bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Examination of parameterizations for CCN number concentrations based on in-situ aerosol activation property measurements in the North China Plain
Authors: Deng Z. Z. , Zhao C. S. , Ma N. , Ran L. , Zhou G. Q. , Lu D. R. , Zhou X. J.
Published: January 2013

Abstract. Precise quantification of cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) number concentrations is crucial for understanding aerosol indirect effect and characterizing this effect in models. An evaluation of various methods for CCN parameterization is carried out in this paper based on in-situ measurements of aerosol activation properties within HaChi (Haze in China) project. Comparisons are made by closure studies between methods using CCN spectra, bulk activation ratios, cut-off diameters and size-resolved activation ratios. The estimation of CCN number concentrations by the method using aerosol activation curves, either averaged over a day or with diurnal variation, is found to be most satisfying and straightforward. This could be well expected since size-resolved activation ratios include information regarding the effects of size-resolved chemical composition and mixing state on aerosol activation properties. The method using the averages of critical diameters, which are inferred from measured CCN number concentrations and particle number size distribution, also provides a good prediction of CCN number concentrations. Based on comparisons of all these methods in this paper, it is recommended that CCN number concentrations be predicted using particle number size distribution with inferred critical diameters or size-resolved activation ratios.
The thermodynamic state of the Arctic atmosphere observed by AIRS: comparisons during the record minimum sea-ice extents of 2007 and 2012
Authors: Devasthale A. , Koenigk T. , Sedlar J. , Fetzer E. J.
Published: January 2013

Abstract. The record sea-ice minimum (SIM) extents observed during the summers of 2007 and 2012 in the Arctic are stark evidence of accelerated sea ice loss during the last decade. Improving our understanding of the Arctic atmosphere and accurate quantification of its characteristics becomes ever more crucial, not least to improve predictions of such extreme events in the future. In this context, the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) instrument onboard NASA's Aqua satellite provides crucial insights due to its ability to provide 3-D information on atmospheric thermodynamics. Here, we facilitate comparisons in the evolution of the thermodynamic state of the Arctic atmosphere during these two SIM events using a decade long AIRS observational record (2003–2012). It is shown that the meteorological conditions during 2012 were not extreme but three factors in preconditioning from winter through early summer probably played an important role in accelerating sea-ice melt. First, the marginal sea-ice zones along the central Eurasian and North Atlantic sectors remained warm throughout winter and early spring in 2012 preventing thicker ice build-up. Second, the circulation pattern favoured efficient sea-ice transport out of the Arctic in the Atlantic sector during late spring and early summer in 2012 compared to 2007. Third, additional warming over the Canadian Archipelago and southeast Beaufort Sea from May onward further contributed to accelerated sea-ice melt. All these factors may have lead already thin and declining sea-ice cover to pass below the previous sea-ice extent minimum of 2007. In sharp contrast to 2007, negative surface temperature anomalies and increased cloudiness were observed over the East Siberian and Chukchi Seas in the summer of 2012. The results suggest that satellite-based monitoring of atmospheric preconditioning could be a critical source of information in predicting extreme sea-ice melting events in the Arctic.
Controlling of merging electric field and IMF magnitude on storm-time changes in thermospheric mass density
Authors: Zhou Y. L. , Ma S. Y. , Liu R. S. , Luehr H. , Doornbos E.
Published: January 2013

Abstract. The controls of merging electrical field, Em, and IMF (interplanetary magnetic field) magnitude, B, on the storm-time changes in upper thermospheric mass density are statistically investigated using GRACE accelerometer observations and the OMNI data of solar wind and IMF for 35 great storms during 2002–2006. It reveals the following: (1) The correlation coefficients between the air mass density changes and the parameters of Em and B are generally larger at lower latitudes than at higher latitudes, and larger in noon and midnight sectors than in dawn and dusk. (2) The most likely delay time (MLDT) of mass density changes in respect to Em is about 1.5 h (4.5 h) at high (low) latitudes, having no distinct local time dependence, while it is 6 h at middle latitudes in all the local time sectors except for noon, which is longer than at low latitudes. A similar fact of longer delay time at mid-latitude is also seen for B. The MLDTs for B at various latitudes are all local time dependent distinctly with shorter delay time in noon/midnight sector and larger in dawn/dusk. Despite of widely spread of the delay time, IMF B exhibits still larger correlation coefficients with mass density changes among the interplanetary parameters. (3) The linear control factor of B on the density changes increases for large B, in contrast to somewhat saturation trend for larger Em. (4) The influence of B and Em on the mass densities shows different behavior for different types of storms. The influence intensity of Em is much stronger for CIR-driven than for CME-driven storm, while it is not so distinct for B. On the local time asymmetry of the influence, both Em and B have largest influence at noon sector for CME-driven storms, while an obviously larger intensification of the influence is found in dawn/dusk sector during CIR storms, especially for parameter Em.
A Multisource Approach to Improving Epidemiologic Estimates: Application to Global B-Cell Malignancies
Authors: Mitchell Meghan E. , Lowe Kimberly , Fryzek Jon
Published: December 2012

The compilation of comprehensive, worldwide epidemiologic data can inform hypotheses on cancer etiology and guide future drug development. These statistics are reported by a multitude of sources using varying methods; thus, compiling a complete database of these statistics is a challenge. To this end, this paper examined the usefulness of a novel, multisource approach—extracting data from the peer-reviewed literature, online reports, and query systems from cancer registries and health agencies and directly contacting cancer registry personnel—for building a comprehensive, multinational epidemiologic cancer database. The major B-cell malignancies were chosen as the cancer subtype to test this approach largely because their epidemiology has not been well characterized in the peer-reviewed literature. We found that a multisource approach yields a more comprehensive epidemiologic database than what would have been possible with the use of literature searches alone. In addition, our paper revealed that cancer registries vary considerably in their methodology, comprehensiveness, and ability to gather information on specific B-cell malignancy subtypes. Collectively, this paper demonstrates the feasibility and value of a multisource approach to gathering epidemiologic data.
Skull Base Inverted Papilloma: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Wassef Shafik N. , Batra Pete S. , Barnett Samuel
Published: December 2012

Skull base inverted papilloma (IP) is an unusual entity for many neurosurgeons. IP is renowned for its high rate of recurrence, its ability to cause local destruction, and its association with malignancy. This paper is a comprehensive review of the reports, studies, and reviews published in the current biomedical literature from 1947 to September 2010 and synthesize this information to focus on its potential invasion to the base of the skull and possible intradural extension. The objective is to familiarize the clinician with the different aspects of this unusual disease. The role of modern diagnostic tools in medical imaging in order to assess clearly the limits of the tumors and to enhance the efficiency and the safety in the choice of a surgical approach is pointed out. The treatment guidelines for IP have undergone a complex evolution that continues today. Radical excision of the tumour is technically difficult and often incomplete. Successful management of IP requires resection of the affected mucosa which could be achieved with open surgery, endoscopic, or combined approach. Radio and chemotherapy were used for certain indications. More optimally research would be a multicenter randomized trials with large size cohorts.
A Study of Parameters Affecting Wear Resistance of Alumina and Yttria Stabilized Zirconia Composite Coatings on Al-6061 Substrate
Authors: Krishnamurthy N. , Prashanthareddy M. S. , Raju H. P. , Manohar H. S.
Published: December 2012

In this investigation, a composite coating of alumina and yttria stabilized zirconia in equal proportion was developed on Al-6061 substrate using Atmospheric Plasma Spraying technique. Two commercially available powders of chemical composition Al 25Fe7Cr5Ni and Al2O330(Ni 20Al) were used as bond coats. The coating samples were subjected to abrasive wear test as per ASTM G99. From the results it was found that wear rate and coefficient of friction depend on various parameters such as microstructure, surface roughness, porosity, coating thickness, and hardness. It was also found that the mechanism of wear is mainly due to abrasion and once the bond coat is exposed to the disc, it loses material by adhesion. As the coating systems possess α-Al2O3 and ZrO2, they can be used for wear and heat resistant applications such as cylinder liner of internal combustion engines.
Traditionally used wild edible greens in the Aegean Region of Turkey
Authors: Dogan Yunus
Published: December 2012

Turkey has the largest coastal area in the Mediterranean, possesses an extraordinarily rich flora, and a great traditional knowledge. This diversity of plants naturally affects the traditional use of plants and is reflected in the rich Turkish cuisine. Consequently, the Mediterranean Diet (whose typical components are wild greens) constitutes one of the important elements of Turkish cuisine. For this reason, the aim of this study was to determine the consumption of wild edible green plants for the Aegean Region of Turkey and to establish the similarities to or differences from consumption in other regions and other cuisine in the Mediterranean Basin. This study compiles and evaluates the ethnobotanical data currently available. There were 111 taxa that were identified as wild edible greens in the study area belonging to 26 different families. Asteraceae (21 taxa) were the most commonly consumed as food. It was followed by Boraginaceae with 19 taxa, Apiaceae with 15 taxa and Lamiaceae with 7 taxa, respectively. Rumex and Erodium were the most represented genera with 4 species. Tamus communis and Asparagus acutifolius, Mediterranean elements and distributed in all of the Mediterranean Basin, are among the most widely consumed wild plants in the area. Wild edible plants are consumed in a variety of ways. The most common type of consumption (79 taxa) was in salads. The fact that the majority of the plants used in the area are consumed in salads shows the close relationship between the local diet and the concept of the Mediterranean Diet. As a result, very promisingly, there is a renewed or increasing interest in consuming wild food plants as part of this diet.
The Utility of UroVysion Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization in Pancreatic Fine-Needle Aspiration Samples Directed and Obtained by Endoscopic Ultrasonography
Authors: Henkes David N. , Patel Sandeep N. , Rosenkranz Laura A. , Escobedo Jose L.
Published: December 2012

Context.—The diagnosis of pancreatic adenocarcinoma can be challenging for the pathologist. Endoscopic ultrasound-guided, fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) can be used to obtain samples of pancreatic masses. UroVysion fluorescence in situ hybridization (UFISH) has been reported to increase the sensitivity and to be very specific for the diagnosis of adenocarcinoma when combined with cytology in the diagnosis of biliary brushings and washings.

Objectives.—To determine the sensitivity and specificity of UFISH on tissues obtained from pancreatic lesions suggestive of adenocarcinoma obtained by EUS-FNA, compared against fine-needle aspiration (FNA) results. Additionally, to use patient follow-up data to evaluate UFISH results in FNA samples that showed significant atypia but did not meet the criteria for malignancy.

Design.—Sixty consecutive cases of pancreatic EUS-FNA from our institution submitted for UFISH testing.

Results.—Polysomic UFISH has a sensitivity of 93% and a specificity of 100% when compared against FNA results. Follow-up studies showed that adding UFISH to FNA increased the sensitivity for patients with true-positive results from 83% to 94% and increased specificity from 85% to 100%. For 7 patients with suspicious FNA results who had sufficient follow-up, UFISH was 100% sensitive and 100% specific.

Conclusions.—UFISH can be used to confirm the diagnosis of malignancy in pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Because of the high specificity, polysomic UFISH may help establish a diagnosis of malignancy when the FNA features are suggestive of, but not conclusive for, malignancy. The most common cause for a false-negative UFISH result was insufficient numbers of malignant cells.
Cardiometabolic Risk Factors and Associated Features in 5th Grade Schoolchildren in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso (West Africa)
Authors: Daboné Charles , Delisle Hélène , Receveur Olivier
Published: December 2012

The onset of cardiometabolic risk factors in childhood may be tracked into adulthood. However, little is known about such risk factors particularly in African schoolchildren. We conducted in Ouagadougou the capital city of Burkina Faso (West Africa) a cross-sectional study in 5th grade pupils of 12 schools (4 private and 8 public of which 2 were periurban). Weight, height, and blood pressure (BP) were measured and fasting serum lipids and glycaemia were determined. Sample mean age was 11.8±1.4 y (207 children, 51% girls). Mean total cholesterol (TC), LDL-C, HDL-C and triglycerides were 133.9, 83.5, 45.1 and 67.1 mg/dl, respectively; glycaemia stood at 87.9±7.1 mg/dl. Systolic (SBP) and Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP) were 103.2 and 62.3 mmHg respectively. The main risk factor was low HDL-C (19.3%) followed by high TC and LDL-C (11.6% each). Elevated SBP and DBP were 9.7% and 4.3%, respectively. Being a girl was independently associated with increased serum lipids including HDL-C paradoxically. BMI was independently associated with increased BP. While attending a private school was independently associated (p<0.01) with higher HDL-C and lower TG and DBP, attending urban (vs periurban) school and higher age were independently associated with lower HDL-C. A sizeable proportion of children exhibited cardiometabolic risk factors and therefore, preventive measures would appear timely in low income country schoolchildren, and not only strategies targeting malnutrition
Visibility of Nutrition Research and Dissemination Challenges in French Speaking Sub-Saharan Africa: A Bibliometric Analysis
Authors: Ngnie-Teta Ismael , Sanou Dia
Published: December 2012

Although sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is one of the regions in the world that is most affected by malnutrition and hunger, food science and nutrition related-publications by in-country-based authors from this region are rare. The objective of this paper is to analyze scientific production in French speaking SSA countries in the area of nutrition and food sciences (NFS). A bibliometric analysis was performed using the ISI Web of Knowledge database. We explored data for quantity and quality of publications between 1990 and 2009. Among the 21 sub-Saharan African countries with French as the official language, only 11 had more than 20 publications on NFS. This represents 4.7% of the total publications of these countries. The vast majority of the publications were in English (76.7%) despite the official and primary academic language is French in all eleven countries. The average number of citations of articles in French was 0.9 per paper compared to 6.7 per paper published in English. France was the main collaborating country with France-based researchers co-authoring 31.8% of the papers. Collaboration with other African countries was low and usually limited to neighbouring countries. In absolute numbers, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire and Benin were the most productive countries. When adjusted for population size, Mauritius, Gabon and Cameroon were the most productive countries per capita and when adjusted for average GDP, Cameroon, Burkina-Faso and Benin were the most productive. French speaking countries in Africa had a very low publication record in NFS and papers published in French were barely cited as compared to those published in English.
Genetic Aspects of Congenital and Idiopathic Scoliosis
Authors: Giampietro Philip F.
Published: December 2012

Congenital and idiopathic scoliosis represent disabling conditions of the spine. While congenital scoliosis (CS) is caused by morphogenic abnormalities in vertebral development, the cause(s) for idiopathic scoliosis is (are) likely to be varied, representing alterations in skeletal growth, neuromuscular imbalances, disturbances involving communication between the brain and spine, and others. Both conditions are characterized by phenotypic and genetic heterogeneities, which contribute to the difficulties in understanding their genetic basis that investigators face. Despite the differences between these two conditions there is observational and experimental evidence supporting common genetic mechanisms. This paper focuses on the clinical features of both CS and IS and highlights genetic and environmental factors which contribute to their occurrence. It is anticipated that emerging genetic technologies and improvements in phenotypic stratification of both conditions will facilitate improved understanding of the genetic basis for these conditions and enable targeted prevention and treatment strategies.
Stress in Obesity and Associated Metabolic and Cardiovascular Disorders
Authors: Holvoet Paul
Published: December 2012

Obesity has significant implications for healthcare, since it is a major risk factor for both type 2 diabetes and the metabolic syndrome. This syndrome is a common and complex disorder combining obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and insulin resistance. It is associated with high atherosclerotic cardiovascular risk, which can only partially be explained by its components. Therefore, to explain how obesity contributes to the development of metabolic and cardiovascular disorders, more and better insight is required into the effects of personal and environmental stress on disease processes. In this paper, we show that obesity is a chronic inflammatory disease, which has many molecular mechanisms in common with atherosclerosis. Furthermore, we focus on the role of oxidative stress associated with obesity in the development of the metabolic syndrome. We discuss how several stress conditions are related to inflammation and oxidative stress in association with obesity and its complications. We also emphasize the relation between stress conditions and the deregulation of epigenetic control mechanisms by means of microRNAs and show how this impairment further contributes to the development of obesity, closing the vicious circle. Finally, we discuss the limitations of current anti-inflammation and antioxidant therapy to treat obesity.
The Genetics of Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Barber Robert C.
Published: December 2012

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive, neurodegenerative disease that represents a growing global health crisis. Two major forms of the disease exist: early onset (familial) and late onset (sporadic). Early onset Alzheimer’s is rare, accounting for less than 5% of disease burden. It is inherited in Mendelian dominant fashion and is caused by mutations in three genes (APP,PSEN1, andPSEN2). Late onset Alzheimer’s is common among individuals over 65 years of age. Heritability of this form of the disease is high (79%), but the etiology is driven by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. A large number of genes have been implicated in the development of late onset Alzheimer’s. Examples that have been confirmed by multiple studies includeABCA7,APOE,BIN1,CD2AP,CD33,CLU,CR1,EPHA1,MS4A4A/MS4A4E/MS4A6E,PICALM, andSORL1. Despite tremendous progress over the past three decades, roughly half of the heritability for the late onset of the disease remains unidentified. Finding the remaining genetic factors that contribute to the development of late onset Alzheimer’s disease holds the potential to provide novel targets for treatment and prevention, leading to the development of effective strategies to combat this devastating disease.
Evaluation and Purchase of an Analytical Flow Cytometer: Some of the Numerous Factors to Consider
Authors: Zucker Robert M. , Fisher Nancy C.
Published: January 2013

When purchasing a flow cytometer, the decision of which brand, model, specifications, and accessories may be challenging. The decisions should initially be guided by the specific applications intended for the instrument. However, many other factors need to be considered, which include hardware, software, quality assurance, support, service, and price and recommendations from colleagues. These issues are discussed to help guide the purchasing process. Curr. Protoc. Cytom. 63:1.28.1‐1.28.11. © 2013 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Applications of
GIS
in Engineering Measurements
Authors: Spring Gary S.
Published: January 2013

The GIS is a computerized database management system that provides graphic access (capture, storage retrieval, analysis, and display) to spatial data. GIS software provides a map display that allows thematic mapping of data and its graphic output overlain onto a map image. The study finds that there are two types of data in general‐spatial data and attribute data. The two most common ways of representing spatial data are the raster and vector formats. The linkage between attribute data and spatial data is the key advantage of using GIS. The process by which this is accomplished is called geocoding. There has been a significant increase in recent years in the number of state departments of transportation developing more accurate road base maps using digital imagery and kinematic GPS. There has also been significant growth in web‐based GIS applications and the use of GIS for managing infrastructure inventories. This Chapter thoroughly reviews emerging issues and applications that are forefronts of current attention include‐ metadata, data visualization, and enterprise GIS.
Seismic Testing of Highway Bridges
Authors: Monzon Eric V. , Itani Ahmad M. , Pekcan Gokhan
Published: January 2013

Earthquake simulation using shake tables is one of the main tools that can be used to determine the seismic response of structures. Seismic response of bridges is of particular interest as they are considered as “life‐line structure.” The collapse or closure of highway bridges due to damage during an earthquake may lead to significant economic loss. However, one of the drawbacks of shake‐table testing is the payload limitation of the table itself. The specimen has to be scaled down in order to fail it under realistic earthquake excitation. Similitude requirements involved in modeling structures are discussed in this chapter. Although seismic modeling of highway bridges is emphasized in this chapter, the theory presented on dimensional analysis can be used to model any civil engineering structure. An example based on the 0.4‐scale model of a curved bridge used for seismic testing at University of Nevada, Reno is presented. The discussion also includes specimen fabrication, selection of input motion, instrumentation, and data acquisition and processing.
Measurements in Environmental Engineering
Authors: Vallero Daniel A.
Published: January 2013

The quality of environmental decisions depends on reliable environmental data. These data are obtained from field samples that are either analyzed on site or collected for laboratory analysis. Measurements of air, water, soil, sediment, and biota are used either directly, for example, monitoring wells around a hazardous waste site, or indirectly, for example, extrapolations in time and space. Extrapolations of environmental conditions are often accomplished using models. This chapter provides guidance on selecting sites to be sampled, preparing environmental monitoring plans based on data quality objectives, and analyzing the samples. The numerous sources of variability and uncertainty are introduced, including means of expressing data limitations. The chapter concludes with examples of how measurement data have been used, notably as environmental indicators and in environmental indices.
Mobile Source Emissions Testing
Authors: Venigalla Mohan
Published: January 2013

This Chapter provides broad review on emission testing of new and in‐use vehicles, particularly in the United States. Under a mandate from the U.S. Congress, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA or EPA) sets emissions standards for vehicles. All of EPA's emission regulations specify test procedures to measure engine or vehicle emission levels. EPA uses the test results to determine compliance with the applicable emission standards and also develop emission models such as the MOBILE model and its successor MOVES model. The Clean Air Act (CAA) requires every engine and motor vehicle within the chain of commerce in the United States to meet a set of emission standards and conformity requirements. Various testing for regulatory compliance have been summarized, for example, federal test procedure, testing for inspection and maintenance, emission testing with onboard portable emissions monitoring systems and, testing for special purpose emissions study.
Mass Properties Measurement
Authors: Tellet (editor) David
Published: January 2013

Mass properties—weight, centers of gravity, and inertias—are critical performance parameters for any vehicle such as an aircraft, spacecraft, land vehicle, or ship as well as any subsystem or component, where precise mass properties measurement and management is necessary to meet strict engineering and performance requirements. This chapter deals with the techniques, methods, tools, and approaches for the measurement of mass properties of vehicles, and vehicle subsystems, rather than production line or bulk items. This chapter covers mass and weight measurement systems; measurement methodology; choosing measuring equipment; mass and weight measurement; centers of gravity; moments of inertia; products of inertia; measuring large vehicles; and uncertainty in mass properties measurements.
Vibration Measurement
Authors: Gracewski Sheryl M. , Ramoutar Nigel D.
Published: January 2013

Vibration can be defined as an oscillation about an equilibrium point. This Chapter summarizes techniques of vibration measurement which can be used to determine a machine's dynamic response to forces that are generated during operation. However, many of the concepts discussed here can be applied to other systems, such as oscillations in electrical circuits or fluidic systems. The basic notation and concepts needed to interpret vibration measurements has been introduced by discussing the response of a one‐degree‐off freedom system. These concepts are further generalized to multi‐degree‐of‐freedom systems to emphasize the need to analyze vibration measurements in the frequency domain. A range of vibration measurement equipment and techniques have been described that can be used to excite a structure and to measure and analyze its response. A summary of modal analysis techniques that can be used to obtain the natural frequencies, mode shapes, and modal damping parameters of a structure has been given. Finally, some applications of vibration measurement have also been discussed comprehensively.
Pressure and Velocity Measurements
Authors: Figliola Richard S. , Beasley Donald E.
Published: January 2013

In this Section, we cover basic concepts related to taking pressure measurements in engineering systems, as well as to taking velocity measurements within systems with moving fluids. The Section begins with a discussion of pressure concepts and moves on to discussions of the pressure standards commonly used in the laboratory and pressure transducers used in general engineering practice. Treatment is given to pressure measurements in static and dynamic systems, as well as in moving fluid systems. The Section presents concepts useful in predicting the time response of a pressure system associated with dynamic measurements, including details of a lumped parameter model of the often encountered pressure transmission line that can be useful in planning a measuring system's design. The Section provides discussion on many of the common errors associated with pressure instruments and their associated measurement systems and suggests nominal values for pressure measurement uncertainties. The Section also discusses several techniques for measuring flow velocity, either at a point or for a full flow field, as pressure and velocity measurements are often carried out together in many applications. Pressure and thermal techniques for measuring velocity that are widely used both in the engineering practice and laboratory are included in the presentation along with a discussion on the advantages and uncertainties associated with each technique.
Flow Measurement
Authors: Yoder Jesse
Published: January 2013

Flow is one of the most important variables measured in industrial and commercial environments. This Chapter focuses various aspects of new and traditional technologies to flow measurements. The study finds one important trend in flow measurement is the move from traditional technology to new technology flowmeters. Many end‐users are selecting new‐technology flowmeters for their accuracy, reliability, lack of pressure drop, and reduced need for maintenance. The primary attributes that end‐users look for in flowmeters include accuracy, reliability, and lack of required maintenance. This trend primarily benefits ultrasonic, Coriolis, and magnetic flowmeters. The use of vortex meters is also growing, especially for steam applications. Thermal flowmeters are not so much displacing other meters as they are being increasingly used for a wide range of new environmental applications involving the measurement of greenhouse gases. However, traditional technology flowmeters are also holding their own in some applications for the use of gas in commercial and industrial buildings.
Heat Flux Measurement
Authors: Diller Thomas E.
Published: January 2013

Owing to the importance of energy in modern society, heat transfer (the movement of thermal energy) has become a crucial factor in many engineering systems. Measurements of heat transfer are therefore important, but remain a challenge to accomplish with accuracy. Various commercial heat flux gages and research methods are available to measure heat transfer in a wide range of applications. This chapter explores how to accurately and reliably measure heat flux (heat transfer per area) with these techniques in practical situations.
Evaluating and Selecting Technology‐Based Projects
Authors: Thamhain Hans J.
Published: January 2013

Managers can choose among a large number of quantitative and qualitative methods for project evaluation and selection. The effectiveness of each method depends on the specific project type, organizational culture and managerial skills, discussed in this paper together with the strength and limitations of various evaluation methods. To be effective, especially in complex project situations, the decision‐making process often has to go beyond the application of just quantitative methods. Field research shows that incorporating both quantitative and qualitative measures into a combined rational–judgmental evaluation process often yields the most reliable predictor of future project value and success. As equally important, the process requires managerial leadership and skills in planning, organizing, and communicating. Above all, the leader of the project evaluation team must be a social architect, who can unify the multifunctional process and its people. The leader must be able to foster an environment that is professionally stimulating and conducive to risk sharing. Moreover, the evaluation process must be effectively linked to the functional support groups responsible for project implementation, and aligned with organizational strategy. Senior management has an important role in unifying the evaluation team behind the mission objectives and in facilitating the linkages to the diverse stakeholder community.
Manufacturing Systems Evaluation
Authors: Olson Walter W.
Published: January 2013

Environmentally conscious manufacturing is the production of products using processes and techniques selected to have the least impact on the environment while still being economically viable. This Chapter discusses several techniques for assessing and evaluating environmentally conscious manufacturing performance of manufacturing systems. This provides the basis for making evaluations of improvement areas and performing the tasks necessary to formulate improvement projects. The goal of this Chapter is to provide guidance to assist the industrial engineer in finding better methods and techniques to make the overall manufacturing system more responsive to the goals of environmentally conscious manufacturing. The study determines that ISO 14001 is a suitable plan to pursue and may be essential to the business practices of the firm if it is used properly.
Measuring Performance of Chemical Process Equipment
Authors: Cross Alan
Published: January 2013

Chemical processes are dependent, for proper overall performance, on proper performance of the individual and inter‐connected process equipment components comprising the process. To achieve proper performance, it requires proper selection and placement, preferably of automatically monitoring instrumentation, for both the individual processing components and the ultimate products produced. Such instrumentation ideally consists of properly selected and placed, indicating, recording and controlling devices designed for this purpose and typically consists of temperature, pressure, and flow indicators, controllers, and recorders. Proper performance of individual processing components, such as those used for crushing and grinding equipment, can be obtained by measurements and control of the feed flow rate; measurement of properties such as particle size of both feed and product; and measurement of properties such as particle size, crushing strength, tensile strength, and modulus of elasticity of the feed.
Industrial Waste Auditing
Authors: Visvanathan C.
Published: January 2013

Waste auditing is as important as any other step in a waste‐minimization or cleaner‐production project. The global industry is embracing proactive methods that principally focus on energy conservation and waste minimization by the application of cleaner production techniques. It has been noticed that use of traditional end‐of‐pipe treatment of waste alone is progressively becoming inadequate to satisfy the tightening requisites of modern environmental legislations. Industrial processes are impacted by the progressive phasing out or banning of chemicals that have been regularly used in industries. Several case studies proved that such proactive approaches reduce the overall production cost and environmental liabilities. With increasing popularity and attention to proactive methods, structured methodologies are being developed to systematically explore, analyze, and implement energy conservation and waste minimization or cleaner production programs in industries. The study concludes that the waste audit should be undertaken with utmost care and should be as thorough as possible. The more effort is spent at this phase, the better will be the chance of success of the project.
Viscosity Measurement
Authors: Anderson Ann M. , Bruno Bradford A. , Smith Lilla Safford
Published: January 2013

This chapter is designed to provide detailed and practical information on methods for measuring viscosity for the nonexpert. The chapter starts with a brief theoretical and mathematical overview of viscosity and presents correlations that can be used to account for the effects of pressure and temperature. Next we describe the theory of operation and advantages and disadvantages of the major measurement methods, including drag‐type, flow‐type, and vibrational viscometers. The chapter includes tables of information on commercially available viscometers, reviews the ASTM standards for measuring viscosity, and guides the reader through a set of questions/answers that can be used to select the appropriate viscometer for a given application.
Mechanical Properties of Polymers
Authors: Liu Daniel , Rehkopf Jackie , Reitman Maureen
Published: January 2013

Polymers are being used in every day consumer products manufacturing and various engineering applications. They provide design and manufacturing flexibility, as well as desirable combinations of properties. However, successful implementation of any polymer requires a basic understanding of its mechanical behavior and what factors affect that behavior. The chapter overviews the basic principles of polymer mechanical behavior which includes a discussion of the microstructure and morphology of polymers, stress‐strain behavior, time–temperature relationships, deformation mechanisms, fracture mechanics, polymer toughening, and reinforced polymers (and composites). The behavior of polymers in load‐bearing applications is also described, with introductions to creep, fatigue, and high‐strain rate performance.
Electrical Properties of Polymers
Authors: Riande Evaristo , Díaz‐Calleja Ricardo
Published: January 2013

The physics underlying the response of condensed matter to static and alternating electric force fields is briefly described. The relation between polarization and static electric fields leading to the estimation of the dipole moments of isolated polymer chains is progressively developed. Attention is paid to the dependence of the polarity of polymer chains on their chemical structure. The variation of the complex dielectric permittivity with the frequency of the perturbing electric field is studied at several temperatures above and below the glass transition temperature of polymers. It is shown that only in the case that the dipole moment scales with chains length, the dielectric relaxation spectra exhibits at low frequencies the normal mode relaxation arising from chains disentanglements. Relaxation spectra of polymers are profoundly affected by the development of order in these systems. The structures that make polymers suitable to be used as semiconductors, electronic and ionic conductors as well as actuators, are described. Moreover, the usefulness and performance of polymers in these endeavors are discussed. Finally, comments are made on the electrical breakdown in electrical isolating polymers.
Nondestructive Inspection
Authors: Crane Robert L. , Knopp Jeremy S.
Published: January 2013

Today manufactured products compete in the global marketplace. Because customers have a choice of several high quality products, the importance of initial quality and reliability has never been greater. Key elements to achieving high initial product quality are the inspections that are conducted during the manufacturing process. Nondestructive evaluation (NDE) or nondestructive inspection (NDI) is often used to ensure that parts or components and the final assemble comply with design specifications. When used effectively, data produced by the inspection processes are compiled in a database that is used to correlate process variables with design specifications and reliability over product's lifetime. Traditionally, NDI techniques consisted of only five techniques such as ultrasonic, eddy current, liquid penetrant, magnetic particle, and radiography. Currently, there is a plethora of techniques that may be employed to ensure that the both components and the final product meet acceptable initial quality and reliability standards. With the advent of miniature microelectronic devices, it is now possible to embed the inspection capability into the part for a sacrificial or one‐time inspection or for continual health monitoring. This chapter briefly touches the basic aspects of commonly employed NDE/NDI techniques. For an examination of the latest techniques of NDI/NDE, the reader is encouraged to explore the open technical literature that is available on the worldwide web and in a research library.
Testing of Metallic Materials
Authors: McKeighan Peter C.
Published: January 2013

The present chapter reviews some of the basic background for how metallic materials are mechanically tested. A designer must have fundamental knowledge of both the properties and test methods as well as an understanding of how to interpret the properties in the design context. Further test‐related standards that ASTM publishes are found to be very useful that ensure that mechanical properties generated in one laboratory are consistent with those generated in another laboratory. This consistency is critical from a design point of view as specific property values are typically extracted from numerous sources, and knowing that consistent methods are used in generating these properties is crucial. Finally, ASTM also provides other resources to ensure that the properties required are available. In particular, the Directory of Testing Labs (ASTM, 2001) provides a state‐bystate listing of laboratories that are available to perform materials testing.
Ceramics Testing
Authors: McGuire Shawn K. , Jenkins Michael G.
Published: January 2013

Ceramics are being used in numerous industrial and scientific applications. Advanced ceramics, in particular, have great future possibilities for use in a wide variety of applications as these are typically wear and corrosion resistant, lightweight, and thermodynamically stable. In addition, many advanced ceramics have electrical properties that make them advantageous for use in electronic applications such as electronic packaging. With the steadily increasing use of ceramics in industry, there exists an increasing demand to characterize and quantify the properties of ceramics. This leads to higher demand for improved testing techniques to yield more exact data used for activities such as design, safety analysis, quality control, and scientific understanding. This present study gives a brief overview of the major test methods currently being used, relative advantages and disadvantages to each other, and some common sources of error. In addition, a listing of standards that are both relevant and directly applicable to ceramics are given for various testing methods.
Testing and Instrumental Analysis for Plastics Processing: Key Characterization Techniques
Authors: del Pilar Noriega Maria
Published: January 2013

This chapter is designed to provide a background in main areas of testing and instrumental analysis used for polymer processing. The following are the characterization techniques to be presented and covered: Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy – FTIR, chromatography, thermal analysis (differential scanning calorimetry – DSC and thermogravimetry – TGA), and rheometry. Combined with an engineering background, this chapter has the concise information and industrial case studies for data analysis using the most important characterization techniques.
Analytical Tools for Estimation of Particulate Composite Material Properties
Authors: Zohdi T. I. , Zohdi Magd E.
Published: January 2013

In virtually every modern engineering design, new composite particulate materials are employed that are specifically tailored to the application at hand. These materials are constructed by combining an easy to form matrix‐binder material with embedded particles, whose properties are chosen to deliver overall desired properties. Trial and error experiments to determine the correct combinations of such materials are tedious and expensive. Accordingly, over the past century, methods have been developed to accelerate the process of material design by attempting to reliably estimate the effective responses of such materials in terms of the material properties of the matrix material, the properties of the particulate additives, and the volume fraction of the particulate additives. This chapter provides a basic overview of some straightforward analytical methods used in such analyses.
Instrument Statics
Authors: Hall Jerry Lee , Sundararajan Sriram , Naim Mahmood
Published: January 2013

This chapter describes the considerations associated with evaluating numerical values for the static characteristics of an instrument. The measurement of any variable is accomplished by an instrumentation system composed of transducers. Each transducer is an energy conversion device and requires energy transfer into the device before the variable of interest can be detected. There are several categorical characteristics for a transducer (or measurement system). Transducer performance can be described in terms of static characteristics and instruments associated with rapidly varying measurands require additional qualifications termed dynamic characteristics. Static calibration should include both increasing and decreasing values of the known input signal and a repetition of the input signal. Finally, statistics in the measurement process has been summarized comprehensively with more emphasis on unbiased estimates, types of errors, uncertainty interval, confidence limits, and so on.
Input and Output Characteristics
Authors: Bell Adam C.
Published: January 2013

This chapter deals exclusively with interactions between static and dynamic subsystems intended to function together in a task and with how best to configure and characterize those ideal subsystems. The study demonstrates an alternate viewpoint for the interaction of systems with each other. The key issue in this chapter is this: whenever two dynamic systems are connected, an interaction occurs. If the connection is to meet its objectives, the nature of this interaction must be explored and controlled.
Signal Processing
Authors: Turnbull John
Published: January 2013

Signals are carriers of information. The objective of the chapter is to illustrate that signal processing involves the encoding of information for the purpose of transmission of information or decoding the information at the receiving end of the transmission. The standard method most commonly used for this involves filters that exploit some separation of the signal and noise in the frequency domain. To this end, it is useful to use frequency‐domain tools such as the Fourier transform and the Laplace transform in designing and analyzing various filters such as analog filters and digital filters. The study finds that there are various factors matter when deciding on a particular filter for a given application. Further, common strategy in designing filters especially IIR filters has also been summarized comprehensively.
Mathematical and Physical Units, Standards, and Tables
Authors: Westbrook Jack H.
Published: January 2013

This chapter supplies information on abbreviations and symbols along with statistical tables and tables of conversion factors
N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Ligands and Iron: An Effective Association for Catalysis
Authors: Bézier David , Sortais Jean‐Baptiste , Darcel Christophe
Published: January 2013

Although iron has been known and widely used in coordination and organometallic chemistry for decades and N‐heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) have also been used for about half a century, their combination surprisingly did not become a hot topic in chemistry until this last decade. This review presents several recent and stimulating developments in homogeneous catalysis done mainly using iron/NHC‐based catalysts. Of particular interest are the roles of iron/NHC complexes in cross‐coupling Kochi reactions, CC bond formation reactions and hydrofunctionalization, and more particularly in hydrosilylation. Our review summarizes the key developments in these fields.