bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The ISAR Instrument Uncertainty Model
Authors: Wimmer Werenfrid , Robinson Ian S.
Published: September 2016

Measurements of sea surface temperature at the skin interface () made by an Infrared Sea Surface Temperature Autonomous Radiometer (ISAR) have been used for a number of years to validate satellite sea surface temperature (SST), especially high-accuracy observations such as made by the Advanced Along-Track Scanning Radiometer (AATSR). The ISAR instrument accuracy for measuring is ±0.1 K (Donlon et al.), but to satisfy Quality Assurance Framework for Earth Observation (QA4EO) principles and metrological standards (Joint Committee for Guides in Metrology), an uncertainty model is required. To develop the ISAR uncertainty model, all sources of uncertainty in the instrument are analyzed and an uncertainty value is assigned to each component. Finally, the individual uncertainty components are propagated through the ISAR retrieval algorithm to estimate a total uncertainty for each measurement. The resulting ISAR uncertainty model applied to a 12-yr archive of measurements from the Bay of Biscay shows that 77.6% of the data are expected to be within ±0.1 K and a further 17.2% are within 0.2 K.
Hepatitis C virus core antigen assay: an alternative method for hepatitis C diagnosis
Authors: Wang Lijuan , Lv Hong , Zhang Guojun
Published: September 2016

Background

The study aimed to evaluate a fully automated chemiluminescent immunoassay and compared it with a quantitative RNA assay and anti-HCV assay to verify the utility of this automated Ag assay as an alternative method for hepatitis C diagnosis.

Methods

A total of 229 serum samples previously tested for anti-HCV concentrations by the Architect Anti-HCV assay, were selected for HCV RNA testing by real time RT-PCR kit (Shanghai ZJ Bio-Tec Co., Ltd) and 125 specimens were tested for HCV Ag by the Architect HCV core Antigen kit.

Results

The log10 HCVAg and HCV RNA concentrations were highly correlated [ r = 0.834); with HCV RNA as the comparator test, HCVAg had 100% specificity, 100% positive predictive value (PPV) and 94.8% sensitivity. We found 1 pg/mL of total HCV core Ag is equivalent to approximately 6607HCV RNA international units (IU)/mL. Receiver operator characteristic curve analysis showed that the area under the curve of HCV core Ag (0.989) was greater than HCV Ab (0.871). HCV Ag concentrations and RNA-to-Ag ratio of the groups for HCV RNA concentrations ≤105 and >105 IU/mL were both significantly different from each other ( P < 0.05).

Conclusion

The Architect HCV core Ag assay may be an alternative method for hepatitis C diagnosis, performed on the same analytical platform and sample as the anti-HCV assay, shortening the diagnostic window period, demonstrating good correlation with HCV RNA assay with high specificity and positive predictive value.
Preanalytical errors in medical laboratories: a review of the available methodologies of data collection and analysis
Authors: West Jamie , Atherton Jennifer , Costelloe Seán J , Pourmahram Ghazaleh , Stretton Adam , Cornes Michael
Published: September 2016

Preanalytical errors have previously been shown to contribute a significant proportion of errors in laboratory processes and contribute to a number of patient safety risks. Accreditation against ISO 15189:2012 requires that laboratory Quality Management Systems consider the impact of preanalytical processes in areas such as the identification and control of non-conformances, continual improvement, internal audit and quality indicators. Previous studies have shown that there is a wide variation in the definition, repertoire and collection methods for preanalytical quality indicators. The International Federation of Clinical Chemistry Working Group on Laboratory Errors and Patient Safety has defined a number of quality indicators for the preanalytical stage, and the adoption of harmonized definitions will support interlaboratory comparisons and continual improvement. There are a variety of data collection methods, including audit, manual recording processes, incident reporting mechanisms and laboratory information systems. Quality management processes such as benchmarking, statistical process control, Pareto analysis and failure mode and effect analysis can be used to review data and should be incorporated into clinical governance mechanisms. In this paper, The Association for Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine PreAnalytical Specialist Interest Group review the various data collection methods available. Our recommendation is the use of the laboratory information management systems as a recording mechanism for preanalytical errors as this provides the easiest and most standardized mechanism of data capture.
Measurement of serum 3-epi-25-hydroxyvitamin D3, 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 and 25-hydroxyvitamin D2 in infant, paediatric and adolescent populations of Korea using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Cho Sung E , Kim Sollip , Kim Young D , Lee Hyojung , Seo Dong H , Song Junghan , Um Tae H , Cho Chong R , Kim Nam H , Hwang Jong H
Published: September 2016

Background

We evaluated the performance of ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry to measure serum 3-epi-25-hydroxyvitamin D3, 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 and 25-hydroxyvitamin D2 concentrations in 519 infant, paediatric and adolescent serum samples in Korea.

Methods

We used a Kinetex XB-C18 column and isocratic methanol/water (77.5/22.5, v/v) with 0.025% (v/v) high-performance liquid chromatography solvent additive flowing at 0.25 mL/min, yielding an 11 min/sample run time. A TQD triple quadrupole mass spectrometer in electrospray ionization positive ion mode with multiple reaction monitoring transition via an MSMS vitamin D kit was used to evaluate precision, carryover, ion suppression and linearity. Samples were prepared using the 4-phenyl-1,2,4-triazoline-3,5-dione derivatization method.

Results

Intra- and inter-run precisions were 1.23–13.28% and 1.02–10.08%, respectively. Group carryovers were −0.27% and 0.10%, respectively. There was no ion suppression. The calibration curve showed good linearity from calibrator Level 1 (11.75 nmol/L) to 6 (375 nmol/L) with R2 > 0.9999. The 3-epi-25-hydroxyvitamin D3 and 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 peaks were clearly separated in the extracted ion chromatogram. Infant serum samples 3-epi-25-hydroxyvitamin D3 concentrations were significantly higher than paediatric and adolescent concentrations.

Conclusions

The ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry assay performed acceptably, clearly separating 3-epi-25-hydroxyvitamin D3 from 25-hydroxyvitamin D3. High 3-epi-25-hydroxyvitamin D3 concentrations were observed in infant but not in paediatric and adolescent serum samples.
Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2: a new marker to determine cardiovascular risk in hypercholesterolemic dyslipidaemic children
Authors: Öngen Belkız , Kalkan Uçar Sema , Levent Ertürk , Azarsız Elif , Koloğlu Turan , Çoker Mahmut , Sözmen Eser , Sağın Ferhan G
Published: September 2016

Background

Inflammation and hypercholesterolaemia contribute to atherosclerotic changes which can start in childhood. Children with hyperlipidaemias are at high risk for early coronary atherosclerosis. This study evaluates the relationship between lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2), carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and flow-mediated dilatation in hypercholesterolaemic dyslipidaemic children.

Methods

We performed a case–control study consisting of 43 cases, aged 2 to 17 years, and 24 age-matched controls. Fasting blood samples were obtained from both groups for the measurement of a lipid profile (total cholesterol, LDL-C, HDL-C and triglycerides) and Lp-PLA2 in mass units. The latter was determined with a turbidimetric immunoassay method (PlacTest, DiaDexus Inc.) applied to an automated analyser. CIMT and flow-mediated dilatation measurements were undertaken by a paediatric cardiologist, using high-resolution B-mode ultrasonography.

Results

Total cholesterol, LDL-C and Lp-PLA2 concentrations were significantly higher in the cases than in the controls ( p < 0.001 for all three parameters). While CIMT values were also significantly higher in the patients compared to the controls ( P = 0.001), flow-mediated dilatation values were significantly lower ( P = 0.001). We found positive correlations between Lp-PLA2 and total cholesterol ( r = 0.41, P = 0.001), Lp-PLA2 and LDL-C ( r = 0.36, P = 0.004), Lp-PLA2 and CIMT ( r = 0.44, P = 0.019) and LDL-C and CIMT ( r = 0.41, P = 0.032); there were negative correlations between Lp-PLA2 and flow-mediated dilatation ( r = −0.15, P = 0.045), total cholesterol and flow-mediated dilatation ( r = −0.45, P = 0.017), LDL-C and flow-mediated dilatation ( r = −0.51, P = 0.006) and CIMT and flow-mediated dilatation ( r = −0.45, P = 0.016).

Conclusion

Lp-PLA2 concentrations are significantly elevated in hypercholesterolaemic dyslipidaemic children. Given the association of Lp-PLA2 with markers of atherosclerosis (total cholesterol, LDL-C, CIMT and flow-mediated dilatation), the finding of increased concentrations of Lp-PLA2 could be used to identify early atherosclerotic changes in hypercholesterolaemic dyslipidaemic children and may inform their clinical management.
A modified pultrusion process
Authors: Irfan Muhammad S , Shotton-Gale Nicholas , Paget Mark A , Machavaram Venkata R , Leek Colin , Wootton Shane , Hudson Mark , Helsmans Stefan , Bogonez Francisco N , Pandita Surya D , Fernando Gerard F
Published: September 2016

This paper reports on a modified pultrusion process where the conventional resin bath was replaced with a custom-designed, enclosed resin impregnation unit. A feature of this modified production process is that the rovings were spread, prior to impregnation, using a compact fibre spreading unit. The resin impregnator was designed to accommodate 60 rovings of 2400 tex E-glass. The design features enabled specified modes of impregnation to be enacted including, resin-injection, pin-impregnation, capillary-impregnation and compaction. The impregnator was designed to accept pre-mixed resin from a pneumatically activated pressure-pot or a custom-designed resin delivery system. Pultrusion trials were conducted on a commercial machine using a conventional resin bath, the pressure-pot and the impregnation unit. The physical, mechanical and thermo-mechanical properties of the composites pultruded using the modified technique were marginally superior to those manufactured using the conventional resin bath. However, the environmental benefits of the modified pultrusion process were demonstrated to be significant.
Vascular lesions simulating bruising
Authors: Byard Roger W , Bellis Maria , Langlois Neil EI
Published: September 2016

Careful examination of the skin and soft tissues is a routine part of the forensic autopsy to identify and characterise traumatic lesions. Three cases are reported where benign vascular lesions presented as bruises. In case 1, a 44-year-old man with a history of epilepsy was found dead on the floor. Dissection of the neck revealed a haemorrhagic area 15 mm × 1.5 mm, deep to the left thyrohyoid muscle. In case 2, an 87-year-old man was found dead with a plastic bag over his head attached to an opened cylinder of nitrogen gas. On the mucosal surface of his upper lip, there was an apparent 5 mm blue/purple bruise. In case 3, examination of the back of a 16-month-old girl revealed an apparent 15 mm bruise. Histological examination of all three lesions revealed benign vascular lesions. In the absence of microscopy, these lesions would have been considered traumatic in origin, raising the possibility of inflicted trauma.
Model predictive current controller for performance enhancement of grid-integrated single-phase photovoltaic distributed generation plants
Authors: Chatterjee Aditi , Mohanty Kanungobarada , Kommukuri Vinaya Sagar , Thakre Kishor
Published: September 2016

Acknowledgement of renewable sources of energy as substitute energy sources for power production has expanded the number of distributed generation plants being incorporated into the conventional power distribution system. The single-phase voltage source inverter allying the photovoltaic plant with the grid has to address various issues identified with the quality of current injected into the grid, output power factor and power exchange between the plant and the grid. This paper concentrates on the investigation, design and implementation of a digital predictive current control technique known as the model predictive current controller for the control of single-phase photovoltaic distributed generation plants. The performance of the controller is evaluated under varied operating conditions. The proposed current controller is compared with the conventional proportional–integral controller in terms of its design methodology, steady state and dynamic response. The simulation and experimental results validates the effectiveness of the proposed model predictive current controller.
Auricular Split‐Thickness Skin Graft for Ear Canal Coverage
Authors: Haidar Yarah M. , Walia Sartaaj , Sahyouni Ronald , Ghavami Yaser , Lin Harrison W. , Djalilian Hamid R.
Published: September 2016

Split‐thickness skin graft (STSG) continues to be the preferred means of external auditory canal (EAC) reconstruction. We thus sought to describe our experience using skin from the posterior aspect of the auricle (SPAA) as a donor site in EAC reconstruction. Grafts were, on average, 5 × 10 mm in size and obtained with a No. 10 blade after tumescence injection. The cases of 39 patients who underwent 41 procedures were retrospectively reviewed. Of the 38 patients with both 3‐ and 6‐month follow‐ups, no postoperative stenosis or bony exposure occurred. STSG from the SPAA can be a good option in EAC reconstruction. Total EAC/tympanic membrane coverage can be obtained with STSG from the SPAA.
Is government decentralization useful in the fight against domestic terrorism? A cross-country analysis
Authors: Ezcurra Roberto
Published: September 2016

This article examines the link between government decentralization and domestic terrorism in 65 countries over the period 1976–2009. The results show the existence of a U-shaped relationship between fiscal devolution and the number of domestic terror attacks. This implies that fiscal decentralization first contributes to reducing domestic terrorist activity. However, beyond a certain threshold level, the relationship becomes positive, indicating that the transfer of fiscal power to subnational governments increases the incidence of domestic terrorism. Furthermore, our findings also reveal that the number of domestic terror attacks is higher in those countries in which subnational governments are characterized by greater levels of political autonomy. These results are obtained after controlling for a number of factors that could plausibly be correlated with both the incidence of domestic terrorism and government decentralization, such as the level of economic development, country size, the extent of civil liberties and democracy, the degree of trade openness, or geographical features.
Transforming space and society? The political ecology of education in the Brazilian Landless Workers’ Movement’s Jornada de Agroecología
Authors: Meek David , Simonian Ligia TL
Published: September 2016

The occupation of space is a key geographic tactic for social movements. In this article, we explore how movements’ explicit and everyday occupation of space exists along a continuum. Taken together, these occupations can function as part of a broader strategy of creating dialogic spaces for environmental knowledge production. Dialogic spaces have an educational function, and are intended to provoke critical dialogue and transformation within society. Drawing upon a political ecology of education framework, we show that these dialogic spaces are strategically occupied to help transform both material and immaterial territories. We evidence this argument by analyzing the Brazilian Landless Workers’ Movement’s (MST) Jornada de Agroecology (agroecological journey), which is a social movement meeting. Drawing upon data collected at the 2012 Jornada, we argue that the Jornada’s disparate spatial forms are part of a broader journey related to transforming not only space, but also what constitutes agroecology.
Non-diagnostic coronary artery calcification and stenosis: a correlation of coronary computed tomography angiography and invasive coronary angiography
Authors: Engel Leif-Christopher , Thai Wai-ee , Medina-Zuluaga Hector , Karolyi Mihaly , Sidhu Manavjot S , Maurovich-Horvat Pal , Margey Ronan , Pomerantsev Eugene , Abbara Suhny , Ghoshhajra Brian B , Hoffmann Udo , Liew Gary Y
Published: September 2016

Background

Heavy coronary artery calcification (CAC) impairs diagnostic accuracy of coronary computed tomography angiography (cCTA) and is considered to be a major limitation.

Purpose

To investigate the effect of non-evaluable CAC seen on cCTA on clinical decision-making by determining the degree of subsequent invasive testing and to assess the relationship between non-evaluable segments containing CAC and significant stenosis as seen in invasive coronary angiography (ICA).

Material and Methods

The study comprised of 356 patients who underwent cCTA and subsequent ICA within 2 months between 2005 and 2009. Clinical reports were reviewed to identify the indications for referral to ICA. In a subset of 68 patients where non-diagnostic CAC on cCTA and significant stenosis on ICA were present in the same segment, we correlated and analyzed the underlying stenosis severity of the lesion on ICA to the cCTA. Lesions with CAC were analyzed in a standardized fashion by application of reading rules.

Results

Non-diagnostic CAC on cCTA prompted ICA in 5.6% of patients. CAC occurred at the site of maximum stenosis in segments with stenosis <50% (95.9% [47/49]), 50–69% (82.4% [28/34]), 70–99% (64.5% [31/48]), and 100% (33.3% [1/3]). At the point of maximum calcium deposit, non-obstructive disease was present in 61.2%. Application of reading rules resulted in a 44% reduction in non-diagnostic cCTA reads.

Conclusion

Severe CAC may prompt further investigation with ICA. There is less CAC with increasing lesion severity at the point of maximum stenosis. Additional application of reading rules improved non-diagnostic cCTA reads.
Auditor recommendations resulting from three clinical audit rounds in Finnish radiology units
Authors: Miettunen Kirsi , Metsälä Eija
Published: September 2016

Background

The purpose of clinical audits performed in radiology units is to reduce the radiation dose of patients and staff and to implement evidence-based best practices.

Purpose

To describe auditor recommendations in three Finnish clinical audit rounds performed in 2002–2014, and to determine if auditor recommendations have had any impact on improving medical imaging practice.

Material and Methods

The retrospective observational study was performed in radiology units holding a radiation safety license issued by the Finnish Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority. The data comprised a systematic sample (n = 120) of auditor reports produced in three auditing rounds in these units during the years 2002–2014. The data were analyzed by descriptive methods and by using the Friedman two-way ANOVA test.

Results

The number of auditor recommendations given varied between clinical audit rounds and according to the type of imaging unit, as well as according to calculation method. Proportionally, the most recommendations in all three clinical audit rounds were given about defining and using quality assurance functions and about guidelines and practices for carrying out procedures involving radiation exposure. Demanding radiology units improved their practices more than basic imaging units towards the third round.

Conclusion

Auditor recommendations help to address the deficiencies in imaging practices. There is a need to develop uniform guidelines and to provide tutoring for clinical auditors in order to produce comparable clinical audit results.
A free software for the calculation of T2* values for iron overload assessment
Authors: Fernandes Juliano Lara , Fioravante Luciana Andrea Barozi , Verissimo Monica P , Loggetto Sandra R
Published: September 2016

Background

Iron overload assessment with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using T2* has become a key diagnostic method in the management of many diseases. Quantitative analysis of the MRI images with a cost-effective tool has been a limitation to increased use of the method.

Purpose

To provide a free software solution for this purpose comparing the results with a commercial solution.

Material and Methods

The free tool was developed as a standalone program to be directly downloaded and ran in a common personal computer platform without the need of a dedicated workstation. Liver and cardiac T2* values were calculated using both tools and the values obtained compared between them in a group of 56 patients with suspected iron overload using Bland–Altman plots and concordance correlation coefficients (CCC).

Results

In the heart, the mean T2* differences between the two methods was 0.46 ms (95% confidence interval [CI], −0.037 −0.965) and in the liver 0.49 ms (95% CI, 0.257–0.722). The CCC for both the heart and the liver were significantly high (0.98 [95% CI, 0.966–0.988] with a Pearson ρ of 0.9811 and 0.991 [95% CI, 0.986–0.994] with a Pearson ρ of 0.996, respectively. No significant differences were observed when analyzing only patients with abnormal concentrations of iron in both organs compared to the whole cohort.

Conclusion

The proposed free software tool is accurate for calculation of T2* values of the liver and heart and might be a solution for centers that cannot use paid commercial solutions.
In the Eye of the Illusion: Variation in Perceptual Phenomena Within an Inverted Percept
Authors: Deręgowski Jan B. , Tatler Benjamin W.
Published: September 2016

Monocular depth cues can lead not only to illusory depth in two-dimensional patterns but also to perspective reversals in three-dimensional objects. When a viewer perceptually inverts (reverses) a three-dimensional object, stimuli on the inner surfaces of that object also invert. However, the perceptual fate of anything occurring within the space that is enclosed by the walls of a perceptually reversible object is unknown. In the present study, perceptions of the relative vertical heights of stimuli within a truncated pyramidal chute were compared for stimuli placed laterally, on the inner surface of the chute, or centrally, suspended within the volume enclosed by the chute. The typical inversion was obtained for lateral stimuli, but central stimuli did not invert. While central stimuli maintained their veridical vertical order, participants experienced a considerable compression of perceptual depth. These results imply a dilution of the illusion within the centre of the volume of space that it encloses.
The continuum of client-centred practice in an acute psychiatric unit: A mixed method study of clients’ perceptions
Authors: Óladóttir Sólrún , Pálmadóttir Guðrún
Published: September 2016

Introduction

The increase of mental health problems calls attention to the need for a quality health care provision that meets the complex needs of this group. The purpose of this study was to examine mental health clients’ perceptions of the care they received in a hospital environment, focusing on how it was reflecting the main principles of client-centred practice.

Method

A mixed explanatory sequential design was used and data gathered with a self-report instrument and in-depth interviews. Thirty participants, discharging from a hospital ward, responded to the instrument and six others were interviewed after being discharged.

Results

In general, participants evaluated the care they received as being rather client centred. Staff attitudes and support and clients’ participation in decision-making and goal-setting were the two aspects that were most congruent with client-centred practice, while staff interactions with significant others and the process and outcome of service were least congruent. Exploration by interviewing revealed the complexity of client-centred practice and the influence of contextual factors.

Conclusion

Some aspects of client-centred mental health practice seem to be more easily achieved than others. At the contextual level, professional culture, work habits and power structure may be some of the limiting factors.
Equipment provision after stroke: A scoping review of the use of personal care and mobility aids in rehabilitation
Authors: Boland Pauline , Levack William , Perry Meredith , Graham Fiona
Published: September 2016

Introduction

The aim of this scoping review was to examine and synthesise literature on adaptive equipment use for personal care and mobility after stroke.

Method

We searched databases including Medline, EMBASE, AMED, CINAHL and Scopus to February 2016. Two authors independently screened 789 titles, identifying 28 studies for inclusion in the review.

Results

Findings were grouped into four themes: (1) stroke-specific impairments and consequences for equipment use and training; (2) meaning of equipment for people with stroke; (3) cost of equipment after stroke; and (4) conflicts between equipment provision and models of stroke rehabilitation.

Conclusion

The wide range of impairments after stroke increases complexity of how people use equipment. Nonetheless, training needs and the relationship between social context, identity and equipment use are increasingly better understood,. The findings highlight a tension between practice that seeks to re-train function by ‘normal’ movement without equipment and restoration of function by using compensation strategies involving use of equipment. However, there is no evidence that compensation strategies impede recovery of physical abilities. High-quality evidence about costs of equipment after stroke, which could inform policy decisions, is urgently needed.
Experimental study on the effect of interface fiber orientation and utilized delamination initiation techniques on fracture toughness of glass/epoxy composite laminates
Authors: Nikbakht Masood , Hosseini Toudeshky Hossein , Mohammadi Bijan
Published: September 2016

Critical energy release rate for delamination initiation in composites as a material property, supposed to be independent from non-material variables. However, a thorough literature review presented in this study shows that in many cases it may vary with the variation of layup configuration or geometrical and dimensions. This study is aimed to investigate the effect of interface layers orientation on fracture toughness by eliminating the other influential parameters such as stacking sequence, by selecting the anti-symmetric layup configuration of Double Cantilever Beam, [Formula: see text], in which θ will be 0°, 30°, 45° and 60°. The energy release rates data have been calculated using different criteria and techniques to obtain the load and displacement at initial crack growth and the results were compared with the standard methods. The damage zone near the crack tip is also illustrated before and after the crack propagation by microscopic images of delamination front, and discussed for all investigated interface fiber angles. Experimental results show that the effect of interface layers orientation on fracture toughness of the investigated layup configurations based on the nonlinear technique as a standard procedure is negligible while other techniques show a considerable changes in the calculated energy release rate with the increase of interface layers angle from zero to 60 degrees.
Eccentricity-based design-oriented model of fiber-reinforced polymer-confined concrete for evaluation of load-carrying capacity of reinforced concrete rectangular columns
Authors: Fahmy Mohamed F M , Farghal Omar A
Published: September 2016

This study aimed to evaluate the load-carrying capacity of reinforced concrete rectangular columns confined with fiber-reinforced polymer composites and subjected to small eccentric loading. Seven design-oriented models of fiber-reinforced polymer-confined concrete were implemented in OpenSees software to establish the theoretical axial force-moment interaction diagram for rectangular columns. The examined models were categorized into two types: stress–strain models developed for fiber-reinforced polymer-confined non-circular concrete tested under the effect of concentric loading and others designed for fiber-reinforced polymer-confined non-circular concrete subjected to eccentric loading. The accuracy of these models was examined against the experimental results of eccentrically loaded fiber-reinforced polymer-confined reinforced concrete rectangular columns. Results indicated that the local stress–strain law obtained from the concentric compression tests would not reflect very well the local behavior of the compression zone of fiber-reinforced polymer-reinforced concrete members subjected to the combined effect of flexural and axial loadings. Adoption of a rational approach reflecting the impacts of eccentric loadings on the stress–strain relationship of the fiber-reinforced polymer-confined concrete revealed a much better evaluation of the load-carrying capacity of both reinforced concrete rectangular columns and plain concrete square columns under the effect of axial loads with various eccentricities.
Damage detection in laminated composite plates via an optimal wavelet selection criterion
Authors: Ashory Mohammad-Reza , Ghasemi-Ghalebahman Ahmad , Kokabi Mohammad-Javad
Published: September 2016

Delamination is a potential risk of failure considered as one of the failure modes and frequently occurs in composites due to its relatively low inter-laminar fracture toughness. In recent years, the majority of activities in this field have been focused on raising the level of sensitivity of these devising methods for detecting tiny damages. In this article, damage detection method via wavelet transform has been examined, and an appropriate procedure has been proposed to increase sensitivity of this transform for damage detection. Among the inherent impediments of classical wavelet transforms, the generality of these transforms and ignoring the studied signal can be mentioned. Consequently, various wavelet selection algorithms leading to provide appropriate wavelet functions with respect to the characteristics of the signal have been examined. As a novelty in the field, the correlation between wavelet and strain energy signal is considered as a criterion for optimal wavelet selection. In wavelet transforms, in addition to original wavelet functions, the signals used for damage detection are also of high importance. To achieve this goal, the frequency-weighted strain energy ratio signals resulting from intact and damaged forms have been exploited. Also, the edges’ effects were removed through stringing of plane mode shape signals. Moreover, by summing wavelet coefficients in all scale factors plus natural frequencies, the focus can bring to the detection of one or more damages in a laminated composite plate with symmetric layup. Finally, a quantitative measure to compare different wavelets has been presented.
Gender Discrepancies and Victimization of Students With Disabilities
Authors: Simpson Cynthia G. , Rose Chad A. , Ellis Stephanie K.
Published: September 2016

Students with disabilities have been recognized as disproportionately involved within the bullying dynamic. However, few studies have examined the interaction between disability status, gender, and grade level. The current study explored the gender discrepancies among students with and without disabilities in middle and high school on bullying, fighting, relational aggression perpetration, victimization, online victimization, and relational aggression victimizations. Results suggest that students with disabilities are more likely to be involved as victims and perpetrators. In addition, males are more likely to be perpetrators and victims, whereas females are more likely to experience online victimization and relational victimization. Furthermore, students in high school are more likely to report bullying, whereas students in middle school are more likely to report fighting. Interactions between school level, disability status, and gender were significant for victimization and perpetration.
The Role of Diffusion-Weighted Imaging in the Evaluation of the Whole Brain in Isolated Unilateral Polymicrogyria
Authors: Görkem Sureyya Burcu , Doganay Selim , Gumus Kazim , Bayram Ayse , Kumandas Sefer , Coskun Abdulhakim
Published: September 2016

The aim is to evaluate normal-appearing brain regions in isolated unilateral polymicrogyria patients and compare them with controls by using diffusion-weighted imaging and apparent diffusion coefficient. The diffusion-weighted images ( b = 0-1000 s/mm2) of 10 pediatric patients (7 boys, 3 girls; mean age = 5.8 ± 4.3 years) with isolated unilateral polymicrogyria and age-sex matched 10 control patients were assessed retrospectively. There was a significant increase in apparent diffusion coefficient values of white matter underlying polymicrogyria, uninvolved white matter, deep gray matter (thalami, lentiform nuclei, caudate nuclei) and corpus callosum in polymicrogyria patients compared to control group ( P < .01). The whole brain might be affected in isolated unilateral polymicrogyria patients. The abnormal deep gray matter in polymicrogyria patients would indicate a new point of view for pediatric neurologists about the probability of additional future neurological disorders.
Recurrent GNAO1 Mutations Associated With Developmental Delay and a Movement Disorder
Authors: Menke Leonie A. , Engelen Marc , Alders Mariel , Odekerken Vincent J. J. , Baas Frank , Cobben Jan M.
Published: September 2016

In 2 unrelated patients with axial hypotonia, developmental delay and a hyperkinetic movement disorder, a missense mutation was found in codon 209 of the GNAO1 gene. From the still scarce literature on GNAO1 mutations, a clear genotype-phenotype correlation emerged. From the 26 patients reported thus far, 12 patients had epileptic encephalopathy, and 14 had a developmental delay and a hyperkinetic movement disorder. All but 1 of the latter patients had missense mutations in GNAO1 codon 209 or 246, which thus appear to be mutation hotspots. At least 2 sibling pairs showed that the recurrence risk after 1 affected child with a GNAO1 mutation might be relatively high (5-15%), due to apparent gonadal mosaicism in the parents.
Adaptive hybrid optimization of hydrodynamic deep drawing with radial pressure process by combination of parametric design and simulated annealing techniques
Authors: Hashemi Abbas , Hoseinpour Gollo Mohammad , Seyedkashi SM Hossein , Pourkamali Anaraki Ali
Published: September 2016

An adaptive hybrid simulated annealing technique with ANSYS parametric design language is developed to optimize hydrodynamic deep drawing assisted by radial pressure process. This work aims to determine an optimal pressure path by redefinition of simulated annealing parameters and creating an adaptive finite element code using ANSYS parametric design language for any cylindrical, conical, and conical–cylindrical cups. The simulated annealing algorithm is developed adaptively with respect to hydrodynamic deep drawing with radial pressure process to link with ANSYS parametric design language code using a script in MATLAB. Parametric definition of process parameters enables the optimization algorithm to change the finite element model configuration in each iteration. Defective product is detected by definition of two failure criteria based on thinning and wrinkling occurrence during the optimization process. The proposed optimization method is employed in fractional factorial design of experiment to investigate the effective parameters on final product quality. Also, a regression model is derived to predict the final product quality based on the maximum thinning percentage under the optimal pressure path. Reliability of the optimization procedure and regression model is validated by experiments.
Influence of water and oil clearance flow on the operational behavior of screw expanders
Authors: Gräßer Melanie , Brümmer Andreas
Published: September 2016

Currently, the simulation of multi-phase rotary displacement machines in reasonable accordance with the experimental results is not possible. Clearance sealing, additional frictional losses, heat transfer and lubrication are among the various effects caused by the presence of a liquid, which would all have to be modelled. Moreover, complex processes, such as condensation and evaporation affecting the thermodynamic equilibrium, as well as expansion of the multi-phase gas-liquid-mixture would have to be included. With the purpose of achieving a better understanding of liquid-flooded screw expanders, this paper describes a theoretical evaluation of clearance sealing by means of a liquid, and the resulting frictional losses. The influence of different auxiliary liquids, namely water and oil, is examined. Thus, after introducing the expander geometry and the auxiliary liquids, the results of a thermodynamic analysis are presented. The multi-chamber model-based simulation tool KaSim, that has been developed at the Chair of Fluidics, is applied to analyze the maximum potential of clearance sealing. Subsequently, dry running and liquid-flooded screw expanders are compared, taking clearance sealing as well as frictional losses into account. On the one hand, the study demonstrates that the influence of liquid water on temperature is negligible. On the other hand, the results show that reasonable modelling of oil requires a consideration of temperature-dependent dynamic viscosity for this auxiliary liquid. Finally, an extension of the presented simulation approach is introduced.
Genetic Algorithm optimization of initial blank shape in deep drawing of a stepped work piece
Authors: Rostamiyan Yasser , Abbasi Mohammad
Published: September 2016

This study considers the effect of forging direction on the initial shape of sheet to create a stepped work piece. The purpose of this study is to consider rolling direction in 0°, decreasing the waste while producing workpieces and so decreasing total cost of process. To this end, the assumed workpiece was made of a low carbon and anisotropic st14 steel sheet. To find the most appropriate direction and the shortest modification steps for final shape, the expansion level of the sheet was first imaged in the rolling direction and then the piece was shaped by the geometry. This approach was based on the coupling between the simulation and Genetic Algorithm. A Genetic Algorithm based approach is developed to optimize dimensions through integrating a finite element code running to compute the objective functions for each generation. Those points with a few materials modified through Genetic Algorithm yielded better results.
Proposal for systematic studies of active suspension failures in rail vehicles
Authors: Qazizadeh Alireza , Stichel Sebastian , Persson Rickard
Published: September 2016

Application of active suspensions in high-speed passenger trains is gradually getting more and more common. Active suspensions are primarily aimed at improving ride comfort, wear or stability. Failure of these systems may not only just deteriorate the performance but it may also put vehicle safety at risk. There are not many studies that explain how a thorough study proving safety of active suspension should be performed. Therefore, initiating this type of study is necessary for not only preventing incidences but also for assuring acceptance of active suspension by rail vehicle operators and authorities. This study proposes a flowchart for systematic studies of active suspension failures in rail vehicles. The flowchart steps are solidified by using failure mode and effects analysis and fault tree analysis techniques and also acceptance criteria from the EN14363 standard. Furthermore, six failure modes are introduced which are very general and their use can be extended to other studies of active suspension failure. In the last section of the paper, the proposed flowchart is put into practice through four failure examples of active vertical suspension.
Evaluation of rotational resistance of bogies
Authors: Tanaka T , Iida K , Suzuki M , Iida T , Watanabe N , Miyamoto T
Published: September 2016

To prevent derailment such as flange-climbing derailment, precise understanding of the vehicle dynamics is important. In this study, the authors have developed a bogie rotational resistance test machine which has many innovative functions to understand the characteristics of railway bogies. The test machine can measure the rotational resistance of a bogie connected to a carbody. By using this machine, some distinctive characteristics of the rotational resistance have been clarified. As a result, a modified simulation model was constructed based on the test result, and it enabled a more accurate analysis of vehicle dynamics during the curve passage.
Aircraft noise monitoring using multiple passive data streams
Authors: Aldeman M , Bacchus R , Chelliah K , Patel H , Raman G , Roberson D
Published: September 2016

Monitoring of aircraft in the skies surrounding an airport is important to ensure the safety of the aircraft as well as quality of life for nearby residents. The traditional method of tracking aircraft position involves the ubiquitous rotating active radar, and the traditional method of monitoring aircraft noise is the single omnidirectional microphone. Both of these systems have significant disadvantages. In the past several decades, microphone array acoustic monitoring systems have become widely known although they are typically practical only for research purposes. More recently, advanced beamforming algorithms have set the stage for much smaller compact microphone arrays. Meanwhile, the Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast position tracking system has quickly risen in popularity. In this study, an advanced compact microphone array is used along with Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast and more conventional methods to monitor and track aircraft that are approaching and departing Chicago’s Midway Airport. The systems are portable and compact, and the unified streams of data can more fully characterize an individual aircraft, offering distinct advantages over existing monitoring systems.
CCL21 and IP-10 as blood biomarkers for pulmonary involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus patients
Authors: Odler B , Bikov A , Streizig J , Balogh C , Kiss E , Vincze K , Barta I , Horváth I , Müller V
Published: September 2016

Biomarkers for pulmonary manifestations in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are missing. Plasma samples of nine SLE patients with known pulmonary involvement (SLEpulm) and nine SLE patients without pulmonary involvement (SLE) were tested by multiplex microarray analysis for various cyto- and chemokines. Significantly decreased lung function paramters for forced vital capacity (FVC), total lung capacity (TLC), diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) and diffusion of CO corrected on lung volume (KLCO) were observed in SLEpulm as compared to SLE patients. CC chemokine ligand 21 (CCL21) and interferon gamma-induced protein 10 (IP-10) levels were significantly higher in SLEpulm, than in patients without pulmonary manifestations. CCL21 correlated negatively with DLCO ( r = −0.73; p < 0.01) and KLCO ( r = −0.62; p < 0.01), while IP-10 with FVC and forced expiratory volume one second. Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) analysis confirmed high sensitivity and specificity for the separation of SLE patients with and without pulmonary involvement for the chemokines CCL21 (Area Under Curve (AUC): 0.85; sensitivity%: 88.90; specificity%: 75.00; p < 0.01) and IP-10 (AUC: 0.82; sensitivity%: 66.67, specificity%: 100; p < 0.01). Pleuropulmonary manifestations in SLE patients associated with lung functional and DLCO/KLCO changes and were associated with significant increase in CCL21 and IP-10. These chemokines might serve as potential biomarkers of lung involvement in SLE patients.
Cervical human papilloma virus (HPV) DNA primary screening test: Results of a population-based screening programme in central Italy
Authors: Passamonti Basilio , Gustinucci Daniela , Giorgi Rossi Paolo , Cesarini Elena , Bulletti Simonetta , Carlani Angela , Martinelli Nadia , Broccolini Massimo , D’Angelo Valentina , D’Amico Maria Rosaria , Di Dato Eugenio , Galeazzi Paola , Malaspina Morena , Spita Nicoletta , Tintori Beatrice , Giaimo Maria Donata
Published: September 2016

Objective

To present the results of the first and second round human papilloma virus (HPV)-based screening programme in the Umbria region after three years.

Methods

From August 2010 to November 2011, the entire female population aged 35–64 in a local health district was invited for HPV testing (HPV-DNA cobas4800 on a liquid-based cytology sample). HPV-negative women were re-invited after three years. For HPV-positive women, a slide was prepared and interpreted. Positive cytologies were referred to colposcopy; negatives were referred to repeat HPV after one year. If HPV was persistently positive, women were referred to colposcopy; if negative, to normal screening. Indicators of the first and second round are compared with those of cytology screening in the same area in the preceding three years.

Results

Participation was 56.5%, the same as cytology (56.6%). HPV-positivity was 6.4% (396/6272), cytology triage positivity was 35.6%; 251 cytology negative women were referred to one-year HPV retesting, 84.1% complied, and 55.5% were positive. Total colposcopy referral was 4.1%, and for cytology 1%. The detection rate for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 or more severe was 10‰, compared with 3.7‰ using cytology. After three years, HPV-positivity was 3.4% (129/3831), overall colposcopy referral was 2.3% (most at one-year follow-up), and detection rate was 0.5/1000.

Conclusions

The first round detection rate was more than twice that of cytology screening, while colposcopy referral increased fourfold. At the second round, the detection rate decreased dramatically, showing that longer interval and more conservative protocols are needed.
The interface effect of a nano-inhomogeneity on the fracture behavior of a crack and the nearby edge dislocation
Authors: Fan M , Zhang YM , Xiao ZM
Published: September 2016

The interface effect of a nano-inhomogeneity on the elastic–plastic fracture behavior of a crack with the influence of nearby edge dislocation is studied by applying the surface/interface stress model. When the inhomogeneity and the crack become nano-sized, the bimaterial interface contributes considerable stresses to the crack surfaces, which are usually ignored in the traditional micro/macro crack problems. With the existence of nano-inhomogeneity, an extra dislocation near the crack may be either absorbed into the crack (so the crack grows bigger) or repelled away by the crack and the inhomogeneity. The Zener–Stroh mechanism is employed to model the nano-sized fracture behavior and the generalized Irwin plastic zone correction is taken to improve the fracture analysis at the crack tips. Using the complex potential functions and distributed dislocation method, the stress intensity factor, plastic zone size, and crack tip opening displacement are evaluated by solving the Cauchy singular integral equations. The numerical examples prove that the values of stress intensity factors, plastic zone size and crack tip opening displacement are sensitive to the interface properties of the current nano-scaled problem, especially when the inhomogeneity is small. When the extra edge dislocation is close to the sharp crack tip, the stress intensity factor increases significantly, which indicates the crack has a potential to absorb the nearby dislocation. Further investigations find that mixed mode loading conditions always induce much higher stress intensity factors, plastic zone size, and crack tip opening displacement comparing to pure mode I loading problem.