bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Coupled Multibody Dynamics and Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics for Predicting Liquid Sloshing for Tanker Trucks
Authors: Wasfy Tamer M. , Wasfy Hatem M. , Peters Jeanne M.
Published: January 2015

Multibody dynamics and smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) are integrated into one solver for predicting the dynamic response of tanker trucks. Multibody dynamics techniques are used to model the various vehicle components and connect those components using various types of joints and contact surfaces. A penalty technique is used to impose joint and normal contact constraints (between the tires and ground, and between the tank and the fluid particles). An asperity-based friction model is used to model joint and contact friction. The liquid in the tanks is modeled using an SPH particle-based approach. A contact search algorithm that uses a moving Cartesian Eulerian grid that is fixed to the tank is used to allow fast contact detection between particles. A recursive bounding box contact search algorithm is used to allow fast contact detection between polygonal contact surfaces and the fluid particles. The governing equations of motion for the solid bodies and the fluid particles are solved along with joint/constraint equations using a time-accurate explicit solution procedure. The integrated solver is used to predict the dynamic response of a typical tanker truck performing a braking test with an empty, half-full and full tank. The solver can be used in vehicle design optimization to simulate and evaluate various vehicle designs.
Development of Material Information Model for the Injection Molding Process and Product
Authors: Roy Utpal , Zhu Bicheng
Published: January 2015

Injection molding (IM) has been the most widely used manufacturing process for making plastic products mainly due to its high efficiency and manufacturability. The design of injection molding systems relies heavily on material data and related information. The availability of right material information at right time is of utmost importance for the design, operation and maintenance of the injection molding process. In this paper, a concise, and conceptual Injection Molding Material Information Model (IM-MIM) is proposed to support necessary computer-based modeling, calculation and management of material data. In this paper, we study different steps of the IM process from the information-modeling viewpoint to identify the role and influence of material properties and behaviors in decision-making process. We further developed a four-level IM-MIM model framework, which provides a foundation for different material-related activities or analyses. Several key components in the IM-MIM, which consists of the material data, physical and behavioral properties, thermodynamic and transport properties, and other material information like rheological and mechanical properties, are presented in detail.
Design and Analysis of an Innovative Modular Extendable Manipulator
Authors: Yi Hak , Langari Reza
Published: January 2015

This study present a design and analysis scheme for the extend-able modular robotic manipulator with multi Degree of Freedom links that is capable of elongating by 15% of its nominal length. The intent is to facilitate the movement of the proposed robotic manipulator in constraint environments, such as rubble piles. In this context, the total number of links decided by optimization methodology can be a useful distinction in practice. In order to identify the benefits of the proposed design strategy, the reachable workspace of the proposed manipulator is compared with that of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) serpentine robot. The simulation results show that the proposed manipulator has a relatively efficient reachable workspace to deal with a variety of constrained directions, needed in constrained environments. Also, the singularity of the designed manipulator is investigated.
Selection of Sustainable Wind Turbine Tower Geometry and Material Using Multi-Level Decision Making
Authors: Stratton Daniel , Martino Daniel , Lewis Kemper , Hall John
Published: January 2015

Wind turbine tower design looks primarily at the structural integrity and durability of the tower. Optimization techniques are sometimes employed to maximize the loading capability while reducing material use and cost. Still, the tower is a dynamic part of a complex wind energy conversion system. During system operation, the tower is excited and sways back and forth. This undesirable movement increases cyclical loading on the tower and drivetrain components. To minimize this motion the tower frequency must be offset from the natural frequency of other components. Hence, it is necessary to look at the relationships that exist between the tower and other wind turbine components, such as the rotor, nacelle, and foundation. In addition, tradeoffs between cost, structural performance, and environmental impact can be examined to guide the designer toward a truly sustainable alternative to fossil fuels. Ultimately, an optimal design technique can be implemented and used to automate tower design. This work will introduce the analytical model and decision-making architecture that can be used to incorporate greater considerations in future studies. In this paper, nine wind turbine tower designs with different materials and geometries are analyzed using Finite Element Analysis (FEA). The optimal tower design is selected using a multi-level variation of the Hypothetical Equivalents and Inequivalents Method (HEIM). Using this analysis, a steel tower with variable thickness has been chosen. The findings reaffirm that steel is a favorable choice for turbine tower construction as it performs well on environmental, performance, and cost objectives. The method proposed in this work can be expanded to examine additional design goals and present a higher fidelity model of the wind turbine tower system in future work.
Innovative Tool for Specifying Customer Requirements
Authors: Ellman Asko , Wendrich Robert , Tiainen Tarja
Published: January 2015

This paper presents the design and development of an App based tool for specification of customer requirements (CR) for product development. The most Quality Function Deployment (QFD) tools and methods are system based or used as an Excel document for specification and evaluation. Nowadays tool usage, functionality, and interaction can be designed simple, effective and aesthetically pleasing by means of native apps. They can be opened and accessed directly, much quicker, are rewarding, and enhance the user experience, even offline. Furthermore, the dynamic and playful use of an app will stimulate the interaction, motivation, and communication across various information platforms.

We describe and show the initial testing and experiments with the Customer Priorities (CP) App and present preliminary findings and results from our ongoing research. This in turn leads and enables designers and engineers to move closer to the future users, understand their wishes, values and choices between passive and active needs. QFD defines mapping between customer requirements and product characteristics. In practice this means that a customer compares two product characteristics at time and defines which one is more important or if they are equally important.

The App was tested in a user experiment. We considered a Smartphone as a design example. We asked test users to compare and specify their preferences for ten given product characteristics. Our test user group consists of 32 participants both from Finland and the Netherlands. They were either graduated students or teaching staff from a university. We show preliminary results and findings from user experiment and testing of the App. Furthermore qualitative results achieved in interview with test users will be presented.
4MDS: A Geometric Constraint Based Motion Design Software for Synthesis and Simulation of Planar Four-Bar Linkages
Authors: Purwar Anurag , Toravi Abhijit , Ge Q. J.
Published: January 2015

This paper presents our recent work on designing and developing a geometric constraint based motion design software system for planar four-bar linkages. Given a motion task, the software computes possible four-bar linkage topologies as well as its dimensions. This capability to analyze the given task and find the best type of the linkage and the dimensions simultaneously sets it apart from any other linkage design software. The Four-Bar Motion Design System (4MDS) makes the synthesis and simulation capabilities available to mechanism designers in an intuitive graphical user interface (GUI) environment. Instead of taking a black box approach to mechanism design, wherein the user simply enters the motion requirements and the software outputs parameters of mechanisms, this software facilitates a dialog with the designer by providing various paths to simulation and synthesis in a design session. The designer has complete control over the specification of motion task, interactive tweaking of the motion, choice of linkage topology computed, dimensional changes, and their apparent effect on motion, all done in real time. This interactivity enhances designers kinematic experience. The underlying theoretical foundation of this paper is based on our earlier work on a task-driven approach to unified type and dimensional synthesis of planar four-bar linkage mechanisms. Instead of treating a planar four-bar mechanism as a set of connected rigid links and joints, we treat them as line or circle constraint generators. With that view, the synthesis problem is reduced to extracting geometric constraints hidden in a given motion task and the simulation is reduced to assembling constraints realizable by mechanical dyads. The algorithm employed is simple and efficient and permits real-time computation, and thus precludes using a limiting database-oriented approach. This tool should make innovation of mechanical motion generating devices accessible to novice and experienced designers alike.
Modeling of a Beam With a Mass in the Middle for Heart Beat Vibration Energy Harvesting
Authors: Bani-Hani Muath , Krovi Venkat , Karami M. Amin
Published: January 2015

This work presents a model for energy harvesting characterization of a simply supported beam with a mass in the middle to be used for powering pacemakers from heartbeat vibrations. The required power for a typical pacemaker is about 1.0 microwatts. A uniform cross-section beam, bimorph structures, employing double piezoelectric layers is used. PSI-5H4E piezoelectric and brass substrate is used in this study. Different configurations are utilized to identify the optimal design for lightweight energy harvesting devices with low-power applications to tune the natural frequencies of the energy harvester towards the operating ambient vibration source. In this paper, the exact analytical solution of the piezoelectric beam energy harvester with Euler–Bernoulli beam assumptions is presented. The energy harvester is intended to generate power from heartbeat induced vibrations to power implantable cardiac devices. The base excitations are thus heartbeat induced tissue vibrations. The proposed configuration harvests energy from the reverberation of heartbeats and converts it to electricity and could generate about 0.22 microwatts of power. Using the Fourier transform, the frequency response function for the voltage; current and power of the harvester are obtained. The power output for a range of values for the resistive load connected to the bimorph PZT layers is investigated to determine the optimized value of the resistive load that gives the maximum power output for the corresponding configuration of the beam. Stress analysis is performed for the substrate and PZT layer to make sure that the stress are within the permissible values to avoid breaking or failing of the beam. Results show that the use of mid mass is capable of harvesting a significant power with the proposed configurations.
A Biologically Inspired Design Approach for Low Cost Solar Panel Systems
Authors: Atilola Olufunmilola , Goodman Joseph , Nagel Kathryn , Linsey Julie
Published: January 2015

Biologically inspired design is the process of using biological systems as analogues to develop innovative solutions for engineering problems. This paper describes an effective and successful implementation of problem-driven biologically inspired design in a real-world problem. In support of the Department of Energy SunShot Initiative, a national collaborative effort to make solar energy cost-competitive with other forms of electricity by the end of the decade, solar panel designs were carried out by engineering and architectural design teams. Solar Photovoltaic (PV) systems were developed using analogical design, and more specifically, bio-inspired design. Some systems were also designed using non-biological analogues. Functional decompositions were employed as the first step in the design process, as a way to identify the key functions essential to the system’s reliability and cost effectiveness. Six key functions were identified. Analysis of the final designs by the teams showed that the solar panel system designs using biologically inspired analogues were more effective in meeting the six key functions identified during functional decomposition. Employing a combination of divergent and convergent design thinking is also discussed as a way for effective biologically inspired design. The top three designs selected for prototyping were biologically inspired and exceeded the project goal of reducing the installation and labor costs of solar PV systems by 50%.
Solving the Reconfigurable Design Problem for Multiability With Application to Robotic Systems
Authors: Arena Jeffrey D. , Allison James T.
Published: January 2015

Systems that can be reconfigured are valuable in situations where a single artifact must perform several different functions well, and are especially important in cases where system demands are not known a priori. Design of reconfigurable systems present unique challenges compared to fixed system design. Increasing reconfigurable capability improves system utility, but also increases system complexity and cost. In this article a new design strategy is presented for the design of reconfigurable systems for multiability. This study is limited to systems where all system functions are known a priori, and only continuous means of reconfiguration are considered. Designing such a system requires determination of (1) what system features should be reconfigurable, and (2) what should the range of reconfigurability of these features be. The new design strategy is illustrated using a reconfigurable delta robot, which is a parallel manipulator that can be adapted to perform a variety of manufacturing operations. In this case study the tradeoff between end effector stiffness and speed is considered over two separate manipulation tasks.
Experimental Investigation of a Rotational Nonlinear Energy Sink for Shock Mitigation
Authors: Wierschem Nicholas E. , AL-Shudeifat Mohammad A. , Spencer Billie F. , Vakakis Alexander F. , Bergman Lawrence A.
Published: January 2015

Rotational nonlinear energy sinks (NESs) have been proposed to mitigate the response of underlying primary structures subjected to shock loading. This type of NES, which is composed of a passive mass that is free to rotate, has the potential to be easier to realize and more compact than other types of NESs. Like other types of NESs, these devices engage in targeted energy transfer, which allows for the broadband transfer of energy from the primary structure to the NES where it can be rapidly dissipated. Additionally, these devices can couple the dynamics of the primary structure and facilitate the transfer of energy from lower modes to higher modes, where it can be dissipated at a faster rate. This paper experimentally investigates the performance of this type of NES by using the results from tests of a rotational NES attached to a small-scale two-story structure. For these experiments, a shock load is provided to the primary structure using a shake-table-produced impulse-like ground motion. Additionally, by varying the amplitude of the input ground motion, the energy dependency of the performance of these devices can be investigated. The results of these experiments show that this type of NES can attenuate the response of a structure by responding in a highly effective rotational mode.
Advancing Design Through the Creation and Visualization of Virtual Population Representing U.S. Civilians
Authors: Haupt D. Reuben , Parkinson Matthew B.
Published: January 2015

Visualization of the U.S. civilian population provides perspective on the variability of body size and shape, enabling designers and engineers to better understand the needs of their target users. This paper presents a virtual population of digital human models, representative of the U.S. civilian population, and the methods used to create it. It is based on the observed variability in stature, BMI, and waist circumference in the data from the 2007–2010 CDC NHANES survey. The NHANES data were used in conjunction with regression models to develop the required model parameters. The models were then presented such that the variability and distribution of variability in anthropometry can be easily seen.
Vibration Analysis and Multi-Objective Optimization of Stiffened Triangular Plate
Authors: Saadatnia Zia , Rahnamayan Shahryar , Esmailzadeh Ebrahim
Published: January 2015

In this paper, nonlinear vibration of a triangular shape plate, with several stiffeners, is studied. The governing equation of transversal deflection of the plate, with considering the effects of orthotropic characteristics and external excitation, is analyzed. The ordinary differential equation for the time response of the system, through employing the Galerkin method, is obtained; and the frequency response of the plate-shape structure — using the multiple scale method — is determined. A robust genetic-based multi-objective optimization technique is employed to optimize the system’s response by finding the optimum values of the geometry and locations of the plate’s stiffeners. The influence of various parameters on the optimization results is investigated. According to the results, the optimum design of the stiffeners leads to a better performance of the vibration response.
An Offset Panel Technique for Thick Rigidily Foldable Origami
Authors: Edmondson Bryce J. , Lang Robert J. , Magleby Spencer P. , Howell Larry L.
Published: January 2015

A technique for thickness accommodation in origami-inspired mechanism design is introduced. Mathematically, origami panels are generally assumed to be planar with zero thickness. Origami models can be viewed as kinematic mechanisms where folds are revolute joints and panels are links. An origami-inspired mechanism can achieve the same kinematic motion as the paper origami source model if all joints lie along the folds in the zero-thickness plane. The panels are stacked in sequence in the closed (stowed) position. A joint plane is chosen and each panel is given extensions connecting each panel to the chosen plane. The extensions from the stacked panels allow each panel to be rigidly connected to its revolute joint in the chosen plane with all other joints. The accommodation technique utilizes origami models that are rigidly foldable. The height of the extensions are determined by the sum of the thicknesses of all panels between its stowed panel and the chosen joint plane. Any panel thickness can be accommodated, including multiple panel thicknesses within the same mechanism. Process steps for offset panel design of origami-inspired mechanisms are presented.
Revealing Insights From Professional Design Documentation
Authors: Westmoreland Sophoria N. , Schmidt Linda C.
Published: January 2015

In this work, the researchers explore how a professional engineering designer documents thoughts during the design process. This research will increase understanding of design thinking, improve the effectiveness of the design profession, and create tools for design education. Analyzing professional design behavior is traditionally done using timed design activities that are audio and video recorded to collect design data. The methodology used here is to analyze a set of handwritten design journals used for one long-term project. A comprehensive cognitive coding scheme is applied that has been verified by applying it to the data set and refined through iteration. The coding scheme has also been validated by producing comparative results to similar design studies found in the literature such as Atman, Suwa, and Jain. The results found that the professional was very detailed, spent a considerable amount of time on project management and that students are recording in the design journal for different reasons and at different times during the design process than the professional.
Chicken Manure Pyrolysis Using Carbon Dioxide
Authors: Ibrahim Mohamed S. , Gupta Alka , Gage Dave , Zeamer Justin A. , Amano Ryoichi S.
Published: January 2015

The design and build of a Thermo-gravimetric analyzer (TGA) is discussed in this paper along with the preliminary data obtained. The TGA was designed for biomass pyrolysis and gasification. In the design it was taken in consideration decreasing the size as possible so as to decrease the area subject to heat losses as possible and to be capable of reaching high temperatures sufficient for both pyrolysis and gasification. The TGA was then tested using carbon dioxide and calculations for the rate of mass converted and conversion rate were carried out.
Compliant Knee Exoskeleton Design: Parallel Coupled Compliant Plate (PCCP) Mechanism and Pennate Elastic Band (PEB) Spring
Authors: Jun Seungkook , Zhou Xiaobo , Ramsey Daniel K. , Krovi Venkat N.
Published: January 2015

Recent research in exoskeletons has examined ways for improving flexibility, wearability as well as reducing weight of overall system. Compliant mechanisms offer a class of articulated multi-body systems that allow relatively stiff but lightweight solution for exoskeleton/brace.
Practical Experience With a Mobile Methanol Synthesis Device
Authors: Morgan Eric R. , Acker Tom
Published: January 2015

Northern Arizona University has developed a methanol synthesis unit that directly converts carbon dioxide and hydrogen into methanol and water. The methanol synthesis unit consists of: a high pressure side that includes a compressor, a reactor, and a throttling valve; and a low pressure side that includes a knockout drum, and a mixer where fresh gas enters the system. Methanol and water are produced at high pressure in the reactor and then exit the system under low pressure and temperature in the knockout drum. The remaining, unreacted recycle gas that leaves the knockout drum is mixed with fresh synthesis gas before being sent back through the synthesis loop. The unit operates entirely on electricity and includes a high-pressure electrolyzer to obtain gaseous hydrogen and oxygen directly from purified water. Thus, the sole inputs to the trailer are water, carbon dioxide and electricity, while the sole outputs are methanol, oxygen, and water. A distillation unit separates the methanol and water mixture on site so that the synthesized water can be reused in the electrolyzer. Here, we describe and characterize the operation of the methanol synthesis unit and offer some possible design improvements for future iterations of the device, based on experience.
Why a High-Fiber Diet Prevents Cancer
Authors: Ferrarelli Leslie K.
Published: January 2015

Bacterial fermentation of fiber in the gut produces butyrate, a histone deacetylase inhibitor that promotes cell death in colon tumors.
Hypoxia and Hippo Signaling
Authors: Wong Wei
Published: January 2015

Hypoxia suppresses the Hippo pathway, reinforcing the stabilization of HIF-1α under low oxygen conditions.
5-Lipoxygenase Negatively Regulates Th1 Response during Brucella abortus Infection in Mice
Authors: Fahel Júlia Silveira , de Souza Mariana Bueno , Gomes Marco Túlio Ribeiro , Corsetti Patricia P. , Carvalho Natalia B. , Marinho Fabio A. V. , de Almeida Leonardo A. , Caliari Marcelo V. , Machado Fabiana Simão , Oliveira Sergio Costa
Published: January 2015

Brucella abortus
is a Gram-negative bacterium that infects humans and cattle, causing a chronic inflammatory disease known as brucellosis. A Th1-mediated immune response plays a critical role in host control of this pathogen. Recent findings indicate contrasting roles for lipid mediators in host responses against infections. 5-Lipoxygenase (5-LO) is an enzyme required for the production of the lipid mediators leukotrienes and lipoxins. To determine the involvement of 5-LO in host responses to
B. abortus
infection, we intraperitoneally infected wild-type and 5-LO-deficient mice and evaluated the progression of infection and concomitant expression of immune mediators. Here, we demonstrate that
B. abortus
induced the upregulation of 5-LO mRNA in wild-type mice. Moreover, this pathogen upregulated the production of the lipid mediators leukotriene B
4
and lipoxin A
4
in a 5-LO-dependent manner. 5-LO-deficient mice displayed lower bacterial burdens in the spleen and liver and less severe liver pathology, demonstrating an enhanced resistance to infection. Host resistance paralleled an increased expression of the proinflammatory mediators interleukin-12 (IL-12), gamma interferon (IFN-γ), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) during the course of infection. Moreover, we demonstrated that 5-LO downregulated the expression of IL-12 in macrophages during
B. abortus
infection. Our results suggest that 5-LO has a major involvement in
B. abortus
infection, by functioning as a negative regulator of the protective Th1 immune responses against this pathogen.
Photobacterium damselae subsp. damselae Major Virulence Factors Dly, Plasmid-Encoded HlyA, and Chromosome-Encoded HlyA Are Secreted via the Type II Secretion System
Authors: Rivas Amable J. , Vences Ana , Husmann Matthias , Lemos Manuel L. , Osorio Carlos R.
Published: January 2015

Photobacterium damselae
subsp.
damselae
is a marine bacterium that causes septicemia in marine animals and in humans. Previously, we had determined a major role of pPHDD1 plasmid-encoded Dly (damselysin) and HlyA (HlyA
pl
) and the chromosome-encoded HlyA (HlyA
ch
) hemolysins in virulence. However, the mechanisms by which these toxins are secreted remain unknown. In this study, we found that a mini-Tn
10
transposon mutant in a plasmidless strain showing an impaired hemolytic phenotype contained an insertion in
epsL
, a component of a type II secretion system (T2SS). Reconstruction of the mutant by allelic exchange confirmed the specific involvement of
epsL
in HlyA
ch
secretion. In addition, mutation of
epsL
in a pPHDD1-harboring strain caused an almost complete abolition of hemolytic activity against sheep erythrocytes, indicating that
epsL
plays a major role in secretion of the plasmid-encoded HlyA
pl
and Dly. This was further demonstrated by analysis of different combinations of hemolysin gene mutants and by strain-strain complementation assays. We also found that mutation of the putative prepilin peptidase gene
pilD
severely affected hemolysis, which dropped at levels inferior to those of
epsL
mutants. Promoter expression analyses suggested that impairment of hemolysin secretion in
epsL
and
pilD
mutants might constitute a signal that affects hemolysin and T2SS gene expression at the transcriptional level. In addition, single
epsL
and
pilD
mutations caused a drastic decrease in virulence for mice, demonstrating a major role of T2SS and
pilD
in
P. damselae
subsp.
damselae
virulence.
Resistance of Neisseria meningitidis to Human Serum Depends on T and B Cell Stimulating Protein B
Authors: Müller Maike G. , Moe Nina E. , Richards Phillip Q. , Moe Gregory R.
Published: January 2015

The ability of the human bacterial pathogen
Neisseria meningitidis
to cause invasive disease depends on survival in the bloodstream via mechanisms to suppress complement activation. In this study, we show that prophage genes coding for T and B cell stimulating protein B (TspB), which is an immunoglobulin-binding protein, are essential for survival of
N. meningitidis
group B strain H44/76 in normal human serum (NHS). H44/76 carries three genes coding for TspB. Mutants having all
tspB
genes inactivated did not survive in >5% NHS or IgG-depleted NHS. TspB appeared to inhibit IgM-mediated activation of the classical complement pathway, since survival of the
tspB
triple knockout was the same as that of the parent strain or a complemented mutant when the classical pathway was inactivated by depleting NHS of C1q and was increased in IgM-depleted NHS. A mutant solely carrying
tspB
gene
nmbh4476_0681
was as resistant as the parent strain, while mutants carrying only
nmbh4476_0598
or
nmbh4476_1698
were killed in ≥5% NHS. The phenotype associated with TspB is formation of a matrix containing TspB, IgG, and DNA that envelopes aggregates of bacteria. Recombinant proteins corresponding to particular subdomains of TspB were found to have human IgG Fcγ- and/or DNA-binding activity, but only TspB derivatives containing both domains formed large, biofilm-like aggregates when combined with purified IgG and DNA. Recognizing the role of TspB in serum resistance may lead to a better understanding of why strains that carry
tspB
genes are associated with invasive meningococcal disease.
Protocol for a multicentre, prospective, population-based cohort study of variation in practice of cholecystectomy and surgical outcomes (The CholeS study)
Authors: Vohra Ravinder S , Spreadborough Philip , Johnstone Marianne , Marriott Paul , Bhangu Aneel , Alderson Derek , Morton Dion G , Griffiths Ewen A
Published: January 2015

Introduction

Cholecystectomy is one of the most common general surgical operations performed. Despite level one evidence supporting the role of cholecystectomy in the management of specific gallbladder diseases, practice varies between surgeons and hospitals. It is unknown whether these variations account for the differences in surgical outcomes seen in population-level retrospective data sets. This study aims to investigate surgical outcomes following acute, elective and delayed cholecystectomies in a multicentre, contemporary, prospective, population-based cohort.

Methods and analysis

UK and Irish hospitals performing cholecystectomies will be recruited utilising trainee-led research collaboratives. Two months of consecutive, adult patient data will be included. The primary outcome measure of all-cause 30-day readmission rate will be used in this study. Thirty-day complication rates, bile leak rate, common bile duct injury, conversion to open surgery, duration of surgery and length of stay will be measured as secondary outcomes. Prospective data on over 8000 procedures is anticipated. Individual hospitals will be surveyed to determine local policies and service provision. Variations in outcomes will be investigated using regression modelling to adjust for confounders.

Ethics and dissemination

Research ethics approval is not required for this study and has been confirmed by the online National Research Ethics Service (NRES) decision tool. This novel study will investigate how hospital-level surgical provision can affect patient outcomes, using a cross-sectional methodology. The results are essential to inform commissioning groups and implement changes within the National Health Service (NHS). Dissemination of the study protocol is primarily through the trainee-led research collaboratives and the Association of Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeons (AUGIS). Individual centres will have access to their own results and the collective results of the study will be published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at relevant surgical conferences.
Barriers to cervical cancer screening among ethnic minority women: a qualitative study
Authors: Marlow Laura A V , Waller Jo , Wardle Jane
Published: January 2015

Background

Ethnic minority women are less likely to attend cervical screening.

Aim

To explore self-perceived barriers to cervical screening attendance among ethnic minority women compared to white British women.

Design

Qualitative interview study.

Setting

Community groups in ethnically diverse London boroughs.

Methods

Interviews were carried out with 43 women from a range of ethnic minority backgrounds (Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Caribbean, African, Black British, Black other, White other) and 11 White British women. Interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using Framework analysis.

Results

Fifteen women had delayed screening/had never been screened. Ethnic minority women felt that there was a lack of awareness about cervical cancer in their community, and several did not recognise the terms ‘cervical screening’ or ‘smear test’. Barriers to cervical screening raised by all women were emotional (fear, embarrassment, shame), practical (lack of time) and cognitive (low perceived risk, absence of symptoms). Emotional barriers seemed to be more prominent among Asian women. Low perceived risk of cervical cancer was influenced by beliefs about having sex outside of marriage and some women felt a diagnosis of cervical cancer might be considered shameful. Negative experiences were well remembered by all women and could be a barrier to repeat attendance.

Conclusions

Emotional barriers (fear, embarrassment and anticipated shame) and low perceived risk might contribute to explaining lower cervical screening coverage for some ethnic groups. Interventions to improve knowledge and understanding of cervical cancer are needed in ethnic minority communities, and investment in training for health professionals may improve experiences and encourage repeat attendance for all women.
Direct aspiration first pass technique for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke: initial experience at a European stroke center
Authors: Kowoll Annika , Weber Anushe , Mpotsaris Anastasios , Behme Daniel , Weber Werner
Published: January 2015

Introduction

Over the past decade, endovascular techniques for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke have emerged significantly. However, revascularization rates are limited at approximately 80%, and mechanical thrombectomy procedures still last about 1 h. Therefore, we investigated the novel direct aspiration first pass technique for its efficacy and safety.

Methods

Our neurointerventional database was screened for patients who received mechanical thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke using the Penumbra 5MAX ACE aspiration catheter on an intention to treat basis between November 2013 and June 2014. Procedural data, including modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction (mTICI) score, procedural timings, and complications, as well as clinical data at admission and discharge, were analyzed.

Results

54 patients received mechanical thrombectomy using the 5MAX ACE. Median age was 69 (39–94) years (54% were men). Baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score was 15 (2–27) and 44/54 (81%) patients received intravenous thrombolysis. Vessel occlusion sites were 91% anterior circulation and 9% posterior circulation. A successful revascularization result (mTICI ≥2b) was achieved in 93% of cases whereas direct aspiration alone was successful in 30/54 (56%) cases; among these, median time from groin puncture to revascularization was 30 min (9–113). Symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage occurred in 2/54 (4%) patients, and embolization to new territories in 3/54 (6%). Median NIHSS at discharge was 6 (0–24); 46% of patients were independent at discharge.

Conclusions

The direct aspiration first pass technique proofed to be fast, effective, and safe. Promising revascularization results can be achieved quickly in more than 50% of patients using this technique as the firstline option. Nevertheless, stent retrievers are still warranted in approximately 40% of cases to achieve a favorable revascularization result.
Six-year clinical study of firework-related eye injuries in North China
Authors: Kong Yichun , Tang Xin , Kong Baohuan , Jiang Hao , Chen Ying
Published: January 2015

Purpose

To analyse the demographic data, clinical characteristics, management and prognosis of patients with firework-related eye injuries.

Methods

A retrospective review was performed of patients with eye injuries related to fireworks referred to TianJin Eye Hospital in North China from 2008 to 2013. Demographic information, clinical features, management and visual outcome were analysed and prognosis factors were evaluated.

Results

Ninety-nine patients (86 men) with 118 eye injuries were enrolled in the study. The average age of the patients was 32.0±20.5 years; 70/99 (70.7%) were aged >20 years. Eighty-one of the patients had been lighting the fireworks while the rest were bystanders. The main ophthalmic manifestations were hyphaema, vitreous haemorrhage, corneal/sclera/corneoscleral open globe injury, eyelid laceration, traumatic cataract, retinal/choroid detachment, endophthalmitis and intraocular foreign body (IOFB). Ninety patients required surgical intervention including repair of open globe injury, vitrectomy, cataract extraction and enucleation. 56/118 eyes (47.5%) received multiple operations. After treatment, final best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) significantly improved (p=0.015). Some factors were significantly correlated with better final BCVA, including initial BCVA (p=0.036), closed globe injury (p=0.031), absence of endophthalmitis (p=0.014), absence of IOFB (p=0.024) and absence of retinal detachment (p=0.046).

Conclusions

Firework-related eye injuries mainly occur in adult men and result in severe visual damage. The most common clinical manifestations are hyphaema and vitreous haemorrhage. Better initial BCVA and closed globe injury have a better visual result while endophthalmitis, IOFB and retinal detachment have a negative visual outcome. Improved eye protection, along with enhanced public education and legal ban on fireworks, could reduce the incidence of eye injuries.
On the compressibility of tire-derived aggregate: comparison of results from laboratory and field tests
Authors: Yi Yaolin , Meles Daniel , Nassiri Somayeh , Bayat Alireza
Published: January 2015

Compression behavior of tire-derived aggregate (TDA) was investigated through relatively small-scale and large-scale laboratory one-dimensional compression tests, as well as a full-scale field test. Two types of TDA produced from passenger and light truck tire (PLTT) and off-the-road (OTR) tire were tested. The influence of initial void ratio (e0), particle size, tire source, and testing method on the compression behavior of TDA was investigated. The results indicated that the compressibility of TDA was primarily dominated by its e0. OTR yielded lower e0 than PLTT with similar particle size and the same compaction method. TDA in the field was pre-compressed by self-weight, resulting in lower e0 and compressibility compared with laboratory samples. At relatively high stress levels, all TDA exhibited similar void ratio–stress curves regardless of e0, particle size, tire source or testing method. High e0, small particle size, and granular particle shape facilitated the sliding and rolling of TDA particles, resulting in high plastic strain. The elastic deformation of TDA, reflecting the elastic behavior of tire rubber, was primarily dominated by the average contact area ratio of the TDA particles, depending mainly on the sample void ratio.
Weighing our measures: approach-appropriate modeling of body composition in juvenile Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus)
Authors: Shuert C.R. , Skinner J.P. , Mellish J.E.
Published: January 2015

While many approaches to modeling body condition exist, ranging from arbitrary morphometric indices to sophisticated cone modeling, few approaches have attempted to develop a standardized, simplified method for determining total body fat and protein in otariids. Our goal was to develop a method for predicting the body condition of juvenile Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus (Schreber, 1776)) using simple morphometrics such as measurements of girth, length, mass, and blubber depth. We compared a candidate set of models to determine which metrics best predicted total body water (TBW) measures obtained by deuterium isotope dilution. Furthermore, we used AICc (Akaike’s information criterion corrected for small sample size) model selection methods and cross-validation to choose and validate the best suite of predictors. TBW was best predicted by a model that included mass, standard length, axial girth with the addition of blubber depths on the lateral side of the neck and dorsal surface of the hip. The results presented here show that blubber depth is an important addition to modeling body composition and may improve upon nonlethal, population-level estimates of nonisotopically derived values of TBW in juvenile Steller sea lions. Additionally, our models present a model development framework for other research efforts for use in determining body condition in otariids.
Appreciating geology and the physical landscape in Scotland: from tourism of awe to experiential re-engagement
Authors: Gordon John E. , Baker Matt
Published: January 2015

This chapter explores people's experience of the physical landscape in Scotland from the perspective of parallel developments in geological science, landscape aesthetics and tourism since the middle of the eighteenth century. It begins with tourism of awe, inspired by the Romantic movement and the excitement of discovering natural wonders promoted through contemporary literature and art during the development of modern geological science in the late eighteenth–early nineteenth centuries. Popular interest and engagement in geology declined with increasing scientific specialization, although the physical landscape continued to draw many visitors and provide creative inspiration for poets and artists. In the 1940s, the beginnings of statutory geoconservation were accompanied by renewed interest in raising public awareness of geology and the physical landscape mainly through didactic methods. More recently, exploration of the cultural links between geology and landscape is providing new opportunities for experiential re-engagement, a shift that recognizes the close links between people and the physical landscape, and one promoted through voluntary sector activity in geoconservation and the development of Geoparks. Rediscovering a sense of wonder and reconnecting with the landscape offer a means of reconciling the natural and cultural worlds and enabling wider public appreciation of geodiversity.
Reconfiguration Criterion for Fault-Tolerant Control
Authors: Yang Inseok , Lee Dongik , Han Dong Seog
Published: January 2015

The reconfiguration criterion for tolerating actuator fault is proposed. The proposed reconfiguration criterion analyzes the relationship between normal actuators and the system states that are directly affected by faulty actuators. So the proposed criterion provides the possibilities of fault-tolerance. Moreover, it also provides the required number of redundant normal actuators.
Proteinquakes in the Evolution of Influenza Virus Hemagglutinin (A/H1N1) under Opposing Migration and Vaccination Pressures
Authors: Phillips J. C.
Published: January 2015

Influenza virus contains two highly variable envelope glycoproteins, hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA). Here we show that, while HA evolution is much more complex than NA evolution, it still shows abrupt punctuation changes linked to punctuation changes of NA. HA exhibits proteinquakes, which resemble earthquakes and are related to hydropathic shifting of sialic acid binding regions. HA proteinquakes based on shifting sialic acid interactions are required for optimal balance between the receptor-binding and receptor-destroying activities of HA and NA for efficient virus replication. Our comprehensive results present a historical (1945–2011) panorama of HA evolution over thousands of strains and are consistent with many studies of HA and NA interactions based on a few mutations of a few strains.
Large Artery Remodeling and Dynamics following Simulated Microgravity by Prolonged Head-Down Tilt Bed Rest in Humans
Authors: Palombo Carlo , Morizzo Carmela , Baluci Martino , Lucini Daniela , Ricci Stefano , Biolo Gianni , Tortoli Piero , Kozakova Michaela
Published: January 2015

The effects of simulated microgravity on the static and dynamic properties of large arteries are still mostly unknown. The present study evaluated, using an integrated vascular approach, changes in structure and function of the common carotid and femoral arteries (CCA and CFA) after prolonged head-down tilt bed rest (HDTBR). Ten healthy men were enrolled in a 5-week HDTBR study endorsed by the Italian Space Agency (ASI). Arterial geometry, flow, stiffness, and shear rate were evaluated by ultrasound. Local carotid pulse pressure and wave reflection were studied by applanation tonometry. After five weeks of HDTBR, CFA showed a decrease in lumen diameter without significant changes in wall thickness (IMT), resulting in an inward remodeling. Local carotid pulse pressure decreased and carotid-to-brachial pressure amplification increased. The ratio of systolic-to-diastolic volumetric flow in CFA decreased, whereas in CCA it tended to increase. Indices of arterial stiffness and shear rate did not change during HDTBR, either in CCA or CFA. In summary, prolonged HDTBR has a different impact on CCA and CFA structure and flow, probably depending on the characteristics of the vascular bed perfused.
Is Parkinson’s Disease Truly a Prion-Like Disorder? An Appraisal of Current Evidence
Authors: Chauhan Aneesha , Jeans Alexander F.
Published: January 2015

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the world’s second most common neurodegenerative disease and most common movement disorder. Characterised by a loss of dopaminergic neurons and the development of intraneuronal inclusions known as Lewy bodies, it has classically been thought of as a cell-autonomous disease. However, in 2008, two groups reported the startling observation of Lewy bodies within embryonic neuronal grafts transplanted into PD patients little more than a decade previously, suggesting that PD pathology can be propagated to neighbouring cells and calling basic assumptions of our understanding of the disease into question. Subsequent research has largely served to confirm this interpretation, pointing towards a prion-like intercellular transfer of misfoldedα-synuclein, the main component of Lewy bodies, as central to PD. This shift in thinking offers a revolutionary approach to PD treatment, potentially enabling a transition from purely symptomatic therapy to direct targeting of the pathology that drives disease progression. In this short review, we appraise current experimental support for PD as a prion-like disease, whilst highlighting areas of controversy or inconsistency which must be resolved. We also offer a brief discussion of the therapeutic implications of these discoveries.
Calibration Method for Confocal X-Ray Microanalysis with Polychromatic Excitation
Authors: Sosa C. , Stoytschew V. , Leani J. , Sánchez H. J. , Pérez C. A. , Perez R. D.
Published: January 2015

To apply the fundamental parameters method at the confocal setup the knowledge of the sensitivity of the spectrometer is required which depends on the characteristics of two X-ray lenses: one in the excitation channel and another in the detection channel. For the particular case of polychromatic excitation, the theory shows that the focalization properties of the excitation lens for all incident energies affect the X-ray fluorescence intensity. Therefore the traditional calibration method based on the measurement of standard samples becomes unstable since the number of required fitting parameters is too high. To reduce these parameters a previous characterization of the excitation lens by a simulation program was employed giving rise to a simplified confocal setup calibration. The developed calibration method was applied for a confocal spectrometer implemented in the Brazilian Synchrotron Radiation Source (LNLS) with white beam. The experimental parameters of the sensitivity were obtained from depth profile analysis of several pure thin films. The calibrated confocal setup was used to quantify reference standards in order to validate the calibration procedure. Our results for elemental concentrations show relative errors less than 15% for the quantitative analysis of a light matrix reference standard.