is more or less constant throughout the reactor; however, there exists variation of reactor power in the radial direction. The channels located at the periphery have low power compared to the center of the core and are equipped with orifices at their inlet. This creates nonuniformity in the radial direction in the core. This study has been performed in order to understand the effect of this radial variation of power on the stability characteristics of the reactor. Four channels of a pressure tube type natural circulation BWR have been considered. The reactor has been modeled using RELAP5/MOD3.2. Before using the model, it was first benchmarked with experimental measurements and then the characteristics of both low power and high power oscillations, respectively, known as type-I and type-II instability, have been investigated. It was observed that the type-I instability shows slight destabilizing effect of increase in power variation among different channels. However, in the case of type-II instability, it was found out that the oscillations get damped with an increase in power variation among the channels. A similar effect was found for the presence of orifices at the inlet in different channels. However, the increase in number of orificed channels showed stabilizing effect for both type-I and type-II instabilities.
Verifying Calculation of the Parameters of AP1000 Core Design Based on MCNP Model
Authors: Wenbin Xiong , Jian Cao , Chaoyun Huang , Yewang Bie , Yanqi Wang , Jufeng Li
Published: March 2018

This study investigates the reactor core physical properties of the AP1000®, which applies the MCNP4a program to model the AP1000 reactor core with the parameters and data from the design control document (DCD, Rev. 19) of the AP1000 Nuclear Power Plant, which has been submitted to the nuclear regulatory commission (NRC). The model is applied to calculate and verify the physical parameters of AP1000 core design. The results match well with the design values in the DCD of the AP1000 nuclear power plant. The model will be modified according to the actual reactor core arrangement, such as AP1000 reactors at China's Sanmen and Haiyang sites, and then compared with the commissioning test results in the future.
Research Progress of Red Oil Explosion Accidents in Nuclear Fuel Reprocessing Plant
Authors: Zhang Chunlong , He Hui , Zhao Shangui , Wang Shijun , Liu XinHua
Published: March 2018

From 1953 to now, it has happened six times so-called red oil explosion accidents worldwide, resulting in different degrees of equipment and construction damage and environmental contamination. And research related to red oil has never stopped. Preventive measures for red oil explosion were established in some reports, and these measures provided good practice experience and reference for other countries. Nevertheless, research conclusions and knowledge of red oil vary from country to country. Especially, investigations on stability of tributyl phosphate (TBP)—nitric system was made in recent years, and the results indicated that the red oil runway reaction will happen even in lower temperature and lower nitric acid concentration in contrast with the reported value. Therefore, in order to facilitate future study on red oil explosion, related research results of red oil explosion accidents were combed in this paper, and the characters of study work of different periods were also summarized, and definition, formation conditions of red oil were analyzed and compared, as well as the new viewpoints of recent literatures.
Design of Phase Change Material Based Domestic Solar Cooking System for Both Indoor and Outdoor Cooking Applications
Authors: Santhi Rekha S. M. , Sukchai Sukruedee
Published: March 2018

This paper mainly focuses on the design of solar concentric parabolic cooker with proper arrangement of phase change material (PCM) heat storage system. The receiver is a hollow concentric cylinder with inner and outer radii being 0.09 m and 0.1 m, respectively. The thickness or the gap between the two layers of the receiver is 0.01 m and is filled with heat transfer oil. The outer layer of the receiver is surrounded by the vertical cylindrical PCM tubes of diameter 0.025 m. The three modes of heat transfer, radiation, convection, and conduction, are explained and analyzed by heat transfer network. The schematic view of the receiver is shown with the help of sketchup software. The performance parameters, heat loss factor, optical efficiency factor, cooking power of the solar cooker, were calculated with and without PCM in the receiver. 7.74 W m−2 and 2.46 W m−2 are the heat loss factors, and 0.098 and 0.22 are the optical efficiency factors of the solar cooker without and with PCM presented in the receiver. The optical efficiency factor of the solar cooker with PCM receiver is two times more than that receiver without PCM. The cooking power of the solar cooker with PCM receiver is 125.3 W which is 65.6 W more than that of the cooking power without PCM receiver. From these results, it can be concluded that the design of PCM solar cooking system can expand the applicability of solar cookers as a compatible cooking solution for cooking applications instead of using fossil fuel based cooking systems.
Application of Artificial Intelligence Techniques to Estimate the Static Poisson's Ratio Based on Wireline Log Data
Authors: Elkatatny Salaheldin
Published: March 2018

Static Poisson's ratio (νstatic) is a key factor in determine the in-situ stresses in the reservoir section. νstatic is used to calculate the minimum horizontal stress which will affect the design of the optimum mud widow and the density of cement slurry while drilling. In addition, it also affects the design of the casing setting depth. νstatic is very important for field development and the incorrect estimation of it may lead to heavy investment decisions. νstatic can be measured in the lab using a real reservoir cores. The laboratory measurements of νstatic will take long time and also will increase the overall cost. The goal of this study is to develop accurate models for predicting νstatic for carbonate reservoirs based on wireline log data using artificial intelligence (AI) techniques. More than 610 core and log data points from carbonate reservoirs were used to train and validate the AI models. The more accurate AI model will be used to generate a new correlation for calculating the νstatic. The developed artificial neural network (ANN) model yielded more accurate results for estimating νstatic based on log data; sonic travel times and bulk density compared to adaptive neuro fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) and support vector machine (SVM) methods. The developed empirical equation for νstatic gave a coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.97 and an average absolute percentage error (AAPE) of 1.13%. The developed technique will help geomechanical engineers to estimate a complete trend of νstatic without the need for coring and laboratory work and hence will reduce the overall cost of the well.
Performance Assessment and Optimization of a Thermophotovoltaic Converter–Thermoelectric Generator Combined System
Authors: Liu Tie , Yang Zhimin
Published: March 2018

To evaluate the feasibility of the performance enhancement of a thermophotovoltaic (TPV) converter by using a thermoelectric generator (TEG), a new model of a combined system is established, where the TEG is attached on the backside of the TPV converter to harvest the heat produced in the TPV converter. The effects of the voltage output of the TPV converter, band gap energy of the TPV converter, dimensionless current of the TEG, and emitter temperature on the performance of the combined system are examined numerically. It is found that the performance of the TPV converter can be enhanced by using the TEG. The percentage increment of the maximum power output density is larger than that of the maximum efficiency. There are optimally working regions of the converter voltage, dimensionless current, and band gap energy. The elevated emitter temperature results in the increase of the power output density of the combined system. However, there is an optimal emitter temperature that yields the maximum efficiency of the combined system. Moreover, the TEG is not suitable to harvest the heat produced in the TPV converter when the emitter temperature is sufficiently high.
Time-Dependent Reliability-Based Dimensional Synthesis for Planar Linkages With Unknown but Bounded Joint Clearances
Authors: Wang Xiaojun , Geng Xinyu , Wang Lei , Wang Ruixing , Chen Xiao , Fan Weichao
Published: March 2018

Linkage mechanisms are typically designed to generate a specific functional relationship or path. Because the uncertain dimensions and joint clearances severely affect the output motion accuracy, designers urgently need a reliability-based design approach with high confidence and efficiency. However, the traditional kinematic reliability synthesis, which focuses on several discrete time points, cannot satisfy the accuracy requirement over a continuous time interval. Accordingly, to ensure high accuracy over a time period, this study presents a reliability synthesis approach that considers the time-dependency effect of motion error. The exact statistical characteristics of clearances and dimensions may be unavailable because of the limited sample information in practical engineering. Thus, by qualifying the uncertainties as unknown but bounded variables, the time-dependent reliability index is assessed based on a combination of the nonprobabilistic interval process and first-passage theories. Two engineering examples are presented to demonstrate the validity and applicability of the developed methodology.
Impact of Viscous Dissipation on Fully Developed Natural Convection Flow in a Vertical Microchannel
Authors: Jha Basant K. , Aina Babatunde
Published: March 2018

In this research paper, fully developed natural convection flow in a vertical parallel plate's micro-channel in the presence of viscous dissipation is theoretically examined by using a perturbation series method. The effects of velocity slip and temperature jump are taken to consideration. Due to the presence of viscous dissipation, the momentum and energy equations are coupled system of ordinary differential equations. The influences of Knudsen number, fluid wall interaction parameter, and viscous dissipation on the flow formation and heat transfer aspects are demonstrated through graphs and tables. This result indicates that increasing the value of rarefaction parameter decreases the effect of viscous dissipation on the Nusselt number. Furthermore, it is found that the effects of rarefaction parameter as well as buoyancy parameter on temperature and velocity are significantly pronounced in the case of symmetric heating
Virtual Model of Gear Shaping—Part I: Kinematics, Cutter–Workpiece Engagement, and Cutting Forces
Authors: Katz Andrew , Erkorkmaz Kaan , Ismail Fathy
Published: March 2018

Gear shaping is, currently, the most prominent method for machining internal gears, which are a major component in planetary gearboxes. However, there are few reported studies on the mechanics of the process. This paper presents a comprehensive model of gear shaping that includes the kinematics, cutter–workpiece engagement (CWE), and cutting forces. To predict the cutting forces, the CWE is calculated at discrete time steps using a tridexel discrete solid modeler. From the CWE in tridexel form, the two-dimensional (2D) chip geometry is reconstructed using Delaunay triangulation (DT) and alpha shape reconstruction. This in turn is used to determine the undeformed chip geometry along the cutting edge. The cutting edge is discretized into nodes with varying cutting force directions (tangential, feed, and radial), inclination angles, and rake angles. If engaged in the cut during a particular time-step, each node contributes an incremental force vector calculated with the oblique cutting force model. Using a three-axis dynamometer on a Liebherr LSE500 gear shaping machine tool, the cutting force prediction algorithm was experimentally verified on a variety of processes and gears, which included an internal spur gear, external spur gear, and external helical gear. The simulated and measured force profiles correlate closely with about 3–10% RMS error.
Motion Compensation for Industrial Computed Tomography
Authors: Angus Edward , An Yuntao , Schajer Gary S.
Published: March 2018

X-ray computed tomography (CT) is a powerful tool for industrial inspection. However, the harsh conditions encountered in some production environments make accurate motion control difficult, leading to motion artifacts in CT applications. A technique is demonstrated that removes motion artifacts by using an iterative-solver CT reconstruction method that includes a bulk Radon transform shifting step to align radiographic data before reconstruction. The paper uses log scanning in a sawmill as an example application. We show how for a known nominal object density distribution (circular prismatic in the case of a log), the geometric center and radius of the log may be approximated from its radiographs and any motion compensated for. This may then be fed into a previously developed iterative reconstruction CT scheme based on a polar voxel geometry and useful for describing logs. The method is validated by taking the known density distribution of a physical phantom and producing synthetic radiographs in which the axis of object rotation does not coincide with the center of field of view for a hypothetical scanner geometry. Reconstructions could then be made on radiographs that had been corrected and compared to those that had not. This was done for progressively larger offsets between these two axes and the reduction in voxel density vector error studied. For CT applications in industrial settings in which precise motion control is impractical or too costly, radiographic data shifting and scaling based on predictive models for the Radon transform appears to be a simple but effective technique.
Global variations of large megathrust earthquake rupture characteristics
Authors: Ye Lingling , Kanamori Hiroo , Lay Thorne
Published: March 2018

Regional patterns of large earthquake rupture complexity are revealed by a new measure, REEF (radiated energy enhancement factor).
Revealing pathways from payments for ecosystem services to socioeconomic outcomes
Authors: Yang Hongbo , Yang Wu , Zhang Jindong , Connor Thomas , Liu Jianguo
Published: March 2018

Multiple pathways lead to unexpected outcomes of conservation programs.
The limits of earthquake early warning: Timeliness of ground motion estimates
Authors: Minson Sarah E. , Meier Men-Andrin , Baltay Annemarie S. , Hanks Thomas C. , Cochran Elizabeth S.
Published: March 2018

In only rare cases will earthquake early warning systems be able to provide useful warnings for high levels of ground motion.
Structures of monomeric and oligomeric forms of the
Toxoplasma gondii
perforin-like protein 1
Authors: Ni Tao , Williams Sophie I. , Rezelj Saša , Anderluh Gregor , Harlos Karl , Stansfeld Phillip J. , Gilbert Robert J. C.
Published: March 2018

Structures of
Toxoplasma
perforin-like protein facilitate understanding of the protein’s role in infection and disease.
An OX40/OX40L interaction directs successful immunity to hepatitis B virus
Authors: Publicover Jean , Gaggar Anuj , Jespersen Jillian M. , Halac Ugur , Johnson Audra J. , Goodsell Amanda , Avanesyan Lia , Nishimura Stephen L. , Holdorf Meghan , Mansfield Keith G. , Judge Joyce Bousquet , Koshti Arya , Croft Michael , Wakil Adil E. , Rosenthal Philip , Pai Eric , Cooper Stewart , Baron Jody L.
Published: March 2018

Effective immunity and therapeutic targets are identified with a model of hepatitis B virus clearance and persistence.
Response to comment on “
Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans
–induced hypercitrullination links periodontal infection to autoimmunity in rheumatoid arthritis”
Authors: Konig Maximilian F. , Giles Jon T. , Teles Ricardo P. , Moutsopoulos Niki M. , Andrade Felipe
Published: March 2018

Antibodies to leukotoxin A are markers that link
Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans
–associated periodontitis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Vaccine waning and mumps re-emergence in the United States
Authors: Lewnard Joseph A. , Grad Yonatan H.
Published: March 2018

The estimated waning rate of vaccine-conferred immunity against mumps predicts changes in the ages of U.S. mumps cases seen over the past five decades.
Evaluation of liquid from the Papanicolaou test and other liquid biopsies for the detection of endometrial and ovarian cancers
Authors: Wang Yuxuan , Li Lu , Douville Christopher , Cohen Joshua D. , Yen Ting-Tai , Kinde Isaac , Sundfelt Karin , Kjær Susanne K. , Hruban Ralph H. , Shih Ie-Ming , Wang Tian-Li , Kurman Robert J. , Springer Simeon , Ptak Janine , Popoli Maria , Schaefer Joy , Silliman Natalie , Dobbyn Lisa , Tanner Edward J. , Angarita Ana , Lycke Maria , Jochumsen Kirsten , Afsari Bahman , Danilova Ludmila , Levine Douglas A. , Jardon Kris , Zeng Xing , Arseneau Jocelyne , Fu Lili , Diaz Luis A. , Karchin Rachel , Tomasetti Cristian , Kinzler Kenneth W. , Vogelstein Bert , Fader Amanda N. , Gilbert Lucy , Papadopoulos Nickolas
Published: March 2018

Endometrial and ovarian cancers can be detected through the analysis of DNA from Pap test fluids, intrauterine samples, and plasma.
Don’t forget about me! Viral-host metabolic interactions in the microbiome
Authors: Cohen Louis J.
Published: March 2018

Viruses present in the human microbiome produce peptides homologous to human insulin/insulin-like growth factors that may influence host metabolic pathways.
Go with the flow: Cerebrovascular reactivity as a therapeutic target for TBI symptoms
Authors: Tully Hannah
Published: March 2018

Sildenafil improves cerebrovascular reactivity in patients with chronic traumatic brain injury (TBI) and may ameliorate lingering symptoms.
Draft Genome Sequences of 12 Dry-Heat-Resistant Bacillus Strains Isolated from the Cleanrooms Where the Viking Spacecraft Were Assembled
Authors: Seuylemezian Arman , Cooper Kerry , Schubert Wayne , Vaishampayan Parag
Published: March 2018

Spore-forming microorganisms are of concern for forward contamination because they can survive harsh interplanetary travel. Here, we report the draft genome sequences of 12 spore-forming strains isolated from the Manned Spacecraft Operations Building (MSOB) and the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) in Cape Canaveral, FL, where the Viking spacecraft were assembled.
Genome Sequences of 15 Klebsiella sp. Isolates from Sugarcane Fields in Colombia’s Cauca Valley
Authors: Medina-Cordoba Luz K. , Chande Aroon T. , Rishishwar Lavanya , Mayer Leonard W. , Mariño-Ramírez Leonardo , Valderrama-Aguirre Lina C. , Valderrama-Aguirre Augusto , Kostka Joel E. , Jordan I. King
Published: March 2018

Members of the
Klebsiella
genus promote plant growth. We report here draft whole-genome sequences for 15
Klebsiella
sp. isolates from sugarcane fields in the Cauca Valley of Colombia. The genomes of these isolates were characterized as part of a broader effort to evaluate their utility as endemic plant growth-promoting biofertilizers.
Complete and Assembled Genome Sequences of Pantoea calida DSM 22759
T
and Pantoea gaviniae DSM 22758
T
Authors: Stevens Marc J. A. , Zurfluh Katrin , Stephan Roger
Published: March 2018

The genomes of
Pantoea calida
DSM 22759
T
and
Pantoea gaviniae
DSM 22758
T
were sequenced using single-molecule real-time sequencing. They consist of a 4.3-Mbp chromosome containing 4,092 genes, of which 3,977 encode proteins, and a 4.5-Mbp chromosome containing 4,236 genes, of which 4,120 encode proteins, respectively.
First Complete Genome Sequences of Human Sapovirus Strains Classified as GI.3, GI.4, GI.6, GI.7, and GII.7
Authors: Oka Tomoichiro , Iritani Nobuhiro , Okada Mineyuki , Ogawa Tomoko , Iizuka Setsuko , Tatsumi Chika , Harada Seiya , Haga Kei , Doan Yen Hai
Published: March 2018

We report here the first complete genome sequences of genotype GI.3, GI.4, GI.6, GI.7, and GII.7 sapovirus strains, detected from fecal samples of acute gastroenteritis patients. Complete or nearly complete genome sequences of all 18 genotypes of human sapoviruses are now available for phylogenetic analysis and primer design.
Complete Genomic Sequences of H3N8 Equine Influenza Virus Strains Used as Vaccine Strains in Japan
Authors: Nemoto Manabu , Yamanaka Takashi , Bannai Hiroshi , Tsujimura Koji , Kokado Hiroshi
Published: March 2018

We sequenced the eight segments of influenza A virus strains A/equine/Ibaraki/1/2007 and A/equine/Yokohama/aq13/2010, which are strains of the Florida sublineage clades 1 and 2 of the H3N8 subtype equine influenza virus. These strains have been used as vaccine strains in Japan since 2016 in accordance with World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) recommendations.
Next-Generation Sequencing of Haematococcus lacustris Reveals an Extremely Large 1.35-Megabase Chloroplast Genome
Authors: Bauman Nicholas , Akella Srividya , Hann Elizabeth , Morey Robert , Schwartz Ariel S. , Brown Rob , Richardson Toby H.
Published: March 2018

Haematococcus lacustris
is an industrially relevant microalga that is used for the production of the carotenoid astaxanthin. Here, we report the use of PacBio long-read sequencing to assemble the chloroplast genome of
H. lacustris
strain UTEX:2505. At 1.35 Mb, this is the largest assembled chloroplast of any plant or alga known to date.
Complete Genome Sequences of a Hantavirus Isolate from New York
Authors: McMullan L. K. , Albariño C. G. , Ksiazek T. G. , Nichol S. T. , Spiropoulou C. F.
Published: March 2018

We report here the complete genome sequences for all three segments of the New York hantavirus (New York 1). This is the first reported L segment sequence for hantaviruses maintained in
Peromyscus
spp. endemic to the eastern United States and Canada.
Complete Genome Sequence of Altererythrobacter sp. Strain B11, an Aromatic Monomer-Degrading Bacterium, Isolated from Deep-Sea Sediment under the Seabed off Kashima, Japan
Authors: Maeda Allyn H. , Nishi Shinro , Ishii Shun'ichi , Shimane Yasuhiro , Kobayashi Hideki , Ichikawa Junko , Kurosawa Kanako , Arai Wataru , Takami Hideto , Ohta Yukari
Published: March 2018

Altererythrobacter
sp. strain B11 is an aromatic monomer-degrading bacterium newly isolated from sediment under the seabed off Kashima, Japan, at a depth of 2,100 m. Here, we report the complete nucleotide sequence of the genome of strain B11.
Complete Genome Sequence of Loktanella vestfoldensis Strain SMR4r, a Novel Strain Isolated from a Culture of the Chain-Forming Diatom Skeletonema marinoi
Authors: Töpel Mats , Pinder Matthew I. M. , Johansson Oskar N. , Kourtchenko Olga , Godhe Anna , Clarke Adrian K.
Published: March 2018

We report here the genome sequence of
Loktanella vestfoldensis
strain SMR4r, isolated from the marine diatom
Skeletonema marinoi
strain RO5AC. Its 3,987,360-bp genome consists of a circular chromosome and two circular plasmids, one of which appears to be shared with an
S. marinoi
-associated
Roseovarius
species.
Omphalocele: from diagnosis to growth and development at 2 years of age
Authors: Hijkoop Annelieke , Peters Nina C J , Lechner Rosan L , van Bever Yolande , van Gils-Frijters Annabel P J M , Tibboel Dick , Wijnen René M H , Cohen-Overbeek Titia E , IJsselstijn Hanneke
Published: March 2018

Objectives

To compare the prenatal frame of reference of omphalocele (ie, survival of fetuses) with that after birth (ie, survival of liveborn neonates), and to assess physical growth and neurodevelopment in children with minor or giant omphalocele up to 2 years of age.

Design

We included fetuses and neonates diagnosed in 2000–2012. Physical growth (SD scores, SDS) and mental and motor development at 12 and 24 months were analysed using general linear models, and outcomes were compared with reference norms. Giant omphalocele was defined as defect ≥5 cm, with liver protruding.

Results

We included 145 fetuses and neonates. Of 126 (87%) who were diagnosed prenatally, 50 (40%) were liveborn and 35 (28%) survived at least 2 years. Nineteen (13%) neonates were diagnosed after birth. Of the 69 liveborn neonates, 52 (75%) survived and 42 children (81% of survivors) were followed longitudinally. At 24 months, mean (95% CI) height and weight SDS were significantly below 0 in both minor (height: −0.57 (−1.05 to –0.09); weight: −0.86 (−1.35 to –0.37)) and giant omphalocele (height: −1.32 (−2.10 to –0.54); weight: −1.58 (−2.37 to –0.79)). Mental development was comparable with reference norms in both groups. Motor function delay was found significantly more often in children with giant omphalocele (82%) than in those with minor omphalocele (21%, P=0.002).

Conclusions

The prenatal and postnatal frames of reference of omphalocele differ considerably; a multidisciplinary approach in parental counselling is recommended. As many children with giant omphalocele had delayed motor development, we recommend close monitoring of these children and early referral to physical therapy.
Non-incisional eyelid everting suture technique for treating lower lid epiblepharon
Authors: Seo Ji Won , Kang Sunah , Ahn Chanjoo , Esmaeli Bita , Sa Ho-Seok
Published: March 2018

Background

This study investigated surgical outcomes of full-thickness eyelid everting sutures for lower lid epiblepharon and influential factors leading to surgical failure.

Methods

A retrospective review was conducted of patients with lower lid epiblepharon who underwent surgical correction using the full-thickness eyelid everting suture technique. Lower lid epiblepharon was assessed preoperatively using a morphological classification (class I–IV) according to the horizontal skin fold height and a functional classification (grade 0–3) according to the severity of keratopathy. Four stitches with 5-0 coated polyglactin 910 sutures per eyelid were made, and all procedures were conducted under local anaesthesia in an office-based setting. To assess surgical outcomes, we evaluated undercorrection at 1 month and surgical failure at 6 months after the procedure. Several factors affecting surgical failure were also investigated

Results

Sixty-eight eyes of 41 patients were included. There were no eyes showing an undercorrection at 1 month. Keratopathy was significantly improved at 6 months postoperation (P<0.01). All patients showed good cosmesis without undesired creation of a lower lid crease and no significant complications. Sixty-one eyes (89.7%) showed surgical success. Three patients (7.3%) required additional incisional surgery due to recurring irritation. The rate of surgical failure was significantly different between the patient groups classified by preoperative severity of keratopathy (P=0.026) and lower lid horizontal skin fold height (P<0.001). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that the lower lid horizontal skin fold height was significantly correlated with surgical failure (OR 18.367, P=0.002).

Conclusion

Non-incisional eyelid everting sutures have utility for the correction of lower lid epiblepharon with advantages including its simplicity, being performed in office under local anaesthesia and minimal changes in appearance. We suggest mild to moderate epiblepharon with class I or II horizontal skin fold height and grade 1 or 2 keratopathy as the criteria for considering this suture procedure.
Differences in the occurrence and characteristics of injuries between full-time and part-time dancers
Authors: Vassallo Amy Jo , Pappas Evangelos , Stamatakis Emmanuel , Hiller Claire E
Published: March 2018

Background

Professional dancers are at significant risk of injury due to the physical demands of their career. Despite their high numbers, the experience of injury in freelance or part-time dancers is not well understood. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the occurrence and characteristics of injury in part-time compared with full-time Australian professional dancers.

Methods

Data were collected using a cross-sectional survey distributed to employees of small and large dance companies and freelance dancers in Australia. Statistical comparisons between full-time and part-time dancer demographics, dance training, injury prevalence and characteristics were made using χ2, two-tailed Fisher’s exact tests, independent t-tests and Mann-Whitney U tests.

Results

A total of 89 full-time and 57 part-time dancers were included for analysis. A higher proportion of full-time dancers (79.8%) than part-time dancers (63.2%) experienced an injury that impacted on their ability to dance in the past 12 months (p=0.035). Injuries characteristics were similar between groups with fatigue being the most cited contributing factor. Part-time dancers took longer to seek treatment while a higher proportion of full-time dancers were unable to dance in any capacity following their injury.

Conclusion

More full-time dancers sustained an injury in the past 12 months, and were unable to dance in any capacity following their injury. However injuries still commonly occurred in part-time dancers without necessarily a large volume of dance activity. Part-time dancers often access general community clinicians for treatment, who may need additional education to practically advise on appropriate return to dance.