bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A review of social disinhibition after traumatic brain injury
Authors: Osborne‐Crowley Katherine , McDonald Skye
Published: October 2016

Acquired social disinhibition refers to a debilitating behavioural syndrome commonly reported after a severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) and is characterized by inappropriate social behaviour, often described as immaturity and insensitivity towards others. These behaviours can have enduring effects on the social capability of the individual and their relationships with others. However, research into socially disinhibited behaviour after TBI has been thwarted by a lack of consensus in the literature on definition and measurement. This review provides an overview of our current understanding of the definition, measurement, prevalence, associated outcomes, neuropathology, and underlying mechanisms of social disinhibition after TBI. In addition, suggestions are made for future research to further our understanding of this syndrome with the eventual aim of rehabilitating problematic behaviours. It is concluded that an improved understanding of what causes disinhibited behaviour after TBI will be necessary for the development of effective treatment strategies aimed at the rehabilitation of underlying impairments.
Postural orthostatic tachycardia is not a useful diagnostic marker for chronic fatigue syndrome
Authors: Roerink M. E. , Lenders J. W. M. , Schmits I. C. , Pistorius A. M. A. , Smit J. W. , Knoop H. , van der Meer J. W. M.
Published: October 2016

Background

Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is considered a diagnostic marker for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).

Objectives

The aims of this study were to (i) compare POTS prevalence in a CFS cohort with fatigued patients not meeting CFS criteria, and (ii) assess activity, impairment and response to cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) in CFS patients with POTS (POTS‐CFS) and without POTS (non‐POTS‐CFS).

Methods

Prospective cohort study at the Radboud University Medical Centre in the Netherlands. Between June 2013 and December 2014, 863 consecutive patients with persistent fatigue were screened. Patients underwent an active standing test, filled out questionnaires and wore an activity‐sensing device for a period of 12 days.

Results

A total of 419 patients with CFS and 341 non‐CFS fatigued patients were included in the study. POTS prevalence in adult patients with CFS was 5.7% vs. 6.9% in non‐CFS adults (P = 0.54). In adolescents, prevalence rates were 18.2% and 17.4%, respectively (P = 0.93). Adult patients with POTS‐CFS were younger (30 ± 12 vs. 40 ± 13 years, P = 0.001) and had a higher supine heart rate (71 ± 11 vs. 65 ± 9 beats per min, P = 0.009) compared with non‐POTS‐CFS patients. Severity and activity patterns did not differ between groups. In patients with CFS, criteria for Systemic Exertion Intolerance Disease (SEID) were met in 76% of adults and 67% of adolescents. In these patients with CFS fulfilling the SEID criteria, the prevalence of POTS was not different from that in the overall CFS population. POTS‐CFS adolescents had less clinically significant improvement after CBT than non‐POTS‐CFS adolescents (58% vs. 88%, P = 0.017).

Conclusion

In adults with CFS, the prevalence of POTS was low, was not different from the rate in non‐CFS fatigued patients and was not related to disease severity or treatment outcome. In POTS‐CFS adolescents, CBT was less successful than in non‐POTS‐CFS patients. The evaluation of POTS appears to be of limited value for the diagnosis of CFS.
Weekly job crafting and leisure crafting: Implications for meaning‐making and work engagement
Authors: Petrou Paraskevas , Bakker Arnold B. , van den Heuvel Machteld
Published: October 2016

The present paper addresses two crafting strategies employees may display in different life domains in order to attain desired outcomes. On the one hand, job crafting is targeted at increasing social and structural job resources and challenging job demands. On the other hand, leisure crafting is the proactive pursuit of leisure activities targeted at goal setting, human connection, learning, and personal development. We hypothesized that job crafting relates positively to employee work engagement and meaning‐making, especially when occupational role salience is high. Furthermore, we hypothesized that leisure crafting relates positively to meaning‐making, especially when job crafting opportunities are low. Using a sample of 105 Dutch employees and a weekly survey with three measurements, we found support for most of our hypotheses. All job crafting dimensions related positively to work engagement when occupational role salience was high. Also, increasing structural resources related positively to meaning‐making when occupational role salience was high. Leisure crafting related positively to meaning‐making when job crafting opportunities were low. We discuss directions for future research on work and leisure, and suggest how employees and organizations may benefit by encouraging job and leisure crafting.

Practitioner points

Employees can proactively build their own work engagement using job crafting, especially when they view their work as a source of personal satisfaction and development.

In workplaces where opportunities to craft are low, employees could focus on their leisure time as a source of meaning and self‐reflection.

Managers can empower and coach employees to proactively seek growth and self‐fulfilment both at work and outside work, via job crafting and leisure crafting.

Organizations and managers should encourage employees to flourish not only at work but also during leisure time, communicating that work and leisure are two life domains that can help and complement each other.
REGULATORY CAPTUREAND EFFICACYIN WORKERS’ COMPENSATION
Authors: Clark Steven P. , Marlett David C. , Neale Faith R.
Published: October 2016

ABSTRACT

We examine changes in workers’ compensation laws from 2003 to 2011 and their effect on insurer performance as measured by loss ratios and claim costs. We study changes to: length of temporary total loss indemnity, penalties on employees who do not comply with rehabilitation efforts, employer or employee choice of physician, and limits on attorney fees. We find differential effects among these reforms with the most robust being changes to limits on temporary total indemnity and penalties for workers who do not comply with rehabilitation efforts. We measure one effect of the political environment and find that appointing authority over the workers’ compensation board or committee significantly affects loss costs. Lastly, we find evidence of regulatory capture in workers’ compensation.
DOES LIMITING ALLOWABLE RATING VARIATION IN THE SMALL GROUP HEALTH INSURANCE MARKET AFFECT EMPLOYER SELF‐INSURANCE?
Authors: Trish Erin , Herring Bradley
Published: October 2016

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) imposes adjusted community rating in the small group market, which employers can avoid by self‐insuring, raising concerns about adverse selection. We evaluate the impact of limiting allowable rating variation on employer self‐insurance across industries with varied health risk, using cross‐state variation in pre‐ACA rating regulations, the nationally representative 2008–2013 KFF/HRET Employer Health Benefits Survey, and a triple‐difference regression approach. We find that lower risk employers subject to laws limiting allowable premium rating variation have a predicted probability of self‐insurance that is about 18 percentage points higher than otherwise‐similar higher risk employers, suggesting that these selection concerns are warranted.
Inhibition of human glioma cell proliferation by altered Bax/Bcl-2-p53 expression and apoptosis induction by Rhaponticum carthamoides extracts from transformed and normal roots
Authors: Skała Ewa , Sitarek Przemysław , Toma Monika , Szemraj Janusz , Radek Maciej , Nieborowska-Skorska Malgorzata , Skorski Tomasz , Wysokińska Halina , Śliwiński Tomasz
Published: October 2016

Objective

The objective of this study was to determine the cytotoxic effect and apoptotic activity of Rhaponticum carthamoides transformed root (TR) and root of soil-grown plant (NR) extracts in a human glioma primary cells. The effect of these root extracts on cell cycle arrest, mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) and expression levels of apoptosis-related genes (Bcl-2, Bax and p53) were also examined.

Methods

Cytotoxic activity of root extracts was evaluated by MTT assay. Apoptosis and cell cycle were determined by flow cytometry. Expression levels of apoptosis-related gene were analysed by RT-PCR and Western blotting. ΔΨm was examined by the use of JC-1 reagent.

Key findings

Rhaponticum carthamoides root extracts inhibit cell growth and induce apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner in human glioma cells. The root extracts were found to up-regulate the pro-apoptotic Bax protein and down-regulate the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 protein, consequently increasing the ratios of Bax/Bcl-2 protein levels. Moreover, an increase of the p53 protein level and reduction of ΔΨm in glioma cells were observed after treatment with NR and TR extracts.

Conclusion

The results of this study may offer a new insight into the potential anticancer activity of R. carthamoides root extracts.
A phylogeny of the genus Encyclia (Orchidaceae: Laeliinae), with emphasis on the species of the Northern Hemisphere
Authors: Leopardi‐Verde Carlos L. , Carnevali Germán , Romero‐González Gustavo A.
Published: October 2016

Encyclia comprises over 150 species of orchids that occupy mainly seasonally dry habitats in tropical and subtropical America and are usually restricted to one or a few ecoregions. To determine whether species found in the same or neighboring ecoregions are closely related, we sampled more than 50 taxa, with an emphasis on species found in Mexico and Central America. We evaluated five DNA markers for their phylogenetic utility: the nuclear low copy gene PHYC, a plastid spacer region trnL‐F, a fragment of the plastid ycf1 gene, rpl32‐trnL, and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of nuclear ribosomal DNA; we sampled only the last three markers for the main analyses based on an assessment of phylogenetic informativeness. We analyzed plastid regions and ITS separately in phylogenetic inference using a variety of methods, as we found strong incongruence between them, according to the ILD test. We also estimated clade ages using a relaxed molecular clock with indirect calibrations based on a larger taxonomic sampling. Encyclia is a monophyletic genus that originated ca. 12.43 Ma (10.55–14.25 Ma) ago, and has undergone several recent evolutionary radiations. We found a strong association between phylogenetic relationships and the geographic distribution of species and clades in the Caribbean, Central American, and the Pacific coast of Megamexico. Several groups of Encyclia occur in the latter region, the most species‐rich being the E. meliosma complex, which is restricted to the Pacific slope of Mexico from north of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec up to Sonora.
Mohit's Pharmakon: Symptom, Rotational Bodies, and Pharmaceuticals in Rural Rajasthan
Authors: McDowell Andrew
Published: October 2016

This article reexamines medical anthropology theories of symptom, illness, and disease to consider unregulated medical care in India. It builds on clinical observations, an inventory of the pharmaceuticals used by men who call themselves “Bengali doctors,” and their patients to understand medical care in a context that privileges symptom not disease. It draws on Derrida's use of pharmakon to outline the complexities of care and embodiment and helps locate local and medical anthropology theories of symptom and pharmaceuticals within theories of the experiential body. It asks two key questions: What is medical care without disease and what are its implications on a local biology in which disease‐based biomedicine is modified? Searching for a tentative answer, it works to bring medical anthropology's interest in symptom back to the body without losing symptoms’ connection to political economies, individual experience, and localized biomedicine.
Combined antifungal therapy against systemic murine infections by rare Cryptococcus species
Authors: Thomson Pamela , Mayayo Emilio , López‐Fernández Loida , Guarro Josep , Capilla Javier
Published: October 2016

Cryptococcus albidus and Cryptococcus laurentii are uncommon species of this genus that in recent decades have increasingly caused opportunistic infections in humans, mainly in immunocompromised patients; the best therapy for such infection being unknown. Using a murine model of systemic infection by these fungi, we have evaluated the efficacy of amphotericin B (AMB) at 0.8 mg/kg, administered intravenously, fluconazole (FLC) or voriconazole (VRC), both administered orally, at 25 mg/kg and the combination of AMB plus VRC against three C. albidus and two C. laurentii strains. All the treatments significantly reduced the fungal burden in all the organs studied. The combination showed a synergistic effect in the reduction in fungal load, working better than both monotherapies. The histopathological study confirmed the efficacy of the treatments.
Maternal zinc deficiency and congenital anomalies in newborns
Authors: Moghimi Mahmood , Ashrafzadeh Sahar , Rassi Sepehr , Naseh Ali
Published: October 2016

Background

Zinc deficiency in pregnant women is common, especially in the third trimester of pregnancy. The available data, however, on the association between zinc deficiency and congenital malformations in the Iranian population are insufficient. The aim of this study was therefore to determine whether maternal serum zinc deficiency is associated with major congenital malformations in newborns.

Methods

This descriptive, case–control study involved mothers of 80 neonates with congenital anomalies (study group) admitted to the Mofid Children's Hospital, Tehran, Iran. During the same period (2014 and 2015), serum zinc was measured in 80 mothers who had delivered normal newborns without congenital malformations (control group).

Results

Mothers with serum zinc deficiency had a more than sevenfold risk of malformations in the fetus compared with mothers with normal serum zinc (OR, 7.013; 95%CI: 2.716–18.110). Newborns with malformation weighing ≤2500 g were associated with lower maternal serum zinc compared with the control group (P = 0.006).

Conclusions

There is an association between congenital malformation in newborns and maternal zinc deficiency.
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in 61 neonates: Single‐center experience
Authors: Hirakawa Eiji , Ibara Satoshi , Tokuhisa Takuya , Maede Yoshinobu , Kuwahara Takako , Ishihara Chie , Noguchi Hiroyuki , Naitou Yoshiki , Yamamoto Masakatsu , Kibe Masaya , Yamamoto Tsuyoshi , Kurimoto Tomonori , Kamitomo Masato , Cho Kazutoshi , Minakami Hisanori
Published: October 2016

Background

There have been few reports on the outcome of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in newborn Japanese infants.

Methods

A review was carried out of 61 neonates with ECMO between January 1995 and December 2015 at a single center. ECMO was used in neonates with oxygenation index >20 after conventional treatment. Background factors, such as etiology, vascular access mode (veno‐venous [VV] or veno‐arterial [VA]), number of days with ECMO, and early ECMO (within 24 h after birth), were analyzed in relation to outcome with respect to survival to hospital discharge (SHD).

Results

Survival to hospital discharge was achieved in 35 infants (57%), while the remaining 26 died during hospital stay. Gestational age at birth was significantly higher and number of days with ECMO was significantly lower in SHD infants compared with those with adverse outcome (median, 4.0 vs 5.5 days, respectively; P = 0.008). The SHD rate was significantly higher for those with VV than VA vascular access mode (78%, 18/23 vs 45%, 17/38, respectively; P = 0.016), and for those with than without early ECMO (72%, 28/39 vs 32%, 7/22, respectively; P = 0.003). The SHD rate was relatively high in neonates with meconium aspiration syndrome (86%, 12/14), persistent pulmonary hypertension associated with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (75%, 6/8), and emphysema (80%, 4/5). On stepwise logistic regression analysis two independent factors of SHD were identified: early ECMO (OR, 9.63; 95%CI: 2.47–37.6) and ECMO length <8 days (OR, 8.05; 95%CI: 1.94–33.5).

Conclusions

Neonates with early ECMO and those with ECMO duration <8 days may benefit from ECMO with respect to SHD.
Competitive interactions are mediated in a sex‐specific manner by arbuscular mycorrhiza in Antennaria dioica
Authors: Varga S. , Vega‐Frutis R. , Kytöviita M.‐M.
Published: October 2016

Plants usually interact with other plants, and the outcome of such interaction ranges from facilitation to competition depending on the identity of the plants, including their sexual expression. Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi have been shown to modify competitive interactions in plants. However, few studies have evaluated how AM fungi influence plant intraspecific and interspecific interactions in dioecious species.

The competitive abilities of female and male plants of Antennaria dioica were examined in a greenhouse experiment. Females and males were grown in the following competitive settings: (i) without competition, (ii) with intrasexual competition, (iii) with intersexual competition, and (iv) with interspecific competition by Hieracium pilosella – a plant with similar characteristics to A. dioica. Half of the pots were grown with Claroideoglomus claroideum, an AM fungus isolated from the same habitat as the plant material. We evaluated plant survival, growth, flowering phenology, and production of AM fungal structures.

Plant survival was unaffected by competition or AM fungi. Competition and the presence of AM fungi reduced plant biomass. However, the sexes responded differently to the interaction between fungal and competition treatments. Both intra‐ and interspecific competition results were sex‐specific, and in general, female performance was reduced by AM colonization. Plant competition or sex did not affect the intraradical structures, extraradical hyphae, or spore production of the AM fungus.

These findings suggest that plant sexual differences affect fundamental processes such as competitive ability and symbiotic relationships with AM fungi.
Fungal derived cytokinins are necessary for normal Ustilago maydis infection of maize
Authors: Morrison E. N. , Emery R. J. N. , Saville B. J.
Published: October 2016

Phytohormones derived from fungi play a key role in regulating plant–pathogen interactions; however, deciphering the separate contributions of pathogen and plant during infection has been difficult. Here, the Ustilago maydis–Zea mays pathosystem was used to investigate this chemical exchange. Ustilago maydis, the causative agent of maize smut, produces cytokinins (CK), which are a group of phytohormones responsible for directing plant development. The characteristic symptom of smut disease is the formation of tumours composed of plant and fungal tissue. Isopentenyltransferase (IPT) catalyses the rate‐limiting step in CK biosynthesis, and U. maydis strains in which the sole tRNA‐ipt gene was deleted no longer produced CKs. These deletion strains elicited fewer, smaller tumours than the pathogenic strain SG200. High performance liquid chromatography‐electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC‐ESI MS/MS) was used to detect and quantify phytohormone levels in infected tissue. This revealed that key hormone changes in SG200 infections were not present in infections by deletion strains, suggesting that CK production by U. maydis is required for the altered phytohormone profile in infected tissue relative to uninfected tissue. Separate analyses indicated that U. maydis tRNA‐ipt mutants might be altered in their ability to metabolize CKs taken up from the environment. Mining the U. maydis genome identified genes encoding putative CK signalling and biosynthesis proteins.
The impact of trunk impairment on performance‐determining activities in wheelchair rugby
Authors: Altmann V. C. , Groen B. E. , Hart A. L. , Vanlandewijck Y. C. , van Limbeek J. , Keijsers N. L.W.
Published: October 2016

In Paralympic sport, classification of impairment is needed to prevent a one‐sided and predictable outcome of competition, in which the least impaired athlete has the best chance to win. To develop evidence‐based classification in wheelchair rugby, the impact of trunk impairment, measured by the Trunk Impairment Classification (TIC), on performance‐determining activities was assessed. Arm impairment was analyzed as a covariant. Fifty‐five athletes, 21 with TIC score 0, 13 with TIC score 0.5, 11 with TIC score 1.0, and 10 with TIC score 1.5 performed standardized sport‐specific activities. A multiple step forward regression analysis was performed for all activities to assess the relative impact of trunk and arm impairment on performance. Trunk impairment was the most important factor for tilting the chair and acceleration in the first 2 m. The explained variance of the performance by trunk and arm impairment ranged from 23% for acceleration in the first meter, to 37% for sprint momentum, the tilt test left, and the time to cover 3 and 4 m. This study shows that athletes with limited trunk impairment are more proficient in wheelchair rugby than athletes with severe trunk impairment.
When and Why Mimicry is Facilitated and Attenuated
Authors: Stel Mariëlle , van Dijk Eric , van Baaren Rick B.
Published: October 2016

Although people tend to mimic others automatically, mimicry is facilitated or attenuated depending on the specific context. In the current paper, the authors discuss when mimicry is facilitated and attenuated depending on characteristics of situations, targets, and observers. On the basis of the review, the authors propose a new model – the Associated Reactions to Actions in Context model (ARAC) – to explain why and when mimicry is facilitated and attenuated. ARAC proposes that when people observe an action, reaction‐to‐action neurons fire. Which reaction is elicited depends on the (learned or innate) association with an action in that context. Thus, when mimicry is rewarding in a specific context, this response is facilitated. When mimicry is damaging, this response is attenuated, and another reaction may be facilitated instead. The authors discuss the added value of the ARAC model compared to other models explaining the elicitation of behavioral reactions.
Fifty‐one full‐length major histocompatibility complex class II alleles in the olive baboon (Papio anubis)
Authors: Otting N. , van der Wiel M. K. H. , Doxiadis G. G. M. , Bontrop R. E.
Published: October 2016

Here we report 51 novel major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II alleles in a group of related olive baboons.
Econometric Model to Estimate Defaults on Payment in the Spanish Financial Sector in Oliver Wyman’s Stress Tests
Authors: Climent-Serrano Salvador
Published: October 2016

This work develops an econometric model based on the exogenous economic variables used in Oliver Wyman´s report. In this case the model is used in order to estimate late payments (NPLs) by Spanish credit entities. A model based on variables considered to be optimal to quantify impact on the NPLs is developed by studying the aforementioned variables, modifying them and eliminating any which are superfluous. Furthermore, whether or not the model is optimal for long periods of time is corroborated. This is due to the fact that the scenario in Oliver Wyman´s report from September 2012 (Wyman 2012) is based on 30 years of Spanish economical historical data, as stated in the report itself. The results indicate the variables that have impact on defaults. The increase in housing prices, the Madrid Stock Exchange Index, the Exchange Rate the euro against USD. The Euribor 12 months and the industries Credit to other residents, decreases the delinquency. The NPLs also fell by transfers from riskier assets to SAREB. However, these results are different if the economy is growing or in recession. So the results will not be optimal but the appropriate model is employed.
Numerical Simulation of Oblique Air Jet Impingement on a Heated Flat Plate
Authors: Bhagwat Abhishek B. , Sridharan Arunkumar
Published: October 2016

Jet impingement cooling has been studied extensively as this finds applications in the areas of reactor safety, electronic cooling, etc. Here, the convective heat transfer process between the air jet impingement on a uniformly heated inclined flat plate is studied numerically. In this numerical study, 3D simulations are carried out using commercial CFD code to investigate the effect of angle of inclination of plate, Reynolds number, and distance between the nozzle exit and the plate on the heat transfer characteristics. V2F model has been used to model turbulence for various nozzle–plate distance and Reynolds number. It can be concluded that V2F model predicts the Nusselt number variation on the plate satisfactorily. It is observed that point of maximum heat transfer is at the stagnation point in case of vertical jet impinging on a horizontal plate, while it shifts away from the point of impingement for the case of a vertical jet impinging on an inclined flat surface. The shift is toward the “compression side” or the “uphill side” of the air jet. The results are validated with experimental data from the literature. Detailed analysis of local heat transfer coefficients, velocity contours, temperature contours, and Nusselt number variations on the flat plate is presented.
Experimental Investigation on the Time–Space Evolution of a Laminar Separation Bubble by Proper Orthogonal Decomposition and Dynamic Mode Decomposition
Authors: Lengani D. , Simoni D. , Ubaldi M. , Zunino P. , Bertini F.
Published: October 2016

A time-resolved particle image velocimetry (TR-PIV) system has been employed to investigate a laminar separation bubble which is induced by a strong adverse pressure gradient typical of ultrahigh-lift low-pressure turbine (LPT) blades. Proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) and dynamic mode decomposition (DMD) are described and applied within this paper. These techniques allow reducing the degrees-of-freedom of complex systems producing a low-order model ranked by the energy content (POD) or by the modal contribution to the dynamics of the system itself (DMD), useful to highlight the dominant dynamics. The time–space evolution of the laminar separation bubble is characterized by rollup vortices shed in the surrounding of the bubble maximum displacement as a consequence of the Kelvin–Helmholtz (KH) instability process as well as by a low-frequency motion of the separated shear layer. The decomposition techniques proposed allow the identification of these coherent structures and the characterization of their modal properties (e.g., temporal frequency, spatial wavelength, and growth rate). The POD separates the different dynamics that induce velocity fluctuations at different frequencies and wavelength looking at their contribution to the overall kinetic energy. The DMD provides complementary information: the unstable spatial frequencies are identified with their growth (or decay) rates. DMD modes associated with the Kelvin–Helmholtz instability and the corresponding vortex shedding phenomenon clearly dominate the unsteady behavior of the laminar separation bubble, being characterized by the highest growth rate. Modes with longer wavelength describe the low-frequency motion of the laminar separation bubble and are neutrally stable. Results reported in this paper prove the ability of the present methods in extracting the dominant dynamics from a large dataset, providing robust and rapid tools for the in depth analysis of transition and separation processes.
Rotordynamic Performance of a Shaft With Large Overhung Mass Supported by Foil Bearings
Authors: LaTray Nguyen , Kim Daejong
Published: October 2016

This work presents the theoretical and experimental rotordynamic evaluations of a rotor–air foil bearing (AFB) system supporting a large overhung mass for high-speed application. The proposed system highlights the compact design of a single shaft rotor configuration with turbomachine components arranged on one side of the bearing span. In this work, low-speed tests up to 45 krpm are performed to measure lift-off speed and to check bearing manufacturing quality. Rotordynamic performance at high speeds is evaluated both analytically and experimentally. In the analytical approach, simulated imbalance responses are studied using both rigid and flexible shaft models with bearing forces calculated from the transient Reynolds equation along with the rotor motion. The simulation predicts that the system experiences small synchronous rigid mode vibration at 20 krpm and bending mode at 200 krpm. A high-speed test rig is designed to experimentally evaluate the rotor–air foil bearing system. The high-speed tests are operated up to 160 krpm. The vibration spectrum indicates that the rotor–air foil bearing system operates under stable conditions. The experimental waterfall plots also show very small subsynchronous vibrations with frequency locked to the system natural frequency. Overall, this work demonstrates potential capability of the air foil bearings in supporting a shaft with a large overhung mass at high speed.
Design Considerations for Tip Clearance Control and Measurement on a Turbine Rainbow Rotor With Multiple Blade Tip Geometries
Authors: Lavagnoli S. , De Maesschalck C. , Andreoli V.
Published: October 2016

The accurate design, control, and monitoring of the running gaps between static and moving components are vital to preserve the mechanical integrity and ensure the correct functioning of any compact rotating machinery. Throughout engine service, the rotor tip clearance undergoes large variations due to installation tolerances or as the result of different thermal expansion rates of the blades, rotor disk, and casing during speed transients. Hence, active tip clearance control concepts and engine health-monitoring systems rely on precise real-time gap measurements. Moreover, this tip gap information is crucial for engine development programs to verify the mechanical and aerothermal designs and validate numerical predictions. This paper presents an overview of the critical design requirements for testing engine-representative blade tip flows in a rotating turbine facility. This paper specifically focuses on the challenges related with the design, verification, and monitoring of the running tip clearance during a turbine experiment. In the large-scale turbine facility of the von Karman Institute, a rainbow rotor was mounted for simultaneous aerothermal testing of multiple blade tip geometries. The tip shapes are a selection of high-performance squealer-like and contoured blade tip designs. On the rotor disk, the blades are arranged in seven sectors operating at different clearance levels from 0.5 up to 1.5% of the blade span. Prior to manufacturing, the blade geometry was modified to compensate for the radial deformation of the rotating assembly under centrifugal loads. A numerical procedure was implemented to minimize the residual unbalance of the rotor in rainbow configuration and to optimize the placement of every single airfoil within each sector. Subsequently, the rotor was balanced in situ to reduce the vibrations and satisfy the international standards for high balance quality. Three fast-response capacitive probes located at distinct circumferential locations around the rotor annulus measured the single-blade tip clearance in rotation. Additionally, the minimum running blade clearance is captured with wear gauges located at five axial positions along the blades chord. The capacitance probes are self-calibrated using a multitest strategy at several rotational speeds. The in situ calibration methodology and dedicated data reduction techniques allow the accurate measurement of the distance between the turbine casing and the local blade tip features (rims and cavities) for each rotating airfoil separately. General guidelines are given for the design and calibration of a tip clearance measurement system that meets the required measurement accuracy and resolution in function of the sensor uncertainty, nominal tip clearance levels, and tip seal geometry.
Rigid Mode Vibration Control and Dynamic Behavior of Hybrid Foil–Magnetic Bearing Turbo Blower
Authors: Jeong Sena , Jeon Doyoung , Lee Yong Bok
Published: October 2016

In this study, experimental and analytical analyses of the vibration stability of a 225 kW class turbo blower with a hybrid foil–magnetic bearing (HFMB) were performed. First, critical speed and unbalance vibration responses were examined as part of the rotordynamic research. Its shaft diameter was 71.5 mm, its total length was 693 mm, and the weight of the rotor was 17.8 kg. The air foil bearing (AFB) utilized was 50 mm long and had a 0.7 aspect ratio. In the experiments conducted, excessive vibration and rotor motion instability occurred in the range 12,000–15,000 rpm, which resulted from insufficient dynamic pressure caused by the length of the foil bearing being too short. Consequently, as the rotor speed increased, excessive rotor motion attributable to aerodynamic and bearing instability became evident. This study therefore focused on improving rotordynamic performance by rectifying rigid mode unstable vibration at low speed, 20,000 rpm, and asynchronous vibration due to aerodynamic instability by using HFMB with vibration control. The experimental results obtained were compared for each bearing type (AFB and HFMB) to improve the performance of the vibration in the low-speed region. The experimental results show that the HFMB technology results in superior vibration stability for unbalance vibration and aerodynamic instability in the range 12,000–15,000 rpm (200–250 Hz). The remarkable vibration reduction achieved from vibration control of the HFMB–rotor system shows that oil-free turbomachinery can achieve excellent performance.
Marine Engine-Centered Data Analytics for Ship Performance Monitoring
Authors: Perera Lokukaluge P. , Mo Brage
Published: October 2016

This study proposes marine engine centered data analytics as a part of the ship energy efficiency management plan (SEEMP). The SEEMP enforces various emission control measures to improve ship energy efficiency by considering vessel performance and navigation data. The proposed data analytics is developed in the engine-propeller combinator diagram (i.e., one propeller shaft with a direct drive main engine). Three operating regions from the initial data analysis are under the combinator diagram noted to capture the shape of these regions by the proposed data analytics. The data analytics consists of implementing Gaussian mixture models (GMMs) to classify the most frequent operating regions of the main engine. Furthermore, the expectation maximization (EM) algorithm calculates the parameters of GMMs. This approach, also named data clustering algorithm, facilitates an iterative process for capturing the operating regions of the main engine (i.e., in the combinatory diagram) with the respective mean and covariance matrices. Hence, these data analytics can monitor ship performance and navigation conditions with respect to engine operating regions as a part of the SEEMP. Furthermore, development of advanced mathematical models for ship performance monitoring within the operational regions (i.e., data clusters) of marine engines is expected.
Mechanical Properties of Gelcast Cerium Dioxide From 23 to 1500 °C
Authors: Sedler Stephen J. , Chase Thomas R. , Davidson Jane H.
Published: October 2016

This work reports the elastic modulus and four-point flexural strength of a gelcast ceramic, cerium dioxide (ceria), with a microporosity of nominally 20% and a grain size of 11 μm from 23 to 1500 °C. The data augment the sparse data published for ceria and extend previous results by 150 °C. The ceria tested is representative of that constituting the ligaments of a reticulated porous ceramic. The elastic modulus decreases from 90 GPa at 23 °C to 16 GPa at 1500 °C. The flexural strength is 78 MPa below 900 °C and then decreases rapidly to 5 MPa at 1500 °C. These trends are consistent with data reported for other ceramics. Comparing the measured elastic modulus to prior data obtained for lower porosity shows the minimum solid area (MSA) model can be used to extend the modulus data to other porosities. Similarly, the flexural strength data agree with prior data when the effects of specimen size, porosity, and grain size are taken into account.
Performance of a clinical gridded electron gun in magnetic fields: Implications for MRI‐linac therapy
Authors: Whelan Brendan , Holloway Lois , Constantin Dragos , Oborn Brad , Bazalova‐Carter Magdalena , Fahrig Rebecca , Keall Paul
Published: October 2016

Purpose

MRI‐linac therapy is a rapidly growing field, and requires that conventional linear accelerators are operated with the fringe field of MRI magnets. One of the most sensitive accelerator components is the electron gun, which serves as the source of the beam. The purpose of this work was to develop a validated finite element model (FEM) model of a clinical triode (or gridded) electron gun, based on accurate geometric and electrical measurements, and to characterize the performance of this gun in magnetic fields.

Methods

The geometry of a Varian electron gun was measured using 3D laser scanning and digital calipers. The electric potentials and emission current of these guns were measured directly from six dose matched true beam linacs for the 6X, 10X, and 15X modes of operation. Based on these measurements, a finite element model (FEM) of the gun was developed using the commercial software opera/scala. The performance of the FEM model in magnetic fields was characterized using parallel fields ranging from 0 to 200 G in the in‐line direction, and 0–35 G in the perpendicular direction.

Results

The FEM model matched the average measured emission current to within 5% across all three modes of operation. Different high voltage settings are used for the different modes; the 6X, 10X, and 15X modes have an average high voltage setting of 15, 10, and 11 kV. Due to these differences, different operating modes show different sensitivities in magnetic fields. For in line fields, the first current loss occurs at 40, 20, and 30 G for each mode. This is a much greater sensitivity than has previously been observed. For perpendicular fields, first beam loss occurred at 8, 5, and 5 G and total beam loss at 27, 22, and 20 G.

Conclusions

A validated FEM model of a clinical triode electron gun has been developed based on accurate geometric and electrical measurements. Three different operating modes were simulated, with a maximum mean error of 5%. This gun shows greater sensitivity to in‐line magnetic fields than previously presented models, and different operating modes show different sensitivity.
Effects of obstruent voicing on vowel F0: Evidence from “true voicing” languages
Authors: Kirby James P. , Ladd D. Robert
Published: October 2016

This study investigates consonant-related F0 perturbations (“CF0”) in French and Italian by comparing the effects of voiced and voiceless obstruents on F0 to those of voiced sonorants. The voiceless obstruents /p f/ in both languages are found to have F0-raising properties similar to American English voiceless obstruents, while F0 following the (pre)voiced obstruents /b v/ in French and Italian patterns together with /m/, again similar to English [Hanson (2009). J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 125(1), 425–441]. In both languages, F0 is significantly depressed, relative to sonorants, during the closure for voiced obstruents, but cannot be differentiated from sonorants following the release of oral constriction. These findings are taken as support for a model on which F0 perturbations are fundamentally the result of laryngeal maneuvers initiated to sustain or inhibit phonation, regardless of other language-particular aspects of phonetic realization.
Vibration energy analysis of a plate for defect imaging with a scanning laser source technique
Authors: Hayashi Takahiro , Fukuyama Misaki
Published: October 2016

Vibration energies generated by laser irradiation to a plate with a crack were calculated by the semi-analytical finite element method to elucidate the principle of defect imaging using a scanning laser source. For normal incidence in the ablation regime, the incident energy increases when the incident source is located in the vicinity of the crack, owing to the effect of the non-propagating A1 modes. For dipole loading in the thermoelastic regime, the vibration energies are completely different, depending on the position of the crack opening. If the crack opening is located opposite the incident source, the vibration energy increases abruptly in the vicinity of the crack, which is affected by the higher-order non-propagating modes as well as the A1 modes. When the crack opening and the incident source are located on the same side, the generated energy approaches zero as the source moves closer to the crack. The energy reduction around the crack is caused by the superposition of the incident wave from dipole loading and the phase-inverted reflected wave. The results of experiments conducted to verify the energy variations in the vicinity of a crack were in good agreement with the numerical results for dipole loading.
Derivation of acoustoelastic Lamb wave dispersion curves in anisotropic plates at the initial and natural frames of reference
Authors: C. Kubrusly Alan , M. B. Braga Arthur , von der Weid Jean Pierre
Published: October 2016

The propagation speed of ultrasonic waves in pre-stressed media can be evaluated either at the natural or initial frames of reference. In this paper general equations that can be applied to the partial wave technique are presented in order to obtain the dispersion spectra of acoustoelastic Lamb waves in anisotropic plates in either frame of reference. Employing these equations, dispersion curves for the fundamental modes in a pre-stressed transversely isotropic aluminum plate were numerically obtained in both reference frames under longitudinal and transverse loading with the material transverse axis along each of the Cartesian directions, as well as the propagation along a non-principal direction. Results confirm that due to the material natural anisotropy, the speed variation depends not only on the pre-stress direction but also on the material orientation as well as on the polarization of the propagating mode. Similar to bulk waves, the relationship between the speed at the natural and initial frames is a function of the load direction.
Complete Genome Sequence of the
Streptomyces
Phage Nanodon
Authors: Erill Ivan , Caruso Steven M.
Published: October 2016

Streptomyces
phage Nanodon is a temperate double-stranded DNA
Siphoviridae
belonging to cluster BD1. It was isolated from soil collected in Kilauea, HI, using
Streptomyces griseus
subsp.
griseus
as a host.
Draft Whole-Genome Sequence of a
Haemophilus quentini
Strain Isolated from an Infant in the United Kingdom
Authors: Hubbard Alasdair T. M. , Davies Sian E. W. , Baxter Laura , Thompson Sarah , Collery Mark M. , Hand Daniel C. , Fink Colin G. , Thomas D. John I.
Published: October 2016

Haemophilus quentini
is a rare and distinct genospecies of
Haemophilus
that has been suggested as a cause of neonatal bacteremia and urinary tract infections in men. We present the draft whole-genome sequence of
H. quentini
MP1 isolated from an infant in the United Kingdom, aiding future identification and detection of this pathogen.
Draft Genome Sequence of Enterobacter ludwigii NCR3, a Heavy Metal–Resistant Rhizobacterium
Authors: Egidi Eleonora , Wood Jennifer L. , Aracic Sanja , Kannan Ruban , McDonald Lachlan , Bell Carolyn A. , Fox Edward M. , Liu Wuxing , Franks Ashley E.
Published: October 2016

We report here the draft genome of
Enterobacter ludwigii
NCR3, a Gram-negative bacterium isolated from the
Carpobrotus rossii
(Haw.) Schwantes rhizosphere. The analysis of the ~4.8-Mb draft genome shows that this strain harbors several genes associated with heavy metal resistance and plant growth–promoting activity, suggesting its potential application in microbe-assisted phytoremediation.
Multiple Genome Sequences of Important Beer-Spoiling Lactic Acid Bacteria
Authors: Geissler Andreas J. , Behr Jürgen , Vogel Rudi F.
Published: October 2016

Seven strains of important beer-spoiling lactic acid bacteria were sequenced using single-molecule real-time sequencing. Complete genomes were obtained for strains of
Lactobacillus paracollinoides
,
Lactobacillus lindneri
, and
Pediococcus claussenii
. The analysis of these genomes emphasizes the role of plasmids as the genomic foundation of beer-spoiling ability.
Complete Genome Sequence of Bacillus pumilus PDSLzg-1, a Hydrocarbon-Degrading Bacterium Isolated from Oil-Contaminated Soil in China
Authors: Hao Kun , Li Hongna , Li Feng , Guo Ping
Published: October 2016

Bacillus pumilus
strain PDSLzg-1, an efficient hydrocarbon-degrading bacterium, was isolated from oil-contaminated soil. Here, we present the complete sequence of its circular chromosome and circular plasmid. The genomic information is essential for the study of degradation of oil by
B. pumilus
PDSLzg-1.
Draft Genome Sequence of Enterococcus faecalis Strain F165 Isolated from a Urinary Tract Infection
Authors: Paim Thiago G. S. , Pieta Luiza , Prichula Janira , Sambrano Gustavo E. , Soares Renata , Bello Aline Dall , Frazzon Jeverson , d'Azevedo Pedro A.
Published: October 2016

We report here a draft genome sequence of
Enterococcus faecalis
strain F165 isolated from a urine specimen in South Brazil. The genome size was 3,049,734 bp, with a G+C content of 37.38%, and genes related to antimicrobial resistance and adherence were found in the strain. These findings are consistent with pathogenesis of
E. faecalis
species.
Draft Genome Sequence of Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp
. bulgaricus
LBB.B5
Authors: Urshev Zoltan , Hajo Karima , Lenoci Leonardo , Bron Peter A. , Dijkstra Annereinou , Alkema Wynand , Wels Michiel , Siezen Roland J. , Minkova Svetlana , van Hijum Sacha A. F. T.
Published: October 2016

Lactobacillus delbrueckii
subsp
. bulgaricus
LBB.B5 originates from homemade Bulgarian yogurt and was selected for its ability to form a strong association with
Streptococcus thermophilus
. The genome sequence will facilitate elucidating the genetic background behind the contribution of LBB.B5 to the taste and aroma of yogurt and its exceptional protocooperation with
S. thermophilus
.
Draft Genome Sequence of Yarrowia lipolytica Strain A-101 Isolated from Polluted Soil in Poland
Authors: Devillers Hugo , Brunel François , Połomska Xymena , Sarilar Véronique , Lazar Zbigniew , Robak Małgorzata , Neuvéglise Cécile
Published: October 2016

Yarrowia lipolytica
is an early diverging species of the
Saccharomycotina
subphylum, which is recognized as a valuable host for many biotechnological applications exploiting its oleaginous capacities. The 20.5-Mb genome of the Polish
Y. lipolytica
strain A-101 will greatly help decipher the genetic basis of the regulation of its lipid metabolism.
Molecular Characterization of a Beak and Feather Disease Virus Genome from a Purple Crowned Lorikeet (
Glossopsitta porphyrocephala
)
Authors: Das Shubhagata , Subir Sarker , Fearnside Kathleen , Forwood Jade K. , Ghorashi Seyed A. , Raidal Shane R.
Published: October 2016

The complete genome sequence of beak and feather disease virus (BFDV) from a purple crowned lorikeet (
Glossopsitta porphyrocephala
) was characterized. The genome consists of 2,010 nucleotides and encodes replicase-associated protein and capsid protein. This is the first evidence of BFDV infectivity and complete genome sequence for this novel host.
Genome Sequence of
Bacillus
sp. Strain UMTAT18 Isolated from the Dinoflagellate
Alexandrium tamiyavanichii
Found in the Straits of Malacca
Authors: Danish-Daniel Muhd , Ming Gan Han , Mohd Noor Mohd Ezhar , Sung Yeong Yik , Usup Gires
Published: October 2016

Bacillus
sp. strain UMTAT18 was isolated from the harmful dinoflagellate
Alexandrium tamiyavanichii
. Its genome consists of 5,479,367 bp with 5,546 open reading frames, 102 tRNAs, and 29 rRNAs. Gene clusters for biosynthesis of nonribosomal peptides, bacteriocin, and lantipeptide were identified. It also contains siderophore and genes related to stress tolerance.