bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Do Credit‐Based Insurance Scores Proxy for Income in Predicting Auto Claim Risk?
Authors: Morris Darcy Steeg , Schwarcz Daniel , Teitelbaum Joshua C.
Published: April 2017

Property and casualty insurers often use credit‐based insurance scores in their underwriting and rating processes. The practice is controversial—many consumer groups oppose it, and most states regulate it, in part out of concern that insurance scores proxy for policyholder income in predicting claim risk. We offer new evidence on this issue in the context of auto insurance. Prior studies on the subject suffer from the limitation that they rely solely on aggregate measures of income, such as the median income in a policyholder's census tract or zip code. We analyze a panel of households that purchased auto and home policies from a U.S. insurance company. Because we observe the households’ home policies as well as their auto policies, we are able to employ two measures of income: the median income in a household's census tract, an aggregate measure, and the insured value of the household's dwelling, a policyholder‐level measure. Using these measures, we find that insurance scores do not proxy for income in a standard actuarial model of auto claim risk.
Optimization of Parboiling Parameters to Improve the Quality Characteristics of Pusa basmati 1509
Authors: Chavan Prasad , Sharma S. R. , Mittal T. C. , Mahajan G. , Gupta S. K.
Published: April 2017

In order to improve the physico‐chemical, textural properties and nutritional quality of popular exceptionally long grain basmati cultivar (Pusa basmati 1509), three parboiling methods (traditional parboiling technique, steaming alone, and presteaming followed by soaking and steaming) were studied and compared with unparboiled sample. Parboiling method consisting presteaming of paddy at 1.05 kg/cm2, soaking in 85 °C hot water for 3 hours and again steaming for 60 minutes followed by drying was found best parboiling technique with increase in head rice recovery from 41.15 to 68.87%. Cooking time and water uptake ratio observed was 43.69 minutes and 2.05%, respectively whereas gruel solid loss was significantly reduced. Parboiling treatment resulted in increase in hardness, cohesiveness and springiness while adhesiveness was decreased. Parboiling treatment resulted in leaching of amylose, crude protein, crude fat and crude fiber. Lightness was positively associated with crude protein and crude fat.

Practical Application

Parboiling method resulted into better quality of cooked rice. Increased head rice recovery of these cultivars will help the farmers in getting more prices for their crops as well as increase the market value of rice because of value addition (by increasing head rice recovery) resulting in increased returns to the millers.
Optimism and positive and negative feelings in parents of young children with developmental delay
Authors: Kurtz‐Nelson E. , McIntyre L. L.
Published: April 2017

Background

Parents' positive and negative feelings about their young children influence both parenting behaviour and child problem behaviour. Research has not previously examined factors that contribute to positive and negative feelings in parents of young children with developmental delay (DD).

Method

The present study sought to examine whether optimism, a known protective factor for parents of children with DD, was predictive of positive and negative feelings for these parents. Data were collected from 119 parents of preschool‐aged children with developmental delay. Two separate hierarchical linear regression analyses were conducted to determine if optimism significantly predicted positive feelings and negative feelings and whether optimism moderated relations between parenting stress and parent feelings.

Results

Increased optimism was found to predict increased positive feelings and decreased negative feelings after controlling for child problem behaviour and parenting stress. In addition, optimism was found to moderate the relation between parenting stress and positive feelings.

Conclusion

Results suggest that optimism may impact how parents perceive their children with DD. Future research should examine how positive and negative feelings impact positive parenting behaviour and the trajectory of problem behaviour specifically for children with DD.
Lesion of the basal forebrain cholinergic neurons attenuates sleepiness and adenosine after alcohol consumption
Authors: Sharma Rishi , Sahota Pradeep , Thakkar Mahesh M.
Published: April 2017

Alcohol has a profound effect on sleep. However, neuronal substrates mediating sleep‐promoting effects of alcohol are unknown. Since the basal forebrain (BF) cholinergic neurons are implicated in the homeostatic regulation of sleep, we hypothesized that the BF cholinergic neurons may have an important role in sleepiness observed after alcohol consumption. 192‐IgG‐saporin (bilateral BF infusions) was used to selectively lesion BF cholinergic neurons in adult male Sprague‐Dawley rats. Standard surgical procedures were used to implant sleep recording electrodes or microdialysis guide cannulas. The first experiment used between‐group design [lesion and sham (controls)] and examined effects of BF cholinergic neuronal lesions on alcohol (3 g/Kg; ig) induced sleep promotion. The second experiment used within‐group design [lesion (ipsilateral BF) and sham (controls; contralateral BF) in same animal] and local reverse microdialysis infusion of alcohol (300 mM) to examine the effects of cholinergic neuronal lesions on extracellular adenosine in the BF. Alcohol had a robust sleep promoting effect in controls as evidenced by a significant reduction in sleep onset latency and wakefulness; non‐rapid eye movement sleep was significantly increased. No such alcohol‐induced sleep promotion was observed in lesioned rats with significantly fewer BF cholinergic neurons. Rapid eye movement sleep was minimally affected. Adenosine release was significantly reduced following local infusion of alcohol on the lesion side, with significantly fewer cholinergic neurons as compared with the control side. Based on these results, we suggest that alcohol promotes sleep by increasing extracellular adenosine via its action on cholinergic neurons of the BF.

Read the Editorial Highlight for this article on page 620.

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Night sleep in patients with vegetative state
Authors: Pavlov Yuri G. , Gais Steffen , Müller Friedemann , Schönauer Monika , Schäpers Barbara , Born Jan , Kotchoubey Boris
Published: April 2017

Polysomnographic recording of night sleep was carried out in 15 patients with the diagnosis vegetative state (syn. unresponsive wakefulness syndrome). Sleep scoring was performed by three raters, and confirmed by means of a spectral power analysis of the electroencephalogram, electrooculogram and electromyogram. All patients but one exhibited at least some signs of sleep. In particular, sleep stage N1 was found in 13 patients, N2 in 14 patients, N3 in nine patients, and rapid eye movement sleep in 10 patients. Three patients exhibited all phenomena characteristic for normal sleep, including spindles and rapid eye movements. However, in all but one patient, sleep patterns were severely disturbed as compared with normative data. All patients had frequent and long periods of wakefulness during the night. In some apparent rapid eye movement sleep episodes, no eye movements were recorded. Sleep spindles were detected in five patients only, and their density was very low. We conclude that the majority of vegetative state patients retain some important circadian changes. Further studies are necessary to disentangle multiple factors potentially affecting sleep pattern of vegetative state patients.
When Frontloading Backfires: Exploring the Impact of Outsourcing Correctional Interventions on Mechanisms of Social Control
Authors: Ostermann Michael , Hyatt Jordan M.
Published: April 2017

This study demonstrates the effects of frontloading rehabilitative services to parolees through third-party residential and community-based programs. Although outsourcing treatment responsibilities to contracted reentry facilities is an increasingly common feature of postrelease supervision, the role these facilities play in reentry management and recidivism outcomes remains largely unexplored. Here, several common recidivism outcomes for parolees who attended private treatment facilities upon release are compared to those of parolees who did not. We conducted Correctional Programs Checklist assessments on each treatment site to investigate whether recidivism outcomes vary by level of programmatic quality. Our findings indicate that parolees who receive frontloaded services are significantly less likely to be rearrested or reconvicted for new crimes within eighteen months of release. These findings held across levels of programmatic quality, with larger reductions observed for programs of higher quality, and align with broader emphases in community corrections on risk assessment and organizational demands for efficiency.
The Role of Prosody and Explicit Instruction in Processing Instruction
Authors: Henry Nick , Jackson Carrie N. , Dimidio Jack
Published: April 2017

This study investigates the role of prosodic cues and explicit information (EI) in the acquisition of German accusative case markers. We compared 4 groups of 3rd‐semester learners (low intermediate level) who completed 1 of 4 Processing Instruction (PI) treatments that manipulated the presence or absence of EI and focused prosody. The results showed that, when training included EI or prosodic cues, the groups improved on comprehension and production tasks in an immediate posttest. Four weeks after training, the groups sustained gains on the comprehension task, but not on the production task. Participants who did not receive EI or prosody only showed improvement on the comprehension task in the immediate posttest and did not sustain these gains. These findings replicate previous findings on the role of EI in PI, showing an advantage for EI with the target form (e.g., Henry, Culman, & VanPatten, 2009). Moreover, the results suggest that prosodic cues help learners process morphosyntactic forms, and that they can enhance grammar instruction.
Fine‐scale species distribution changes in a mixed oak stand over two successive generations
Authors: Truffaut Laura , Chancerel Emilie , Ducousso Alexis , Dupouey Jean Luc , Badeau Vincent , Ehrenmann François , Kremer Antoine
Published: April 2017

Large‐scale tree distribution changes have received considerable attention but underlying demo‐genetic mechanisms are less well documented. We used a diachronic approach to track species shifts in a mixed oak stand (Quercus petraea–Quercus robur) at a fine spatiotemporal scale.

Species assignment was made using single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) fingerprints employing clustering and parentage analysis. Mating patterns and reproductive success were assessed by parentage analysis. Plot‐based inventories of soil parameters and sapling densities provided ecological and demographic information, respectively.

Sapling density and reproductive success was higher in Q. petraea than in Q. robur, and were correlated with a spatial expansion of Q. petraea (50% to 67% of the area). Admixed trees resulting from hybridization and backcrossing between the two species were more frequent under the Q. robur canopy.

We suspect that species’ differential responses to ongoing environmental changes and interspecific competition are the predominant factors accounting for the recruitment success of Q. petraea, while human interference, differential reproduction and hybridization (and backcrossings) are probably of more limited importance. We anticipate in mixed Q. petraea–Q. robur stands, under current ongoing environmental change, that these processes will be enhanced, at least in the western part of the distribution of the two species.
Strobilurins as growth‐promoting compounds: how Stroby regulates Arabidopsis leaf growth
Authors: Van Dingenen Judith , Antoniou Chrystalla , Filippou Panagiota , Pollier Jacob , Gonzalez Nathalie , Dhondt Stijn , Goossens Alain , Fotopoulos Vasileios , Inzé Dirk
Published: April 2017

Strobilurins are an important class of agrochemical fungicides used throughout the world on a wide variety of crops as protection against fungal pathogens. In addition to this protective role, they are reported to also positively influence plant physiology. In this study, we analysed the effect of Stroby® WG, a commercially available fungicide consisting of 50% (w/w) kresoxim‐methyl (KM) as active strobilurin compound, on Arabidopsis leaf growth. Treatment of seedlings with Stroby resulted in larger leaves due to an increase in cell number. Transcriptome analysis of Stroby‐treated rosettes demonstrated an increased expression of genes involved in redox homeostasis, iron metabolism and sugar transport. Stroby treatment strongly induced the expression of the subgroup Ib basic helix–loop–helix (bHLH) transcription factors, which have a role in iron homeostasis under iron‐limiting conditions. Single loss‐of‐function mutants of three bHLHs and their triple bhlh039, bhlh100 and bhlh101 mutant did not respond to Stroby treatment. Although iron and sucrose content was not affected, nitric oxide (NO) levels and nitrate reductase (NR) activity were significantly increased in Stroby‐treated rosettes as compared with control plants. In conclusion, we suggest that the Stroby‐mediated effects on growth depend on the increased expression of the subgroup Ib bHLHs and higher NO levels.
Influence of adjuvant formulation on inducing immune response in mice immunized with a recombinant serpin from Trichinella spiralis
Authors: Xu J. , Bai X. , Wang L. B. , Shi H. N. , van der Giessen J. W. B. , Boireau P. , Liu M. Y. , Liu X. L.
Published: April 2017

Nematodes of the genus Trichinella are one of the most widespread zoonotic pathogens on the world, and they can still cause major public health problems in many parts of the world. Vaccination against the helminth nematode Trichinella could be a good strategy to reduce the risk of human and animal infection. It was our aim to evaluate three adjuvants, which could be used as an efficient vaccine for animals in combination with rTs‐Serpin antigen. In this study, BALB/c mice were vaccinated by an intramuscular route with rTs‐Serpin antigen from the parasite Trichinella spiralis in combination with three different adjuvant formulations: Montanide ISA201, Montanide IMS 1313 N PR VG and Freund's complete adjuvant/Freund's incomplete adjuvant (FCA/FIA). The dynamics of IgG, IgM, IgE and cytokine production from spleen cells and worm reduction rate of the vaccinated mice were analysed. The results showed that rTs‐serpin can induce partial protection against Trichinella larvae challenge in mice, when compared to the FCA‐/FIA‐formulated vaccination, the IMS1313 plus rTs‐serpin mixture showed higher humoral immunity and similar levels of cellular immunity and worm reduction rate. The study suggested that Montanide IMS nanoparticles 1313 are as effective as FCA but less toxic; thus, Montanide IMS nanoparticles 1313 can be used as a good candidate of adjuvant for developing vaccine against Trichinella spiralis.
Presidents, Parties, and Inflation, 1957–2014
Authors: Comiskey Michael , Marsh Lawrence C.
Published: April 2017

Several studies have reported that the U.S. economy has experienced higher growth rates and/or lower unemployment under Democratic presidents than under their Republican counterparts. But only one study has examined whether the apparently more prosperous economy during Democratic administrations has come at the cost of higher inflation, and that study reached inconclusive results. We reexamine that question and find a positive association between inflation and Democratic presidencies only in the period from the 1950s to 1972. The contribution of Democratic presidencies to the rate of U.S. consumer price inflation was, however, quantitatively small even in that period.
A depositional model for offshore deposits of the lower Blue Gate Member, Mancos Shale, Uinta Basin, Utah, USA
Authors: Birgenheier Lauren P. , Horton Brendan , McCauley Andrew D. , Johnson Cari L. , Kennedy Angela
Published: April 2017

Depositional models that use heterogeneity in mud‐dominated successions to distinguish and diagnose environments within the offshore realm are still in their infancy, despite significant recent advances in understanding the complex and dynamic processes of mud deposition. Six cored intervals of the main body of the Mancos Shale, the lower Blue Gate Member, Uinta Basin, were examined sedimentologically, stratigraphically and geochemically in order to evaluate facies heterogeneity and depositional mechanisms. Unique sedimentological and geochemical features are used to identify three offshore environments of deposition: the prodelta, the mudbelt and the sediment‐starved shelf. Prodelta deposits consist of interlaminated siltstone and sandstone and exhibit variable and stressed trace fossil assemblages, and indicators of high sedimentation rates. The prodelta was dominated by river‐fed hyperpycnal flow. Mudbelt deposits consist of interlaminated siltstone and sandstone and are characterized by higher bioturbation indices and more diverse trace fossil assemblages. Ripples, scours, truncations and normally graded laminations are abundant in prodelta and mudbelt deposits indicating dynamic current conditions. Mudbelt sediment dispersal was achieved by both combined flow above storm wave base and current‐enhanced and wave‐enhanced sediment gravity flows below storm wave base. Sediment‐starved shelf deposits are dominantly siltstone to claystone with the highest calcite and organic content. Bioturbation is limited to absent. Sediment‐starved shelf deposits were the result of a combination of shelfal currents and hypopycnal settling of sediment. Despite representing the smallest volume, sediment‐starved shelf deposits are the most prospective for shale hydrocarbon resource development, due to elevated organic and carbonate content. Sediment‐starved shelf deposits are found in either retrogradational to aggradational parasequence sets or early distal aggradational to progradational parasequence sets, bounding the maximum flooding surface. An improved framework classification of offshore mudstone depositional processes based on diagnostic sedimentary criteria advances our predictive ability in complex and dynamic mud‐dominated environments and informs resource prospectivity.
Laser Shock Peening for Suppression of Hydrogen-Induced Martensitic Transformation in Stress Corrosion Cracking
Authors: Brandal Grant , Lawrence Yao Y.
Published: April 2017

The combination of a susceptible material, tensile stress, and corrosive environment results in stress corrosion cracking (SCC). Laser shock peening (LSP) has previously been shown to prevent the occurrence of SCC on stainless steel. Compressive residual stresses from LSP are often attributed to the improvement, but this simple explanation does not explain the electrochemical nature of SCC by capturing the effects of microstructural changes from LSP processing and its interaction with the hydrogen atoms on the microscale. As the hydrogen concentration of the material increases, a phase transformation from austenite to martensite occurs. This transformation is a precursor to SCC failure, and its prevention would thus help explain the mitigation capabilities of LSP. In this paper, the role of LSP-induced dislocations counteracting the driving force of the martensitic transformation is explored. Stainless steel samples are LSP processed with a range of incident laser intensities and overlapping. Cathodic charging is then applied to accelerate the rate of hydrogen absorption. Using XRD, martensitic peaks are found after 24 h in samples that have not been LSP treated. But martensite formation does not occur after 24 h in LSP-treated samples. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis is also used for providing a description of how LSP provides mitigation against hydrogen enhanced localized plasticity (HELP), by causing tangling and prevention of dislocation movement. The formation of dislocation cells is attributed with further mitigation benefits. A finite element model predicting the dislocation density and cell formation is also developed to aid in the description.
The Application of Miniaturized Three-Point-Bend Specimens for Determination of the Reference Temperature of A533 Cl.1 Steel
Authors: Stratil Ludek , Siska Filip , Dlouhy Ivo , Serrano Marta
Published: April 2017

This contribution deals with the determination of the reference temperature of A533 Cl.1 steel using miniaturized specimens. The dimensions of the miniaturized specimens used were 3 × 4 × 27 mm (thickness × width × length). This specimen type allows utilizing a limited amount of test material or the broken halves of precracked Charpy or larger specimens. The test material comes from the broken halves of 0.5 T SE(B) specimens previously tested for the determination of the reference temperature at Ciemat, Madrid. The fracture toughness tests were performed in the transition region of the steel according to the recommendations of the standard ASTM E1921 and according to Wallin's recommended temperature range of miniaturized specimens. The reference temperature of the Master Curve was very similar to the ones obtained from three-point-bend specimens of sizes 0.2 T, 0.4 T, and 0.5 T. The results obtained confirm a necessity to conduct tests at low temperatures and to test a sufficient number of specimens in order to generate enough valid data for the determination of the reference temperature.
Nanofillers Reinforced Polymer Composites Wrap to Repair Corroded Steel Pipe Lines
Authors: Chandra Khan Vishwas , Balaganesan G. , Kumar Pradhan Arun , Sivakumar M. S.
Published: April 2017

This paper presents the analysis of repair of pipelines using nanofiller dispersed composites. Steel pipe with part wall loss as per ISO 24817 is repaired using glass/epoxy composites with and without nanoclay reinforcement and burst test is performed in order to assess the performance and effectiveness of nanocomposites-based repair system. A simple methodology is developed to find out the failure pressure of pipelines and is compared with the experimental and ISO 24817 repair code results. The thickness of the composite wrap is predicted analytically for 1–5% nanofiller dispersion in the epoxy for 30–80% of pipe wall loss and live pressure of pipe. The results are analyzed to find effectiveness of clay dispersion and effect of live pressure for 30–80% of pipe wall loss. It is observed that the dispersion of nanofiller improves the bursting resistance of composite wrapping over outer surface of pipe.
Distributed Optimal Consensus for Multi-Agent Systems Under Independent Position and Velocity Topology
Authors: Ding Chenyang , Li Junmin , Jinsha Li
Published: April 2017

In this paper, linear quadratic regulator (LQR) theory is applied to solve the inverse optimal consensus problem for a second-order linear multi-agent systems (MAS) under independent position and velocity topology. The optimal Laplacian matrices related to the topologies of position and velocity are derived by solving the algebraic Riccati equation (ARE). Theoretically, we obtain the optimal Laplacian matrices, which correspond to the directed strongly connected graphs, for the second-order multi-agent systems. Finally, two simulation examples are provided to verify the theoretical analysis of this paper.
Adaptive and Nonlinear Control of Discharge Pressure for Variable Displacement Axial Piston Pumps
Authors: Koivumäki Janne , Mattila Jouni
Published: April 2017

This paper proposes, for the first time without using any linearization or order reduction, an adaptive and model-based discharge pressure control design for the variable displacement axial piston pumps (VDAPPs), whose dynamical behaviors are highly nonlinear and can be described by a fourth-order differential equation. The rigorous stability proof, with an asymptotic convergence, is given for the entire system. In the proposed novel controller design method, the specifically designed stabilizing terms constitute an essential core to cancel out all the stability-preventing terms. The experimental results reveal that rapid parameter adaptation significantly improves the feedback signal tracking precision compared to a known-parameter controller design. In the comparative experiments, the adaptive controller design demonstrates the state-of-the-art discharge pressure control performance, enabling a possibility for energy consumption reductions in hydraulic systems driven with VDAPP.
Experimental Study on an Electric Variable Valve Timing Actuator: Linear Parameter Varying Modeling and Control
Authors: Al-Jiboory Ali Khudhair , Zhu Guoming G. , Zhang Shupeng
Published: April 2017

This paper presents experimental investigation results of an electric variable valve timing (EVVT) actuator using linear parameter varying (LPV) system identification and control. For the LPV system identification, a number of local system identification tests were carried out to obtain a family of linear time-invariant (LTI) models at fixed engine speed and battery voltage. Using engine speed and battery voltage as time-varying scheduling parameters, the family of local LTI models is translated into a single LPV model. Then, a robust gain-scheduling (RGS) dynamic output-feedback (DOF) controller with guaranteed H∞ performance was synthesized and validated experimentally. In contrast to the vast majority of gain-scheduling literature, scheduling parameters are assumed to be polluted by measurement noises and the engine speed and battery voltage are modeled as noisy scheduling parameters. Experimental and simulation results show the effectiveness of the developed approach.
Ground Reaction Force Estimation in Prosthetic Legs With Nonlinear Kalman Filtering Methods
Authors: Fakoorian Seyed , Azimi Vahid , Moosavi Mahmoud , Richter Hanz , Simon Dan
Published: April 2017

A method to estimate ground reaction forces (GRFs) in a robot/prosthesis system is presented. The system includes a robot that emulates human hip and thigh motion, along with a powered (active) transfemoral prosthetic leg. We design a continuous-time extended Kalman filter (EKF) and a continuous-time unscented Kalman filter (UKF) to estimate not only the states of the robot/prosthesis system but also the GRFs that act on the foot. It is proven using stochastic Lyapunov functions that the estimation error of the EKF is exponentially bounded if the initial estimation errors and the disturbances are sufficiently small. The performance of the estimators in normal walk, fast walk, and slow walk is studied, when we use four sensors (hip displacement, thigh, knee, and ankle angles), three sensors (thigh, knee, and ankle angles), and two sensors (knee and ankle angles). Simulation results show that when using four sensors, the average root-mean-square (RMS) estimation error of the EKF is 0.0020 rad for the joint angles and 11.85 N for the GRFs. The respective numbers for the UKF are 0.0016 rad and 7.98 N, which are 20% and 33% lower than those of the EKF.
Electronic Implementation of Fractional-Order Newton–Leipnik Chaotic System With Application to Communication
Authors: Rafiq Dar Mohammad , Ali Kant Nasir , Ahmad Khanday Farooq
Published: April 2017

A complementary metal oxide semiconductor-operational transconductance amplifier (CMOS-OTA)-based implementation of fractional-order Newton–Leipnik chaotic system is introduced in this paper. The proposed circuit offers the advantages of electronic tunability of system order and on-chip integration due to MOS only design. The double strange attractor chaotic behavior of the system in consideration for an order of 2.9 has been demonstrated, and effectiveness of this chaotic system in preliminary secure message communication has also been presented. The theoretical predictions of the proposed implementation have been verified by hspice simulator using Austrian Microsystem (AMS) 0.35 μm CMOS process and subsequently compared with matlab simulink results. The power consumption of the system was 103.6 μW for standalone Newton–Leipnik chaotic generator.
Design and Experimental Validation of Nonlinear Infinite-Dimensional Adaptive Observer in Automated Managed Pressure Drilling
Authors: Hasan Agus , Imsland Lars , Hauge Espen
Published: April 2017

Utilizing flow rate and pressure data in and out of the fluid circulation loop provides a driller with real-time trends for early detection of well-control problems that impact the drilling efficiency. Due to limited number of sensors and time delay in processing and measurements, the flow rate and pressure along the annulus and drill string need to be estimated. This paper presents state and parameter estimations for infinite-dimensional models used in automated managed pressure drilling (MPD). The objective is to monitor the key process variables associated with process safety by designing a nonlinear adaptive observer that use the available information coming from the continuous-time online process measurements at the outlet of the well. The adaptive observer consists of a copy of the infinite-dimensional model plus output injection terms where the gain is computed analytically in terms of the Bessel function of the first kind. The design is tested using field data from a drilling commissioning test by Statoil ASA, Stavanger, Norway. The results show that the nonlinear adaptive observer estimates the flow rate and pressure of the drilling fluid accurately.
Demand Response Using Heterogeneous Thermostatically Controlled Loads: Characterization of Aggregate Power Dynamics
Authors: Docimo Donald , Fathy Hosam K.
Published: April 2017

This article presents an analysis of the damping and beating effects within the aggregate power demand of heterogeneous thermostatically controlled loads (TCLs). Demand response using TCLs is an appealing method to enable higher levels of penetration of intermittent renewable resources into the electric grid. Previous literature covers the benefits of TCL population heterogeneity for control purposes, but the focus is solely on the damping observed in these systems. This work, in contrast, characterizes the combined damping and beating effects in the power demand for different types of TCL parameter heterogeneity. The forced aggregate dynamics of TCLs have been shown to be bilinear when set point temperature adjustment is used as a control input. This motivates the article's use of free response dynamics, which are linear, to characterize both the damping and beating phenomena. A stochastic parameter distribution is applied to the homogeneous power demand solution, furnishing an analytic expression for the aggregate power demand. The time-varying damping ratios of this reduced-order model characterize the damping in the system. By analyzing a variety of case studies, it is determined that only a distribution of the TCL characteristic frequency creates damping in the aggregate power dynamics. The beating effect decays over time due to damping, and a relationship between the beat's amplitude and period is presented.
Tolerance Analysis With Polytopes in HV-Description
Authors: Arroyave-Tobón Santiago , Teissandier Denis , Delos Vincent
Published: April 2017

This article proposes the use of polytopes in HV-description to solve tolerance analysis problems. Polytopes are defined by a finite set of half-spaces representing geometric, contact, or functional specifications. However, the list of the vertices of the polytopes is useful for computing other operations as Minkowski sums. Then, this paper proposes a truncation algorithm to obtain the V-description of polytopes in ℝn from its H-description. It is detailed how intersections of polytopes can be calculated by means of the truncation algorithm. Minkowski sums as well can be computed using this algorithm making use of the duality property of polytopes. Therefore, a Minkowski sum can be calculated intersecting some half-spaces in the dual space. Finally, the approach based on HV-polytopes is illustrated by the tolerance analysis of a real industrial case using the open source software politocat and politopix.
A Molecular Dynamics Simulation Study of Material Removal Mechanisms in Vibration Assisted Nano Impact-Machining by Loose Abrasives
Authors: James Sagil , Sundaram Murali
Published: April 2017

Vibration assisted nano impact-machining by loose abrasives (VANILA) is a novel nanomachining process to perform target-specific nano abrasive machining of hard and brittle materials. In this study, molecular dynamic (MD) simulations are performed to understand the nanoscale material removal mechanisms involved in the VANILA process. The simulation results revealed that the material removal for the given impact conditions happens primarily in ductile mode through three distinct mechanisms, which are nanocutting, nanoplowing, and nanocracking. It was found that domination by any of these mechanisms over the other mechanisms during the material removal process depends on the impact conditions, such as angle of impact and the initial kinetic energy of the abrasive grain. The transition zone from nanocutting to nanoplowing is observed at angle of impact of near 60 deg, while the transition from the nanocutting and nanoplowing mechanisms to nanocracking mechanism is observed for initial abrasive kinetic energies of about 600–700 eV. In addition, occasional lip formation and material pile-up are observed in the impact zone along with amorphous phase transformation. A material removal mechanism map is constructed to illustrate the effects of the impacts conditions on the material removal mechanism. Confirmatory experimentation on silicon and borosilicate glass substrates showed that all the three nanoscale mechanisms are possible, and the nanoplowing is the most common mechanism. It was also found that the material removal rate (MRR) values are found to be highest when the material is removed through nanocracking mechanism and is found to be lowest when the material removal happens through nanocutting mechanism.
A New Approach to the Generation of Retractable Plate Structures Based on One-Uniform Tessellations
Authors: Gezgin Aylin Gazi , Korkmaz Koray
Published: April 2017

Retractable plate structure (RPS) is a family of structures that is a set of cover plates connected by revolute joints. There exists wide range of possibilities related with these structures in architecture. Configuring the suitable shape of rigid plates that are able to be enclosed without any gaps or overlaps in both closed and open configurations and eliminating the possibility of contact between the plates during the deployment have been the most important issues in RPS design process. Many researchers have tried to find the most suitable shape by using kinematical or empirical analysis so far. This study presents a novel approach to find the suitable shape of the plates and their assembly order without any kinematical or empirical analysis. This approach is benefited from the one-uniform mathematical tessellation technique that gives the possibilities of tiling a plate using regular polygons without any gaps or overlaps. In the light of this technique, the shape of the plates is determined as regular polygons and two conditions are introduced to form RPS in which regular polygonal plates are connected by only revolute joints. It should be noted that these plates are not allowed to become overlapped during deployment and form gaps in closed configuration. Additionally, this study aims to reach a single degree-of-freedom (DoF) RPS. It presents a systematic method to convert multi-DoF RPS into single DoF RPS by using the similarity between graph theory and the duality of tessellation.
Patients— and Physiotherapists— Belief in and Use of Acupuncture for Cancer-Related Symptoms
Authors: Enblom Anna
Published: April 2017

Background

It is important to investigate attitudes to acupuncture, because therapists’ and patients’ expectations may affect the treatment outcome.

Aim

To explore the use of and belief in acupuncture among oncological physiotherapists and to explore patients’ interest in receiving acupuncture during cancer therapy and their belief in its effectiveness.

Methods

522 patients (80% female, mean age 67 years) reported on their interest in receiving acupuncture for nausea during radiotherapy treatment; a subgroup (n=198) additionally disclosed their belief in the effectiveness of acupuncture. 117 Swedish oncological physiotherapists (96% female, mean age 48 years) answered a questionnaire regarding their use of and belief in acupuncture.

Results

Of the patients initiating cancer therapy, 359 (69%) were interested in receiving acupuncture. The patients believed acupuncture to be effective for pain (79%), nausea (79%) and vasomotor symptoms (48%). Of the 117 physiotherapists, 66 (56%) practised acupuncture. Physiotherapists generally believed in the effectiveness of acupuncture. For pain, 89% believed that acupuncture was effective and 42% of them practised it. Similar responses were noted for chemotherapy-induced nausea (86% and 38%, respectively) and vasomotor symptoms (80% and 28%, respectively). Younger physiotherapists and patients were more likely to believe in the effectiveness of acupuncture compared with older ones.

Conclusions

More than two thirds of patients with cancer were interested in receiving acupuncture during therapy. Patients and oncological physiotherapists believed that acupuncture was effective for cancer pain, nausea and vasomotor symptoms. Further studies of acupuncture for cancer-related symptoms and of the effect of patients’ and clinicians’ therapeutic relationships, including treatment expectations, would be welcome.
Spontaneous ruptured iliac artery aneurysm causing acute secondary AV fistula
Authors: Hurndall Katherine-Helen , Carpenter Holly , Sandeman Jack , Fernandes Roland
Published: April 2017

A 73-year-old woman presented with a 6-hour history of sudden onset lower abdominal pain. Her comorbidities included chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and hypertension. She was under surveillance for a known thoracoabdominal aneurysm. On presentation, she was hypotensive with a systolic blood pressure of 50 mm Hg and a pulse of 60 beats per minute. On examination, she had a pulsatile mass with bruit in her right lower abdomen. Pedal pulses were palpable in both feet. Blood gas analysis revealed a metabolic acidosis with a pH of 7.21 and a lactate of 7.1. Haemoglobin remained stable between 90–100 g/dL. Her other routine blood tests were unremarkable, and blood cultures were negative. Imaging showed a ruptured right common iliac artery aneurysm into the right common iliac vein with secondary arteriovenous fistula communication. Surgical intervention was discussed with the patient but due to her frailty, it was deemed not in the patient’s best interests.
TRAINING TRENDS AND INJURY INCIDENCES AMONG IRISH DISTANCE RUNNERS
Authors: Griffin Colin , Egan Brendan , Blake Catherine , Horgan Peter
Published: April 2017

Background

To date, research investigating the training habits and practice of resistance training among elite distance runners as well as training factors relating to injury, has been sparse.

Objective

To investigate the typical training of Irish distance runners and self-reported injury incidences over a previous two year period.

Design

Mixed methods.

Setting

Irish elite distance runners completed a questionnaire using Google Forms.

Participants

Opportunistic sampling (n=109, n=78 male and n=31 female respondents) from age 18+ who compete from 800 m up to the Marathon, from national competitive to international level of performance.

Interventions

The independent variables included demographic profile, typical weekly running training volume and practice of resistance training.

Main Outcome Measurements

A multi-stage data analysis process using SPSS, data coding and Chi square analysis. A p-value of <0.05 was used to determine statistical significance between variables and sub-groups.

Results

More than half the respondents (53.2%) run less than 60 miles per week and 11% run more than 80 miles per week. Eighty-eight per cent of athletes include resistance training. Weight training (36.5% complete two sessions per week), plyometric training (35.4% complete one session per week), core training (47.9% complete two sessions per week) and hill training (60.4% complete one session per week) were the most common resistance training methods employed. In the previous two years, 60.5% of athletes experienced a running-related injury. The knee (24.2%) was the most common injury site and 25.8% of athletes experienced a bone stress injury.

Conclusions

Irish distance runners train at lower weekly running volumes than previously reported for world-class elite athletes, but include resistance training methods that are typically employed to improve running economy and performance. No significant relationships were found between training trends, demographic profile and injury incidences. Future prospective studies should examine the periodisation of training loads and resistance training across a season.
INJURIES IN MEN'S PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL
Authors: Klein Christian , Bloch Hendrik , Luig Patrick , Henke Thomas , Platen Petra
Published: April 2017

Background

The first step on the way to developing preventive measures is the description of epidemiology within the target group. This is not known for German Men's Professional Football so far.

Objective

Analysis of injury risk and description of injury patterns.

Design

Prospective observational cohort study of the season 2014–15.

Setting

Two highest leagues in German men's football (i.e. Bundesliga, 2. Bundesliga).

Patients (or Participants)

All first and second division football players who played at least one competitive club match (n=1,358) during the 2014–15 season were included.

Interventions (or Assessment of Risk Factors)

Analysis of all injuries of the participants that were registered by clubs or physicians with the VBG as part of the occupational accident reporting and that either led to the player's short-term disability (time-loss) or to medical treatment costs (medical-attention).

Main Outcome Measurements

Prevalence rate and injury incidence, injured body regions, type of injury, medical costs and time loss.

Results

1,076 of the 1,358 players (79.2%) were injured. A total of 3,385 injuries were recorded (training: 62.3%, match: 37.3%) which led to a cumulative incidence rate of 2.5 injuries per player and season. Goalkeeper had lower overall risk of injury (2.1 inj./season), but a 3.7 times higher relative risk of concussions than field players. 70.7% of all injuries were lower extremity injuries. Thigh injuries (21.3%) and knee injuries (15.8%) were the most frequent injuries. However, knee injuries caused 37.0% of overall time-loss and 48.4% of overall medical-attention.

Conclusions

German men's professional football shows a high risk of injury. Injury risk and injury patterns differ by playing position, probably reflecting the specific performance profiles of the respective playing position. Thus prevention needs to be individualised and at least must consider different characteristics of playing positions. For development of expedient preventive measures, injury mechanisms need to be analysed.
UNDERSTANDING ATHLETES' USE OF EXERCISE AND NON-EXERCISE BASED INJURY PREVENTION STRATEGIES
Authors: Love Thomas , Knight Camilla , Katherine Black
Published: April 2017

Background

The success of exercise-based injury prevention strategies is limited by poor compliance and adherence. However an understanding of the use and barriers to nutrition and psychological injury prevention strategies is not currently known. This information may prove useful in the multidisciplinary environment of elite sport.

Objective

The objective of this study was to understand the use of exercise, nutrition and psychology injury prevention strategies, identify barriers/facilitators to implementation and preferred methods of knowledge dissemination to athletes.

Design

An online survey was developed based upon theories of behaviour change and injury surveillance in multi-sport event guidelines.

Setting

Elite (International/National standard) athletes from a variety of sports.

Participants

Athletes were randomly recruited from (n=50).

Assessment of Risk Factors

Athletes completed a questionnaire assessing risk perceptions, prevention beliefs, injury prevention strategy use, injury location/type target, outcome expectancies, barriers/facilitators to injury strategy use and current/preferred channels of information dissemination.

Main Outcome Measurements

Exercise, nutrition and psychology injury prevention strategy use and barriers/facilitators to strategy use.

Results

Preliminary findings indicate athletes did not engage with any evidence-based multi-component injury prevention programmes but the majority of athletes reported using at least one exercise-based strategy (97% of athletes) and nutrition-based strategy (97%), but fewer athletes used at least one psychology-based strategy (75%). The most common barriers reported by athletes were a lack of relative advantage for exercise-based strategies and poor how-to-knowledge, principles-knowledge and trialability particularly for nutrition and psychology-based strategies. The most common facilitators were similar across all three injury prevention strategies. These were a performance benefit, injury prevention benefit, relevance, awareness-knowledge, and usefulness.

Conclusions

No athletes engaged with an evidence-based injury prevention program but many used at least one exercise, nutrition or psychology injury prevention strategy. Athletes reported experiencing few barriers to exercise-based strategies but poor how-to-knowledge, principles knowledge and trialability for non-exercise based strategies.
ARE THE MUSCLE ACTIVATIONS DIFFERENT IN VARIOUS TYPE OF PUSH-UP EXERCISE?
Authors: Mok Kam-Ming , Ho Christianne On Nor Anna , Yung Patrick Shu-Hang , Chan Kai-Ming
Published: April 2017

Background

Push-up exercises are widely used to build strength and endurance in muscles primarily across the upper body, and it is a recommended home-based strengthening exercise. Few biomechanics investigations of push-ups had been done focusing on the activation of upper limb major muscles in different hand positions. However, their results cannot fully explain the workload done by Triceps Brachial (TB), Pectoral Major (PM) and Anterior Deltoid (AD) with substantial quantifiable evidence.

Objective

The aim of this study is to measure the EMG signals of TB, PM and AD while performing push-ups in five different hand positions.

Design and Particpants

Twelve subjects performing push-ups using EMG to collect data to compare. The 5 different hand positions are neutral, narrow base, wide base, anterior and posterior positions. The mean of peak EMG signals of three repetitions were extracted for comparison. A non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis H test was applied and followed by Wilcoxon Signed-Rank test as the post hoc paired difference test. A Bonferroni correction of p=0.01 was applied which was derived from p=0.05/5.

Results

TB were activated significant more in anterior, neutral and narrow base when compared to wide base and posterior position. No significant differences found in PM and AD from different hand positions.

Conclusions

Higher muscle activation of TB in anterior, neutral and narrow base positions implies that the training effect of TB may be higher in the above-mentioned hand positions. Further study on the increase in muscle strength is needed to ensure the findings.