bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quarantine versus pathogen‐reduced plasma‐coagulation factor content and rotational thromboelastometry coagulation
Authors: Theusinger Oliver M. , Goslings David , Studt Jan‐Dirk , Brand‐Staufer Brigitte , Seifert Burkhardt , Spahn Donat R. , Frey Beat M.
Published: November 2016

BACKGROUND

Different types of fresh‐frozen plasma (FFP) exist, and the concentrations of plasma proteins vary between individuals and blood groups. Furthermore, processing may also influence the content. Quarantine‐stored plasma (qFFP) and plasma that was pathogen‐reduced using blood‐safety (Intercept) technology (piFFP) were analyzed regarding procoagulant and anticoagulant hemostasis proteins, including endogenous thrombin (thrombin‐generation) potential (ETP).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty‐five samples of each type of FFP were analyzed using only male Blood Group O donors. FFP units were stored frozen for comparable periods of time before plasma protein content was assessed. Once the units were thawed, all tests were completed within 4 hours. The results are presented as means ± standard deviations or as median (minimum; maximum) and were compared using independent‐sample t tests (significance, p < 0.01).

RESULTS

Significantly higher concentrations of adintegrin‐like and metalloprotease with thrombospondin type‐13 motifs (ADAMTS13), fibrinogen, Factor (F)V, FVIII, FXIII, protein S, protein S activity, antithrombin, microvesicle (<900 nm), and α2 antiplasmin were observed in qFFP. The variability of factors was significantly lower in piFFP. Tissue factor (TF) at 1 picomolar (pM) exhibited significantly longer lag time, a lower peak, lower ETP, and a lower velocity index in qFFP compared with piFFP. In TF at 5 pM, significant differences in lag time (longer in qFFP), velocity index (lower in qFFP), and peak (lower in qFFP) were observed. Rotational thromboelastometry revealed a significantly longer (p = 0.002) clot‐formation time with intrinsic thromboelastometry for piFFP and a significantly shorter clotting time (p = 0.004) with thromboelastometry fibrinogen testing for piFFP.

CONCLUSION

Pathogen reduction reduces procoagulant and anticoagulant coagulation factors as well as variability. A thrombin‐generation assay showed no reduced ETP and no supraphysiological thrombin generation. None of the FFP preparations is likely to be effective for treating fibrinogen deficiency.
Articular cartilage scores in cranial cruciate ligament‐deficient dogs with or without bucket handle tears of the medial meniscus
Authors: Kaufman Kathryn , Beale Brian S. , Thames Howard D. , Saunders W. Brian
Published: November 2016

Objective

To compare articular cartilage scores in cranial cruciate ligament (CCL)‐deficient dogs with or without concurrent bucket handle tears (BHT) of the medial meniscus.

Study Design

Retrospective case series.

Animals

Client‐owned dogs treated with arthroscopy and tibial plateau leveling osteotomy or extracapsular repair for complete CCL rupture (290 stifles from 264 dogs).

Methods

Medical records and arthroscopic images were reviewed. Medial femoral condyle (MFC) and medial tibial plateau (MTP) cartilage was scored using the modified Outerbridge scale. Periarticular osteophytosis (PAO) and injury to the medial meniscus were recorded. Data were analyzed using Student'st‐tests, Wilcoxon rank‐sum test, and Fisher's exact test for changes in the stifle based on meniscal condition, body weight, and duration of lameness.

Results

PAO, MFC, and MTP articular cartilage scores were not significantly different in dogs with or without BHT. There were no significant differences in MFC or MTP scores when dogs were evaluated based on bodyweight and the presence or absence of a BHT. However, PAO formation was significantly increased in dogs weighing >13.6 kg and concurrent meniscal injury vs. dogs weighing <13.6 kg and concurrent meniscal injury (P < .001). Significantly more stifles with chronic lameness (40 of 89; 44.9%) had the highest PAO score of 2 reported compared to only 42 of 182 stifles (23.1%) with acute lameness (P < .001).

Conclusion

The presence of a BHT of the medial meniscus was not associated with more severe arthroscopic articular cartilage lesions in the medial joint compartment at the time of surgery.
Modified technique for common carotid artery transposition in standing horses
Authors: Tapio Heidi , Argüelles David , Gracia‐Calvo Luis A. , Raekallio Marja
Published: November 2016

Objective

To describe a modified technique for permanent translocation of the common carotid artery (CCA) to a subcutaneous position in standing horses.

Study Design

Experimental study.

Animals

Healthy adult Standardbred and Warmblood horses (n = 8).

Methods

Surgery was performed with the horses standing under sedation and with local anesthesia. A combination of previously described techniques was used modifying the approach and closure of the incision. The right CCA was approached through a linear skin incision dorsal and parallel to the jugular vein and through the brachiocephalicus and omohyoideus muscles. The artery was dissected free of its sheath and elevated to the skin incision with Penrose drains. The brachiocephalicus muscle was sutured in two layers underneath the artery leaving it in a subcutaneous position. The horses were allowed to heal for 3 weeks prior to catheterization of the artery.

Results

The transposed CCA was successfully used for repeated catheterization in six of eight horses for a period of 10 weeks. None of the horses had intraoperative complications. Two horses developed mild peri‐incisional edema that resolved spontaneously. Right‐sided laryngeal hemiplegia was observed endoscopically in two horses postoperatively. Two horses developed complications (surgical site infection and excessive periarterial fibrosis) that compromised the patency of the CCA and precluded catheterization.

Conclusion

Permanent translocation of the CCA in standing horses was successful in six out of eight horses. Upper airway endoscopy postoperatively may be warranted as laryngeal hemiplegia may ensue.
COGNITIVE SCIENCE OF RELIGION AND FOLK THEISTIC BELIEF
Authors: Lim Daniel
Published: November 2016

Cognitive scientists of religion promise to lay bare the cognitive mechanisms that generate religious beliefs in human beings. Defenders of the debunking argument believe that the cognitive mechanisms studied in this field pose a threat to folk theism. A number of influential responses to the debunking argument rely on making two sets of distinctions: (1) proximate/ultimate explanations and (2) specific/general religious beliefs. I argue, however, that such responses have drawbacks and do not make room for folk theism. I suggest that a detour through the literature in the philosophy of mind regarding the problem of mental causation regarding nonreductive physicalism can provide a way for preserving folk theism without doing violence to the way cognitive science of religion is being practiced today. More specifically, I believe there is a way of responding to the debunking argument that does not require a rejection of the causal premise.
THE HYBRIDITY OF SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE: A RESPONSE TO LEONARDO AMBASCIANO
Authors: von Stuckrad Kocku
Published: November 2016

This article responds to Leonardo Ambasciano's review of The Scientification of Religion: An Historical Study of Discursive Change, 1800–2000 by Kocku von Stuckrad. It criticizes a narrative that presents naturalism and science as the ultimate system of knowledge. Contesting this rhetoric, the article underscores the plurality and hybridity of knowledge systems, which is the main topic of the book under review.
TWO TYPES OF “EXPLAINING AWAY” ARGUMENTS IN THE COGNITIVE SCIENCE OF RELIGION
Authors: van Eyghen Hans
Published: November 2016

This article discusses “explaining away” arguments in the cognitive science of religion (CSR). I distinguish two rather different ways of explaining away religion, one where religion is shown to be incompatible with scientific findings (EA1) and one where supernatural entities are rendered superfluous by scientific explanations (EA2). After discussing possible objections to both varieties, I argue that the latter way offers better prospects for successfully explaining away religion but that some caveats must be made. In a second step, I spell out how CSR can be used to spell out an argument of the second kind. One argument (“Bias Explaining Away”) renders religion superfluous by claiming that it results from a cognitive bias and one (“Adaptationist Explaining Away”) does the same by claiming religion was (is) a useful evolutionary adaptation. I discuss some strengths and weaknesses of both arguments.
CONFESSIONS OF A LATE‐BLOOMING, “MISEDUCATED” PHILOSOPHER OF SCIENCE
Authors: Alexander Benjamin B.
Published: November 2016

This article provides a survey of Walker Percy's criticism of what Pope Benedict XVI calls “scientificity,” which entails a constriction of the dynamic interaction of faith and reason. The process can result in the diminishment of ethical considerations raised by science's impact on public policy. Beginning in the 1950s, Percy begins speculating about the negative influence of scientificity. The threat of a political regime using weapons of mass destruction is only one of several menacing developments. The desacrilization of human life from cradle to grave leads Percy to assert that modern science's impact is often radically incoherent. In The Moviegoer, Percy finds his existential and theistic voice that would enable him to advance his critique of science.
THE SCIENTIFIC ALLEGORY OF JOHN AUGUSTINE ZAHM: ZAHM'S THEOLOGICAL METHOD WITH INSIGHT FROM MARIE‐JOSEPH LAGRANGE
Authors: Moscicke Hans
Published: November 2016

Catholic modernist John Augustine Zahm is best known for his attempt to reconcile the theory of evolution with the Christian scriptures. However, Zahm's theological method—the underlying principles and procedures in his effort to reconcile faith and science—remains largely unexamined. In this article, I analyze Zahm's theological method and submit that it is an attempt to harmonize scientific knowledge and Christian scripture through a “scientific allegory” of the bible, which takes into account the human and divine meanings of scripture, the exegesis of the church fathers, and the dogmatic constitutions of the Catholic church. I compare Zahm's method with that of pioneering Catholic bible critic Marie‐Joseph Lagrange, and his conception of biblical inspiration and the supra‐literal sense of scripture. Through this historical investigation, I hope to contribute to the question of the relationship between modern science and Christian hermeneutics.
SEPARATION OF XYLOSE FROM GLUCOSE USING PILOT SCALE SPIRAL WOUND COMMERCIAL MEMBRANE
Authors: M. Roli N. Fatihah , W. Yussof Hafizuddin , M. Saufi Syed , N. Abu Seman Mazrul , W. Mohammad Abdul
Published: November 2016

Xylose is an intermediate product in xylitol production and glucose interferes in the process of separation. Thus the aim of this study is to investigate the performance of pilot scale commercial spiral wound NF membrane namely Desal-5 DK, Desal-5 DL and NF90 for separation of xylose from glucose. Separation of xylose and glucose model solutions was done in a pilot scale cross-flow system, using a commercial nanofiltration (NF) membrane with molecular weight cut off (MWCO) ranging from 150 to 1000 g/mol. The model solution consists of 1:1 ratio of xylose to glucose at 10 g/L each diluted in ultrapure water. The filtration was operated in total recycled mode at 10 bar. The sugar concentration was analyzed using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). From this study, the pure water permeability (PWPs) of the Desal-5 DK membrane was considerably higher at 6.78 ± 0.06 than PWPs of the Desal-5 DL and NF90 membranes at 1.28 ± 0.24 and 1.33 ± 0.05, respectively. The Desal-5 DK also gave the higher xylose separation factor at 1.17 as compare to Desal-5 DL (0.81) and NF90 membranes (0.84). This indicates that membrane Desal-5 DK was the most selective membrane to separate xylose form glucose. Overall, it can be concluded that the spiral wound nanofiltration membrane offers cost-effective and easy-maintenance, which has a potential in xylose-glucose separation.
STABILITY AND PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF ION-EXCHANGE MEMBRANES FOR VANADIUM REDOX FLOW BATTERY
Authors: Sha’rani Saidatul Sophia , Abouzari Lotf Ebrahim , Ahmad Arshad , Wan Ibrahim Wan Atika , El-sayed Nasef Mohamed Mahmoud , Rasit Ali Roshafima
Published: November 2016

The performance of vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB) is highly dependent on the efficiency of the membrane. Generally, anion exchange membranes and cation exchange membranes can be applied in the VRFB. In this paperwork, AMI-7001S anion exchange membrane and CMI-7000S cation exchange membranes were tested for their suitability in the VRFB application. Both of the membranes were originally used for electrocoat and water treatment system. In order to study the behavior of the membranes in the VRFB, several tests were performed. This includes VO2+ ion permeability, ionic conductivity, ion selectivity, chemical stability and single cell performance. The results obtained were compared to Nafion 117 which is a proton exchange membrane. This membrane is one of the most established membranes for VRFB. From the experiment, it can be summarized that the membranes are unsuitable to be used in VRFB. This is due to the low ion selectivity, poor chemical stability and high resistance.
IMPACTS OF HYDROPHILIC NANOFILLERS ON SEPARATION PERFORMANCE OF THIN FILM NANOCOMPOSITE REVERSE OSMOSIS MEMBRANE
Authors: Chong C. Y. , Lai G. S. , Lau W. J. , Yusof N. , Goh P. S. , Emadzadeh D.
Published: November 2016

The membrane technology is still considered a costly method to produce potable water. In view of this, RO membrane with enhanced water permeability without trade-off in salt rejection is desirable as it could further reduce the cost for water desalination. In this study, thin film nanocomposite (TFN) membranes containing 0.05 or 0.10 w/v% hydrophilic nanofillers in polyamide layer were synthesized via interfacial polymerization of piperazine and trimesoyl chloride monomers. The resultant TFN membranes were characterized and compared with a control thin film composite (TFC) membrane. Results from the filtration experiments showed that TFN membranes exhibited higher water permeability, salt rejection and fouling resistance compared to that of the TFC membrane. Excessive amount of nanofillers incorporated in the membrane PA layer however negatively affected the cross-linking in the polymer matrix, thus deteriorating the membrane salt rejection. TFN membrane containing 0.05 w/v% of nanofillers showed better performances than the TFC membrane, recording a pure water flux of 11.2 L/m2∙h, and salt rejection of 95.4%, 97.3% and 97.5% against NaCl, Na2SO4 and MgSO4, respectively.
DEACIDIFICATION OF PALM OIL USING SOLVENT EXTRACTION INTEGRATED WITH MEMBRANE TECHNOLOGY
Authors: Lai S. O. , Heng S. L. , Chong K. C. , Lau W. J.
Published: November 2016

In this work, the efficiency of crude palm oil (CPO) deacidification using solvent extraction integrated with membrane technology is studied. Different solvents including ethanol, hexane and methanol were selected to extract the palmitic acid from model fatty system in the model fatty system to solvent ratio of 1:2. Experimental results showed that ethanol was the best solvent to extract palmitic acid from the model fatty system, recording about 65.5% fatty acid reduction in the model fatty system. Three commercial solvent resistant nanofiltration (SRNF) membranes (SolSep NF010206, NF030306, and NF030705) were then selected to examine their respective performance in recovering ethanol from palmitic acid-rich ethanol solvent. The results revealed that the combination of solvent extraction and membrane technology is remarkable simple and waste-free approach to overcome major drawbacks of conventional refinery operation.
A MORPHOLOGICAL STUDY OF NICKEL OXIDE HOLLOW FIBER MEMBRANES: EFFECT OF AIR GAP & SINTERING TEMPERATURE
Authors: Mohd Zahar Mohd Izzat Iqbal , Othman Mohd Hafiz Dzarfan , A Rahman Mukhlis , Jaafar Juhana , Hubadillah Siti Khadijah
Published: November 2016

A systematic study of the air gap effects on morphology and mechanical strength of Nickel Oxide (NiO) hollow fiber membranes has been carried out. The hollow fibers were prepared using the dry-jet wet spinning process using a dope solution containing NiO/N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP)/Arlacel/Poly(ethylene sulphide) with a weight ratio of 70/22.9/0.1/7. Tap water was used as internal and external coagulants. The cross-sectional structure of precursors hollow fiber membrane was studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results showed that both inner and outer finger-like voids of the hollow membrane were determined by the air gap distance. Experimental results indicated that an increase in air gap distance, from 100 mm to 200 mm, gave a hollow fiber with a lower mechanical strength and higher percentages of cross section surface area covered by finger-like voids structures. This study also revealed that the air gap introduced an elongation stress because of gravity on the internal or external surfaces of the NiO hollow fibers. A more effective hollow fiber membrane which is in asymmetric structure instead of symmetric structure can be produced by using air gap higher than 200 mm.
FABRICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF PCL/HA/PPY COMPOSITE SCAFFOLD USING FREEZE-DRYING TECHNIQUE
Authors: Joseph Ufere Sharon Kalu , Sultana Naznin
Published: November 2016

Bone tissue regeneration and healing could be notably quickened via applying electrical stimuli in the defected area. Hence, a conductive tissue engineering scaffold that is capable of delivering the electrical stimuli is greatly desirable. In this study, electrically conductive scaffold was fabricated by using a biocompatible conductive polymer, polypyrrole (PPY) in the optimized nanocomposite scaffold of Polycaprolactone (PCL) and Hydroxyapatite (HA) using freeze–drying technique. The scaffolds were evaluated by using a number of techniques. The morphology of the scaffolds was observed and analyzed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Composite scaffolds with suitable pore size distribution were obtained by freezing the polymer solution mixture at -18ºC, by controlling the polymer and solvent phase crystallization. The results showed that the average pore sizes were decreased from 123.7μm for PCL scaffolds to 91.6μm with the incorporation of HA nanoparticles. Electrical conductivity of the scaffolds was evaluated using a digital multimeter. The wettability and porosity of the scaffolds were increased with the incorporation of Polypyrrole than Polycaprolactone scaffold. The newly fabricated PCL/HA/PPY scaffold showed good prospect to be employed for bone tissue engineering applications.
Does trans‐spinal and local DC polarization affect presynaptic inhibition and post‐activation depression?
Authors: Kaczmarek D. , Ristikankare J. , Jankowska E.
Published: November 2016

Key points

Trans‐spinal polarization was recently introduced as a means to improve deficient spinal functions. However, only a few attempts have been made to examine the mechanisms underlying DC actions. We have now examined the effects of DC on two spinal modulatory systems, presynaptic inhibition and post‐activation depression, considering whether they might weaken exaggerated spinal reflexes and enhance excessively weakened ones.

Direct current effects were evoked by using local intraspinal DC application (0.3–0.4 μA) in deeply anaesthetized rats and were compared with the effects of trans‐spinal polarization (0.8–1.0 mA).

Effects of local intraspinal DC were found to be polarity dependent, as locally applied cathodal polarization enhanced presynaptic inhibition and post‐activation depression, whereas anodal polarization weakened them. In contrast, both cathodal and anodal trans‐spinal polarization facilitated them.

The results suggest some common DC‐sensitive mechanisms of presynaptic inhibition and post‐activation depression, because both were facilitated or depressed by DC in parallel.

Direct current (DC) polarization has been demonstrated to alleviate the effects of various deficits in the operation of the central nervous system. However, the effects of trans‐spinal DC stimulation (tsDCS) have been investigated less extensively than the effects of transcranial DC stimulation, and their cellular mechanisms have not been elucidated. The main objectives of this study were, therefore, to extend our previous analysis of DC effects on the excitability of primary afferents and synaptic transmission by examining the effects of DC on two spinal modulatory feedback systems, presynaptic inhibition and post‐activation depression, in an anaesthetized rat preparation. Other objectives were to compare the effects of locally and trans‐spinally applied DC (locDC and tsDCS). Local polarization at the sites of terminal branching of afferent fibres was found to induce polarity‐dependent actions on presynaptic inhibition and post‐activation depression, as cathodal locDC enhanced them and anodal locDC depressed them. In contrast, tsDCS modulated presynaptic inhibition and post‐activation depression in a polarity‐independent fashion because both cathodal and anodal tsDCS facilitated them. The results show that the local presynaptic actions of DC might counteract both excessively strong and excessively weak monosynaptic actions of group Ia and cutaneous afferents. However, they indicate that trans‐spinally applied DC might counteract the exaggerated spinal reflexes but have an adverse effect on pathologically weakened spinal activity by additional presynaptic weakening. The results are also relevant for the analysis of the basic properties of presynaptic inhibition and post‐activation depression because they indicate that some common DC‐sensitive mechanisms contribute to them.
Compensatory axon sprouting for very slow axonal die‐back in a transgenic model of spinal muscular atrophy type III
Authors: Udina Esther , Putman Charles T. , Harris Luke R. , Tyreman Neil , Cook Victoria E. , Gordon Tessa
Published: November 2016

Key points

Smn+/− transgenic mouse is a model of the mildest form of spinal muscular atrophy.

Although there is a loss of spinal motoneurons in 11‐month‐old animals, muscular force is maintained.

This maintained muscular force is mediated by reinnervation of the denervated fibres by surviving motoneurons.

The spinal motoneurons in these animals do not show an increased susceptibility to death after nerve injury and they retain their regenerative capacity.

We conclude that the hypothesized immaturity of the neuromuscular system in this model cannot explain the loss of motoneurons by systematic die‐back.

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a common autosomal recessive disorder in humans and is the leading genetic cause of infantile death. Patients lack the SMN1 gene with the severity of the disease depending on the number of copies of the highly homologous SMN2 gene. Although motoneuron death in the Smn+/− transgenic mouse model of the mildest form of SMA, SMA type III, has been reported, we have used retrograde tracing of sciatic and femoral motoneurons in the hindlimb with recording of muscle and motor unit isometric forces to count the number of motoneurons with intact neuromuscular connections. Thereby, we investigated whether incomplete maturation of the neuromuscular system induced by survival motoneuron protein (SMN) defects is responsible for die‐back of axons relative to survival of motoneurons. First, a reduction of ∼30% of backlabelled motoneurons began relatively late, at 11 months of age, with a significant loss of 19% at 7 months. Motor axon die‐back was affirmed by motor unit number estimation. Loss of functional motor units was fully compensated by axonal sprouting to retain normal contractile force in four hindlimb muscles (three fast‐twitch and one slow‐twitch) innervated by branches of the sciatic nerve. Second, our evaluation of whether axotomy of motoneurons in the adult Smn+/− transgenic mouse increases their susceptibility to cell death demonstrated that all the motoneurons survived and they sustained their capacity to regenerate their nerve fibres. It is concluded the systematic die‐back of motoneurons that innervate both fast‐ and slow‐twitch muscle fibres is not related to immaturity of the neuromuscular system in SMA.
Resveratrol supplementation of high‐fat diet‐fed pregnant mice promotes brown and beige adipocyte development and prevents obesity in male offspring
Authors: Zou Tiande , Chen Daiwen , Yang Qiyuan , Wang Bo , Zhu Mei‐Jun , Nathanielsz Peter W. , Du Min
Published: November 2016

Key points

Maternal high‐fat diet impairs brown adipocyte function and correlates with obesity in offspring.

Maternal resveratrol administration recovers metabolic activity of offspring brown adipose tissue.

Maternal resveratrol promotes beige adipocyte development in offspring white adipose tissue.

Maternal resveratrol intervention protects offspring against high‐fat diet‐induced obesity.

Promoting beige/brite adipogenesis and thermogenic activity is considered as a promising therapeutic approach to reduce obesity and metabolic syndrome. Maternal obesity impairs offspring brown adipocyte function and correlates with obesity in offspring. We previously found that dietary resveratrol (RES) induces beige adipocyte formation in adult mice. Here, we evaluated further the effect of resveratrol supplementation of pregnant mice on offspring thermogenesis and energy expenditure. Female C57BL/6 J mice were fed a control diet (CON) or a high‐fat diet (HFD) with or without 0.2% (w/w) RES during pregnancy and lactation. Male offspring were weaned onto a HFD and maintained on this diet for 11 weeks. The offspring thermogenesis and related regulatory factors in adipose tissue were evaluated. At weaning, HFD offspring had lower thermogenesis in brown and white adipose tissues compared with CON offspring, which was recovered by maternal RES supplementation, along with the appearance of multilocular brown/beige adipocytes and elevated thermogenic gene expression. Adult offspring of RES‐treated mothers showed increased energy expenditure and insulin sensitivity when on an obesogenic diet compared with HFD offspring. The elevated metabolic activity was correlated with enhanced brown adipose function and white adipose tissue browning in HFD+RES compared with HFD offspring. In conclusion, RES supplementation of HFD‐fed dams during pregnancy and lactation promoted white adipose browning and thermogenesis in offspring at weaning accompanied by persistent beneficial effects in protecting against HFD‐induced obesity and metabolic disorders.
Treatment Efficacy for Validating MicroCT-Based Theoretical Simulation Approach in Magnetic Nanoparticle Hyperthermia for Cancer Treatment
Authors: LeBrun Alexander , Joglekar Tejashree , Bieberich Charles , Ma Ronghui , Zhu Liang
Published: November 2016

The objective is to validate a designed heating protocol in a previous study based on treatment efficacy of magnetic nanoparticle hyperthermia in prostate tumors. In vivo experiments have been performed to induce temperature elevations in implanted PC3 tumors injected with magnetic nanoparticles, following the same heating protocol designed in our previous microCT-based theoretical simulation. A tumor shrinkage study and histological analyses of tumor cell death are conducted after the heating. Tumor shrinkage is observed over a long period of 8 weeks. Histological analyses of the tumors after heating are used to evaluate whether irreversible thermal damage occurs in the entire tumor region. It has been shown that the designed 25 min heating (Arrhenius integral Ω ≥ 4 in the entire tumor) on tumor tissue is effective to cause irreversible thermal damage to PC3 tumors, while reducing the heating time to 12 min (Ω ≥ 1 in the entire tumor) results in an initial shrinkage, however, later tumor recurrence. The treated tumors with 25 min of heating disappear after only a few days. On the other hand, the tumors in the control group without heating show approximately an increase of more than 700% in volume over the 8-week observation period. In the undertreated group with 12 min of heating, its growth rate is smaller than that in the control group. In addition, results of the histological analysis suggest vast regions of apoptotic and necrotic cells, consistent with the regions of significant temperature elevations. In conclusion, this study demonstrates the importance of imaging-based design for individualized treatment planning. The success of the designed heating protocol for completely damaging PC3 tumors validates the theoretical models used in planning heating treatment in magnetic nanoparticle hyperthermia.
Electron–Phonon Coupled Heat Transfer and Thermal Response Induced by Femtosecond Laser Heating of Gold
Authors: Ji Pengfei , Zhang Yuwen
Published: November 2016

Ab initio simulation is one of the most effective theoretical tools to study the electrons evolved heat transfer process. Here, we report the use of finite-temperature density functional theory (DFT) to investigate the electron thermal excitation, electron–phonon coupled heat transfer, and the corresponding thermal response induced by energy deposition of femtosecond laser pulse in gold. The calculated results for cases with different scales of electron excitations demonstrate significant electron temperature dependence of electron heat capacity and electron–phonon coupling factor. Bond hardening of laser-irradiated gold and structural variation from solid to liquid are observed. The obtained results shed light upon the ultrafast microscopic processes of thermal energy transport from electron subsystem to lattice subsystem and serve for an improved interpretation of femtosecond laser–metal interaction.
High Reflectance of Artificial Opals and Engineering Applications
Authors: Liu Yuanbin , Qiu Jun , Liu Linhua
Published: November 2016

The artificial opals are three-dimensional photonic crystals (PCs) whose microspheres are arranged periodically in a face-centered-cubic (FCC) lattice. In this work, we investigated the reflective properties of artificial opals composed of submicron silica spheres. The finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method for electromagnetics was used to calculate the directional–hemispherical reflectance spectra of artificial opals. Factors including structural parameters, filling dielectrics, and incident light were considered to study their effect on the reflectance. It is found that the shape, value, and position of peak of the reflectance spectra can be affected by these factors. Furthermore, by analyzing the distribution and propagation of the Poynting vectors at normal incidence of P-polarization, the high reflectance of artificial opals can be attributed to the fact that reflected light from parallel crystal face generates constructive interference to strengthen the total reflected beam. As to the engineering applications, we performed a detailed analysis of the detection sensitivity of artificial opals acting as a chemical sensor. It is found that the diameter of the spheres of artificial opals has a prominent influence on the detection sensitivity which is improved with the increase in the diameter of the spheres. This work will facilitate the design, manufacture, and application of artificial opals.
Effects of Rotor Tip Blade Loading Variation on Compressor Stage Performance
Authors: Tiralap Aniwat , Tan Choon S. , Donahoo Eric , Montgomery Matthew , Cornelius Christian
Published: November 2016

Changes in loss generation associated with altering rotor tip blade loading of an embedded rotor–stator compressor stage are assessed with unsteady three-dimensional computations, complemented by control volume analyses. Tip-fore-loaded and tip-aft-loaded rotor blades are designed to provide variation in rotor tip blade loading distributions for determining a compressor design hypothesis that aft-loading a rotor blade tip yields a reduction in loss generation in a stage environment. Aft-loading a rotor blade tip delays the formation of tip leakage flow, resulting in a relatively less mixed-out tip leakage flow at the rotor outlet and a reduction in overall tip leakage mass flow, hence a lower loss generation. However, the attendant changes in tip flow angle distribution are such that there is an overall increase in the flow angle mismatch between tip flow and main flow, leading to higher loss generation. The latter outweighs the former; therefore, rotor passage loss from aft-loading a rotor tip is higher unless a constraint is imposed on tip flow angle distribution so that the associated induced loss is negligible. Tip leakage flow, which is not mixed-out at the rotor outlet, is recovered in the downstream stator. The tip leakage flow recovery process yields a higher benefit for a relatively less mixed-out tip leakage flow in the tip-aft-loaded rotor blades on a time-averaged basis. These characterizing parameters together determine the attendant overall loss associated with rotor tip leakage flow in a compressor stage environment. The revised design hypothesis is thus as follows: A rotor should be tip-aft-loaded and hub-fore-loaded while a stator should be hub-aft-loaded and tip-fore-loaded with tip/hub leakage flow angle distribution such that it results in no additional loss. For the compressor stage being assessed here, an estimated 0.15 points enhancement in stage efficiency is possible from aft-loading rotor tip only.
Failure of the Porcine Ascending Aorta: Multidirectional Experiments and a Unifying Microstructural Model
Authors: Witzenburg Colleen M. , Dhume Rohit Y. , Shah Sachin B. , Korenczuk Christopher E. , Wagner Hallie P. , Alford Patrick W. , Barocas Victor H.
Published: November 2016

The ascending thoracic aorta is poorly understood mechanically, especially its risk of dissection. To make better predictions of dissection risk, more information about the multidimensional failure behavior of the tissue is needed, and this information must be incorporated into an appropriate theoretical/computational model. Toward the creation of such a model, uniaxial, equibiaxial, peel, and shear lap tests were performed on healthy porcine ascending aorta samples. Uniaxial and equibiaxial tests showed anisotropy with greater stiffness and strength in the circumferential direction. Shear lap tests showed catastrophic failure at shear stresses (150–200 kPa) much lower than uniaxial tests (750–2500 kPa), consistent with the low peel tension (∼60 mN/mm). A novel multiscale computational model, including both prefailure and failure mechanics of the aorta, was developed. The microstructural part of the model included contributions from a collagen-reinforced elastin sheet and interlamellar connections representing fibrillin and smooth muscle. Components were represented as nonlinear fibers that failed at a critical stretch. Multiscale simulations of the different experiments were performed, and the model, appropriately specified, agreed well with all experimental data, representing a uniquely complete structure-based description of aorta mechanics. In addition, our experiments and model demonstrate the very low strength of the aorta in radial shear, suggesting an important possible mechanism for aortic dissection.
Comparison Between Two Reliable Methods for Accurate Solution of Fractional Modified Fornberg–Whitham Equation Arising in Water Waves
Authors: Gupta A. K. , Saha Ray S.
Published: November 2016

In this paper, an analytical technique is proposed to determine the exact solution of fractional order modified Fornberg–Whitham equation. Since exact solution of fractional Fornberg–Whitham equation is unknown, first integral method has been applied to determine exact solutions. The solitary wave solution of fractional modified Fornberg–Whitham equation has been attained by using first integral method. The approximate solutions of fractional modified Fornberg–Whitham equation, obtained by optimal homotopy asymptotic method (OHAM), are compared with the exact solutions obtained by the first integral method. The obtained results are presented in tables to demonstrate the efficiency of these proposed methods. The proposed schemes are quite simple, effective, and expedient for obtaining solution of fractional modified Fornberg–Whitham equation.
Numerical Analysis of Fractional Neutral Functional Differential Equations Based on Generalized Volterra-Integral Operators
Authors: Ding Xiao-Li , Nieto Juan J.
Published: November 2016

We use waveform relaxation (WR) method to solve numerically fractional neutral functional differential equations and mainly consider the convergence of the numerical method with the help of a generalized Volterra-integral operator associated with the Mittag–Leffler function. We first give some properties of the integral operator. Using the proposed properties, we establish the convergence condition of the numerical method. Finally, we provide a new way to prove the convergence of waveform relaxation method for integer-order neutral functional differential equation, which is a special case of fractional neutral functional differential equation. Compared to the existing proof in the literature, our proof is concise and original.
A Method for Compliance Modeling of Five Degree-of-Freedom Overconstrained Parallel Robotic Mechanisms With 3T2R Output Motion
Authors: Cao Wen-ao , Ding Huafeng , Yang Donghao
Published: November 2016

This paper presents an approach to compliance modeling of three-translation and two-rotation (3T2R) overconstrained parallel manipulators, especially for those with multilink and multijoint limbs. The expressions of applied wrenches (forces/torques) exerted on joints are solved with few static equilibrium equations based on screw theory. A systematic method is proposed for deriving the stiffness model of a limb with considering the couplings between the stiffness along the constrained wrench and the one along the actuated wrench based on strain energy analysis. The compliance model of a 3T2R overconstrained parallel mechanism is established based on stiffness models of limbs and the static equilibrium equation of the moving platform. Comparisons show that the compliance matrix obtained from the method is close to the one obtained from a finite-element analysis (FEA) model. The proposed method has the characteristics of involving low computational efforts and considering stiffness couplings of each limb.
Effects of Loading Mode on Brittle Fracture of X70 Pipe Girth Welds
Authors: Park Dong-Yeob , Gravel Jean-Philippe
Published: November 2016

A series of single-edge notched tension (SENT or SE(T)) and single-edge notched bend (SENB or SE(B)) testing was carried out at −15 °C using B × B specimens machined from two API X70 large diameter pipeline girth welds. An initial notch was placed either on the heat-affected zone (HAZ) or the weld metal center from the outer diameter side of pipe to simulate a circumferential surface flaw. SE(T) and SE(B) tests were performed according to the CANMET procedure and ASTM E1820, respectively. For all HAZ SE(B) specimens machined from one pipe, ductile cracks initially propagated away from the fusion line and toward the base metal side due to asymmetric deformation, and then pop-in (i.e., the initiation and arrest of a brittle crack) occurred after ductile crack growth of approximately 1 mm, where the crack reached around the intercritical heat-affected zone. HAZ SE(T) specimens also showed that the ductile crack propagation deviated toward the base metal side, but an unstable brittle crack extension was not observed from any SE(T) specimens as opposed to SE(B) specimens. None of the weld metal SE(T) and SE(B) specimens showed pop-in or brittle fracture at −15 °C or room temperature. The difference in test results, for the same material, is associated with the different constraint levels in the two loading modes, taking into account that pop-ins were triggered in high-constraint SE(B) tests, while it was not the case for low-constraint SE(T) tests.
Effect of Vortex Generators on Film Cooling Effectiveness
Authors: Sarkar S. , Ranakoti Ganesh
Published: November 2016

Film cooling is often adopted, where coolant jets are ejected to form a protective layer on the surface against the hot combustor gases. The bending of jets in crossflow results in counter rotating vortex pair (CRVP), which is a cause for high jet lift-off and poor film cooling effectiveness in the near field. There are efforts to mitigate this detrimental effect of CRVP, and thus, to improve the film cooling performance. In the present study, the effects of both downwash and upwash type of vortex generator (VG) on film cooling are numerically analyzed. A series of discrete holes on a flat plate with 35 deg streamwise orientation and connected to a common delivery plenum is used here, where the vortex generators are placed upstream of the holes. The blowing ratio and the density ratio are considered as 0.5 and 1.2, respectively, with a Reynolds number based on freestream velocity and diameter of hole being 15,885. The computations are performed by ANSYS fluent 13.0 using k–ε realizable turbulence model. The results show that vortices generated by downwash vortex generator (DWVG) counteracts the effect of CRVP preventing the jet lift-off, which results in increased effectiveness in streamwise as well as in spanwise directions. However, upwash vortex generator (UWVG) augments the effect of CRVP, resulting in poor performance of film cooling.
Development and Application of a Fast-Response Total Temperature Probe for Turbomachinery
Authors: Arenz Martin C. , Weigel Björn , Habermann Jan , Staudacher Stephan , Rose Martin G. , Berns Wolfgang , Lutum Ewald
Published: November 2016

The measurement of unsteady total temperature is of great interest for the examination of loss mechanisms in turbomachinery with respect to the improvement of the efficiency. Since conventional thermocouples are limited in frequency response, several fast-response total temperature probes have been developed over the past years. To improve the spatial resolution compared to these existing probes and maintaining a high temporal resolution, a new fast-response total temperature probe has been developed at the Institute of Aircraft Propulsion Systems (ILA), Stuttgart, Germany in cooperation with Berns Engineers, Gilching, Germany. The design of the probe allows a sensitive measuring surface below 1 mm2. A detailed insight into the design of the probe, the measurement principle, the calibration process, and an estimation of the measurement uncertainty is given in the present paper. Furthermore, to prove the functionality of the probe, first experimental results of a simple test bed and of area traverses downstream of the first rotor of a two-stage low pressure turbine are presented. It is shown, that the new probe is capable of detecting rotor characteristic effects as well as rotor-stator-interactions. In addition, a hot-spot is investigated downstream of the first rotor of the turbine, and the findings are compared to the effects known from the literature.
Heat Transfer and Flow Characteristics of Two-Pass Parallelogram Channels With Attached and Detached Transverse Ribs
Authors: Liou T. M. , Chang S. W. , Lan Y. A. , Chan S. P. , Liu Y. S.
Published: November 2016

The full-field Nusselt number (Nu) distributions and flow fields are presented, respectively, using steady-state infrared thermography (IR) and particle image velocimetry (PIV) in the two-pass parallelogram channels with attached and detached transverse ribs. These square transverse ribs on two opposite channel walls are in-line arranged with rib-height to duct-height ratio of 0.1 and rib pitch-to-height ratio of 10. For the detached ribs, the detached distance between rib and channel wall is 0.38 rib height. With the measurements of Fanning friction factor (f), the thermal performance factors (TPF) for the attached and detached-rib cases are comparatively examined. A set of Nu, f, and TPF with the associated flow measurements at the Reynolds number range of 5000 ≤ Re ≤ 20,000 is selected to disclose the differential heat transfer mechanisms and efficiencies between the attached and detached ribbed channels. Empirical correlations evaluating the area-averaged Nusselt numbers (Nu¯) and f factors are devised to assist the relevant design activities.
Optimization for Steam Turbine Cold-End System of a Nuclear Power Plant and Sensitivity Analysis
Authors: Yang Jia , Zhang Rongyong
Published: November 2016

This article conducts optimization and sensitivity analysis for the cold-end system of a nuclear power plant (NPP) with a sea water circulating system, using the minimum annual cost method by dynamic economical analysis. The following factors are taken into account for the optimization: the design of a condenser (cooling area and the parameters of cooling tubes), the scale of the cooling tower, the flow rate of circulation water, and the diameter of circulating pipes. In conclusion, the optimum scheme of the cold-end system is obtained for the double-back pressure turbine project. The variation trend of the annual cost with changing circulating water amount is also concluded. Finally, this article provides the sensitivity analysis of the feed-in tariff.
Innovative Turbine Stator Well Design Using a Kriging-Assisted Optimization Method
Authors: Pohl Julien , Thompson Harvey M. , Schlaps Ralf C. , Shahpar Shahrokh , Fico Vincenzo , Clayton Gary A.
Published: November 2016

At present, it is a common practice to expose engine components to main annulus air temperatures exceeding the thermal material limit in order to increase the overall engine performance and to minimize the engine specific fuel consumption. To prevent overheating of the materials and thus the reduction of component life, an internal flow system is required to cool and protect the critical engine parts. Previous studies have shown that the insertion of a deflector plate in turbine cavities leads to a more effective use of reduced cooling air, since the coolant is fed more effectively into the disk boundary layer. This paper describes a flexible design parameterization of an engine representative turbine stator well geometry with stationary deflector plate and its implementation within an automated design optimization process using automatic meshing and steady-state computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Special attention and effort is turned to the flexibility of the parameterization method in order to reduce the number of design variables to a minimum on the one hand, but increasing the design space flexibility and generality on the other. Finally, the optimized design is evaluated using a previously validated conjugate heat transfer method (by coupling a finite element analysis (FEA) to CFD) and compared against both the nonoptimized deflector design and a reference baseline design without a deflector plate.