bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Report of the Office of Population Affairs’ expert work group meeting on short birth spacing and adverse pregnancy outcomes: Methodological quality of existing studies and future directions for research
Authors: Ahrens Katherine A. , Hutcheon Jennifer A. , Ananth Cande V. , Basso Olga , Briss Peter A. , Ferré Cynthia D. , Frederiksen Brittni N. , Harper Sam , Hernández‐Díaz Sonia , Hirai Ashley H. , Kirby Russell S. , Klebanoff Mark A. , Lindberg Laura , Mumford Sunni L. , Nelson Heidi D. , Platt Robert W. , Rossen Lauren M. , Stuebe Alison M. , Thoma Marie E. , Vladutiu Catherine J. , Moskosky Susan
Published: October 2018

Background

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that women wait at least 24 months after a livebirth before attempting a subsequent pregnancy to reduce the risk of adverse maternal, perinatal, and infant health outcomes. However, the applicability of the WHO recommendations for women in the United States is unclear, as breast feeding, nutrition, maternal age at first birth, and total fertility rate differs substantially between the United States and the low‐ and middle‐resource countries upon which most of the evidence is based.

Methods

To inform guideline development for birth spacing specific to women in the United States, the Office of Population Affairs (OPA) convened an expert work group meeting in Washington, DC, on 14‐15 September 2017 among reproductive, perinatal, paediatric, social, and public health epidemiologists; obstetrician‐gynaecologists; biostatisticians; and experts in evidence synthesis related to women's health.

Results

Presentations and discussion topics included the methodological quality of existing studies, evaluation of the evidence for causal effects of short interpregnancy intervals on adverse perinatal and maternal health outcomes, good practices for future research, and identification of research gaps and priorities for future work.

Conclusions

This report provides an overview of the presentations, discussions, and conclusions from the expert work group meeting.
Gender action plans in the aquaculture value chain: what's missing?
Authors: Bosma Roel H. , Nguyen Thi Dien , Calumpang Lorna M. , Carandang Sef Alba
Published: October 2018

Gender equality has been a political issue in view of human rights and welfare since several decades. Therefore, many countries have developed Gender Action Plans (GAPs) that support equal access of both sexes to education, employment and finance. Two workshops on GAPs in aquaculture and a literature review brought about the question: what's missing in Asian sectoral GAPs. Not all reviewed Asian countries have GAPs for fishery/ aquaculture, but all encountered constraints to achieve their goals regarding equal access for women. Women's contribution in aquaculture tends to go beyond the traditional gender divide. For example, women may lead in the area of production because they can combine aquaculture with their homebound tasks and own vertically integrated companies. However, skewed perceptions on the role, status and perception of women and men, more so in strong than weak patriarchies (the former accept the subservient role, while the latter exercise the dominant role) limit women's access to training opportunities on new aquaculture technologies. Women are also left out in policy‐ and decision‐making processes; and in the value chain, women receive lower wages than men. Their role is underestimated by lack of disaggregated data, as reflected in post‐disaster interventions and industrial development programs. To be effective sectoral GAPs, based on disaggregated data, should have budgets, plans and target indicators for which leaders could be held accountable. These GAPs, however, can't address the required radical change in attitude toward women; unless deliberately planned educational media campaigns are embedded into the national GAPs.
Prevalence and social and health determinants of pre‐diabetes and diabetes among adults in Laos: a cross‐sectional national population‐based survey, 2013
Authors: Vonglokham Manithong , Kounnavong Sengchanh , Sychareun Vanphanom , Pengpid Supa , Peltzer Karl
Published: October 2018

Objective

Diabetes is a major and fast‐growing public health problem in Southeast Asia. We determined the prevalence of pre‐diabetes and diabetes and assessed the levels of awareness, treatment and control in Lao People's Democratic Republic (PDR).

Methods

A national cross‐sectional study based on a stratified cluster random sampling was conducted in 2013. The sample comprised 2492 individuals aged 18–64 years (59.3% females; mean age 38.7 years, SD = 12.8) from Lao PDR. We followed the WHO STEPS method: step 1, questionnaire interview; step 2, anthropometric and Blood Pressure (BP) measurements; and step 3, biochemistry tests. Multinominal logistic regression was used to investigate the determinants of pre‐diabetes and diabetes (fasting plasma glucose levels ≥ 7.0 mmol/L; or using insulin or oral hypoglycaemic drugs; or having a history of diagnosis of diabetes).

Results

5.7% of the population had diabetes, 4.7% of men and 6.4% of women, and 2.3% had pre‐diabetes, 1.8% of men and 2.6% of women. Only 14.1% of the population sample indicated that they had ever their blood glucose measured by a health‐care worker. This was higher in urban (20.9%) than rural (10.9%) dwellers (P < 0.001), and among female (16.6%) than male (10.5%) participants (P < 0.001). Among those with diabetes, 58.1% were aware of their diabetes status, 40.3% were taking treatment and 10.9% had controlled diabetes. The factor independently associated with impaired fasting glycaemia (IFG) or pre‐diabetes was central obesity (Adjusted Relative Risk Ratio‐ARRR: 3.92, Confidence Interval‐CI: 1.89, 8.14) but none of the other health (general body weight, fruit and vegetable consumption, physical activity, substance use, hypertension and cholesterol) and sociodemographic (age, sex, education, employment status, marital status, ethno‐linguistic group and residence status) variables. Factors independently associated with diabetes were older age (ARRR: 5.12, CI: 1.55, 10.20), central obesity (ARRR: 2.15, CI: 1.16, 4.00), low or moderate physical activity (ARRR: 0.75, CI: 0.60, 0.93), having hypertension (ARRR: 1.68, CI: 1.01, 2.83), and dyslipidaemia (ARRR: 1.75, CI: 1.08, 2.81).

Conclusion

A public health response is needed in the form of integrated and comprehensive action targeting major non‐communicable diseases in the country.
Lip‐to‐nose flap for nasal plane reconstruction in dogs: A cadaveric and in vivo feasibility study
Authors: Chiti Lavinia E. , Montinaro Vincenzo , Lisi Marta L. P. , Asta Andrea G. , Marches Silvia , Sommaruga Paolo , Massari Federico
Published: October 2018

Objective

To describe a local interpolation flap based on the upper lip for the reconstruction of the dorsal aspect of the nasal plane in dogs.

Study design

Ex vivo and in vivo case report.

Animals

A 2‐year‐old medium‐sized spayed female mixed‐breed dog and a canine cadaver of a medium‐sized mixed‐breed dog.

Methods

A dorsal defect of the nasal plane of uncertain origin in a dog was reconstructed with a unilateral interpolation flap obtained from the caudal upper lip skin and mucosa (lip‐to‐nose flap). The procedure was first performed in a cadaveric model to assess its feasibility.

Results

The lip‐to‐nose flap allowed the reconstruction of a dorsal nasal plane defect with a satisfactory cosmetic outcome. The incorporation of the labial mucosa guaranteed a complete and uncomplicated wound healing of the flap; a small area of necrosis occurred at the donor site, which resolved in a few days.

Conclusion

The use of a lip‐to‐nose flap was feasible in these 2 medium‐sized dogs and led to satisfactory cosmetic outcome.

Clinical significance

A lip‐to‐nose flap may be considered to reconstruct dorsal nasal plane defects in dogs and allows for a cosmetic outcome.
Effect of surgical site infection on survival after limb amputation in the curative‐intent treatment of canine appendicular osteosarcoma: a Veterinary Society of Surgical Oncology retrospective study
Authors: Hans Eric C. , Pinard Chris , van Nimwegen S. A. , Kirpensteijn Jolle , Singh Ameet , MacEachern Steven , Naber Steven , Dudley Robert M.
Published: October 2018

Objective

To determine the influence of surgical site infection (SSI) on the median disease‐free interval (DFI) and median survival time (MST) in dogs after amputation in the curative‐intent treatment of appendicular osteosarcoma (OSA).

Study design

Multi‐institutional retrospective cohort study.

Animals

Fifteen dogs with OSA and SSI, and 134 dogs with OSA and no SSI.

Methods

Medical records were reviewed, and dogs were included if the following criteria were met: histologic confirmation of OSA, no evidence of metastasis, ≥1 chemotherapy treatment, and available follow‐up data. We used the definition of SSI from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Kaplan‐Meier estimates of median DFI and MST for the SSI and non‐SSI groups were compared by log‐rank test. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analysis was evaluated for associations with DFI and survival.

Results

The median DFI and MST of all OSA dogs were 236 days (95% CI, 181‐283) and 283 days (95% CI 237‐355), respectively. The median DFI of dogs with SSI (292 days) did not differ from that of dogs without SSI (224 days, P = .156). The MST of dogs with SSI (292 days) did not differ from that of dogs without SSI (280 days, P = .417). Failure to complete chemotherapy was associated with decreased DFI and survival (P < .001). Adjustments for chemotherapy completion found no effect of SSI on survival.

Conclusion

SSI did not influence the survival of dogs with appendicular OSA treated with amputation and curative‐intent treatment.

Clinical significance

The extended survival associated with SSI after limb‐spare surgery for OSA does not appear to be present after amputation. Interactions between the canine immune system and OSA warrant additional study.
ELAEIS GUINEENSIS LEAVES EXTRACTS AS ECO-FRIENDLY CORROSION INHIBITOR FOR MILD STEEL IN HYDROCHLORIC ACID
Authors: Asaad Mohammad Ali , Ismail Mohammad , A. Khalid Nur Hafizah , Huseien Ghasan Fahim , Bothi Raja Pandian
Published: October 2018

This manuscript presents a study on a green corrosion inhibitor extracted from Elaeis guineensis (EG) leaves for mild steel (MS) exposed to acidic condition. Weight loss measurement was conducted at various temperatures to investigate the corrosion inhibitive behaviour of the aqueous extract in 1 M HCl solution. Results demonstrated that both inhibition efficiency (η%) and surface coverage (θ) had increased with increasing inhibitor concentration, but decreased with increasing temperature. After immersion for 72 h, the inhibition efficiency were between 60.48% at 319 K and 73.81% at 298 K. Adsorption of extract onto the MS surface was shown to obey Langmuir’s adsorption isotherm while the free energy value (𝝙Gads) indicated that the adsorption was characteristic of physisorption. Formation of a protective film onto the metal surface was substantiated by SEM and EDX analyses. The study demonstrated that EG leaves is a potential metal corrosion inhibitor in acidic condition.
CHEMICAL CLEANING OF MICROFILTRATION CERAMIC MEMBRANE FOULED BY NOM
Authors: Mohamed Bazin Maisarah , Nakamura Yuzo , Ahmad Norhayati
Published: October 2018

Microfiltration membrane made from Sayong ball clay by using uniaxial dry compaction method was used to treat natural organic matter (NOM) source water. A sintering temperature of 900 °C to 1000 °C were applied. The effect of sintering temperature on membrane porosity, strength and water flux were identified. The porosity of the membrane decreased with increasing sintering temperature and the strength and flux increased with temperature. The membrane was subjected to NOM filtration experiments. The results showed an improvement to the quality of permeate water, where there is a reduction in COD, TSS, BOD5, turbidity, hardness and salinity; and an increased pH value. The effect of chemical cleaning on the fouled membrane also was studied. After cleaning with NaOH solution, a high flux recovery was achieved (up to 50% from the initial pure water flux). The degree of cleanliness of fouled membranes after chemical cleaning was further observed with SEM and EDX analysis.
EFFECTS OF INLET CLOSURE LEVEL ON VIBRATION CHARACTERISTICS OF A MODIFIED CENTRIFUGAL FAN
Authors: Zaimar Zaimar , Mursalim Mursalim , Abbas Hammada , Supratomo Supratomo
Published: October 2018

Inlet is one of the key parameters that plays an important role in a centrifugal fan. The change of parameters in an inlet can cause static and dynamic pressures in the fan housing. As a consequence, high turbulence can produce vibration. The aim of this research is to study the inlet closure level effects on the vibration characteristics of a modified centrifugal fan. The Inlet closure levels consist of 0; 25; 50; 75; 85; 100% that were tested to examine the vibration characteristic value (x, m, k, Ck, C). The test used a randomized complete design with full factorial experiment. Data analysis employed variance and regression analysis. The results show that the inlet closure effect is significant to the value of the vibration characteristics. The increase of the inlet closure level can cause the quadratic decrease of the values of the vibration characteristics. In addition, the increase of the inlet closure level had no impact on the applied resonance frequency levels. These experimental results obtained the highest values of the vibration characteristic at the inlet closure level of 25%.
MATHEMATICAL MODELLING FOR FISH FEED FORMULATION OF MYSTUS NEMURUS SP. CATFISH: OPTIMIZING GROWTH AND NUTRIENTS REQUIREMENTS
Authors: Aizam Nur Aidya Hanum , Ibrahim Rabiatul Adawiyah , Lee Kuok Lung Raphael , Yen Ling Pang , Mubarak Aidilla
Published: October 2018

This study integrates mathematical model in the plan of producing a fish feed formulation by reducing the total cost without neglecting the nutrient requirements. This study focuses on producing the perfect combination of fish feed for Mystus nemurus sp. catfish in different stages of life. The mathematical model developed will consider their required nutrients in each stage, the cost of each ingredient and the amount of nutrients to be consumed (nutrient composition of fish feed ingredients). This research employs AIMMS mathematical software to assist with the computation. The results from this study obtain a much better combination of different ingredients compared to available commercial pellets in terms of nutrient composition and production cost. The combinations yield much cheaper costs yet boosts up the nutrient consumptions, which is an eye-opener for independent local fish farmers. Thorough discussion on utilizing the results with future research directions will also be included.
An Investigation of Centrifugal Compressor Stability Enhancement Using a Novel Vaned Diffuser Recirculation Technique
Authors: Galloway Lee , Rusch Daniel , Spence Stephen , Vogel Klemens , Hunziker René , Kim Sung In
Published: October 2018

The main centrifugal compressor performance criteria are pressure ratio, efficiency, and wide flow range. The relative importance of these criteria, and therefore the optimum design balance, varies between different applications. Vaned diffusers are generally used for high-performance applications as they can achieve higher efficiencies and pressure ratios, but have a reduced operating range, in comparison to vaneless diffusers. Many impeller-based casing treatments have been developed to enlarge the operating range of centrifugal compressors over the last decades but there is much less information available in open literature for diffuser focused methods, and they are not widely adopted in commercial compressor stages. The development of aerodynamic instabilities at low mass flow rate operating conditions can lead to the onset of rotating stall or surge, limiting the stable operating range of the centrifugal compressor stage. More understanding of these aerodynamic instabilities has been established in recent years. Based on this additional knowledge, new casing treatments can be developed to prevent or suppress the development of these instabilities, thus increasing the compressor stability at low mass flow rates. This paper presents a novel vaned diffuser casing treatment that successfully increased the stable operating range at low mass flow rates and high pressure ratios. Detailed experimental measurements from a high pressure ratio turbocharger compressor stage combined with complementary CFD simulations were used to examine the effect of the new diffuser casing treatment on the compressor flow field and led to the improvement in overall compressor stability. A detailed description of how the new casing treatment operates is presented within the paper.
Near-Wake Observations behind Azimuthally Perforated Disks With Varying Hole Layout and Porosity in Smooth Airstreams at High Reynolds Numbers
Authors: Theunissen Raf , Worboys Robert
Published: October 2018

Porous disks are commonly encountered in experimental studies dealing with flow through objects such as wind turbines, parachutes, and fluidic devices to regulate pressure and/or downstream turbulence. Perforations are typically staggered and only porosity is altered to attain the required disk drag coefficient, despite a documented influence of topology. Few works have reported, however, to which extent the spatial distribution of the circular perforations affect the mean flow pertaining freestanding disks, and for this reason, this work presents a first, more systematic study focused on the effect of azimuthally varying hole topology and porosity on disk drag and near-wake characteristics. An experimental study performed in airflows of negligible freestream turbulence at Reynolds numbers in the order of 105 is reported and related to the existing literature to ensure reliability. Complementary to drag measurements, near-wake surveys have been performed on a variety of perforation layouts using two-component laser Doppler velocimetry and two-component particle image velocimetry. It is shown that minor changes in perforations can cause drastic changes in near-wake flow topology and no perforation layout can be consistently associated with highest drag. Explicit empirical expressions for drag coefficient linked with the simplified topologies considered have been derived.
Natural Frequencies of Submerged Structures Using an Efficient Calculation of the Added Mass Matrix in the Boundary Element Method
Authors: Monterrubio Luis E. , Krysl Petr
Published: October 2018

This work presents an efficient way to calculate the added mass matrix, which allows solving for natural frequencies and modes of solids vibrating in an inviscid and infinite fluid. The finite element method (FEM) is used to compute the vibration spectrum of a dry structure, then the boundary element method (BEM) is applied to compute the pressure modes needed to determine the added mass matrix that represents the fluid. The BEM requires numerical integration which results in a large computational cost. In this work, a reduction of the computational cost was achieved by computing the values of the pressure modes with the required numerical integration using a coarse BEM mesh, and then, interpolation was used to compute the pressure modes at the nodes of a fine FEM mesh. The added mass matrix was then computed and added to the original mass matrix of the generalized eigenvalue problem to determine the wetted natural frequencies. Computational cost was minimized using a reduced eigenvalue problem of size equal to the requested number of natural frequencies. The results show that the error of the natural frequencies using the procedure in this work is between 2% and 5% with 87% reduction of the computational time. The motivation of this work is to study the vibration of marine mammals' ear bones.
Thoracic Volumes Correlated With Pulmonary Function Tests in Adult Scoliosis Patients Following Different Treatments in Adolescence
Authors: Lee Po-Chih , Erdman Arthur , Ledonio Charles , Larson A. Noelle , Polly David
Published: October 2018

In this paper, a previously developed medical software using orthogonal frontal and lateral X-rays is employed to reconstruct the rib cage and thoracic volume for scoliosis patients. The thoracic volumes of ten adult scoliosis patients with different treatments during their adolescence are followed up. This study provides an evidence that thoracic volume measurement can be used to infer the pulmonary function for spine deformity patients with moderate to severe scoliosis Cobb angle. Based on the calculation of the thoracic volumes in scoliosis patients, we correlate the parameters in the pulmonary function test to the measured thoracic volume through our software. The findings show the strong correlation between total lung capacity and the thoracic volume, and a significant correlation between the vital capacity/residual volume and the thoracic volume. An interpretation of the findings, limitation, and the future application are pointed out.
Uncertainty Modeling Using a Dimension Search and a Genetic Algorithm With Application to Robust Stability Analysis
Authors: Kang Zuheng , Fales Roger C. , Ansaf Bahaa
Published: October 2018

This work uses a new method of determining a parameterization, resampling, and dimension search of an uncertainty model that can be used for efficient engineering models in control design. An algorithm using the Cayley–Menger determinant as a measure of the dimension test geometry (volume/area/length) of the parametric data points is presented to search for a reduced number of dimensions that can be used to represent the parameters of a model that captures the uncertainty in a dynamic system (uncertainty model). A genetic algorithm (GA) is utilized to solve the nonconvex problem of finding the coefficients of a parameterization of the uncertainty model. A resampling approach for the uncertainty model is also presented. The methods presented here are demonstrated on an electrohydraulic valve control system problem. This demonstration includes consideration of the dimensional search, data resampling, and parameterizing of an uncertainty class determined from test data for 30 replications of an electrohydraulic flow control valve which were experimentally modeled in the lab. The suggested resampling method and the parameterization of the uncertainty are used to analyze the robust stability of a control system for the class of valves using both frequency domain h-infinity methods and analysis of closed-loop poles for the resampled uncertainty model.
A Network of Type III Bricard Linkages
Authors: Lu Shengnan , Zlatanov Dimiter , Ding Xilun , Zoppi Matteo , Guest Simon D.
Published: October 2018

Among Bricard's overconstrained 6R linkages, the third type has two collapsed configurations, where all joint axes are coplanar. This paper presents a one-degree-of-freedom network of such linkages. Using the two coplanar states of the constituent Bricard units, the network is able to cover a large surface with a specific outline when deployed and can be folded compactly into a stack of much smaller planar shapes. Five geometric parameters describing each type III Bricard mechanism are introduced. Their influence on the outline of one collapsed configuration is discussed and inverse calculation to obtain the parameter values yielding a desired planar shape is performed. The network is built by linking the units, either using scissor linkage elements, if the thickness of the panels can be ignored, or with hinged parallelograms, for a thicker material. Two case studies, in which the Bricard network deploys as a rectangle and a regular hexagon, respectively, are presented, validating the analysis and design methods.
Characterization of Foamy Oil and Gas/Oil Two-Phase Flow in Porous Media for a Heavy Oil/Methane System
Authors: Lu Xinqian , Zhou Xiang , Luo Jianxin , Zeng Fanhua , Peng Xiaolong
Published: October 2018

In our previous study, a series of experiments had been conducted by applying different pressure depletion rates in a 1 m long sand-pack. In this study, numerical simulation models are built to simulate the lab tests, for both gas/oil production data and pressure distribution along the sand-pack in heavy oil/methane system. Two different simulation models are used: (1) equilibrium black oil model with two sets of gas/oil relative permeability curves; (2) a four-component nonequilibrium kinetic model. Good matching results on production data are obtained by applying black oil model. However, this black oil model cannot be used to match pressure distribution along the sand-pack. This result suggests the description of foamy oil behavior by applying equilibrium black oil model is incomplete. For better characterization, a four-component nonequilibrium kinetic model is developed aiming to match production data and pressure distribution simultaneously. Two reactions are applied in the simulation to capture gas bubbles status. Good matching results for production data and pressure distribution are simultaneously obtained by considering low gas relative permeability and kinetic reactions. Simulation studies indicate that higher pressure drop rate would cause stronger foamy oil flow, but the exceed pressure drop rate could shorten lifetime of foamy oil flow. This work is the first study to match production data and pressure distribution and provides a methodology to characterize foamy oil flow behavior in porous media for a heavy oil/methane system.
Comparison of Energy Consumption for Residential Thermal Models With Actual Measurements
Authors: Hamanah Waleed M. A. , Kassas Mahmoud , Mokheimer Esmail M. A. , Ahmed Chokri Belhaj , Said Syed Ahmed M.
Published: October 2018

High temperature that reaches to 50 °C in summer, high humidity, and dust storms are considered as the main characteristics of the climate of many countries around the world such as those in the Gulf States, Asia, and Africa. According to the latest studies, air conditioning (A/C) systems in the residential areas used around 65% of the generated energy. This paper is aimed at presenting a new residential thermal model that can be used to estimate the energy consumption of A/C units used to achieve comfort in houses. The results of the newly developed residential thermal model will be compared with exiting residential thermal models using simscape in matlab program and data measurements. Different physical properties of the house that affect the heat gains through the house envelop at different weather conditions, and the internal heat gains are taken into account in this study. Hourly, daily, monthly, and annually energy consumption and coefficient of performance (COP) are calculated, based on actual hourly outdoor temperature measurements and indoor generation heat for the year 2017, using the three thermal models and compared with the pertinent actual measurements. The total measured energy consumption for nine months' work in 2017 was 14488.09 kWh, and the total energy consumption predicted by the simulation for the simple model, intermediate model, and comprehensive model were 8438.40 kWh, 12656.10 kWh, and 13900.61 kWh, respectively, with deviations of 41.75%, 12.65%, and 4.05%, respectively, from the actual measurements.
Study on Heat Transfer and Corrosion Resistance of Anodized Aluminum Alloy in Gallium-Based Liquid Metal
Authors: Cui Yuntao , Ding Yujie , Xu Shuo , Wang Yushu , Rao Wei , Liu Jing
Published: October 2018

Gallium-based liquid metal (LM) inherits excellent thermophysical properties and pollution-free characteristics. However, it has long been a fatal problem that LM would cause serious corrosion and embrittlement on the classical substrate made of aluminum alloys in constructing chip cooling device. Here, anodic oxidation treatment was introduced on processing the aluminum alloy aiming to tackle the corrosion issues. The prepared anodic oxidation aluminum (AAO) coatings were composed of nanopore layers and barrier layers on a high-purity alumina matrix that were manufactured electrochemically. According to the measurement, the effective thermal conductivity of the anodized aluminum alloy increases with the total thickness of sample increasing. When the total thickness L exceeds 5 × 10−3 m, effects of the porous media on effective thermal conductivity are negligible via model simulation and calculation. It was experimentally found that aluminum alloy after surface anodization treatment presented excellent corrosion resistance and outstanding heat transfer performance even when exposed in eutectic gallium–indium (E-GaIn) LM over 200 °C. The convective heat transfer coefficient of LM for anodized sample reached the peak when the heat load is 33.3 W.
Nonlinear Oscillations Induced by Follower Forces in Prestressed Clamped Rods Subjected to Drag
Authors: Fatehiboroujeni Soheil , Gopinath Arvind , Goyal Sachin
Published: October 2018

Elastic-driven slender filaments subjected to compressive follower forces provide a synthetic way to mimic the oscillatory beating of biological flagella and cilia. Here, we use a continuum model to study the dynamical, nonlinear buckling instabilities that arise due to the action of nonconservative follower forces on a prestressed slender rod clamped at both ends and allowed to move in a fluid. Stable oscillatory responses are observed as a result of the interplay between the structural elastic instability of the inextensible slender rod, geometric constraints that control the onset of instability, energy pumped into the system by the active follower forces, and motion-driven fluid dissipation. Initial buckling instabilities are initiated by the effect of the follower forces and inertia; fluid drag subsequently allows for the active energy pumped into the system to be dissipated away and results in self-limiting amplitudes. By integrating the equations of equilibrium and compatibility conditions with linear constitutive laws, we compute the critical follower forces for the onset of oscillations, emergent frequencies of these solutions, and the postcritical nonlinear rod shapes for two forms of the drag force, namely linear Stokes drag and quadratic Morrison drag. For a rod with fixed inertia and drag parameters, the minimum (critical) force required to initiate stable oscillations depends on the initial slack and weakly on the nature of the drag force. Emergent frequencies and the amplitudes postonset are determined by the extent of prestress as well as the nature of the fluid drag. Far from onset, for large follower forces, the frequency of the oscillations can be predicted by evoking a power balance between the energy input by the active forces and the dissipation due to fluid drag.
Coupled Three-Dimensional Neutronics and Thermal-Hydraulics Analysis for SCWR Core Typical Transients
Authors: Lianjie Wang , Di Lu , Wenbo Zhao
Published: October 2018

Transient performance of China supercritical water-cooled reactor (SCWR) with the rated electric power of 1000 MWel (CSR1000) core during some typical transients, such as control rod (CR) ejection and uncontrolled CR withdrawal, is analyzed and evaluated with the coupled three-dimensional neutronics and thermal-hydraulics SCWR transient analysis code. The 3D transient analysis shows that the maximum cladding surface temperature (MCST) retains lower than safety criteria 1260 °C during the process of CR ejection accident, and the MCST retains lower than safety criteria 850 °C during the process of uncontrolled CR withdrawal transient. The safety of CSR1000 core can be ensured during the typical transients under the salient fuel temperature and water density reactivity feedback and the essential reactor protection system.
A Wearable Device to Detect in Real-Time Bimanual Gestures of Basketball Players During Training Sessions
Authors: Mangiarotti Marco , Ferrise Francesco , Graziosi Serena , Tamburrino Francesco , Bordegoni Monica
Published: October 2018

The paper describes the design of a wearable and wireless system that allows the real-time identification of some gestures performed by basketball players. This system is specifically designed as a support for coaches to track the activity of two or more players simultaneously. Each wearable device is composed of two separate units, positioned on the wrists of the user, connected to a personal computer (PC) via Bluetooth. Each unit comprises a triaxial accelerometer and gyroscope, a microcontroller, installed on a TinyDuino platform, and a battery. The concept of activity recognition chain is investigated and used as a reference for the gesture recognition process. A sliding window allows the system to extract relevant features from the incoming data streams: mean values, standard deviations, maximum values, minimum values, energy, and correlations between homologous axes are calculated to identify and differentiate the performed actions. Machine learning algorithms are implemented to handle the recognition phase.
Vibration Analysis of Laminated Composite Rectangular Plates With General Boundary Conditions
Authors: Fu Yu , Yao Jianjun , Wan Zhenshuai , Zhao Gang
Published: October 2018

In this investigation, the free vibration analysis of laminated composite rectangular plates with general boundary conditions is performed with a modified Fourier series method. Vibration characteristics of the plates have been obtained via an energy function represented in the general coordinates, in which the displacement and rotation in each direction is described as an improved form of double Fourier cosine series and several closed-form auxiliary functions to eliminate any possible jumps and boundary discontinuities. All the expansion coefficients are then treated as the generalized coordinates and determined by Rayleigh-Ritz method. The convergence and reliability of the current method are verified by comparing with the results in the literature and those of Finite Element Analysis. The effects of boundary conditions and geometric parameters on the frequencies are discussed as well. Finally, numerous new results for laminated composite rectangular plates with different geometric parameters are presented for various boundary conditions, which may serve as benchmark solutions for future research.
Experimental Analysis of Whistle Noise in a Particle Agglomeration Pipe
Authors: Zhang Zhe , Tiikoja Heiki , Åbom Mats , Bodén Hans
Published: October 2018

A self-sustained sound, more usually known as a whistle, refers to a distinct tonal noise created due to the interaction between the sound and flow field. When a positive feedback loop is formed between the two fields, the energy in the mean flow will be transferred into the sound wave, thus giving rise to a whistle. In engineering practice, whistles are destructive as they can produce high sound and vibration levels and may result in risk for mechanical failures. In this work, a flow-related high level tonal noise was found during a measurement on a particle agglomeration pipe, which is a quasi-periodic corrugated structure designed for the exhaust system of heavy-duty trucks. The purpose of the pipe is to enhance particle agglomeration to increase the size of exhaust gas particles. To investigate the origin of the detected tonal noise additional measurements were carried out. Based on the measurement result, the aero-acoustic coupling in the agglomeration pipe was analyzed, revealing that the pipe has a large potentiality to amplify the incident sound power in the presence of a mean flow. Furthermore, the Nyquist stability criterion was applied to confirm the existence of exponentially growing modes in the system at certain conditions.
A Study on How Small Changes to Vehicle Panel Boundary Conditions Vary the Overall System Response
Authors: Dowsett Amy , O’Boy Dan J. , Walsh Stephen J. , Fisher Steve
Published: October 2018

An experimental investigation carried out on a luxury sedan door observed the effect of making small changes to trim boundary conditions by removing and replacing a series of small polymer clips that held the trim to the aluminium door. Structural testing was carried out by exciting the system with a shaker and recording the response with accelerometers placed at three different locations about the door. Acoustic response measurements were also taken with the use of a sound intensity probe. The study found that the removal of even a single clip could vary the response significantly for certain clip locations. The spread of structural data was also found to range by more than 15 dB for certain frequency bands. Similar large deviations were observed for the noise transfer response measurements. This is significantly large spread of data for what might be perceived as a relatively small change to the structure, highlighting the importance of reduced variability at material joints.
Sound Emission Level in Spinning Classes and the Influence in the Health of Teachers
Authors: Lobo Hetty N. C. C. , Lobo José A. P. C. , Daga Clarice C. , Abdelmur Samuel B. M. , Zica Israel S. M. , Dinato Filipe , Melo Carlos E. L.
Published: October 2018

Noise presents itself today as the most frequent physical agent in the workplace and its harmfulness is already proven by the literature. Among its main consequences are noise-induced hearing loss that can be caused by any type of excessive sound emission, including those used in Spinning classes. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the sound pressure levels in Spinning classes in Brasília-DF academies, as well as to identify the teacher’s perception of their auditory condition. The Bruel & Kjaer 2250 sound pressure gauge was used to ensure the reliability of measurements. 43 teachers participated and the sound pressure levels were measured at 20 academies. The results indicate that 100% of the academies are working with values above the limits allowed by the current legislation (85dBA). Thus, the higher the weekly workload, the higher the maximum sound pressure level and the equivalent to which the teachers are exposed. Concerning the auditory perception of the teachers, (69.8%) they stated that they did not feel bothered by the loud sound. It is suggested that academies, teachers and students be guided to prevent possible hearing damage and to try to control the noise level in the classroom.
Free Vibration Analysis of Two-Stage Planetary Gear With Friction
Authors: Liu Wei , Yuan Yunbo , He Tao , Wang Donghua
Published: October 2018

Considering the effect of teeth surface sliding friction, free vibration of two-stage planetary gears (TPG) is studied theoretically for the first time. The lateral-torsional coupling dynamic model and equation are established with three degrees of freedom: two translations and one rotation. The change rule of natural frequency is discussed with the case of first stage planetary gear’s number 4 and second stage planetary gear’s number 3, 4 and 5. Afterwards three vibration modes are summarized by calculating the free vibration. In order to understand the behavior of friction, the effect of friction on natural frequencies is analyzed for the case of considering friction and not considering friction. Furthermore, the ‘self-coupling’ phenomenon is obtained from the vibration of center component of TPG Meanwhile, the ‘mutual coupling’ is obtained between the first-stage planetary gear (FPG) and the second-stage planetary gear (SPG).
Spectral Comparison of Pass-By Traffic Noise
Authors: Li Zhuang
Published: October 2018

Traffic noise is a major noise source in the study of environmental noise. Various noise generation mechanisms depict different spectral features. Some are wide-band noise, such as engine knocks; some have signature frequencies, such as gear transmissions; and some are in a certain frequency region, such as tire/road noise. These spectral features affect the façade design of a building in order to achieve sufficient exterior noise insulation and satisfactory interior noise due to the traffic noise. ISO standard 11819-1 specifies the measurement procedure of statistical pass-by tests. There are three ranges of vehicle speed: slow, medium, and fast. However, it requires that the vehicle must maintain constant speed when passing by the test point. Unfortunately, a vehicle tends to generate higher noise when accelerating, especially at low frequencies. Therefore, it is necessary to distinguish the noise levels at an intersection versus middle-points of the road between two intersections. Presumably, the traffic noise levels at an intersection would be higher. This research measured the traffic noise at various locations of different speed limits. Statistical analyses were conducted to compare the spectra at these locations. This is also an effort to refine the noise map.
T cells take aim at a ubiquitous autoantigen in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Sabatino Joseph J. , Zamvil Scott S.
Published: October 2018

CD4
+
T cells from multiple sclerosis lesions target a ubiquitous self-antigen that is shared by gut commensal bacteria (Planas
et al
., this issue).
New Treatment Options against Carbapenem-Resistant
Acinetobacter baumannii
Infections
Authors: Isler Burcu , Doi Yohei , Bonomo Robert A. , Paterson David L.
Published: October 2018

Carbapenem-resistant
Acinetobacter baumannii
(CRAB) is a perilous nosocomial pathogen causing substantial morbidity and mortality. Current treatment options for CRAB are limited and suffer from pharmacokinetic limitations, such as high toxicity and low plasma levels.
Genomic Characterization of Carbapenemase-Producing Klebsiella pneumoniae with Chromosomally Carried
bla
NDM-1
Authors: Sakamoto Noriko , Akeda Yukihiro , Sugawara Yo , Takeuchi Dan , Motooka Daisuke , Yamamoto Norihisa , Laolerd Warawut , Santanirand Pitak , Hamada Shigeyuki
Published: October 2018

We report here
Klebsiella pneumoniae
strains carrying chromosomal
bla
NDM-1
in Thailand. The genomes of these two isolates include a 160-kbp insertion containing
bla
NDM-1
, which is almost identical to that in the IncHI1B-like plasmid.
Comparison of the Superpolymyxin and ChromID Colistin R Screening Media for the Detection of Colistin-Resistant
Enterobacteriaceae
from Spiked Rectal Swabs
Authors: Girlich Delphine , Naas Thierry , Dortet Laurent
Published: October 2018

The dissemination of carbapenemase-producing
Enterobacteriaceae
(CPE) has led to the increased use of colistin, which has resulted in the emergence of colistin-resistant
Enterobacteriaceae
worldwide. One of the most threatening scenarios is the dissemination of colistin resistance in CPE, particularly the plasmid-encoded resistance element MCR.
Draft Genome Sequence of Pelagicola sp. Strain LXJ1103, Isolated from Coastal Surface Seawater
Authors: Zhao Dexi , Li Jia , Lin Shan , Liang Xuejiao , Lin Xiaopei , Sun Xueqiong
Published: October 2018

Pelagicola
sp. strain LXJ1103, a representative of a new species in the family
Rhodobacteraceae
, was isolated from the coastal surface waters in Xiamen, China.
Draft Genome Sequence of Phaeobacter sp. Strain JL2872, Isolated from Surface Waters in the South China Sea
Authors: Cui Rong , Tian Yu , Shao Zhisheng , Lin Xiaopei
Published: October 2018

Phaeobacter
sp. strain JL2872 was isolated from surface waters in the South China Sea.
Genome Sequences of Nine Erwinia amylovora Bacteriophages
Authors: Sharma Ruchira , Berg Jordan A. , Beatty Nolan J. , Choi Minsey C. , Cowger Ashlin E. , Cozzens Brooke J. R. , Duncan Steven G. , Fajardo Christopher P. , Ferguson Hannah P. , Galbraith Trevon , Herring Jacob A. , Hoj Taalin R. , Durrant Jill L. , Hyde Jonathan R. , Jensen Garrett L. , Ke Si Yang , Killpack Shalee , Kruger Jared L. , Lawrence Eliza E. K. , Nwosu Ifeanyichukwu O. , Tam Tsz Ching , Thompson Daniel W. , Tueller Josie A. , Ward Megan E. H. , Webb Charles J. , Wood Madison E. , Yeates Edward L. , Baltrus David A. , Breakwell Donald P. , Hope Sandra , Grose Julianne H.
Published: October 2018

Erwinia amylovora
is a plant pathogen belonging to the
Enterobacteriaceae
family, a family containing many plant and animal pathogens. Herein, we announce nine genome sequences of
E. amylovora
bacteriophages isolated from infected apple trees along the Wasatch Front in Utah.
Complete Genome Sequence of α-1,3-Glucanase-Producing Strain
Paracoccus mutanolyticus
RSP-02
Authors: Amrutha Ravi Naga , Shrivastav Abhishek , Shravani Reddy Shetty , Buddana Sudheer Kumar , Deshpande Uday , Prakasham Reddy Shetty
Published: October 2018

A mutanase (α-1,3 glucanase)-producing bacterial strain of
Paracoccus mutanolyticus
was isolated from soil samples rich in cellulosic waste. Here, we report the whole-genome sequencing and annotation of
P. mutanolyticus
, which has a genome size of around 3.5 Mb and the potential to degrade water-insoluble α-1,3 glucans with an overall G+C content of 67.4%.
Microbial Diversity Analysis of Sediment from Nakdong River Estuary in the Republic of Korea Using 16S rRNA Gene Amplicon Sequencing
Authors: Kim Kyunghoi
Published: October 2018

Deterioration of sediment quality has been found in the Nakdong River Estuary after large-scale reclamations. Here, I report microbial diversity in sediments of Nakdong River Estuary in the Republic of Korea based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing by next-generation sequencing (NGS) techniques.
Draft Genome Sequence of the Xanthocidin-Producing Strain
Streptomyces
sp. AcE210, Isolated from a Root Nodule of
Alnus glutinosa
(L.)
Authors: Ortlieb Nico , Keilhofer Nadine , Schrey Silvia D. , Gross Harald , Niedermeyer Timo H. J.
Published: October 2018

Streptomyces
sp. strain AcE210 exhibited antibacterial activity toward Gram-positive microorganisms and turned out to be a rare producer of the specialized metabolite xanthocidin.
Complete Genome Sequence of Lanthionine-Producing Lactobacillus brevis Strain 100D8, Generated by PacBio Sequencing
Authors: Kim Min-Jung , Kim Hye Sun , Kim Sam Churl , Kwak Youn-Sig
Published: October 2018

Lactobacillus brevis
strain 100D8 was isolated from rye silage and showed rapid acidification ability
in vitro
and antifungal activity against mycotoxin-producing fungi. We report here the complete genome sequence of
L. brevis
strain 100D8, which has a circular chromosome (2,351,988 bp, 2,304 coding sequences [CDSs]) and three plasmids (45,061 bp, 57 CDSs; 40,740 bp, 40 CDSs; and 39,943 bp, 57 CDSs).
Complete Genome Sequence of the Endophytic Bacterium Chryseobacterium indologenes PgBE177, Isolated from Panax quinquefolius
Authors: Hong Chi Eun , Kim Jang Uk , Lee Jung Woo , Bang Kyong Hwan , Jo Ick-Hyun
Published: October 2018

Chryseobacterium indologenes
PgBE177, isolated from the root tissue of a 4-year-old
Panax quinquefolius
plant, showed antagonistic activity against
Pseudomonas syringae
pv. tomato DC3000, a bacterial pathogen.