bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Independent modulations of the transmission amplitudes and phases by using Huygens metasurfaces
Authors: Wan Xiang , Jia Sheng Li , Cui Tie Jun , Zhao Yong Jiu
Published: May 2016

We propose ultrathin Huygens metasurfaces to control transmission amplitudes and phases of electromagnetic waves independently, in which each unit cell is comprised of an electric dipole and a magnetic dipole. By altering the electric and magnetic responses of unit cells, arbitrary complex transmission coefficients with modulus values smaller than 0.85 are obtained. Two Huygens metasurfaces capable of controlling the diffraction orders are designed and fabricated by modulating the distributions of the complex transmission coefficients. More complicated functions such as holographic imaging can also be accomplished by using the proposed Huygens metasurfaces.
Correction: Corrigendum: White-nose syndrome without borders: Pseudogymnoascus destructans infection tolerated in Europe and Palearctic Asia but not in North America
Authors: Zukal Jan , Bandouchova Hana , Brichta Jiri , Cmokova Adela , Jaron Kamil S. , Kolarik Miroslav , Kovacova Veronika , Kubátová Alena , Nováková Alena , Orlov Oleg , Pikula Jiri , Presetnik Primož , Šuba Jurģis , Zahradníková Alexandra , Martínková Natália
Published: May 2016

Scientific Reports 6: Article number: 19829; published online: 29 January 2016; updated: 20 May 2016. This Article contains typographical errors. In the Results section under subheading ‘Quantitative comparison of WNS on bats’, “The fungal load on qPCR-positive bats ranged from 0.21 pg to 3.41 μg across the surface of the left wing (Supplementary Fig.
LAMP Detection Assays for Boxwood Blight Pathogens: A Comparative Genomics Approach
Authors: Malapi-Wight Martha , Demers Jill E. , Veltri Daniel , Marra Robert E. , Crouch Jo Anne
Published: May 2016

Rapid and accurate molecular diagnostic tools are critical to efforts to minimize the impact and spread of emergent pathogens. The identification of diagnostic markers for novel pathogens presents several challenges, especially in the absence of information about population diversity and where genetic resources are limited. The objective of this study was to use comparative genomics datasets to find unique target regions suitable for the diagnosis of two fungal species causing a newly emergent blight disease of boxwood. Candidate marker regions for loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assays were identified from draft genomes of Calonectria henricotiae and C. pseudonaviculata, as well as three related species not associated with this disease. To increase the probability of identifying unique targets, we used three approaches to mine genome datasets, based on (i) unique regions, (ii) polymorphisms, and (iii) presence/absence of regions across datasets. From a pool of candidate markers, we demonstrate LAMP assay specificity by testing related fungal species, common boxwood pathogens, and environmental samples containing 445 diverse fungal taxa. This comparative-genomics-based approach to the development of LAMP diagnostic assays is the first of its kind for fungi and could be easily applied to diagnostic marker development for other newly emergent plant pathogens.
Correction: Corrigendum: Indole-3-Acetic Acid Produced by Burkholderia heleia Acts as a Phenylacetic Acid Antagonist to Disrupt Tropolone Biosynthesis in Burkholderia plantarii
Authors: Wang Mengcen , Tachibana Seiji , Murai Yuta , Li Li , Lau Sharon Yu Ling , Cao Mengchao , Zhu Guonian , Hashimoto Makoto , Hashidoko Yasuyuki
Published: May 2016

Scientific Reports 6: Article number: 22596; published online: 03 March 2016; updated: 20 May 2016. In this Article, the compound ‘(R)-(–)-2-phenylpropionic acid’ was incorrectly given as ‘(R)-(–)-2-methylphenylpropionic acid’. In the Results section under subheading ‘Interference of the tropolone biosynthetic pathway of B.
The synergy between the insect-inspired claws and adhesive pads increases the attachment ability on various rough surfaces
Authors: Song Yi , Dai Zhendong , Wang Zhouyi , Ji Aihong , Gorb Stanislav N.
Published: May 2016

To attach reliably on various inclined rough surfaces, many insects have evolved both claws and adhesive pads on their feet. However, the interaction between these organs still remains unclear. Here we designed an artificial attachment device, which mimics the structure and function of claws and adhesive pads and tested it on stiff spheres of different dimensions. The results show that the attachment forces of claws decrease with an increase of the sphere radius. The forces may become very strong, when the sphere radius is smaller or comparable to the claw radius, because of the frictional self-lock. On the other hand, adhesive pads generate considerable adhesion on large sphere diameter due to large contact areas. The synergy effect between the claws and adhesive pads leads to much stronger attachment forces, if compared to the action of claw or adhesive pads independently (or even to the sum of both). The results carried out by our insect-inspired artificial attachment device clearly demonstrate why biological evolution employed two attachment organs working in concert. The results may greatly inspire the robot design, to obtain reliable attachment forces on various substrates.
An Atypical System for Studying Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Vedagiri Dhiviya , Lashkari Hiren Vasantrai , Mangani Abubakar Siddiq , Kumar Jerald Mahesh , Jose Jedy , Thatipalli Avinash Raj , Harshan Krishnan Harinivas
Published: May 2016

Intrahepatic and extrahepatic metastases are frequently detected in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is believed to drive metastasis. There are not many well-established model systems to study EMT in HCC. Here we identified an atypical EMT while characterizing a population of mesenchymal cells in Huh7.5 hepatoma cell cultures. Cells with distinct morphology appeared during geneticin treatment of Huh7.5 cultures. Molecular characterization of geneticin resistant Huh7.5M cells confirmed EMT. Huh7.5M cells expressed cancer stem cell markers. p38MAPK and ERK1/2 were substantially activated in Huh7.5M cells. Their Inhibition elevated E-Cadherin expression with concerted suppression of Vimentin and anchorage independent growth in Huh7.5M cells. TGFβ could not induce EMT in Huh7.5 cultures, but enriched mesenchymal populations, similar to geneticin. Huh7.5M cells formed more aggressive solid tumors, primarily comprising cells with epithelial morphology, in nude mice. Canonical EMT-TFs did not participate in this atypical EMT, indicating that the established canonical EMT-TFs do not drive every EMT and there is a dire need to identify additional factors. The system that we characterized is a unique model to study EMT, MET and biphasic TGFβ signaling in HCC and offers considerable potential to facilitate more insightful studies on deeper questions in tumor metastasis.
Persistence of Plasmodium falciparum parasitemia after artemisinin combination therapy: evidence from a randomized trial in Uganda
Authors: Chang Hsiao-Han , Meibalan Elamaran , Zelin Justin , Daniels Rachel , Eziefula Alice C. , Meyer Evan C. , Tadesse Fitsum , Grignard Lynn , Joice Regina C. , Drakeley Chris , Wirth Dyann F. , Volkman Sarah K. , Buckee Caroline , Bousema Teun , Marti Matthias
Published: May 2016

Artemisinin resistance is rapidly spreading in Southeast Asia. The efficacy of artemisinin-combination therapy (ACT) continues to be excellent across Africa. We performed parasite transcriptional profiling and genotyping on samples from an antimalarial treatment trial in Uganda. We used qRT-PCR and genotyping to characterize residual circulating parasite populations after treatment with either ACT or ACT-primaquine. Transcripts suggestive of circulating ring stage parasites were present after treatment at a prevalence of >25% until at least 14 days post initiation of treatment. Greater than 98% of all ring stage parasites were cleared within the first 3 days, but subsequently persisted at low concentrations until day 14 after treatment. Genotyping demonstrated a significant decrease in multiplicity of infection within the first 2 days in both ACT and ACT-primaquine arms. However, multiple clone infections persisted until day 14 post treatment. Our data suggest the presence of genetically diverse persisting parasite populations after ACT treatment. Although we did not demonstrate clinical treatment failures after ACT and the viability and transmissibility of persisting ring stage parasites remain to be shown, these findings are of relevance for the interpretation of parasite clearance transmission dynamics and for monitoring drug effects in Plasmodium falciparum parasites.
Distinctive features of single nucleotide alterations in induced pluripotent stem cells with different types of DNA repair deficiency disorders
Authors: Okamura Kohji , Sakaguchi Hironari , Sakamoto-Abutani Rie , Nakanishi Mahito , Nishimura Ken , Yamazaki-Inoue Mayu , Ohtaka Manami , Periasamy Vaiyapuri Subbarayan , Alshatwi Ali Abdullah , Higuchi Akon , Hanaoka Kazunori , Nakabayashi Kazuhiko , Takada Shuji , Hata Kenichiro , Toyoda Masashi , Umezawa Akihiro
Published: May 2016

Disease-specific induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) have been used as a model to analyze pathogenesis of disease. In this study, we generated iPSCs derived from a fibroblastic cell line of xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) group A (XPA-iPSCs), a rare autosomal recessive hereditary disease in which patients develop skin cancer in the areas of skin exposed to sunlight. XPA-iPSCs exhibited hypersensitivity to ultraviolet exposure and accumulation of single-nucleotide substitutions when compared with ataxia telangiectasia-derived iPSCs that were established in a previous study. However, XPA-iPSCs did not show any chromosomal instability in vitro, i.e. intact chromosomes were maintained. The results were mutually compensating for examining two major sources of mutations, nucleotide excision repair deficiency and double-strand break repair deficiency. Like XP patients, XPA-iPSCs accumulated single-nucleotide substitutions that are associated with malignant melanoma, a manifestation of XP. These results indicate that XPA-iPSCs may serve a monitoring tool (analogous to the Ames test but using mammalian cells) to measure single-nucleotide alterations, and may be a good model to clarify pathogenesis of XP. In addition, XPA-iPSCs may allow us to facilitate development of drugs that delay genetic alteration and decrease hypersensitivity to ultraviolet for therapeutic applications.
Pleistocene footprints show intensive use of lake margin habitats by Homo erectus groups
Authors: Roach Neil T. , Hatala Kevin G. , Ostrofsky Kelly R. , Villmoare Brian , Reeves Jonathan S. , Du Andrew , Braun David R. , Harris John W. K. , Behrensmeyer Anna K. , Richmond Brian G.
Published: May 2016

Reconstructing hominin paleoecology is critical for understanding our ancestors’ diets, social organizations and interactions with other animals. Most paleoecological models lack fine-scale resolution due to fossil hominin scarcity and the time-averaged accumulation of faunal assemblages. Here we present data from 481 fossil tracks from northwestern Kenya, including 97 hominin footprints attributed to Homo erectus. These tracks are found in multiple sedimentary layers spanning approximately 20 thousand years. Taphonomic experiments show that each of these trackways represents minutes to no more than a few days in the lives of the individuals moving across these paleolandscapes. The geology and associated vertebrate fauna place these tracks in a deltaic setting, near a lakeshore bordered by open grasslands. Hominin footprints are disproportionately abundant in this lake margin environment, relative to hominin skeletal fossil frequency in the same deposits. Accounting for preservation bias, this abundance of hominin footprints indicates repeated use of lakeshore habitats by Homo erectus. Clusters of very large prints moving in the same direction further suggest these hominins traversed this lakeshore in multi-male groups. Such reliance on near water environments and possibly aquatic-linked foods, may have influenced hominin foraging behavior and migratory routes across and out of Africa.
The autophagy-related genes BbATG1 and BbATG8 have different functions in differentiation, stress resistance and virulence of mycopathogen Beauveria bassiana
Authors: Ying Sheng-Hua , Liu Jing , Chu Xin-Ling , Xie Xue-Qin , Feng Ming-Guang
Published: May 2016

Autophagy-related proteins play significantly different roles in eukaryotes. In the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana, autophagy is associated with fungal growth and development. BbATG1 (a serine/threonine protein kinase) and BbATG8 (a ubiquitin-like protein) have similar roles in autophagy, but different roles in other processes. Disruption mutants of BbATG1 and BbATG8 had impaired conidial germination under starvation stress. The mutant ΔBbATG8 exhibited enhanced sensitivity to oxidative stress, while a ΔBbATG1 mutant did not. BbATG1 and BbATG8 showed different roles in spore differentiation. The blastospore yield was reduced by 70% and 92% in ΔBbATG1 and ΔBbATG8 mutants, respectively and the double mutant had a reduction of 95%. Conidial yield was reduced by approximately 90% and 50% in ΔBbATG1 and ΔBbATG8 mutants, respectively. A double mutant had a reduction similar to ΔBbATG1. Additionally, both BbATG1 and BbATG8 affected the levels of conidial protein BbCP15p required for conidiation. The virulence of each autophagy-deficient mutant was considerably weakened as indicated in topical and intrahemocoel injection assays and showed a greater reduction in topical infection. However, BbATG1 and BbATG8 had different effects on fungal virulence. Our data indicate that these autophagy-related proteins have different functions in fungal stress response, asexual development and virulence.
Nanomolar pyrophosphate detection and nucleus staining in living cells with simple terpyridine–Zn(II) complexes
Authors: Chao Duobin , Ni Shitan
Published: May 2016

Great efforts have been made to develop fluorescent probes for pyrophosphate (PPi) detection. Nucleus staining with fluorescence microscopy has been also widely investigated. But fluorescent probes for PPi detection with high sensitivity in water medium and nucleus staining with low–cost non–precious metal complexes in living cells are still challenging. Herein, we report simple terpyridine–Zn(II) complexes for selective nanomolar PPi detection over ATP and ADP in water based on aggregation induced emission (AIE) and intramolecular charge transfer (ICT). In addition, these terpyridine–Zn(II) complexes were successfully employed for nucleus staining in living cells. These results demonstrated simply obtained terpyridine–Zn(II) complexes are powerful tool for PPi detection and the development of PPi–related studies.
Membrane Topology and Structural Insights into the Peptide Pheromone Receptor ComD, A Quorum-Sensing Histidine Protein Kinase of Streptococcus mutans
Authors: Dong Gaofeng , Tian Xiao-Lin , Cyr Kayla , Liu Tianlei , Lin William , Tziolas Geoffrey , Li Yung-Hua
Published: May 2016

Quorum sensing activation by signal pheromone (CSP) in Streptococcus mutans depends on the membrane-associated receptor ComD, which senses the signal and triggers the signaling cascade for bacteriocin production and other cell density-dependent activities. However, the mechanism of the signal recognition via the ComD receptor in this species is nearly unexplored. Here, we show that the membrane domain of the ComD protein forms six transmembrane segments with three extracellular loops, loopA, loopB and loopC. By structural and functional analyses of these extracellular loops, we demonstrate that both loopC and loopB are required for CSP recognition, while loopA plays little role in CSP detection. A deletion or substitution mutation of four residues NVIP in loopC abolishes CSP recognition for quorum sensing activities. We conclude that both loopC and loopB are required for forming the receptor and residues NVIP of loopC are essential for CSP recognition and quorum sensing activation in S. mutans.
The electrostatic co-assembly in non-stoichiometric aqueous mixtures of copolymers composed of one neutral water-soluble and one polyelectrolyte (either positively or negatively charged) block: a dissipative particle dynamics study
Authors: Šindelka Karel , Limpouchová Zuzana , Lísal Martin , Procházka Karel
Published: May 2016

The electrostatic co-assembly in non-stoichiometric aqueous mixtures of diblock copolymers.
Effect of dolomite decomposition under CO2 on its multicycle CO2 capture behaviour under calcium looping conditions
Authors: de la Calle Martos Antonio , Valverde Jose Manuel , Sanchez-Jimenez Pedro E. , Perejón Antonio , García-Garrido Cristina , Perez-Maqueda Luis A.
Published: May 2016

The mechanism of dolomite decomposition under CO2 is responsible for its superior CO2 capture performance as compared to limestone.
Cononsolvency behavior of hydrophobes in water + methanol mixtures
Authors: Mochizuki Kenji , Koga Kenichiro
Published: May 2016

The molecular origin of cononsolvency behavior is explored using molecular dynamics simulations.
Blue-shifted emission and enhanced quantum efficiency via π-bridge elongation in carbazole–carborane dyads
Authors: Wang Zhaojin , Jiang Peng , Wang Tianyu , Moxey Graeme J. , Cifuentes Marie P. , Zhang Chi , Humphrey Mark G.
Published: May 2016

Carbazole–carborane linear and V-shaped dyads display unusual blue-shifts in charge-transfer (CT) emission on π-system lengthening; the linear dyads luminesce via a combination of local excited and CT emission, with quantum efficiencies up to 86% in solution.
Ethanol production in syngas-fermenting Clostridium ljungdahlii is controlled by thermodynamics rather than by enzyme expression
Authors: Richter H. , Molitor B. , Wei H. , Chen W. , Aristilde L. , Angenent L. T.
Published: May 2016

A simplified overflow model (depicted as a rain barrel) is proposed to explain how ethanol is produced during syngas fermentation.
A novel polysaccharide isolated from mulberry fruits (Murus alba L.) and its selenide derivative: structural characterization and biological activities
Authors: Chen Chun , Zhang Bin , Fu Xiong , Liu Rui Hai
Published: May 2016

A novel polysaccharide (MFP3P) was isolated from Murus alba L. through the hot water extraction method followed by chromatographic purification.
An electrochemical platform for localized pH control on demand
Authors: Fomina N. , Johnson C. A. , Maruniak A. , Bahrampour S. , Lang C. , Davis R. W. , Kavusi S. , Ahmad H.
Published: May 2016

An electrochemical technique for spatio-temporal pH regulation on a microarray slide, with unprecedented quantitative control.
Approaching high charge carrier mobility by alkylating both donor and acceptor units at the optimized position in conjugated polymers
Authors: Gao Dong , Tian Kui , Zhang Weifeng , Huang Jianyao , Chen Zhihui , Mao Zupan , Yu Gui
Published: May 2016

A strategy for obtaining improved OFET mobility in both donor and acceptor alkylated polymer semiconductors.
Physicochemical evaluation of DEAE-Dx coated liposomes for long alkyl chain lipids
Authors: Menon Premanarayani , Teo Yin Yin , Misran Misni
Published: May 2016

The purpose of this work was to study the potential of diethylaminoethyl dextran (DEAE-Dx) coated liposomes as drug carriers.
Facile controlled synthesis of a hierarchical porous nanocoral-like Co3S4 electrode for high-performance supercapacitors
Authors: Liu Guijing , Wang Bo , Wang Lei , Liu Tiefeng , Gao Tiantian , Wang Dianlong
Published: May 2016

In this work, a hierarchical porous coral-like Co3S4 electrode is synthesized by a facile one-step hydrothermal approach showing high-performance as a supercapacitor.
Surface modification with E-cadherin fusion protein for mesenchymal stem cell culture
Authors: Zhang Yan , Mao Hongli , Qian Mengyuan , Hu Feifei , Cao Lei , Xu Ke , Shuai Qizhi , Gao Chao , Lang Ren , Akaike Toshihiro , Yang Jun
Published: May 2016

To effectively expand human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) in vitro without affecting their innate biological properties, a fusion protein (hE-cad-Fc) was fabricated and used as a biomimetic matrix for MSC culture surface modification.
Island Colonization: The Origin and Development of Island Communities
Authors: Cousin Jarrad
Published: May 2016

The theory of island biogeography revolutionized the study of island colonization and extinction. Since its inception in the 1960?s, it has allowed scientists and historians alike to understand reasons for patterns of species distributions on islands, as well as assisting conservation managers to model extinction risk of species populations on isolated islands. Volcanic islands represent a ?tabula rasa?, or clean slate for the study of island biogeography, as invariably, resultant volcanic activity decimates almost all observable life. As such, they form the ideal study unit for examining colonization of islands. The Krakatua eruption of 1883 is such an example, with the resultant blasts scouring the Krakatua islands of almost all life, thus allowing scientists to track the colonisation and successional stages that followed. Another example is Surtsey Island, which emerged from the sea 40 km south of Iceland in 1963. It represented a unique opportunity to examine colonization of a previously non-existent and thus uninhabited island. Given that there are many influences and avenues governing the origin and colonization of life on islands, Island Colonization: The Origin and Development of Island Communities, edited by Tim New, represents an important book compiling information on this topic.
Are invasive fire ants kept in check by native aerial insectivores?
Authors: Helms Jackson A. , Godfrey Aaron P. , Ames Tayna , Bridge Eli S.
Published: May 2016

Aerial predator–prey interactions may impact populations of many terrestrial species. Here, we use altitude loggers to study aerial foraging in a native insectivore, the purple martin (
Progne subis
), in the southern USA. Purple martins fed primarily on mating queens and males of the invasive red imported fire ant (
Solenopsis invicta
), and doubled their foraging efficiency by doing so. Across the USA, purple martins likely eat billions of fire ant queens each year, potentially impacting the spread of this species. Alternatively, predation on fire ants may help sustain populations of purple martins and other aerial insectivores.
Effects of antibiotic resistance alleles on bacterial evolutionary responses to viral parasites
Authors: Arias-Sánchez Flor I. , Hall Alex R.
Published: May 2016

Antibiotic resistance has wide-ranging effects on bacterial phenotypes and evolution. However, the influence of antibiotic resistance on bacterial responses to parasitic viruses remains unclear, despite the ubiquity of such viruses in nature and current interest in therapeutic applications. We experimentally investigated this by exposing variousEscherichia coligenotypes, including eight antibiotic-resistant genotypes and a mutator, to different viruses (lytic bacteriophages). Across 960 populations, we measured changes in population density and sensitivity to viruses, and tested whether variation among bacterial genotypes was explained by their relative growth in the absence of parasites, or mutation rate towards phage resistance measured by fluctuation tests for each phage. We found that antibiotic resistance had relatively weak effects on adaptation to phages, although some antibiotic-resistance alleles impeded the evolution of resistance to phages via growth costs. By contrast, a mutator allele, often found in antibiotic-resistant lineages in pathogenic populations, had a relatively large positive effect on phage-resistance evolution and population density under parasitism. This suggests costs of antibiotic resistance may modify the outcome of phage therapy against pathogenic populations previously exposed to antibiotics, but the effects of any co-occurring mutator alleles are likely to be stronger.
Who directs group movement? Leader effort versus follower preference in stickleback fish of different personality
Authors: Nakayama Shinnosuke , Harcourt Jennifer L. , Johnstone Rufus A. , Manica Andrea
Published: May 2016

During collective movement, bolder individuals often emerge as leaders. Here, we investigate whether this reflects a greater propensity of bold individuals to initiate movement, or a preference for shy individuals to follow a bolder leader. We set up trios of stickleback fish comprising a focal individual who was either bold or shy, and one other individual of each personality. We then recorded the movements of all individuals in and out of cover in a foraging context to determine how assiduously the focal fish followed the movements of each other partner. We found that a shy focal fish preferred to follow a leader whose personality matched its own, but we did not detect such a difference in bold fish. Despite this preference, however, the greater propensity of bold individuals to initiate movements out of cover meant that they successfully led more joint trips. Thus, when offered a choice of leaders, sticklebacks prefer to follow individuals whose personality matches their own, but bolder individuals may, nevertheless, be able to impose their leadership, even among shy followers, simply through greater effort.
AHP framework to assist lean deployment in Abu Dhabi public healthcare delivery system
Authors: Hussain Matloub , Malik Mohsin , Al Neyadi Hamda S.
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to introduce lean concept to the field of healthcare management, expands the conceptualization of lean management beyond the manufacturing companies to consider key waste reduction opportunities which are posited to be requisites to lean practices and implements the proposed framework in the three public hospitals in Abu Dhabi.

Design/methodology/approach

– This research is designed by decomposing complex and unstructured issue into a set of components organized in a multi-level hierarchical form. To deal with this complexity of multi criteria decision-making process, analytical hierarchical process (AHP) method is used in this research.

Findings

– AHP framework for this study resulted in a ranking of 21 healthcare wastes based on the evaluations of local situations by experienced healthcare professionals. It has been found that management in healthcare systems of Abu Dhabi is putting more emphasis on the inventory waste.

Research limitations/implications

– The future directions of the research would be to apply a lean set of tools for the value stream optimization of the prioritized key improvement areas.

Practical implications

– This is a contribution to the continuing research into lean management, giving practitioners and designers a practical way for measuring and implementing lean practices across health organizations.

Originality/value

– The contribution of this research, through successive stages of data collection, measurement analysis and refinement, is a set of reliable and valid framework that can be subsequently used in conceptualization, prioritization of the waste reduction strategies in healthcare management.
Reliability estimation for aluminum alloy welded joint with automatic image measurement of surface crack growth
Authors: Huang Peng Qizi , Liu Tianyu , Sun Quan , Huang Wenwei
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– As an important connecting component, the reliability of aluminium alloy welded joints influences the whole structural effectiveness and stability of equipment. The purpose of this paper is to propose a novel reliability estimation approach to the welded joints based on time-transformed Wiener process with automatic image measurement of crack growth. The crack length information of the welded joints is incorporated into reliability analysis to reflect the product time-varying characteristics.

Design/methodology/approach

– The proposed approach is superior to other crack growth estimations in that it innovatively introduce a non-contact and flexible photogrammetry technique.First, on-line crack growth images of aluminium alloy welded joints are acquired by the designed monitor system. Second, crack length is calculated with image measurement, then the crack growth data during the manufacturing process is prepared. Finally, a time-transformed Wiener process is used to modeling the degradation, and reliability estimation is carried out with Wiener model. The approach has been validated on five 7075-T7351 welded joint samples.

Findings

– The method has a twofold task: first, the extraction of crack length growth data by a sequence of image processing. The main step is to model the crack skeleton with crack skeleton tree, and remove it edges to calculate the length of crack; second, the prediction of crack growth and reliability estimation.

Research limitations/implications

– The limitation of proposed method should not be ignored. The pixel/mm scale should be calibrated in advance that means once we have built the monitor system, the relative position of the CCD camera and the surveyed crack cannot change anymore. It has reduced the flexibility. To improve this, we can obtain binocular vision in crack image measurement. The 3-D measurements could solve calibration problem and provide more information, such as the depth and the orientation of crack to research. Therefore, future work can be centered on the improvement of monitor system and measurement precision.

Originality/value

– In the paper a novel method to estimate reliability of crack growth from welded joint based on image measurement has been presented. This method could be widely applied in different filed of manufacturing systems, reliability engineering and structural analysis.
Inverse system method for dynamic loads identification via noisy measured dynamic responses
Authors: Wang Lei , Wang Xiaojun , Li Xiao
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to focus on the influences of the uncertain dynamic responses on the reconstruction of loads.

Design/methodology/approach

– Based on the assumption of unknown-but-bounded (UBB) noise, a time-domain approach to estimate the uncertain time-dependent external loads is presented by combining the inverse system method in modern control theory and interval analysis in interval mathematics. Inspired by the concept of set membership identification in control theory, an interval analysis model of external loads time history, which is indeed a region or feasible set containing all possible loads being consistent with the bounded structural acceleration responses is established and further solved by two interval algorithms.

Findings

– Unlike traditional loads identification methods which only give a point estimation, an interval estimation of external loads time history, which is a region containing all the possible loads being consistent with the uncertain structural responses, is determined. The correlation characteristics among the responses of acceleration, velocity, and displacement are also discussed in consideration of the UBB uncertainty.

Originality/value

– For one hand, the solution of the inverse problem in original system is transformed to the solution of the direct problem in inverse system; for another, the authors deal with the uncertainty by use of interval analysis method, and the identified interval process, which contains any possible external loads time history being consistent with the bounded structural responses can be approximately obtained.
Calibrating the microscopic properties of quartz sand with coupled CFD-DEM framework
Authors: Derakhshani Sayed M. , Schott Dingena L. , Lodewijks Gabriel
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– The macroscopic properties of dried sand can be correctly modelled when the accurate determination of the microscopic properties is available. The microscopic properties between the particles such as the coefficients of rolling (µr) and sliding (µs), are numerically determined in two different ways: with and without considering the fluid effect. In an earlier study, the microscopic properties were determined by discrete element method (DEM) and without considering the air effect on the macroscopic properties such as the Angle of Repose. The purpose of this paper is to recalibrate the microscopic properties through a coupling between the DEM and computational fluid dynamics (CFD).

Design/methodology/approach

– The first step is dedicated to the calibration of the CFD-DEM model through modelling a single particle sedimentation within air, water, and silicon oil. The voidage and drag models, the grid size ratio (D/dx), the domain size ratio (W/D), and the optimum coupling interval between the CFD and DEM were investigated through comparing the CFD-DEM results with the analytical solution and experimental data. The next step is about modelling an Hourglass with the calibrated CFD-DEM model to recalibrate theµrandµsof dried sand particles.

Findings

– It was concluded that the air has a minor effect on the macroscopic properties of the dried sand and theµrandµsthat were obtained with the DEM can be utilized in the CFD-DEM simulation.

Originality/value

– Utilizing the granulometry of dried quartz sand in the calibration process of the CFD-DEM method has raised the possibility of using theµrandµsfor other applications in future studies.
Using fuzzy logic control approach and model reduction for solving frictional contact problems
Authors: Do H , Massa F , Tison T
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to expand the previously published fuzzy logic controller for contact method to normal frictionless contact for solving mechanical frictional contact problems. The secondary aim is to integrate a reduction model for each component in contact to decrease the size of the global finite element contact problem.

Design/methodology/approach

– The proposed strategy relies on the design of two fuzzy logic controllers currently used in the automation domain. These controllers are considered to link normal and tangential gaps (for sticking conditions) with normal and tangential contact loads. A direct consequence of integrating a control-based approach into the numerical solving approach is the decomposition of the non-linear problem into a set of linear problems.

Findings

– With this new strategy, no tangent or coupling matrix is defined for the contact problem that allows to consider a projection matrix to reduce the size of each component in contact and subsequently to decrease the associated computational time. As in condensation techniques, this matrix is composed of both modal bases of each component in contact and static modes that capture behaviors at the contact interface. Moreover, the proposed numerical application highlights the efficiency of the proposal in terms of computation time and precision of contact data.

Research limitations/implications

– The developments are currently implemented in Matlab only for 2D static numerical applications. Therefore, as obtained results are very promising in terms of precision and computational time, the objective is to complete the proposed method in future research to manage frictional contact for 3D finite element models in a dynamic context.

Originality/value

– In conclusion, this paper highlights the interest of studying mechanical frictional contact problems by considering fuzzy logic control approaches.
Synergistic effect of phosphorus, nitrogen and silicon on flame retardancy properties of cotton fabric treated by sol-gel process
Authors: Aksit Aysun , Onar Nurhan , Kutlu Bengi , Sergin Evren , Yakin Ismail
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to develop the flame retardancy properties of cotton fabrics with treatment of phosphorus and nitrogen containing silane-based nanosol by sol-gel process.

Design/methodology/approach

– Nanosols containing tetraethoxysilane or (3-aminopropyl) triethoxysilane as precursors, (3-glycidyloxypropyl) trimethoxysilane as cross-linking agent and guanidine phosphate monobasic as flame retarding agent were impregnated on cotton fabrics. Flame retardancy properties of the fabric samples were determined by limited flame spread test and limited oxygen index (LOI) test. In addition, microstructural and surface morphological properties of the fabric samples were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and scanning electron microscope.

Findings

– Depending on the limited flame spread test, the authors show that the coated fabric samples gain flame retardancy properties and the LOI value of the samples increased as to 45.7 per cent by the synergistic effect of phosphorus-nitrogen-silicon.

Originality/value

– There have some studies in flame retardancy behaviour of textiles. In this study, flame retardant cotton fabric with very low weight in grams was improved by sol-gel process. Moreover, ecological process was provided thanks to using halogen-free flame retardant.
In-situ coated of Ag, ZnO, Ag/ZnO composite nano particles to the technical fiber by hydrothermal method
Authors: Kucuk Demet , Balci Onur , Tutak Mustafa
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– Nowadays, the usage of antibacterial textiles is very popular for different type of textiles. The silver (Ag) and zinc oxide (ZnO) are the most popular materials in order to improve antibacterial properties of textiles. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the possibility to produce Ag nanoparticle (NP), ZnO NP, Ag/ZnO NP composite materials in this experimental study.

Design/methodology/approach

– It was investigated whether it was possible to produce Ag NP, ZnO NP, Ag/ZnO NP composite materials by hydrothermal method which was known as in-situ approach on the fiber. In addition, the colloidal silver (Ag+) was produced by electrolysis method, and used instead of process water which was necessary during generating of NPs on the fiber by this method. After whole applications, the samples were characterized by SEM, XRD, EDX analyses and the antibacterial activity of specimens was tested according to the ASTM E 2149-01 (gram-negative Escherichia coli). In addition, the resistance to the repeated washes of these antibacterial samples was investigated.

Findings

– The production of NPs on the fiber was achieved. The results showed that the samples had sufficient antibacterial activity and this activity did not reduce depending on repeated washing treatments.

Research limitations/implications

– Because of usage of one type of fiber, it would be necessary to make researches on the different type of fiber, testing procedure (with different bacteria), washing replications and prescriptions.

Practical implications

– During the process the temperature control is very important for the produced fiber. In addition chosen antibacterial test method is crucial for the testing of activity of product. Fiber must be washed at least once to remove unfixed NPs on the fiber.

Originality/value

– The technical antibacterial polyester fiber was in-situ coated by hydrothermal method with Ag, ZnO, Ag/ZnO composite NPs.
Bi-ethnic infant thermal care beliefs in Bradford, UK
Authors: Cronin de Chavez Anna , Ball Helen Louise , Ward-Platt Martin
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– Overheating is considered a modifiable risk factor for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). The purpose of this paper is to explore differences in infant thermal care beliefs between mothers of South Asian and white British origin in Bradford, UK.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study employed face-to-face interviews with semi-structured and structured questions with 51 white British and 51 South-Asian mothers in the Bradford District, UK.

Findings

– White British mothers were more concerned about overheating causing SIDS whereas South-Asian mothers were more concerned about cold causing respiratory infections. However concerns around hypothermia and chills causing colds were expressed in both groups. White British mothers were significantly more likely to be concerned about their infant getting too hot than too cold and South-Asian mothers about both heat and cold (p0.001), but white British mothers on lower incomes and with poorer education expressed concern about cold more so than their better off, better educated peers indicating a possible link to fuel poverty.

Research limitations/implications

– It was not possible to observe actual night-time practices and that South Asian as a cultural category is limited because could be regarded as too broad.

Practical implications

– Whilst there guidance available to prevent infants overheating to prevent SIDS there is little or none about infants getting cold and how temperature affects other conditions.

Social implications

– Thermal care behaviours and beliefs differ between ethnic groups. SIDS and overheating is only one concern for mothers in providing thermal care for their infants. More policy and research is needed to explore the wider impact of thermal care on infant health and survival.

Originality/value

– This topic is rarely addressed despite the wide ranging implications of heat and cold to infant well-being.
The interdisciplinary use of blogs and online communities in teacher education
Authors: Caldwell Helen , Heaton Rebecca
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– Online learning is developing rapidly in higher education. As a result, in the Initial Teacher Education Division at The University of Northampton, UK, academics have experimented with methods to embed blogs and online communities into courses to enhance learning for staff and students. The paper aims to discuss this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper critically analyses the approach used to examine media-rich multimodal content that was shared through these tools.

Findings

– The paper models how blogs and communities have enhanced interdisciplinary subject teaching, staff development and student engagement. This is achieved by sharing case studies from the courses which model the strengths and limitations of practices adopted.

Originality/value

– Focused discussion demonstrates how reflexivity, communities of practice and experimentation with technological teaching strategies fuel the learning that occurred.
Integration between RCM and RAM: a case study
Authors: De Sanctis Ilaria , Paciarotti Claudia , Di Giovine Oreste
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to propose a practical method of performing maintenance in the offshore industry where engineers have to manage problems such as the high cost of operations, assuring an high availability of the plant, safety on board and environmental protection. Indeed an efficient maintenance method it is necessary in order to offer methods and criteria to select the rights maintenance strategies keeping in to account the environmental, safety and production constrains.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper provides an overview of reliability centered maintenance (RCM) and reliability, availability, maintainability methodologies and an integration of the two methodologies in a particular case study in the oil and gas sector.

Findings

– This paper suggests an improvement of the well-established RCM methodology applicable to industries with high priority level. It is proposed an integration between a reliability analysis and an availability analysis and an application on the offshore oil and gas industry.

Practical implications

– The methodology provides an excellent tool that can be utilized in industries, where safety, regulations and the availability of the plant play a fundamental role.

Originality/value

– The proposed methodology provides a practical method for selecting the best maintenance strategy considering the equipment redundancy and sparing, the asset’s performance over long time scales, and the system uptime, downtime and slowdowns.
Pharmacological rescue of hERG currents carried out by G604S and wide type hERG co‐expression
Authors: Huo Jianhua , Zhang Aifeng , Guo Xueyan , Qiang Hua , Liu Ping , Bai Ling , Ma Aiqun
Published: May 2016

Mutations in human ether‐a‐go‐go‐related gene (hERG) can lead to type 2 long‐QT syndrome (LQT2). The authors previously identified the hERG mutation G604S results in a loss of function and obviously decreased current amplitude and impaired channel protein trafficking when co‐expressed with WT‐hERG. The present study further investigates the biological and electrophysiological consequences of pharmacologic chaperones in HEK293 cells expressing G604S‐hERG or co‐expressing G604S‐hERG and WT‐hERG. It was found that a low temperature (27°C), thapsigargin, NS1643 and E‐4031 fail to rescue the G604S mutation. Interestingly, only E‐4031 treatment resulted in a significant increase in hERG currents in cells co‐expressing G604S‐hERG and WT‐hERG, correspondingly more mature protein band at 155 kDa by Western blotting and an increased membrane staining by confocal microscopy. In addition, E‐4031 treatment shifted the steady‐state half maximal activation voltage (V1/2) of the inactivation curve by +8 mV in cells co‐expressing G604S‐hERG and WT‐hERG. The present experimental results suggest that a G604S mutation is resistant to pharmacological rescue. E‐4031 treatment resulted in a significant increase in hERG currents by promoting the hERG channel processing and trafficking in cells co‐expressing G604S‐hERG and WT‐hERG.
What Business Owners Expect From a Crisis Manager? A Competency Model: Survey Results From Czech Businesses
Authors: Mikušová Marie , Čopíková Andrea
Published: May 2016

This competency model of a crisis manager has been developed based on cooperation with managers and experts in the field of crisis management. The brainwriting method was used to generate an overview of the competencies expected of a crisis manager. Using a mind map three basic groups of competencies were developed. The participants used Saaty's method to determine the significance of individual competencies. The different attributes of individual competencies according to the level of their development were established. Finally all individual competencies were assigned a target value which indicates the expected level of competence for the position of a crisis manager. The model of competencies is a practical tool for the establishment of crisis management system in a company.
Association between variants in nicotinic acetylcholine receptor genes and smoking cessation in a Chinese rural population
Authors: Wang Qiang , Li Suyun , Pan Lulu , Li Huijie , Yang Xiaorong , Jiang Fan , Zhang Nan , Han Mingkui , Jia Chongqi
Published: May 2016

Background and Objectives

Genetic studies have revealed a significant association between variants in nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (CHRN) genes and smoking cessation, but the results are inconsistent. In this study, we aimed to examine the relationship between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in seven CHRN genes and smoking cessation in a Chinese rural population.

Methods

Participants were recruited from 17 villages of 3 counties in Shandong, China. DNA was extracted from the blood samples. Thirty‐two SNPs in seven CHRN genes were genotyped. Logistic regression was used to explore the relationship between single SNP and smoking cessation. Pearson's χ2 test was performed to test the association between haplotype and smoking cessation.

Results

Rs578776 (in CHRNA3), rs660652 (in CHRNA3), and rs588765 (in CHRNA5) were significantly related to smoking cessation. Two haplotypes were associated with smoking cessation.

Conclusions

This study confirmed the association between CHRN genes and smoking cessation in the Chinese rural population.

Scientific Significance

Our findings provide confirmatory support to the role of CHRN genes to the etiology of smoking cessation in the Chinese rural population. (Am J Addict 2016;25:297–300)