bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Revisiting Marketing to Children - Hiccups or Opportunity?
Authors: Goswami Dr. Sushobhan
Published: May 2016

Children form a sizable chunk of marketing spends of companies particularly in the FMCG sector. They induce buying on the part of parents. Children are active everywhere- be it in TV, or in homes, or wherever they are in their pastimes. They are goaded by their parents and sometimes indulged in fancy buying of objects, ranging from toys to mobiles to tablets to electronic playstations. Children today are called screenagers, they work on a TV screen, or a tablet screen, or a console screen. Within the digital space, while gaming remains the number one activity for 4-10 year old, as one moves up the age ladder, social media begins to take precedence over gaming. Parental support is crucial as they are the pillars of buying for children. In this study, mothers were found to be the pivot for children buying nourishing juices, candies, or toys, or devices with a focus on learning. Marketers must respond with speed to changing needs and choices of children and their parents supported by technology. They must pursue altruistic motives in targeting children with tender hearts and minds. Ethics lie at the root of marketing to children. As a corollary, marketers cannot bypass regulatory norms, soft or hard. In a digital age, marketers must tangibilise buying experiences or consumption experiences as far as possible.
Assessment of Service Quality in Public versus Private Sector Banks of Lucknow
Authors: Mitra Shruti , Gulani Richa
Published: May 2016

In the present scenario banking sector of India is running under dynamic challenges, concerning both customer base and performance. Service quality is an indispensable competitive strategy to retain customer base. Service quality plays a major role in getting customer satisfaction. Banks are trying hard to win customer satisfaction by providing better quality services. This study compares customer’s perceptions of service quality in both public and private banks of India. The service quality of both banks has been measured using SERVQUAL (service quality) scale. The results show that dimensions of service quality such as, tangibility, reliability, responsiveness, empathy and assurance, significantly predicts customer’s trust and commitment.
People Management – The Emerging Dimensions
Authors: Tudu Preshita Neha , Pathak Pramod
Published: May 2016

The business world has become more global and competitive and organizations are looking forward to seek new means to combat fierce competition, in order to bring the organization to a bright future. Competition in the market is tough and company that can win the war is one that provides better services and products to the customer. Cut throat competition has made employers realize that employees are the only source of competitive advantage. Much attention has been directed to provide quality service and products. This can be achieved through effective utilization of the human resources. The present review paper is an attempt to critically examine how the human resources function has changed over the years in order to cope with the changing market scenario and how has role of human resource professionals being transformed.
Construction of Portfolio Using Sharpe Index Model With Reference To FMCG Industry in India
Authors: Das Shantanu Kumar
Published: May 2016

Today the avenues for investment are abundant like bank deposits, property, insurance, shares etc. But to take an effective investment decision has become more critical. The evaluation of risk and the return on investment become very crucial. This research paper deals with same type of crucial risk and return analysis. For the analysis, Sharpe index model for the risk and return calculation and portfolio construction has been used. Sharpens single index model is based on the assumption that stocks vary together, because of the common movement in the stock market and there are no effects beyond the market. The study has selected ten companies from FMCG industry, which plays an important role in propelling Indian growth engine. The main objectives of the study are to calculate the beta and variance, to help investors for effective decision making regarding the investment which offer maximum return with minimum risk and also to gain knowledge of the stock market. The findings and suggestion certainly would be helpful to investors.
Analysis of Working Capital Efficiency in Cipla Ltd.
Authors: Pandey Dr. Shishir , Verma Dr. Avadhesh Kumar , Kumar Sunil
Published: May 2016

Decisions relating to working capital involve managing relationships between a firm’s short-term assets and liabilities to ensure a firm is able to continue its operations, and have sufficient cash flows to satisfy both maturing short-term debts and upcoming operational expenses at minimal costs, increasing firm’s profitability. The working capital very much associate with the operating cycle. A perusal of the operating cycle good reveal that funds invested in the operation are recycled back in to cash. The shorter the period of operating cycle the larger will be the turnover of the funds invested in various purposes. The shorter period of operating cycle shows better efficiency of a firm. The efficiency of working capital management can be determined by the operating cycle of the firm. This paper aims at analyzing the efficiency of working capital management through the relationship between operating cycle period and profitability of Cipla Ltd. To measure the Working Capital Management Efficiency, Operating cycle has been calculated and the relationship is made with Gross Profit Ratio.
Work-Life Balance Among Dual-Earner Couples in the Organized Sector
Authors: Maitra Devika , K Dr. Hemalata
Published: May 2016

Women in the workforce, at one time, were the rare exception but today dual earner couples are the norm. Social roles and expectations are undergoing a change and hence understanding work-life balance is important in today’s day and age. The study focuses on working couples across various sectors, where both partners hold a full-time job in the organized sector. Understanding effects of work-life imbalance of wife on husband’s life is also equally important in the social scenario today. Organizations also need to cater to these needs of work-life balance of their employees. The snowball technique was used to collect the sample, for ease of reaching dual earner couples. The study focused on married working people with working spouses, with a targeted sample of 30 couples. The questionnaire was administered through email to these couples and a total of 23 complete responses were received. It was found that no significant difference exists between the score of either domain of Work-Life Balance of spouses.
District Level Comparative Analysis of Vaccination and Other Health Services
Authors: Chandra Dr. Rakesh , Dwivedi Mr. Pravesh , Dwivedi Dr. Ritesh
Published: May 2016

Universal immunization of children against common vaccine preventable diseases is the most important aspect of childcare programs. It has long been a goal of the Universal Immunization Program. National Population Policy, 2000 has also stressed on development of Indian Immunization Program, as India is one of the largest in the world, in terms of quantities of vaccines used, numbers of beneficiaries, and the numbers of immunization sessions organized. This program is spread all across the country and seven vaccines are used to protect children and pregnant mothers against tuberculosis, diphtheria, pertusis, polio, measles tetanus and hepatitis-B. Some other supplements like vitamin A and iron tablets have also been added with this delivery mechanism to support overall nutritional level of children and their mothers. To assess the grassroot level condition, this study has tried to explore and compare the different parameters related to routine vaccination and supplement distribution in some selected districts. Role of ASHAs and ANMs is very important for this whole immunization program and to enhance the coverage in qualitative manner, certain evaluation parameters must be established like how many households are aware of sanitation, hygiene, preventive health and healthy lifestyle through ASHA and ANM work.
A Study on Online Buying Behaviour of Consumers at Bhopal
Authors: Mishra Arun , Chopra Dr. P. K.
Published: May 2016

Internet and its growing usage by young generation in India have changed the way consumers shop and buy goods and services. The Indian retail market is witnessing a revolution i.e. young consumers are playing important role in online shopping and looking towards Internet as a unique platform for selling online. In India the visitors of e-tailing sites are accounted to be 40% of youth population, which comprises of youngsters between 15 to 34 years of age. These visitors are part of Indian Internet Population. Not only metros but tier II and III cities are also attracting online retailers. Brand awareness and gap in demand and supply are the main reasons for popularity of online retailers in small cities like Bhopal in India. The study focuses on factors that online buyers consider while shopping online. Some of the factors identified in this research are; scarcity of time with the buyer, availability of payment options like COD, variety of products availability, product pricing, discounts and offers etc. The data is collected using a questionnaire on the sample of 100 people in the age bracket of 15 to 60 years and percentage analysis is done for analyzing the collected data.
Confidence and Life Style: A Study of Consumer Attitude towards the Use of Sanitary Napkins
Authors: Singh M. P. , Singh Lavina
Published: May 2016

The objective of present study was to investigate consumer attitude towards use of sanitary napkins and whether it helps to build confidence and associate with life style. Questionnaires were circulated among young college going girls and was found that every girl uses sanitary napkins of various companies for confident attitude.
Optimization of the low frequency noise for the dash panel based on experiment and simulation
Authors: Li Jing , Tan Ye-fa , Wang Jian-jun , Wu Yan
Published: May 2016

Firstly, the simulation modal of the dash panel is computed and then compared with the experimental one in this paper to verify its reliability. Then, hybrid FE-SEA model of the dash panel is built to compute its transmission loss. There is an obvious valley value in the computational result. In order to solve this problem, it is necessary to conduct sound transfer path analysis, and the key region is obtained. Topology optimization is conducted on this region, and transmission loss of the optimized structure is then computed and compared with that of the original structure. Transmission loss in the mid-low frequency is improved obviously. Sound package is also applied in the key region of the dash panel, and transmission loss is also computed and compared with that of the original and optimized structure. The results show that topology optimization is better for improving noise at the mid-low frequency. Finally, the optimized results are verified by the experiment.
A new model for stability analysis of electromechanical nano-actuator based on Gurtin-Murdoch and consistent couple-stress theories
Authors: Keivani Maryam , Koochi Ali , Abadyan Mohamadreza
Published: May 2016

Herein, the pull-in instability of cantilever NEMS is studied considering the presence of dispersion forces and squeezed film damping. Recently developed consistent couple stress theory in combination with the Gurtin-Murdoch elasticity is employed to incorporate the coupled effects of size phenomena and surface energy. The governing equation was solved using Rayleigh-Ritz method. Effects of various parameters including surface layer, size dependency, dispersion forces and damping on the pull-in characteristics of the nano-actuator are discussed.
Classification of machinery vibration signals based on group sparse representation
Authors: Yu Fajun , Zhou Fengxing
Published: May 2016

The working condition of mechanical equipment can be reflected by vibration signals collected from it. Accurate classification of these vibration signals is helpful for the machinery fault diagnosis. In recent years, the L1-norm regularization based sparse representation for classification (SRC) has obtained huge success in image recognition, especially in face recognition. However, the investigation of SRC for machinery vibration signals shows that the accuracy and sparsity concentration index are not high enough. In this paper, a new classification method for machinery vibration signals is proposed, in which the L1L2-norm regularization based sparse representation, i.e. group sparse representation, is recommended as a coding strategy. The method achieves its idea classification performance by three steps. Firstly, time-domain vibration signals, including training and test samples, are transformed to frequency-domain to reduce the influence of corrupting noise. Then, the transform coefficient vectors of the test samples are coded with a combination of L1-norm and L2-norm constrain on a dictionary, which is constructed by merging the transform coefficient vectors of the training samples. At last, the fault types of the test samples are labeled by identifying their minimal reconstruction errors. The classification results of simulated and experimental vibration signals demonstrate the superiority of proposed method in comparison with the state-of-the-art classifiers.
Nonlinear free vibration analysis of nanobeams under magnetic field based on nonlocal elasticity theory
Authors: Chang Tai-Ping
Published: May 2016

In the present study, we perform the nonlinear free vibration analysis of nanobeams under longitudinal magnetic field based on Eringen’s nonlocal elasticity and Euler-Bernoulli beam theory. To capture the small scale effect of the nanobeams, we adopt the nonlocal beam model with the nonlocal parameter. We use the Hamilton’s principle and von-Kármán’s nonlinear strain-displacement relationships to derive the governing equations of nanobeams subject to magnetic field. In order to solve the equations, we utilize the Galerkin method and He’s variational method to come up with an approximate analytical solution for the nonlinear frequency of the nanobeams under magnetic field. In the numerical results, the nonlinear frequency ratio is presented for various values of the dimensionless nonlocal parameter and the dimensionless amplitude. Finally, we investigate the effect of nonlocal parameter on the nonlinear frequency ratio; moreover, we study and discuss the effect of magnetic field on the nonlinear free vibration behavior of nanobeams.
Theoretical and bifurcation analysis of a flexible rotor supported by gas-lubricated bearing system with porous bushing
Authors: Wang Cheng-Chi , Hung Jui-Pin
Published: May 2016

The bifurcation behaviors of a flexible rotor supported by gas-lubricated bearing system with porous bushing are analyzed by a novel numerical method combining the finite difference method and differential transformation method. The results obtained by proposed method are verified with traditional finite difference method, and the analytical results by these two methods are consistent and also in good agreement. Furthermore, the dynamic orbits, power spectra, bifurcation diagram, Poincaré maps and maximum Lyapunov exponent are used to confirm the changes of rotor behavior as the rotor mass is increased. The results show that the rotor center reveals complex dynamic behaviors including periodic, sub-harmonic and chaotic motions. Especially, the rotor bearing system behaves chaos over the ranges of rotor mass 10.7 ≤ms< 13.8 kg. The current results provide an effective means of the gas bearing systems and further understanding of the nonlinear dynamic behavior of bearing systems characterized by different rotor masses.
A low cost flexible electro-dynamic planar loudspeaker
Authors: Lin Jium-Ming , Ukachukwu Ubadigha Chinweze , Lin Cheng-Hung
Published: May 2016

This paper proposed a low cost flexible electro-dynamic planar loudspeaker (FEPL). The structure is very simple such as a flexible thin film diaphragm (polyimide) electroplated traces of copper coil above a flexible magnetic placed in the bottom of cavity, thus forming a seamless integration of electromagnetic actuation and planar flexible structure. The advantage is that it can be used in flexible electronics or can be deployed on the surface of any object easily. To optimize the performance, this study made detailed analyses on the thickness of cavity, magnet and coil, magnet polarization, and diaphragm dimension. Note that as the cavity height increasing, the magnetic flux densities of both vertically and horizontally polarized magnet are decreased. But they are nearly constant over the surface with the same height for the vertically polarized magnet. On the other hand, as the cavity height of the horizontally polarized magnet increases, the magnetic flux densities would be decrease rapidly at the locations moving farther away from the center point. These effects are not discussed in previous literature of study.
Parameter optimization of damper-friction isolation systems using concave friction distribution
Authors: Wei Biao , Wang Peng , Yan Bin , Jiang Lizhong , He Xuhui
Published: May 2016

The random friction distribution is an objective phenomenon and always leads to great uncertainty in seismic responses of damper-friction isolation systems. As to optimize the seismic performance, this paper artificially made the friction distribution on a contact surface to be concave. When the damper-friction isolation system was subjected to different ground motions, more regular responses, due to the concave friction distribution, were obtained comparing with the responses of the random friction distribution. The concave friction distribution is always conducive to reducing the structural relative displacement and insignificantly increasing the structural acceleration. An optimization design example of an isolation building was carried out. And the results showed that as for a structure only being sensitive to acceleration or force, significant concave friction distribution and little damping constant would be the best design combination. It resulted in a much less acceleration and an acceptable relative displacement on the structure.
The contact mode of a joint interface based on improved deep neural networks and its application in vibration analysis
Authors: Tian Yang , Liu Zhifeng , Cai Ligang , Pan Guangyuan
Published: May 2016

The precision of the contact model for a joint interface strongly depends on the fractal dimension and fractal roughness coefficient. In this paper, an improved deep neural network method was adopted to predict the surface appearance parameters. In order to meet the high accuracy requirements for the prediction results of the contact model, a novel surface appearance prediction model was established utilizing a regularized deep belief network. The Bayesian regularization strategy was used to reduce the network weights during unsupervised training, which can effectively restrain the contribution of unimportant neurons. This allows to limit the occurrence of overfitting, and the layer-by-layer training was performed for each hidden layer based on a continuous transfer function. Meanwhile, the surface appearance parameters of the joint interface could be obtained by plugging arbitrary machining parameters into the training model. The specific contact model was then established based on fractal theory by applying the above-mentioned prediction results. The parameters of the joint interface were used to simulate the frequencies and vibration modes of frame-shaped structural parts. The contact model was validated by comparing the simulation results with experimental data. The proposed model is expected to provide a theoretical basis for optimizing the structure and improving the accuracy of computerized numerical control machines.
Dynamic modeling of spindle-rolling bearings systems in peripheral milling operations
Authors: Hentati Taissir , Barkallah Maher , Bouaziz Slim , Haddar Mohamed
Published: May 2016

In High-Speed Milling Process (HSM) the machining precision is directly affected by spindle bearing system which has a crucial role and it impacts directly the dynamic performance of the machining system. This study is about an accurate simulation of such system response. In fact, the Timoshenko beam theory with different circular sections is used to propose a finite element model of the spindle system. The effect of the rolling bearings and the gyroscopic moment at high speeds as well as the centrifugal forces and the cutting forces are considered in the formulation. The rigid and flexible movements of the spindle are taken into account. The dynamic responses of tool-tip under the dynamic cutting forces are numerically investigated.
Analysis of horn type waveguide with impulse excitation
Authors: Eidukynas Darius , Jurenas Vytautas , Mazeika Darius
Published: May 2016

The aim of this research is theoretical investigation of dynamics of the horn type waveguides with impact excitation. For this purpose, a scheme of system with piezoelectric transducer for burst-type electrical signal generation is presented. Such a system could be used in generation of burst-type electric signals or direct control for some kind of stepper motors, e.g. piezo motors. In this paper horn (waveguide), which could be used in a system, for burst type electrical signal generation, is theoretically investigated in different way – end of the horn with smaller cross sectional area is excited with the impulse excitation and displacement is obtained at the end with greater cross sectional area.
Research on characteristics of fluid-induced vibration for short labyrinth seals
Authors: Zhang Wanfu , Yang Jiangang , Li Chun , Dai Ren , Yang Ailing
Published: May 2016

Short seal (e.g. shroud seal) is a key component for the safe and reliable operation of a turbine unit. This paper sets up the three dimensional numerical model of a short labyrinth seal and analyzes its characteristics of the fluid-induced force. Results show that the tangential fluid-induced force increases almost linearly as the rotational speed increases. The sign of the radial fluid-induced force changes as the rotational speed increases. For higher inlet pressure, a more dramatic increase can be found for both the tangential and radial fluid-induced force. A transition speed range was found that the magnitude of the radial fluid-induced force at higher inlet pressure became less than that at lower inlet pressure. For each seal cavity, the peak pressure location had a shift away from the minimum clearance location as the rotational speed increased. This shift also existed in the axial direction. The effect of the rotational speed on the fluid-induced force became more remarkable for the longer seal with many cavities. Both the radial and tangential fluid-induced force increased with the increasing preswirl ratio. However, the two forces decreased with the increasing preswirl ratio when the inlet total pressure was kept as a constant value. In the end, the critical preswirl ratio which corresponds to zero tangential fluid-induced force was calculated, and results show that a smaller magnitude of the preswirl ratio will be needed to offset the effect of rotational speeds at higher inlet pressures. The inlet preswirl generated a majority of the tangential force for short seals.
Reduction of train-induced vibrations by using a trench in a layered half-space
Authors: Ba Zhenning , Wang Jingya , Liang Jianwen
Published: May 2016

A coupled model of a track-layered ground-in-filled trench system is developed to investigate the isolation effects of an in-filled trench on reducing vibrations generated by moving train loads. By using the substructure method, the whole model is decomposed into two parts: the layered ground containing the in-filled trench and the track. Firstly, the flexibility coefficient for moving uniformly distributed loads applied on the layered ground containing the trench is obtained by using the 2.5D indirect boundary element method. Then, the dynamic equilibrium equation of the track under the moving train loads and uniformly distributed loads are established. Finally, the layered ground and the track are coupled according to the equivalence between the deformation of the track and the vertical displacement of the layered ground. The validity of the method is confirmed by comparing its results with the published ones. Numerical calculations are performed by embedding an in-filled trench in a homogenous ground, in a single layered ground and also in the real site at Ledsgard as examples. The results show that the isolation effects are different for different ground conditions and for different geometric parameters such as the depth, width and location of the in-filled trench.
Gearbox fault diagnosis based on local mean decomposition, permutation entropy and extreme learning machine
Authors: Wei Yu , Xu Minqiang , Li Yongbo , Huang Wenhu
Published: May 2016

This paper presents a fault diagnosis method for gearbox based on local mean decomposition (LMD), permutation entropy (PE) and extreme learning machine (ELM). LMD, a new self-adaptive time-frequency analysis method, is applied to decompose the vibration signal into a set of product functions (PFs). Then, PE values of the first five PFs (PF-PE) are calculated to characterize the complexity of the vibration signal. Finally, for the purpose of less time-consuming and higher accuracy, ELM is used to identify and classify of gearbox in different fault types. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method is effective in diagnosing and classifying different states of gearbox in short time.
Static and dynamic characteristic analysis of high-speed press bed based on virtual simulation
Authors: Li Guofa , Wang Jian , Chen Chuanhai , Tian Hailong , Zhou Chuanyang , Xu Fan , Shi Xiaohui
Published: May 2016

This paper establishes a three-dimensional solid model of J76-125 Straight Side High-speed Double-crack Precision Press using CATIA, and then the model is imported into an ANSYS environment to form the static and dynamic finite element simulation model. Based on the finite element analysis method, the static stress, deformation, vibration mode and transient response of the press bed are developed under preload conditions, as well as under the combination of the preload and nominal pressure conditions. Besides, the static loading experiment, the mode experiment and the pile-driving experiment are conducted to revise the simulation model. Finally, the simulation model and analysis procedure are verified through the comparison of the experiment results and the simulation ones.
Simulation of spectrum-correspondent accelerogram by using artificial neural networks
Authors: Izadi Mohammad Mehdi , Mohammadi Majid
Published: May 2016

Regarding the scarcity of appropriate recorded earthquakes, and the ever-increasing use of dynamic time history analyses for more accurate calculation of structures response, the simulation of artificially produced records necessary. In this study, accelerograms are simulated from the response or design spectrum by using generalized regression neural networks. In the training phase the response spectrum is used as the input for the simulating network, and the corresponding accelerogram as the output. Accelerograms achieved from some recorded earthquakes of Iran are used for training the neural network. The appropriate accuracy, and high speed of training are the properties of the network. After training the network, accelerogram corresponding to the design spectrum of Iranian code of practice for seismic resistance design of buildings is generated. Similar procedures can be carried out for design spectrum of other cods to achieve the corresponding records.
Temperature dependence of soft-doped / hard-doped PZT material properties under large signal excitation and impact on the design choice
Authors: Mangeot Charles
Published: May 2016

Multilayer piezoelectric actuators operating in quasi-static conditions under high electrical field find more and more applications in demanding environments, such as in the field of aerospace. Naturally, increasing amounts of data are being published on the behavior of PZT materials under large signal conditions. However, the information is often incomplete and not directly usable by mechanical design engineers. Using a pragmatic approach, the present work aims at drawing a complete set of parameters for designers to use when selecting a piezoelectric actuator, in particular for applications at elevated temperature (up to 200 °C). For the design process, it is important to characterize apparent capacitance, apparent losses, free stroke, blocking force and height according to temperature. In addition, non-linear effects such as creep must be considered. The present paper focuses mostly on apparent capacitance, losses and displacement. The evolution of capacitance with field is not linear and strongly temperature dependent. Measurements on NCE51 (soft-doped) and NCE46 (hard-doped) indicate a very different behavior. As signal amplitude increases, capacitance increases, reaches a maximum then decreases. This maximum shifts with temperature, so that at 200 °C, NCE51 reaches a maximum at 0,8 kV/mm while NCE46 peaks at 1,8 kV/mm. Results are presented also for the apparent loss factor (tangent δ) and free displacement. At 200 °C, NCE51 and NCE46 provide respectively 23 % and 15 % additional free displacement. Furthermore, the loss factor at maximum field decreases for NCE51, so the basis for material choice (soft-doped or hard-doped) is challenged. Using these measurements, the operating envelope of the actuators can be calculated for different temperatures. The comparison of the two materials highlights the advantage of NCE51 at low frequency. At high frequency, NCE46 maintains an advantage, particularly for energy-intensive applications.
Research on the transmission loss of the floor aluminum profile for the high-speed train based on FE-SEA hybrid method
Authors: Lin Li-zong , Ding Zheng-yin , Zeng Jian-kui , Zhang Chang-xian
Published: May 2016

Firstly, FEM (Finite Element model) of the aluminum profile is built. The structural material parameters are then given to compute the free modals. After the comparison with the experimental results, the relative error of the modal frequency can be controlled within 5 %, which meets the requirements of CAE analysis. Secondly, pulse decay method is applied to measure damping loss factor of the aluminum profile. As shown from the results, its damping loss factor is 0.15 %-0.35 % within 0 Hz-1600 Hz, which can be used as the input parameter in the subsequent computation of the transmission loss. Thirdly, FE-SEA hybrid method is used to compute the transmission loss of the aluminum profile. As known from the computational results, the transmission loss troughs of the aluminum profile are appeared at 160 Hz, 400 Hz and 800 Hz, whose change trend is basically consistent with the experimental results. Therefore, the sound insulation performance of the aluminum profile at middle and low-frequency band can be reasonably predicted by the simulation model. Finally, based on the verified model of the aluminum profile, the optimization design is conducted on its acoustic-vibro performance from the following aspects such as sound-bridge, plate thickness and structural materials. As a result, a structure with relatively optimal acoustic-vibro performance is obtained.
Preliminary airfoil design of an innovative adaptive variable camber compliant wing
Authors: Li Hongda , Ang Haisong
Published: May 2016

In this study, an innovative adaptive variable camber compliant wing, with skin that can change thickness and tailing edge morphing mechanism that is designed based on a new kind of artificial muscles, is designed. Consisted of a compliant base plate and seamless and continuous compliant skin with the artificial muscles embedded in, this trailing edge morphing mechanism is extremely light in weight and efficient in reconfiguration of the wing sectional profile. To demonstrate the feasibility of this design, a simulative experiment of this kind of artificial muscles was designed and carried out. A demonstrative wing section with simulative driving skin mechanism and the compliant skin was manufactured. The demonstration wing section shows that the trailing edge morphing mechanism designed and simulative driving skin work good, with a –30°/+30° trailing edge morphing achieved. Targeting this innovative design, an airfoil design approach, employing CST parametric methodology, XFOIL and Multi-Objective Particle Swarm (MOPS) optimizer, is developed for the preliminary design of this innovative wing. A new selector is introduced to facilitate the searching process and improve the robustness of this method. The results show that this method is capable of designing airfoils for this special wing in a quick and effective way.
Experimental investigation on stability of an elastically mounted circular tube under cross flow in normal triangular arrangement
Authors: Lakshmi Annamalai Kumaraswamidhas , Karuppasamy Karthik Selva Kumar
Published: May 2016

Experimental investigation on flow perturbations coupled with tube vibrations along the interstitial flow path are presented. A Normal Triangular tube arrays at different operating conditions with a pitch ratio of 1.85 was calculated. Interstitial flow perturbations Measurements all along the flow path were recorded by means of a hot-wire probe while monitoring the tube vibration in the stream wise and cross flow directions. A single flexible tube located in the centre of a rigid array was equipped with pressure transducers to observe the surface pressure deviation. The amplitude of flow perturbation and phase with respect to the tube vibrations were acquired at a number of positions alongside the flow path in the array. The consequence of tube vibration amplitude, mean gap velocity frequency, and measurement position of the hot wire probe on the amplitude of the flow perturbation and comparative phase were examined. It is observed that the perturbations of the fluid flow are primarily evident at the position of separation of the fluid flow from the test tube and decay swiftly with space from this position. It shows that the time delay between tube vibration and perturbation of the flow is associated with separation of the flow and enhanced vortices resulted due to the tube vibration.
Blasting vibration on deep shaft ingate rock damage and its control measures
Authors: Xue Weipei , Yao Zhishu , Cheng Hua , Rong Chuanxin
Published: May 2016

Traditional control of ingate surrounding rock is partial to repair and optimization after failure of supporting structure, and only for specific structure of ingate is studied, without considering blasting vibration effect on damage of ingate surrounding rock, and lack of study on layout design of ingate surrounding chamber group. Based on the research status of deep vertical shaft ingate, this paper has carried on theoretical analysis and field testing for ingate surrounding rock damage affected by vibration load produced in process of excavation and blasting in mine roadway and chamber, getting the change law of ingate surrounding rock damage under blasting vibration, and new control measures about loaded constitution, delay blasting technology, set isolation hole, especially the rational layout of ingate surrounding chamber group are provided, combined with numerical simulation software to determine reasonable spacing of ingate surrounding chamber group in deep vertical shaft, and optimize construction sequence. Finally, research achievements are applied to engineering practice, the results of field deformation monitoring show that ingate in mine roadway and chamber can maintain good integrity under construction process.
Resonance response analysis of the slab track caused by moving vehicle
Authors: Jin Shi
Published: May 2016

The paper investigates the dynamic response of the slab track under the action of vehicles. Based on finite element method and multibody dynamics, the vehicle-slab track coupling model and moving sprung mass model on slab are developed to simulate the vehicle and slab track interaction at any speed. The resonance mechanism and conditions of slab track system are investigated through theoretical derivations and numerical simulations. In a numerical case study, the effect of rail pad stiffness and slab bearing stiffness on resonance phenomena of track system are analyzed.
Motion analysis of a kitesurfer employing a vision-based measurement system
Authors: Grzeczka Anna , Kohut Piotr , Kłaczyński Maciej , Wittbrodt Edmund , Uhl Tadeusz
Published: May 2016

Kitesurfing is a relatively new phenomenon with rising popularity worldwide – a recently developed extreme watersport considered a high-risk injury sport. It combines elements of several other sports, in particular, sailing, surfing, windsurfing, wakeboarding, and snowboarding. The main purpose of authors’ research in the present paper is to use a vision-based system for measuring a kitesurfer’s body movements in order to analyze the group of activated muscles during take-off and basic freestyle trick. The authors put a special emphasis on the handle pass trick, as it is very effective and, at the same time, one of the most destructive tricks for the kitesurfer’s shoulder joint. Another issue examined in this paper was how to perform kitesurfing tricks in laboratory conditions in order to measure kinematics in natural environmental.
The impact of different physiotherapy techniques on trunk stabilizer muscles strength, pain and functional disability in persons diagnosed with intervertebral disc herniation
Authors: Lendraitienė Eglė , Poškys Kazimieras , Petruševičienė Daiva , Berškienė Kristina , Mauricienė Vilma
Published: May 2016

This pilot study presents data on the application of two different physiotherapy techniques and the comparison of their effectiveness in patients with radiologically confirmed intervertebral disc herniation. At baseline and the end of the application of the studied physiotherapy techniques, the subjects, after being distributed into two groups, underwent testing in order to determine their trunk stabilizer muscle strength, pain intensity at rest and on exertion, and the level of disability. The physiotherapy program consisted of individually selected exercises. Subjects of the first group additionally underwent sling exercise therapy, and subjects of the second group – physiotherapy with feedback exercises. Both combinations – physiotherapy with feedback exercises and physiotherapy with sling exercise therapy – statistically significantly reduced functional disability and lower back pain at rest and on exertion. The physiotherapy program with feedback exercises was more efficient than the physiotherapy program with sling exercise therapy when correcting imbalance in trunk stabilizer muscle strength. The impact of both physiotherapy programs on trunk stabilizer muscle strength was similar. Both combinations – physiotherapy with feedback exercises and physiotherapy with sling exercise therapy – had an equal impact on the decrease in pain and functional disability
Enhancing Non-symbiotic N2 Fixation in Agriculture
Authors: Roper M. M. , Gupta V. V. S. R.
Published: May 2016

Much of the demand for nitrogen (N) in cereal cropping systems is met by using N fertilisers, but the cost of production is increasing and there are also environmental concerns. This has led to a growing interest in exploring other sources of N such as biological N2fixation. Non-symbiotic N2fixation (by free-living bacteria in soils or associated with the rhizosphere) has the potential to meet some of this need especially in the lower input cropping systems worldwide. There has been considerable research on non-symbiotic N2fixation, but still there is much argument about the amount of N that can potentially be fixed by this process largely due to shortcomings of indirect measurements, however isotope-based direct methods indicate agronomically significant amounts of N2fixation both in annual crop and perennial grass systems. New molecular technologies offer opportunities to increase our understanding of N2-fixing microbial communities (many of them non-culturable) and the molecular mechanisms of non-symbiotic N2fixation. This knowledge should assist the development of new plant-diazotrophic combinations for specific environments and more sustainable exploitation of N2-fixing bacteria as inoculants for agriculture. Whilst the ultimate goal might be to introduce nitrogenase genes into significant non-leguminous crop plants, it may be more realistic in the shorter-term to better synchronise plant-microbe interactions to enhance N2fixation when the N needs of the plant are greatest. The review explores possibilities to maximise potential N inputs from non-symbiotic N2fixation through improved management practices, identification of better performing microbial strains and their successful inoculation in the field, and plant based solutions.
Editorial: The Role of Neuroimaging in the Diagnosis, Prognosis and Management of Disorders of Consciousness and Locked-in Syndrome
Authors: Pistoia Francesca , Carolei Antonio
Published: May 2016

Disorders of consciousness and locked-in syndrome are two completely different neurological conditions which share unresponsiveness or minimal responsiveness at an observable behavioral level. The key element of disorders of consciousness is the loss of self- and environmental awareness, while the main feature of locked-in syndrome is extreme motor entrapment despite preserved awareness. In both cases accurate diagnosis may come late and patients are at risk of being wrongly diagnosed and missing out on appropriate rehabilitative opportunities. Clinical assessment alone often does not suffice in establishing the correct diagnosis and prognosis. The contribution of advanced neuroimaging techniques is essential in order to properly recognize patients’ conditions and formulate a tailored rehabilitative approach. Neuroimaging findings are also crucial in identifying the neuropathological substrate of the disorders: they contribute to elucidating the dynamics of cortical-subcortical networks in disorders of consciousness and the neural correlates of recently reported non-motor symptoms in locked-in syndrome.
Disembodied Mind: Cortical Changes Following Brainstem Injury in Patients with Locked-in Syndrome
Authors: Pistoia Francesca , Cornia Riccardo , Conson Massimiliano , Gosseries Olivia , Carolei Antonio , Sacco Simona , Quattrocchi Carlo C. , Mallio Carlo A. , Iani Cristina , Mambro Debora Di , Sarà Marco
Published: May 2016

Locked-in syndrome (LIS) following ventral brainstem damage is the most severe form of motor disability. Patients are completely entrapped in an unresponsive body despite consciousness is preserved. Although the main feature of LIS is this extreme motor impairment, minor non-motor dysfunctions such as motor imagery defects and impaired emotional recognition have been reported suggesting an alteration of embodied cognition, defined as the effects that the body and its performances may have on cognitive domains. We investigated the presence of structural cortical changes in LIS, which may account for the reported cognitive dysfunctions. For this aim, magnetic resonance imaging scans were acquired in 11 patients with LIS (6 males and 5 females; mean age: 52.3±5.2SD years; mean time interval from injury to evaluation: 9±1.2SD months) and 44 healthy control subjects matching patients for age, sex and education. Freesurfer software was used to process data and to estimate cortical volumes in LIS patients as compared to healthy subjects. Results showed a selective cortical volume loss in patients involving the superior frontal gyrus, the pars opercularis and the insular cortex in the left hemisphere, and the superior and medium frontal gyrus, the pars opercularis, the insular cortex, and the superior parietal lobule in the right hemisphere. As these structures are typically associated with the mirror neuron system, which represents the neural substrate for embodied simulation processes, our results provide neuroanatomical support for potential disembodiment in LIS.
The Role of Neuroimaging Techniques in Establishing Diagnosis, Prognosis and Therapy in Disorders of Consciousness
Authors: Gosseries Olivia , Pistoia Francesca , Charland-Verville Vanessa , Carolei Antonio , Sacco Simona , Laureys Steven
Published: May 2016

Non-communicative brain damaged patients raise important clinical and scientific issues. Here, we review three major pathological disorders of consciousness: coma, the unresponsive wakefulness syndrome and the minimally conscious state. A number of clinical studies highlight the difficulty in making a correct diagnosis in patients with disorders of consciousness based only on behavioral examinations. The increasing use of neuroimaging techniques allows improving clinical characterization of these patients. Recent neuroimaging studies using positron emission tomography, functional magnetic resonance imaging, electroencephalography and transcranial magnetic stimulation can help assess diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic treatment. These techniques, using resting state, passive and active paradigms, also highlight possible dissociations between consciousness and responsiveness, and are facilitating a more accurate understanding of brain function in this challenging population.
Long-Term (Six Years) Clinical Outcome Discrimination of Patients in the Vegetative State Could be Achieved Based on the Operational Architectonics EEG Analysis: A Pilot Feasibility Study
Authors: Fingelkurts Andrew A. , Fingelkurts Alexander A. , Bagnato Sergio , Boccagni Cristina , Galardi Giuseppe
Published: May 2016

Electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings are increasingly used to evaluate patients with disorders of consciousness (DOC) or assess their prognosis outcome in the short-term perspective. However, there is a lack of information concerning the effectiveness of EEG in classifying long-term (many years) outcome in chronic DOC patients. Here we tested whether EEG operational architectonics parameters (geared towards consciousness phenomenon detection rather than neurophysiological processes) could be useful for distinguishing a very long-term (6 years) clinical outcome of DOC patients whose EEGs were registered within 3 months post-injury. The obtained results suggest that EEG recorded at third month after sustaining brain damage, may contain useful information on the long-term outcome of patients in vegetative state: it could discriminate patients who remain in a persistent vegetative state from patients who reach a minimally conscious state or even recover a full consciousness in a long-term perspective (6 years) post-injury. These findings, if confirmed in further studies, may be pivotal for long-term planning of clinical care, rehabilitative programs, medical-legal decisions concerning the patients, and policy makers.