bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Radial Force-Current Characteristics Analysis of Three-Pole Radial-Axial Hybrid Magnetic Bearings and Their Structure Improvement
Authors: Ju Jintao , Zhu Huangqiu
Published: September 2016

The radial stator of three-pole radial-axial hybrid magnetic bearings (HMB) has three magnetic poles and the three magnetic poles are driven by a three-phase converter, so the three-pole radial-axial HMB has the advantages of compact structure, low cost, low power consumption and so on. However, as the sum of three-phase current is zero and the three radial magnetic poles are asymmetric, the relationship between the radial suspension force and the control current is nonlinear. In this paper, firstly a mathematical model of three-pole radial-axial HMB is built based on the equivalent magnetic circuit method. The radial force-current characteristics are then analyzed based on the non-linearized model. The calculation, finite element method (FEM) and experimental results show that the suspension force on the x-axis is a quadratic function of the control current, but the suspension force on the y-axis is linear with control current. Besides, the suspension forces on the two radial axes are coupled with each other. Then, in order to decrease the nonlinearity and coupling of radial force-current characteristics, the six-pole radial-axial HMB is proposed based on the above analyses. The radial force-current characteristics of the six-pole radial-axial HMB are also analyzed based on the non-linearitzed model and are validated by 3-D FEM analysis. The calculation and FEM results have shown that the radial force-current relationship of a six-pole radial-axial HMB is linear and there is no coupling between the two radial axes.
Exergy Analysis of the Supply of Energy and Material Resources in the Swedish Society
Authors: Gong Mei , Wall Göran
Published: September 2016

Exergy is applied to the Swedish energy supply system for the period 1970–2013. Exergy flow diagrams for the systems of electricity and district heating as well as for the total supply system of energy and material resources for 2012 are presented. The share of renewable use has increased in both electricity and district heat production. The resource use is discussed in four sectors: residential and service, transportation, industry and agriculture. The resource use is also analyzed with respect to exergy efficiency and renewable share. The total exergy input of energy and material resources amounts to about 2700 PJ of which about 530 PJ was used for final consumption in 2012. The results are also compared with similar studies. Even though the share of renewable resource use has increased from 42% in 1980 to 47% in 2012, poor efficiency is still occurring in transportation, space heating, and food production. A strong dependence on fossil and nuclear fuels also implies a serious lack of sustainability. A more exergy efficient technology and a higher renewable energy share are needed in order to become a more sustainable society.
Eddy Backscatter and Counter-Rotating Gyre Anomalies of Midlatitude Ocean Dynamics
Authors: Shevchenko Igor , Berloff Pavel
Published: September 2016

This work concerns how two competing mechanisms—eddy backscatter and counter-rotating gyre anomalies—influence the midlatitude ocean dynamics, as described by the eddy-resolving quasi-geostrophic (QG) model of wind-driven gyres. We analyzed dynamical balances and effects of different eddy forcing components, as well as their dependencies on increasing vertical resolution and decreasing eddy viscosity and found that the eastward jet and its adjacent recirculation zones are maintained mostly by the eddy forcing via the eddy backscatter mechanism, whereas the time-mean eddy-forcing component plays not only direct jet-supporting but also indirect jet-inhibiting role. The latter is achieved by inducing zonally elongated anticyclonic/cyclonic Counter-rotating Gyre Anomaly (CGA) in the subpolar/subtropical gyre. The indirect effect of CGAs on the eastward jet is found to be moderate relative to the dominant eddy backscatter mechanism. We also found that the higher the vertical baroclinic mode, the weaker its backscatter role and the stronger its CGA-driving role. Although the barotropic and first baroclinic modes are the most efficient ones in maintaining the backscatter, the higher, up to the fifth baroclinic modes also have significant but reverse impact that reduces the backscatter.
Spatial Variability of PAHs and Microbial Community Structure in Surrounding Surficial Soil of Coal-Fired Power Plants in Xuzhou, China
Authors: Ma Jing , Zhang Wangyuan , Chen Yi , Zhang Shaoliang , Feng Qiyan , Hou Huping , Chen Fu
Published: September 2016

This work investigated the spatial profile and source analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in soil that surrounds coal-fired power plants in Xuzhou, China. High-throughput sequencing was employed to investigate the composition and structure of soil bacterial communities. The total concentration of 15 PAHs in the surface soils ranged from 164.87 to 3494.81 μg/kg dry weight. The spatial profile of PAHs was site-specific with a concentration of 1400.09–3494.81 μg/kg in Yaozhuang. Based on the qualitative and principal component analysis results, coal burning and vehicle emission were found to be the main sources of PAHs in the surface soils. The phylogenetic analysis revealed differences in bacterial community compositions among different sampling sites. Proteobacteria was the most abundant phylum, while Acidobacteria was the second most abundant. The orders of Campylobacterales, Desulfobacterales and Hydrogenophilales had the most significant differences in relative abundance among the sampling sites. The redundancy analysis revealed that the differences in bacterial communities could be explained by the organic matter content. They could also be explicated by the acenaphthene concentration with longer arrows. Furthermore, OTUs of Proteobacteria phylum plotted around particular samples were confirmed to have a different composition of Proteobacteria phylum among the sample sites. Evaluating the relationship between soil PAHs concentration and bacterial community composition may provide useful information for the remediation of PAH contaminated sites.
Atherogenic Index of Plasma Predicts Hyperuricemia in Rural Population: A Cross-Sectional Study from Northeast China
Authors: Chang Ye , Li Yuan , Guo Xiaofan , Guo Liang , Sun Yingxian
Published: September 2016

We aimed to determine the association of atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) with hyperuricemia (HUA) in the rural population of northeast China. This cross-sectional study was conducted in the rural areas of northeast China from January 2012 to August 2013, and the final analysis included data obtained form 5253 men and 6092 women. 1104 participants (9.7%) suffered from HUA. Spearman rank test showed that AIP was positively correlated with uric acid in both sexes (r = 0.310 for men and r = 0.347 for women, both p < 0.001). AIP was classified into three groups: the low (<0.11), the intermediate (0.11–0.21) and the increased (>0.21) risk. The prevalence of HUA increased with AIP. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that, compared to the low AIP group, participants in increased AIP group had a 2.536-fold risk for HUA (2.164-fold in male and 2.960-fold in female) after adjustment for covariates. Results of receiver operating characteristic curves showed that the area under the curve (95% confidence intervals) was 0.686 (0.665–0.707) for male and 0.730 (0.706–0.755) for female. We indicated that increased AIP was associated with higher serum uric acid levels and could be identified as an independent risk factor of HUA in the rural population of northeast China.
Perillyl Alcohol and Its Drug-Conjugated Derivatives as Potential Novel Methods of Treating Brain Metastases
Authors: Chen Thomas , Da Fonseca Clovis , Schönthal Axel
Published: September 2016

Metastasis to the central nervous system remains difficult to treat, and such patients are faced with a dismal prognosis. The blood-brain barrier (BBB), despite being partially compromised within malignant lesions in the brain, still retains much of its barrier function and prevents most chemotherapeutic agents from effectively reaching the tumor cells. Here, we review some of the recent developments aimed at overcoming this obstacle in order to more effectively deliver chemotherapeutic agents to the intracranial tumor site. These advances include intranasal delivery to achieve direct nose-to-brain transport of anticancer agents and covalent modification of existing drugs to support enhanced penetration of the BBB. In both of these areas, use of the natural product perillyl alcohol, a monoterpene with anticancer properties, contributed to promising new results, which will be discussed here.
Effects of Harbor Shape on the Induced Sedimentation; L-Type Basin
Authors: Kian Rozita , Velioglu Deniz , Yalciner Ahmet , Zaytsev Andrey
Published: September 2016

Tsunamis in shallow water zones lead to sea water level rise and fall, strong currents, forces (drag, impact, uplift, etc.), morphological changes (erosion, deposition), dynamic water pressure, as well as resonant oscillations. As a result, ground materials under the tsunami motion move, and scour/erosion/deposition patterns can be observed in the region. Ports and harbors as enclosed basins are the main examples of coastal structures that usually encounter natural hazards with small or huge damaging scales. Morphological changes are one of the important phenomena in the basins under short and long wave attack. Tsunamis as long waves lead to sedimentation in the basins, and therefore, in this study, the relation to the current pattern is noticed to determine sedimentation modes. Accordingly, we present a methodology based on the computation of the instantaneous Rouse number to investigate the tsunami motion and to calculate the respective sedimentation. This study aims to investigate the effects of the incident wave period on an L-type harbor sedimentation with a flat bathymetry using a numerical tool, NAMI DANCE, which solves non-linear shallow water equations. The results showed that the corner points on the bending part of the basin are always the critical points where water surface elevation and current velocity amplify in the exterior and interior corners, respectively.
Kinetic Study of Copper(II) Simultaneous Extraction/Stripping from Aqueous Solutions by Bulk Liquid Membranes Using Coupled Transport Mechanisms
Authors: León Loreto , León Gerardo , Senent Javier , Guzmán María
Published: September 2016

Heavy metals removal/recovery from industrial wastewater has become a prime concern for both economic and environmental reasons. This paper describes a comparative kinetic study of the removal/recovery of copper(II) from aqueous solutions by bulk liquid membrane using two types of coupled facilitated transport mechanisms and three carriers of different chemical nature: benzoylacetone, 8-hydroxyquinoline, and tri-n-octylamine. The results are analyzed by means of a kinetic model involving two consecutive irreversible first-order reactions (extraction and stripping). Rate constants and efficiencies of the extraction (k1, EE) and the stripping (k2, SE) reactions, and maximum fluxes through the membrane, were determined for the three carriers to compare their efficiency in the Cu(II) removal/recovery process. Counter-facilitated transport mechanism using benzoylacetone as carrier and protons as counterions led to higher maximum flux and higher extraction and stripping efficiencies due to the higher values of both the extraction and the stripping rate constants. Acceptable linear relationships between EE and k1, and between SE and k2, were found.
Tetranortriterpenes and Limonoids from the Roots of Aphanamixis polystachya
Authors: Lin Ching-Jie , Lo I-Wen , Lin Yu-Chi , Chen Shun-Ying , Chien Ching-Te , Kuo Yao-Haur , Hwang Tsong-Long , Liou Shorong-Shii , Shen Ya-Ching
Published: September 2016

Phytochemical investigation of the acetone extract from the roots of Aphanamixis polystachya resulted in isolation of four new tetranortriterpenes (1–4) in addition to one protolimonoid (methyl-1ξ,7R-diacetoxy-23R,25-dihydroxy-20S,24R-21,24-epoxy-3,4-seco-apotirucall-4(28),14(15)-diene-3-oate (5)), five known limonoids (rohituka 3 (6), rohituka 7 (7), nymania 1 (8), rubrin G (9), prieurianin (10)) and a steroid (2,3-dihydroxy-5-pregnan-16-one (11)). Their structures were determined by spectroscopic analyses, including 2D-NMR (COSY, HMQC, HMBC, and NOESY) and high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HRESIMS). Cytotoxic and anti-inflammatory activities of these compounds were evaluated. Compounds 4 and 5 showed significant inhibition against superoxide generation and elastase release by human neutrophils in response to (formyl-l-methionyl-l-leucyl-l-phenylalanine/cytochalasin B) (FMLP/CB).
Hepcidin is a Better Predictor of Iron Stores in Premenopausal Women than Blood Loss or Dietary Intake
Authors: Lim Karen , Booth Alison , Nowson Caryl , Szymlek-Gay Ewa , Irving David , Riddell Lynn
Published: September 2016

The relationship between dietary intake, circulating hepcidin and iron status in free-living premenopausal women has not been explored. This cross-sectional study aimed to identify dietary determinants of iron stores after accounting for blood loss and to determine whether iron intake predicts iron stores independently of hepcidin in a sample of Australian women. Three hundred thirty eight women aged 18–50 years were recruited. Total intake and food sources of iron were determined via food frequency questionnaire; the magnitude of menstrual losses was estimated by self-report; and blood donation volume was quantified using blood donation records and self-reported donation frequency. Serum samples were analysed for ferritin, hepcidin and C-reactive protein concentrations. Linear regression was used to investigate associations. Accounting for blood loss, each 1 mg/day increase in dietary iron was associated with a 3% increase in iron stores (p = 0.027); this association was not independent of hepcidin. Hepcidin was a more influential determinant of iron stores than blood loss and dietary factors combined (R2 of model including hepcidin = 0.65; R2 of model excluding hepcidin = 0.17, p for difference <0.001), and increased hepcidin diminished the positive association between iron intake and iron stores. Despite not being the biggest contributor to dietary iron intake, unprocessed meat was positively associated with iron stores, and each 10% increase in consumption was associated with a 1% increase in iron stores (p = 0.006). No other dietary factors were associated with iron stores. Interventions that reduce hepcidin production combined with dietary strategies to increase iron intake may be important means of improving iron status in women with depleted iron stores.
RETRACTED: Leyvraz et al. An Assessment of the Potential Impact of Fortification of Staples and Condiments on Micronutrient Intake of Young Children and Women of Reproductive Age in Bangladesh. Nutrients 2015, 7, 9960–9971
Authors: Leyvraz Magali , Laillou Arnaud , Rahman Sabuktagin , Ahmed Tahmeed , Rahman Ahmed , Alam Nurul , Ireen Santhia , Panagides Dora
Published: September 2016

The published paper [1] contains errors that mean that the resulting analysis is incorrect and the conclusions are no longer supported.[...]
PSO-SVM-Based Online Locomotion Mode Identification for Rehabilitation Robotic Exoskeletons
Authors: Long Yi , Du Zhi-Jiang , Wang Wei-Dong , Zhao Guang-Yu , Xu Guo-Qiang , He Long , Mao Xi-Wang , Dong Wei
Published: September 2016

Locomotion mode identification is essential for the control of a robotic rehabilitation exoskeletons. This paper proposes an online support vector machine (SVM) optimized by particle swarm optimization (PSO) to identify different locomotion modes to realize a smooth and automatic locomotion transition. A PSO algorithm is used to obtain the optimal parameters of SVM for a better overall performance. Signals measured by the foot pressure sensors integrated in the insoles of wearable shoes and the MEMS-based attitude and heading reference systems (AHRS) attached on the shoes and shanks of leg segments are fused together as the input information of SVM. Based on the chosen window whose size is 200 ms (with sampling frequency of 40 Hz), a three-layer wavelet packet analysis (WPA) is used for feature extraction, after which, the kernel principal component analysis (kPCA) is utilized to reduce the dimension of the feature set to reduce computation cost of the SVM. Since the signals are from two types of different sensors, the normalization is conducted to scale the input into the interval of [0, 1]. Five-fold cross validation is adapted to train the classifier, which prevents the classifier over-fitting. Based on the SVM model obtained offline in MATLAB, an online SVM algorithm is constructed for locomotion mode identification. Experiments are performed for different locomotion modes and experimental results show the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm with an accuracy of 96.00% ± 2.45%. To improve its accuracy, majority vote algorithm (MVA) is used for post-processing, with which the identification accuracy is better than 98.35% ± 1.65%. The proposed algorithm can be extended and employed in the field of robotic rehabilitation and assistance.
Weak and Dynamic GNSS Signal Tracking Strategies for Flight Missions in the Space Service Volume
Authors: Jing Shuai , Zhan Xingqun , Liu Baoyu , Chen Maolin
Published: September 2016

Weak-signal and high-dynamics are of two primary concerns of space navigation using GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) in the space service volume (SSV). The paper firstly defines a reference assumption third-order phase-locked loop (PLL) as the baseline of an onboard GNSS receiver, and proves the incompetence of this conventional architecture. Then an adaptive four-state Kalman filter (KF)-based algorithm is introduced to realize the optimization of loop noise bandwidth, which can adaptively regulate its filter gain according to the received signal power and line-of-sight (LOS) dynamics. To overcome the matter of losing lock in weak-signal and high-dynamic environments, an open loop tracking strategy aided by an inertial navigation system (INS) is recommended, and the traditional maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) method is modified in a non-coherent way by reconstructing the likelihood cost function. Furthermore, a typical mission with combined orbital maneuvering and non-maneuvering arcs is taken as a destination object to test the two proposed strategies. Finally, the experiment based on computer simulation identifies the effectiveness of an adaptive four-state KF-based strategy under non-maneuvering conditions and the virtue of INS-assisted methods under maneuvering conditions.
Dynamic Aberration Correction for Conformal Window of High-Speed Aircraft Using Optimized Model-Based Wavefront Sensorless Adaptive Optics
Authors: Dong Bing , Li Yan , Han Xin-li , Hu Bin
Published: September 2016

For high-speed aircraft, a conformal window is used to optimize the aerodynamic performance. However, the local shape of the conformal window leads to large amounts of dynamic aberrations varying with look angle. In this paper, deformable mirror (DM) and model-based wavefront sensorless adaptive optics (WSLAO) are used for dynamic aberration correction of an infrared remote sensor equipped with a conformal window and scanning mirror. In model-based WSLAO, aberration is captured using Lukosz mode, and we use the low spatial frequency content of the image spectral density as the metric function. Simulations show that aberrations induced by the conformal window are dominated by some low-order Lukosz modes. To optimize the dynamic correction, we can only correct dominant Lukosz modes and the image size can be minimized to reduce the time required to compute the metric function. In our experiment, a 37-channel DM is used to mimic the dynamic aberration of conformal window with scanning rate of 10 degrees per second. A 52-channel DM is used for correction. For a 128 × 128 image, the mean value of image sharpness during dynamic correction is 1.436 × 10−5 in optimized correction and is 1.427 × 10−5 in un-optimized correction. We also demonstrated that model-based WSLAO can achieve convergence two times faster than traditional stochastic parallel gradient descent (SPGD) method.
A Direct and Non-Singular UKF Approach Using Euler Angle Kinematics for Integrated Navigation Systems
Authors: Ran Changyan , Cheng Xianghong
Published: September 2016

This paper presents a direct and non-singular approach based on an unscented Kalman filter (UKF) for the integration of strapdown inertial navigation systems (SINSs) with the aid of velocity. The state vector includes velocity and Euler angles, and the system model contains Euler angle kinematics equations. The measured velocity in the body frame is used as the filter measurement. The quaternion nonlinear equality constraint is eliminated, and the cross-noise problem is overcome. The filter model is simple and easy to apply without linearization. Data fusion is performed by an UKF, which directly estimates and outputs the navigation information. There is no need to process navigation computation and error correction separately because the navigation computation is completed synchronously during the filter time updating. In addition, the singularities are avoided with the help of the dual-Euler method. The performance of the proposed approach is verified by road test data from a land vehicle equipped with an odometer aided SINS, and a singularity turntable test is conducted using three-axis turntable test data. The results show that the proposed approach can achieve higher navigation accuracy than the commonly-used indirect approach, and the singularities can be efficiently removed as the result of dual-Euler method.
The Front-End Readout as an Encoder IC for Magneto-Resistive Linear Scale Sensors
Authors: Tran Trong-Hieu , Chao Paul , Chien Ping-Chieh
Published: September 2016

This study proposes a front-end readout circuit as an encoder chip for magneto-resistance (MR) linear scales. A typical MR sensor consists of two major parts: one is its base structure, also called the magnetic scale, which is embedded with multiple grid MR electrodes, while another is an “MR reader” stage with magnets inside and moving on the rails of the base. As the stage is in motion, the magnetic interaction between the moving stage and the base causes the variation of the magneto-resistances of the grid electrodes. In this study, a front-end readout IC chip is successfully designed and realized to acquire temporally-varying resistances in electrical signals as the stage is in motions. The acquired signals are in fact sinusoids and co-sinusoids, which are further deciphered by the front-end readout circuit via newly-designed programmable gain amplifiers (PGAs) and analog-to-digital converters (ADCs). The PGA is particularly designed to amplify the signals up to full dynamic ranges and up to 1 MHz. A 12-bit successive approximation register (SAR) ADC for analog-to-digital conversion is designed with linearity performance of ±1 in the least significant bit (LSB) over the input range of 0.5–2.5 V from peak to peak. The chip was fabricated by the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) 0.35-micron complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technology for verification with a chip size of 6.61 mm2, while the power consumption is 56 mW from a 5-V power supply. The measured integral non-linearity (INL) is −0.79–0.95 LSB while the differential non-linearity (DNL) is −0.68–0.72 LSB. The effective number of bits (ENOB) of the designed ADC is validated as 10.86 for converting the input analog signal to digital counterparts. Experimental validation was conducted. A digital decoder is orchestrated to decipher the harmonic outputs from the ADC via interpolation to the position of the moving stage. It was found that the displacement measurement error is within ±15 µm for a measuring range of 10 mm.
Performance Optimization of Priority Assisted CSMA/CA Mechanism of 802.15.6 under Saturation Regime
Authors: Shakir Mustafa , Rehman Obaid , Rahim Mudassir , Alrajeh Nabil , Khan Zahoor , Khan Mahmood , Niaz Iftikhar , Javaid Nadeem
Published: September 2016

Due to the recent development in the field of Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs), the Wireless Body Area Networks (WBANs) have become a major area of interest for the developers and researchers. Human body exhibits postural mobility due to which distance variation occurs and the status of connections amongst sensors change time to time. One of the major requirements of WBAN is to prolong the network lifetime without compromising on other performance measures, i.e., delay, throughput and bandwidth efficiency. Node prioritization is one of the possible solutions to obtain optimum performance in WBAN. IEEE 802.15.6 CSMA/CA standard splits the nodes with different user priorities based on Contention Window (CW) size. Smaller CW size is assigned to higher priority nodes. This standard helps to reduce delay, however, it is not energy efficient. In this paper, we propose a hybrid node prioritization scheme based on IEEE 802.15.6 CSMA/CA to reduce energy consumption and maximize network lifetime. In this scheme, optimum performance is achieved by node prioritization based on CW size as well as power in respective user priority. Our proposed scheme reduces the average back off time for channel access due to CW based prioritization. Additionally, power based prioritization for a respective user priority helps to minimize required number of retransmissions. Furthermore, we also compare our scheme with IEEE 802.15.6 CSMA/CA standard (CW assisted node prioritization) and power assisted node prioritization under postural mobility in WBAN. Mathematical expressions are derived to determine the accurate analytical model for throughput, delay, bandwidth efficiency, energy consumption and life time for each node prioritization scheme. With the intention of analytical model validation, we have performed the simulations in OMNET++/MIXIM framework. Analytical and simulation results show that our proposed hybrid node prioritization scheme outperforms other node prioritization schemes in terms of average network delay, average throughput, average bandwidth efficiency and network lifetime.
Status of Nature Reserves in Inner Mongolia, China
Authors: Ma Wenjing , Feng Gang , Zhang Qing
Published: September 2016

Nature reserves are an important component of the strategy to halt biodiversity loss caused by habitat fragmentation and loss, climate change and other anthropogenic factors. In the past decades, 184 nature reserves were designed for biodiversity conservation in Inner Mongolia. However, no studies have quantified the general condition of these reserves. In this paper, we summarized the history, distribution and effects of human interference on these reserves in Inner Mongolia. The results showed that: (1) The total area of nature reserves is 138,047 km2 in Inner Mongolia. This constitutes 11.7% of its geographic area, which is lower than the national (14.9%), and the global average (13%). These reserves are mainly forest (68) and inland wetland (31) ecosystems. However, in terms of area, desert (40,948 km2), forest (26,141 km2) and inland wetland ecosystems (25,540 km2) are predominant; (2) nature reserves have increased rapidly in number and area since 1995, especially at the province, city, and county levels; (3) the evergreen coniferous (26.4%), wetland (20.2%) and deciduous needle-leaf forests (19.6%) were sufficiently protected according to the 2020 target of 17% set by the Convention on Biological Diversity, while the other eight natural vegetation types, i.e., evergreen broad-leaved forests (14.2%), shrubs (13.5%), meadow vegetation (12.5%), typical steppe (10.2%), open forests (8.9%), desert vegetation (6.2%), desert steppe (2.9%), and sand vegetation (1.6%) were insufficiently protected; (4) the effects of human activities on these vegetation types were different. Open forest, sand vegetation, shrub, typical steppe, meadow steppe, evergreen broad-leaved, and evergreen coniferous forest were more affected than other vegetation types. Our results indicated that a more scientific approach is needed to effectively manage nature reserves in Inner Mongolia.
Dry Sliding Wear Behavior of Spark Plasma Sintered Fe-Based Bulk Metallic Glass/Graphite Composites
Authors: Ji Xiulin , Alavi S. , Harimkar Sandip
Published: September 2016

Bulk metallic glass (BMG) and BMG-graphite composites were fabricated using spark plasma sintering at the sintering temperature of 575 °C and holding time of 15 min. The sintered composites exhibited partial crystallization and the presence of distributed porosity and graphite particles. The effect of graphite reinforcement on the tribological properties of the BMG/graphite composites was investigated using dry ball-on-disc sliding wear tests. The reinforcement of graphite resulted in a reduction in both the wear rate and the coefficient of friction as compared to monolithic BMG samples. The wear surfaces of BMG/graphite composites showed regions of localized wear loss due to microcracking and fracture, as was also the case with the regions covered with graphite-rich protective film due to smearing of pulled off graphite particles.
A Factor Analysis Approach for Clustering Patient Reported Outcomes
Authors: Thor Maria , Olsson Caroline , Skokic Viktor , Jörnsten Rebecka , Alsadius David , Pettersson Niclas , Steineck Gunnar , Deasy Joseph , Oh Jung Hun
Published: September 2016

Background: In the field of radiation oncology, the use of extensive patient reported outcomes is increasingly common to meas -ure adverse side effects after radiotherapy in cancer patients. Factor analysis has the potential to identify an optimal number of latent factors (i.e., symptom groups). However, the ultimate goal of treatment response modeling is to understand the relationship between treatment variables such as radiation dose and symptom groups resulting from FA. Hence, it is crucial to identify clinically more relevant symptom groups and improved response variables from those symptom groups for a quantitative analysis. Objectives: The goal of this study is to design a computational method for finding clinically relevant symptom groups from PROs and to test associations between symptom groups and radiation dose. Methods: We propose a novel approach where exploratory factor analysis is followed by confirmatory factor analysis to determine the relevant number of symptom groups. We also propose to use a combination of symptoms in a symptom group identified as a new response variable in linear regression analysis to investigate the relationship between the symptom group and dose-volume variables. Results: We analyzed patient-reported gastrointestinal symptom profiles from 3 datasets in prostate cancer patients treated with radiotherapy. The final structural model of each dataset was validated using the other two datasets and compared to four other existing FA methods. Our systematic EFA-CFA approach provided clinically more relevant solutions than other methods, resulting in new clinically relevant outcome variables that enabled a quantitative analysis. As a result, statistically significant correlations were found between some dose- volume variables to relevant anatomic structures and symptom groups identified by FA. Conclusions: Our proposed method can aid in the process of understanding PROs and provide a basis for improving our understanding of radiation-induced side effects.
CHANDRA OBSERVATIONS OF OUTFLOWS FROM PSR J1509–5850
Authors: Klingler Noel , Kargaltsev Oleg , Rangelov Blagoy , Pavlov George G. , Posselt Bettina , Ng C.-Y.
Published: September 2016

PSR J1509–5850 is a middle-aged pulsar with a period of P ≈ 89 ms and spin-down power of

erg s−1, at a distance of about 3.8 kpc. We report on deep Chandra X-ray Observatory observations of this pulsar and its pulsar wind nebula (PWN). In addition to the previously detected tail extending up to 7′ southwest from the pulsar (the southern outflow), the deep images reveal similarly long, faint, diffuse emission stretched toward the north (the northern outflow) and the fine structure of the compact nebula (CN) in the pulsar vicinity. The CN is resolved into two lateral tails and one axial tail pointing southwest (a morphology remarkably similar to that of the Geminga PWN), which supports the assumption that the pulsar moves toward the northeast. The luminosities of the southern and northern outflows are about

and

erg s−1, respectively. The spectra extracted from four regions of the southern outflow do not show any softening with increasing distance from the pulsar. The lack of synchrotron cooling suggests a high flow speed or in situ acceleration of particles. The spectra extracted from two regions of the northern outflow show a hint of softening with distance from the pulsar, which may indicate slower particle propagation. We speculate that the northern outflow is associated with particle leakage from the bow-shock apex into the ISM, while the southern outflow represents the tail of the shocked pulsar wind behind the moving pulsar. We estimate the physical parameters of the observed outflows and compare the J1509–5850 PWN with PWNe of other supersonically moving pulsars.
Dolutegravir Monotherapy as Treatment De-Escalation in HIV-Infected Adults with Virological Control: DoluMono Cohort Results
Authors: Oldenbuettel Celia , Wolf Eva , Ritter Ayla , Noe Sebastian , Heldwein Silke , Pascucci Rita , Wiese Carmen , Krosigk Ariane Von , Jaegel-Guedes Eva , Jaeger Hans , Balogh Annamaria , Koegl Christine , Spinner Christoph D
Published: September 2016

Background

The potential toxicity of long-term anti-retroviral therapy (ART) requires ongoing investigation of novel strategies for treatment of HIV-infected patients. Monotherapy with the integrase inhibitor (INSTI) dolutegravir (DTG) may offer a favourable safety profile. Additionally, DTG has a high barrier of resistance, crucial for successful maintenance of virological control. However, published data is sparse.

Methods

Retrospective, single-centre cohort study. We enrolled patients on suppressive ART who were switched to DTG monotherapy in routine clinical practice and fulfilled the following inclusion criteria: HIV RNA level <50 copies/ml for ≥6 months at time of switch (one blip <200 copies/ml with re-suppression accepted), no known INSTI resistance or prior INSTI failure, no replicative HBV infection and no history of AIDS.

Results

We identified 31 patients with 24-weeks of follow-up data. Previous ART included a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor, a boosted protease inhibitor or an INSTI in 32%, 6% and 61% of patients, respectively. At week 24, HIV RNA remained <50 copies/ml in all but two patients (94%). One patient chose to discontinue DTG monotherapy and another developed confirmed virological failure (HIV RNA 538 copies/ml) with new INSTI mutations (Q148H/G140S). Immune status and renal and metabolic function showed no statistically significant changes, apart from a significant decrease in gamma-glutamyl transferase.

Conclusions

De-escalating to DTG monotherapy in selected patients might be a safe and feasible option. However, in one case evolution of INSTI resistance was observed. Further studies should assess particular risk factors for DTG mono-therapy failure. In the meanwhile, caution is warranted.
Development and Alpha-testing of a Stepped Decision Aid for Patients Considering Nonsurgical Options for Knee and Hip Osteoarthritis Management
Authors: Toupin April Karine , Rader Tamara , Hawker Gillian A. , Stacey Dawn , O’Connor Annette M. , Welch Vivian , Lyddiatt Anne , McGowan Jessie , Thorne J. Carter , Bennett Carol , Pardo Pardo Jordi , Wells George A. , Tugwell Peter
Published: September 2016

Objective.

To develop an innovative stepped patient decision aid (StDA) comparing the benefits and harms of 13 nonsurgical treatment options for managing osteoarthritis (OA) and to evaluate its acceptability and effects on informed decision making.

Methods.

Guided by the Ottawa Decision Support Framework and the International Patient Decision Aid Standards, the process involved (1) developing a decision aid with evidence on 13 nonsurgical treatments from the 2012 American College of Rheumatology OA clinical practice guidelines; and (2) interviewing patients with OA and healthcare providers to test its acceptability and effects on knowledge and decisional conflict.

Results.

The StDA helped make the decision explicit, and presented evidence on 13 OA treatments clustered into 5 steps or levels according to their benefits and harms. Probabilities of benefits and harms were presented using pictograms of 100 faces formatted to allow comparisons across sets of options. It also included a values clarification exercise and knowledge test. Feedback was obtained from 49 patients and 7 healthcare providers. They found that the StDA presented evidence in a clear manner, and helped patients clarify their values and make an informed decision. Some participants found that there was too much information and others said that there was not enough on each treatment option.

Conclusion.

This innovative StDA allows patients to consider both the evidence and their values for multiple options. The findings are being used to revise and plan future evaluation. The StDA is an example of how research evidence in guidelines can be implemented in practice.
The Association of HLA-class I Genes and the Extent of Atherosclerotic Plaques in Patients with Psoriatic Disease
Authors: Eder Lihi , Abji Fatima , Rosen Cheryl F. , Chandran Vinod , Cook Richard J. , Gladman Dafna D.
Published: September 2016

Objective.

To investigate the association between HLA susceptibility and disease severity markers and the extent of atherosclerosis in patients with psoriatic disease.

Methods.

White patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and psoriasis without PsA (PsC) were recruited. An ultrasound of the carotid arteries was performed and the size of each atherosclerotic plaque was measured. The resulting score, the total plaque area (TPA), represented the extent of atherosclerosis. HLA genotyping was performed using sequence-specific oligonucleotide probes. The association between 10 HLA susceptibility and severity markers of PsC and PsA and the severity of atherosclerosis was assessed by ordinal logistic regression models adjusted for age, sex, and cardiovascular (CV) risk factors.

Results.

The study involved 411 patients (273 PsA, 138 PsC). Of them, 61.8% had at least 1 atherosclerotic plaque. HLA-B*13:02 and HLA-C*06:02 were associated with more severe atherosclerosis (age- and sex-adjusted OR 2.31, 95% CI 1.23–4.32 and OR 1.68, 95% CI 1.12–2.52, respectively). HLA-B*38:01 was associated with less severe atherosclerosis (OR 0.49, 95% CI 0.28–0.86). These associations remained statistically significant after adjusting for CV risk factors. Higher levels of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were associated with more severe atherosclerosis (age- and sex-adjusted OR 1.33, p = 0.02). HLA-B*13:02–positive (p = 0.01) as well as HLA-C*06:02–positive (p = 0.008) patients had higher levels of ESR over time.

Conclusion.

HLA-C*06:02 and B*13:02 alleles are associated with a higher burden of atherosclerosis in patients with psoriatic disease. This association may be mediated by a higher level of systemic inflammation.
Are AR shopping services valued the same way throughout Europe? A four-country Q-investigation
Authors: Gautier Stéphanie , Gauzente Claire , Aikala Maiju
Published: September 2016

La réalité augmentée permet aux consommateurs d’interagir avec un produit dans le contexte de leur choix et d’une manière personnalisée avant l’achat, créant de nouvelles affordances. Il est nécessaire d’évaluer le potentiel de cette technologie et de ses caractéristiques pour pouvoir l’intégrer de manière stratégique dans les activités de commerce en ligne et commerce mobile. Etant donné que le développement des technologies s’effectue à une échelle globale, une approche investiguant différents pays doit être privilégiée. Cet article apporte un éclairage sur la perception de la réalité augmentée dans 4 pays européens et offre un guide pour mener des études comparatives avec la méthode Q. Les résultats suggèrent que des phénomènes de divergence et de convergence sont à l’œuvre, appelant à une approche différenciée pour les différents utilisateurs européens dans le cadre du développement et de la promotion d’applications de réalité augmentée.
Grandes naves
Authors: Hidalgo Fernández-Cano Amalio
Published: September 2016

Las instalaciones de laminación correspondientes a la primera etapa son las siguientes: un gran tren desbastador, capaz de laminar hasta 1.000.000 de toneladas de lingote de acero para producir desbastes destinados a la fabricación de perfiles, carriles y productos planos; un tren estructural de tres cajas, dúo reversible, con capacidad de producción de 310.000 toneladas de productos laminados; un tren de chapa gruesa, capaz de producir hasta 600.000 toneladas de diversos espesores; un tren reversible para la laminación de banda caliente, capaz para 550.000 toneladas de diversos espesores; un tren continuo de tres cajas para laminar banda en frío, capaz de producir 300.000 toneladas anuales.
Viviendas
Authors: Hidalgo Fernández-Cano Amalio
Published: September 2016

En los terrenos denominados Llaranes, en lo que constituía el valle del río Arlos, se ha elevado el nuevo poblado de Llaranes, constituido, en su primera fase, por un conjunto de 1.082 viviendas para obreros y 48 viviendas para capataces. La superficie de estas viviendas es variable entre 80 y 100 m2, y están agrupadas en pequeños bloques rectangulares de dos y tres plantas de altura, de acusada cornisa, que dejan entre sí espacios verdes con profusión de zonas ajardinadas.
Mc Gregor Memorial, Universidad de Wayne. Estados Unidos (Dos obras de Minoru Yamasaki)
Authors: Yamasaki Asociados , Tsuchiya Harold , Wadowski Cass , Guthard Henri , Ammann & Whitney Ingenieros , Eichstedt & Johnson - Arquitectos Paisajistas
Published: September 2016

Este edificio, regalo de la fundación Mc Gregor, constituye un verdadero monumento destinado a honrar la memoria de sus fundadores. Levantado en el centro del patio de la Universidad de Wayne —Detroit, Michigan— tiene como misión servir de centro de conferencias, tanto para los propios estudiantes como para todo el municipio. A este objeto se distribuyen en él diversas salas de conferencias que pueden funcionar simultáneamente.
Hangar en voladizo - Aeropuerto de Barajas – Madrid
Authors: Cudós V.
Published: September 2016

En la nueva organización del Aeropuerto de Barajas figuraba el convertir en estacionamiento la vieja zona de edificaciones y hangares del antiguo aeródromo, zona que provisionalmente explotaba como talleres de D-C-3 y D-C-4 la Compañía Iberia.
Viviendas, en Londres
Authors: Chamberlin, Powell & Bon Arquitectos
Published: September 2016

Este conjunto residencial, previsto para albergar un total de 1.400 personas en 559 viviendas, se levanta sobre un solar de unas 3 Ha, barrido por los bombardeos de la pasada guerra y sin características especiales. Está proyectado para una densidad de población de 500 personas por hectárea.
Viviendas, en Ginebra
Authors: Bussat P. , Lamuniere J. M.
Published: September 2016

El barrio de Las Acacias goza de extraordinarias ventajas que le proporciona la zona industrial y ferroviaria de La Praille, que actualmente se está llevando a cabo. Muy recientemente han sido inaugurados diversos edificios que enriquecen el conjunto, tales como la pista de patinaje cubierta, municipal, de Vernette, nuevos cuarteles, y numerosas construcciones destinadas a viviendas, pequeños, talleres de artesanía e industria ligera.
Bloque de viviendas. Madrid
Authors: Lamela Antonio
Published: September 2016

Se trata de la edificación de dos parcelas colindantes formando un conjunto de composición exenta en la Avenida del Generalísimo de Madrid, avenida que puede y que debía haber sido una de las mejores vías de la capital de España.
Feria de Milán. Pabellón de maquinaria pesada
Authors: Covre Gino
Published: September 2016

Después de demoler el edificio destinado a las exposiciones de los adelantos y mejoras de la mecánica pesada, las autoridades Que rigen estas manifestaciones de la mecánica en Milán, Italia, se entregaron a un estudio de conjunto del problema que para ellos constituía la construcción de un pabellón que sustituyera al destruido y que, tanto por sus condiciones intrínsecas como por su aspecto estático y funcional, supliera ampliamente a su antecesor. El solar disponible constituía una amplia parcela aislada, y se pensó, en principio, en un cuerpo arquitectónico de dos plantas, una en semisótano y otra superior que constituiría la sala general de las exposiciones.
Pabellón del automóvil. Bari
Authors: Covre Gino
Published: September 2016

Se exigía que la obra debía estar terminada a mediados de agosto, condición esta última que presentaba el serio inconveniente de encontrar una Empresa responsable capaz de afrontar el riesgo de un plazo tan corto para la ejecución.
Presa Grande Dixence
Authors: Favre Denis
Published: September 2016

En el número 73 de esta revista se publicó un trabajo referente a la gestación, estudio, proyecto e instalaciones auxiliares para el arranque, clasificación y transporte de áridos. Centrales hormigoneras y Centros para albergue del personal. Dada la gran importancia de esta obra, cuyo desarrollo constructivo es campo de interés general, damos, a continuación, una idea general del estado actual en que se halla la ejecución de uno de los más ambiciosos y atrevidos de esta clase de aprovechamientos hidroeléctricos que han entrado ya en período tan avanzado que se empieza a ver el final de la primera fase para entrar en la de explotación.
Explotaciones geotérmicas, en Wairekel
Authors: Seshadri B.
Published: September 2016

En la región del distrito de Rotorua, de la Isla Norte de Nueva Zelanda, se halla una formación geológica volcánica, muy rica en emanaciones de una mezcla de vapores de agua y otras sustancias minerales que, al ser atravesado el terreno por estos vapores a presión variable, arrastran o disuelven en su camino al exterior. En este trabajo, el autor, que ha visitado estas instalaciones, hace una breve reseña de la capacidad y condiciones que esta zona ofrece para la explotación industrial de este calor geotérmico en energía eléctrica, utilizando para ello estaciones generadoras que aprovecharían el calor natural.
Palacio de deportes. Viena
Authors: Rainer R.
Published: September 2016

La idea fundamental que ha presidido la redacción de este proyecto, ha sido conseguir un conjunto municipal que permita la organización de espectáculos diversos (circo, conciertos, cine, congresos, deportes...), fiando a esta misma variedad el resultado financiero del empeño.
Cafetería Sagú. Madrid
Authors: Sánchez de León Vicente
Published: September 2016

El local de que se disponía era estrecho y muy profundo y sin posibilidades de ampliación. La casa donde se encuentra situado este local es de muros y huecos pequeños, por lo que lo primero fue el conseguir una mayor diafanidad rasgando el muro de fachada y el de separación de la segunda y tercera crujía. La barra se proyectó con la máxima longitud posible por ser el elemento comercial en este tipo de negocio, teniendo siempre presente el buen funcionamiento de la zona de público y de servicio.
El hormigón pretensado en puentes de ferrocarril
Authors: Editorial Equipo
Published: September 2016

Iniciamos hoy, y concluiremos en el próximo número, la publicación de una serie de realizaciones de puentes bajo carril, construidos en hormigón pretensado, en el ámbito universal. Sus soluciones, de gran variedad formal y técnica, lucen desde 1943, en que se construyeron los primeros puentes pretensados en Suiza, la perfección de su técnica y funcionamiento.