bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Role of Education in Mobile Livelihoods: Social and Geographical Routes of Young Nepalese Migrants in India
Authors: Valentin Karen
Published: November 2012

This article focuses on the relationship between migration and education as aspects of wider livelihood strategies among Nepalese migrants in India. It argues that physical and social mobility are inextricably linked and looks at education (both formal and informal) as a driving force in migration. Combining a broad notion of education with a transnational approach to migration, the article sheds light on the multiple and changing meanings ascribed to education in processes of physical mobility.
The reliability of the Greulich–Pyle method in bone age determination among Australian children
Authors: Paxton Mark L , Lamont Anthony C , Stillwell Andrew P
Published: November 2012

Introduction

Bone age (BA) determination in skeletally immature children has been used as a measurement of growth for many years. The Greulich–Pyle (G&P) method of estimating BA is most commonly used. The standards used within this atlas were compiled from research conducted on normal white children in the United States, during the 1930s. The applicability of G&P beyond populations similar to its own can be variable. The aim of this study was to determine the accuracy of G&P in BA determination among Australian children.

Methods and Materials

Hand X‐rays of children under the age of 18, investigated for trauma, were recruited. Mean differences between BA, according to the standards of G&P, and chronological age (CA) were compared among all patients and subgroups according to age, gender and left versus right hand.

Results

Between January and December 2010, 654 children underwent hand X‐rays, 406 of these were included (276 males and 130 females). Overall BA was 2.2 months less than CA (P‐value = 0.005). BA of males and females was estimated to be 1.5 months (P‐value = 0.142) and 3.7 months (P‐value = 0.002) less than their CA respectively. No statistically significant difference was identified with intra‐observer (P‐value = 0.846) and inter‐observer interpretations (P‐value = 0.102).

Conclusions

Our results show that the standards of G&P are an accurate means of BA determination in Australian children.
Payments for ecosystem services and the fatal attraction of win‐win solutions
Authors: Muradian R. , Arsel M. , Pellegrini L. , Adaman F. , Aguilar B. , Agarwal B. , Corbera E. , Ezzine de Blas D. , Farley J. , Froger G. , Garcia‐Frapolli E. , Gómez‐Baggethun E. , Gowdy J. , Kosoy N. , Le Coq J.F. , Leroy P. , May P. , Méral P. , Mibielli P. , Norgaard R. , Ozkaynak B. , Pascual U. , Pengue W. , Perez M. , Pesche D. , Pirard R. , Ramos‐Martin J. , Rival L. , Saenz F. , Van Hecken G. , Vatn A. , Vira B. , Urama K.
Published: November 2012

In this commentary we critically discuss the suitability of payments for ecosystem services and the most important challenges they face. While such instruments can play a role in improving environmental governance, we argue that over‐reliance on payments as win‐win solutions might lead to ineffective outcomes, similar to earlier experience with integrated conservation and development projects. Our objective is to raise awareness, particularly among policy makers and practitioners, about the limitations of such instruments and to encourage a dialogue about the policy contexts in which they might be appropriate.
Effects of grazing and fertilization on the relationship between species abundance and functional traits in an alpine meadow community on the Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Li Wei , Tian Fu‐Ping , Ren Zheng‐Wei , Huang Hai‐Zhou , Zhang Zhi‐Nan
Published: November 2012

Trait‐based approaches can provide a useful tool for linking plant attributes to community structure and ecosystem function. Seed mass and plant height play important roles in the dynamics of plant communities, but few empirical community level studies have tested this, especially in stressful environments. The aim of the present study was to determine if there is a relationship between functional traits (seed mass and plant height) and changes in species relative abundance (SRA) in response to grazing and fertilization. We measured SRA and plant functional traits for 40 common species in a Tibetan Plateau alpine meadow. In the fertilized meadow, seed mass and plant height was significantly positively correlated with the relative abundance of the species. In the grazed meadow, these variables were significantly negatively correlated. Our results demonstrates that plant functional traits can be used to predict the change of SRA in plant community. Grazing promotes the dominance of small‐seeded and short‐stature species, and fertilization facilitates the occurrence of large‐seeded and tall‐stature species.
The Treatment of Hypertension: A Remarkable Success Story
Authors: Moser Marvin , Roccella Edward J.
Published: November 2012

J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2012;00:00–00 © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

One of the most successful public health programs in the past century provides an example of what can be accomplished when the government, the private sector, academia, and community organizations work together. The results of 4 decades of activities of the National High Blood Pressure Education Program (NHBPEP) can be measured in several ways. The publics’ awareness, treatment, and control have increased remarkably. Hypertension is the primary reason adults visit physicians. Age‐adjusted mortality for heart disease and stroke has declined by 70% and 80%, respectively, since the beginning of the program. The decline in heart and stroke deaths is seen in both sexes and blacks and whites, and is particularly evident in people who reside in the southeastern portion of the United States, which once had the highest mortality rates of stroke in the United States. This dramatic decrease in strokes and heart disease has occurred despite the substantial increase in obesity and diabetes in the United States.
European guidelines for topical photodynamic therapy part 2: emerging indications – field cancerization, photorejuvenation and inflammatory/infective dermatoses
Authors: Morton C.A. , Szeimies R.‐M. , Sidoroff A. , Braathen L.R.
Published: November 2012

In addition to established indications in non‐melanoma skin cancer in immunocompetent patients, photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been studied for the treatment, and possible prevention, of superficial skin cancers in immunosuppressed patients. As a topical photosensitizer can be applied over large areas, PDT is also increasingly used for field cancerization in photodamaged skin, with evidence of potential to delay the development of actinic keratoses and basal cell carcinoma, although direct evidence of prevention of invasive squamous cell carcinoma remains limited. PDT has been studied in patch/plaque‐stage cutaneous T‐cell lymphoma, with efficacy more likely in unilesional disease. Accumulating evidence supports the use of PDT in acne and several other inflammatory/infective dermatoses including cutaneous leishmaniasis, although protocols are still to be refined. Despite proven efficacy, PDT is not widely used in viral/genital warts, where pain during treatment can be intense. PDT is a therapeutic option for photorejuvenation, with improvement in fine wrinkles, mottled hyperpigmentation, roughness and sallowness reported.
Treatment of actinomycetoma foot – our experience with ten patients
Authors: Agarwal U.S. , Besarwal R.K. , Gupta R. , Agarwal P.
Published: November 2012

Background  Mycetoma is a chronic granulomatous inflammation of the subcutaneous tissue and usually results due to traumatic implantation of soil organisms. Mycetoma can be eumycotic or acinomycotic in origin. Actinomycetoma is susceptible to a large number of chemotherapeutic agents, but the response is variable and affected by various factors such as extent of involvement, duration of disease, presence or absence of bony involvement and drugs used for treatment.

Aims and objectives  To describe our experience of various treatment regimens used for actinomycetoma.

Material and methods  It was a prospective, open label study of actinomycetoma. Ten patients who were diagnosed clinically as mycetoma were included in this study. All patients were completely evaluated and investigated including skin biopsy, Gram staining of grains and discharge, Ziehl –Nielson stain, KOH preparation, fungal and bacterial cultures and CT scan/Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), if required. Patients were treated with different treatment regimens, for example, Ramam regimen, modified Ramam regimen, Welsh regimen and its modification.

Results  Ten patients (eight males, two females) age ranging from 9 to 55 years (mean 29.6 years) were included in this study. Six patients were successfully treated with Ramam regimen, three patients were treated with our modified Welsh regimen (one of these three patients (case 7) initially failed to respond to Ramam regimen), and one patient was treated with modified Ramam regimen.

Conclusion  Ramam regimen was found to be quite effective in treating patients of actinomycetoma with only minimal bony involvement, while Welsh regimen and its modification should be used in case of severe disease due to amikacin being more sensitive than gentamicin in treating resistant organisms. Intensive phase of Modified Welsh regimen can be extended to five cycles in case of extensive bony involvement.
Prognostic factors that affect the response to topical treatment in patchy alopecia areata
Authors: Ucak H. , Cicek D. , Demir B. , Erden I. , Ozturk S.
Published: November 2012

Background  Alopecia areata (AA) is an organ‐specific, T‐cell‐mediated autoimmune disease that is characterized by non‐scarring hair loss.

Objective  We aimed to find the factors that may affect the response to topical therapy in AA.

Methods  The study included a total of 60 patients with AA and 30 healthy control patients. The AA patients were randomized into two groups. 40 patients used 0.05% clobetasol propionate cream, and 20 patients used petrolatum (placebo). Both groups applied topical treatments to their lesions twice daily for 12 weeks.

Results  The mean extent of AA was 21.88 ± 16.75% in patients with autoantibodies and 12.16 ± 13.55% in those who were negative for autoantibodies (P = 0.021). Ophiasic pattern and nail involvement were observed more frequently in patients with atopy (P < 0.05). Relapse was more frequent in patients with atopy (P = 0.002) and nail involvement (P = 0.02).

Conclusions  We observed that the presence of autoantibodies was associated with more extensive AA, and that ophiasic hair loss pattern and nail dystrophy were significantly associated with atopy. Topical clobetasol propionate treatment produced a modest advantage in hair regrowth as compared with placebo. Notably, atopic AA patients have a higher risk of relapse and redevelopment of AA after completing a course of topical corticosteroid treatment.
Postharvest Control of Rhizopus stolonifer in Peach (Prunus persicaL. Batsch) Fruits Using Salicylic Acid
Authors: Panahirad Sima , Zaare‐Nahandi Fariborz , Safaralizadeh Razieh , Alizadeh‐Salteh Saeedeh
Published: November 2012

One of the most damaging pathogenic molds in peach fruits during warehousing period is Rhizopus stolonifer that significantly reduces storage time. Salicylic acid (SA) plays different crucial functions in plant tissues. In this study, the inhibitory effect of SA treatment on the growth of R. stolonifer was evaluated in vitro and in vivo. The results obtained from in vitro experiments showed that SA significantly reduced Rhizopus growth at all concentrations and, at 5 mM, the growth was completely inhibited. In vivo experiments showed relatively high level of inhibition, though the postimmersion treatment as compared with the preimmersion treatment resulted in higher inhibitory effects. Regarding inhibitory effects of SA on controlling R. stolonifer, its application on peach fruits during postharvest period can be a promising strategy to control the growth and development of this fungus and enhancement of the warehousing time of the treated fruits.

Practical Applications

Rhizopus stolonifer with serious and significant damages to agricultural products makes it essential to develop the effective control methods of this pathogen. Today, the use of synthetic chemicals for food preservation is largely abolished, because they can be hazardous for human and animal health. Therefore, there is a huge need for natural compounds with fungicidal attributes. The results of the current study illustrated the effective performance of salicylic acid (SA), one of the known phytohormones, for controlling R. stolonifer growth in peach fruits. The application of immersion treatment inside SA solution can reduce the growth and development of the resulting diseases and also protect the fruits against the future damages of it. Furthermore, SA treatment can inhibit the growth of other pathogenic molds and reduce their injury to fruits.
Shelf‐Life Extension and Safety Concerns about Haddock (Merlangius euxinus) under High Hydrostatic Pressure
Authors: Alpas Hami , Akhan Ceyda
Published: November 2012

Haddock (Merlangius euxinus) samples were treated with high hydrostatic pressure at 200, 300 and 400 MPa, at 5, 10 and 15C for 5 and 15 min. Color (L*, a*, b* and ΔE), trimethylamine nitrogen and thiobarbituric acid were monitored. According to the results, 200 MPa, 5C for 5 min and 400 MPa, 15C for 5 min were chosen as treatment combinations for shelf‐life analysis and samples treated at these combinations were stored at 4C for 15 days. Sensory, physical, chemical and microbiological analyses were performed during refrigeration storage. According to the limitations for quality and freshness; samples pressurized at 200 MPa, 5C for 5 min and at 400 MPa, 15C for 5 min were rejected after 13 and 15 days, respectively, whereas unpressurized control samples were rejected within 5 days.

Practical Applications

High hydrostatic pressure (HHP) application is a globally known processing technique that inactivates microorganisms and preserves freshness with minimal quality degradation of foods. Here, we demonstrate the application of HHP providing safe, fresh‐tasting, nutritive, shelf‐stable fish fillets by avoiding undesired changes via thermal treatments and chemical preservatives. HHP could extend the shelf life of haddock at 4C an additional 12 days, preserving its freshness, and could purvey as an alternative commercial fish production technique in addition to traditionally existing methods like freezing, chilling or marinating.
Relationship Effort, Satisfaction, and Stability: Differences Across Union Type
Authors: Shafer Kevin , Jensen Todd M. , Larson Jeffry H.
Published: November 2012

Relationship satisfaction and stability are two commonly studied outcomes in marriage and family research. Majority of studies address socio demographic variability and differences across union type in these outcomes. We extend this literature by addressing how the amount of effort one puts into their relationship is associated with stability and satisfaction. Specifically, we focus on how effort impacts these measures of quality in four union types: premarital cohabitation, first marriage, post‐divorce cohabitation, and second marriage following divorce. Furthermore, we make union type comparisons in the strength of effort's association with satisfaction and stability. Using data from 8,006 respondents in the Relationship Evaluation Survey, our results show that effort was strongly and positively associated with satisfaction and stability in all four unions. Although effort is more strongly associated with satisfaction in first marriage than cohabiting relationships, no union type differences in the role of effort on stability were observed. Clinical and research implications of these findings are discussed.
Divisional Managers and Internal Capital Markets
Authors: DUCHIN RAN , SOSYURA DENIS
Published: November 2012

Using hand‐collected data on divisional managers at S&P 500 firms, we study their role in internal capital budgeting. Divisional managers with social connections to the CEO receive more capital. Connections to the CEO outweigh measures of managers' formal influence, such as seniority and board membership, and affect both managerial appointments and capital allocations. The effect of connections on investment efficiency depends on the tradeoff between agency and information asymmetry. Under weak governance, connections reduce investment efficiency and firm value via favoritism. Under high information asymmetry, connections increase investment efficiency and firm value via information transfer.
The Cost of Short‐Selling Liquid Securities
Authors: BANERJEE SNEHAL , GRAVELINE JEREMY J.
Published: November 2012

Standard models of liquidity argue that the higher price for a liquid security reflects the future benefits that long investors expect to receive. We show that short‐sellers can also pay a net liquidity premium if their cost to borrow the security is higher than the price premium they collect from selling it. We provide a model‐free decomposition of the price premium for liquid securities into the net premiums paid by both long investors and short‐sellers. Empirically, we find that short‐sellers were responsible for a substantial fraction of the liquidity premium for on‐the‐run Treasuries from November 1995 through July 2009.
Noisy Prices and Inference Regarding Returns
Authors: ASPAROUHOVA ELENA , BESSEMBINDER HENDRIK , KALCHEVA IVALINA
Published: November 2012

Temporary deviations of trade prices from fundamental values impart bias to estimates of mean returns to individual securities, to differences in mean returns across portfolios, and to parameters estimated in return regressions. We consider a number of corrections, and show them to be effective under reasonable assumptions. In an application to the Center for Research in Security Prices monthly returns, the corrections indicate significant biases in uncorrected return premium estimates associated with an array of firm characteristics. The bias can be large in economic terms, for example, equal to 50% or more of the corrected estimate for firm size and share price.
Between Craft and Method: Meaning and Inter‐subjectivity in Oral History Analysis
Authors: SARKAR MAHUA
Published: November 2012

Abstract

This paper has three overarching aims: to contextualise oral history within larger debates over methods in the social sciences; to highlight the peculiar strengths as well as complexities of oral history as a method; and finally to elucidate some of these methodological issues through insights drawn from analysis of oral histories of two elderly Bengali Muslim women.
Lack of evidence of hepatitis E virus infection among renal transplant recipients in a disease‐endemic area
Authors: Naik A. , Gupta N. , Goel D. , Ippagunta S. K. , Sharma R. K. , Aggarwal R.
Published: November 2012

Persistent hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection has been reported among solid‐organ transplant recipients in nonendemic areas. Such chronic infections have all been related to genotype 3 HEV, which is prevalent in these areas. Whether persistent infection occurs with genotype 1 HEV, prevalent in areas where the infection is hyperendemic, is unclear. We therefore tested sera from renal transplant recipients receiving immunosuppressive agents in India, where genotype 1 HEV infection is endemic, for alanine aminotransferase levels, and presence of IgM and IgG anti‐HEV antibodies and HEV RNA. Of the 205 subjects studied [aged 16–65 (median, 38) years, 182 male], 46 (22.4%) had abnormal ALT levels (>40 IU/mL). IgG anti‐HEV was detected in 52 (20.5%) and IgM anti‐HEV was detected in 14 (6.8%) subjects, including four who had IgG anti‐HEV; antibody positivity had no relation with serum ALT or serum creatinine. All the sera tested were negative for HEV RNA. These findings suggest that chronic infection with genotype 1 HEV is infrequent.
Heterogeneous distribution of 26Al at the birth of the solar system: Evidence from refractory grains and inclusions
Authors: KROT A. N. , MAKIDE K. , NAGASHIMA K. , HUSS G. R. , OGLIORE R. C. , CIESLA F. J. , YANG L. , HELLEBRAND E. , GAIDOS E.
Published: November 2012

Abstract–

We review recent results on O‐ and Mg‐isotope compositions of refractory grains (corundum, hibonite) and calcium, aluminum‐rich inclusions (CAIs) from unequilibrated ordinary and carbonaceous chondrites. We show that these refractory objects originated in the presence of nebular gas enriched in 16O to varying degrees relative to the standard mean ocean water value: the Δ17OSMOW value ranges from approximately −16‰ to −35‰, and recorded heterogeneous distribution of 26Al in their formation region: the inferred (26Al/27Al)0 ranges from approximately 6.5 × 10−5 to <2 × 10−6. There is no correlation between O‐ and Mg‐isotope compositions of the refractory objects: 26Al‐rich and 26Al‐poor refractory objects have similar O‐isotope compositions. We suggest that 26Al was injected into the 26Al‐poor collapsing protosolar molecular cloud core, possibly by a wind from a neighboring massive star, and was later homogenized in the protoplanetary disk by radial mixing, possibly at the canonical value of 26Al/27Al ratio (approximately 5 × 10−5). The 26Al‐rich and 26Al‐poor refractory grains and inclusions represent different generations of refractory objects, which formed prior to and during the injection and homogenization of 26Al. Thus, the duration of formation of refractory grains and CAIs cannot be inferred from their 26Al‐26Mg systematics, and the canonical (26Al/27Al)0 does not represent the initial abundance of 26Al in the solar system; instead, it may or may not represent the average abundance of 26Al in the fully formed disk. The latter depends on the formation time of CAIs with the canonical 26Al/27Al ratio relative to the timing of complete delivery of stellar 26Al to the solar system, and the degree of its subsequent homogenization in the disk. The injection of material containing 26Al resulted in no observable changes in O‐isotope composition of the solar system. Instead, the variations in O‐isotope compositions between individual CAIs indicate that O‐isotope composition of the CAI‐forming region varied, because of coexisting of 16O‐rich and 16O‐poor nebular reservoirs (gaseous and/or solid) at the birth of the solar system, or because of rapid changes in the O‐isotope compositions of these reservoirs with time, e.g., due to CO self‐shielding in the disk.
Inferring recent historic abundance from current genetic diversity
Authors: Palsbøll Per J. , Zachariah Peery M. , Olsen Morten T. , Beissinger Steven R. , Bérubé Martine
Published: November 2012

Recent historic abundance is an elusive parameter of great importance for conserving endangered species and understanding the pre‐anthropogenic state of the biosphere. The number of studies that have used population genetic theory to estimate recent historic abundance from contemporary levels of genetic diversity has grown rapidly over the last two decades. Such assessments often yield unexpectedly large estimates of historic abundance. We review the underlying theory and common practices of estimating recent historic abundance from contemporary genetic diversity, and critically evaluate the potential issues at various estimation steps. A general issue of mismatched spatio‐temporal scales between the estimation itself and the objective of the estimation emerged from our assessment; genetic diversity–based estimates of recent historic abundance represent long‐term averages, whereas the objective typically is an estimate of recent abundance for a specific population. Currently, the most promising approach to estimate the difference between recent historic and contemporary abundance requires that genetic data be collected from samples of similar spatial and temporal duration. Novel genome‐enabled inference methods may be able to utilize additional information of dense genome‐wide distributions of markers, such as of identity‐by‐descent tracts, to infer recent historic abundance from contemporary samples only.
The influence of habitat and time of day on the occurrence of odontocete vocalizations in Onslow Bay, North Carolina
Authors: Hodge Lynne E. W. , Bell Joel T. , Kumar Anurag , Read Andrew J.
Published: November 2012

To determine whether the occurrence and duration of odontocete vocal events varied by depth or time of day in Onslow Bay, North Carolina, we analyzed acoustic data collected by five underwater recorders. These recorders were deployed in July 2008 at three depths: two in shallow (64–73 m), one in medium (236 m), and two in deep (~366 m) water. We found that habitat influenced the occurrence of odontocete vocalizations, with significantly greater daily vocal activity from delphinids on recorders in deeper waters and sperm whale clicks recorded only on the medium and deep recorders. These findings suggest that a greater diversity and occurrence of animals are located in waters beyond the shelf break in this area, a conclusion supported by visual surveys. We also found an increase in the occurrence of delphinid clicks at night on the shallow and deep recorders, likely reflecting nocturnal foraging activity, and a regular nocturnal occurrence of sperm whale clicks on the medium‐depth recorder located near the shelf break, suggesting that one or more sperm whales moved into that area to feed at night. These observations improve our understanding of the occurrence and behavior of odontocetes in this region of the U.S. Atlantic seaboard.
On improving the communication between models and data
Authors: DIETZE MICHAEL C. , LEBAUER DAVID S. , KOOPER ROB
Published: November 2012

The potential for model‐data synthesis is growing in importance as we enter an era of ‘big data’, greater connectivity, and faster computation. Realizing this potential requires that the research community broaden its perspective about how and why they interact with models. We provide a review and perspective on the statistics and informatics of model‐data fusion in plant biology. Overall we promote a community‐based paradigm to model‐data synthesis and highlight some of the tools and techniques that facilitate this approach.
Nutritional screening and risk factors in elderly hospitalized patients: association to clinical outcome?
Authors: Holst Mette , Yifter‐Lindgren Elinor , Surowiak Mirek , Nielsen Kari , Mowe Morten , Carlsson Maine , Jacobsen Bent , Cederholm Tommy , Fenger‐Groen Morten , Rasmussen Henrik
Published: November 2012

The aim of this study was to test the intervalidity of three different nutrition screening tools towards a broad population of elderly hospitalized patients. The association with risk factors and mortality was investigated. This is a prospective cohort study in three medical, surgical and geriatric settings, in Denmark and Sweden. Patients >65 years were consecutively included. Patients were screened by mini‐nutritional assessment (MNA), malnutrition universal screening tool (MUST) and nutritional risk screening (NRS‐2002). Anthropometrics, cognitive test (SPMSQ), as well as a questionnaire investigation regarding eating problems and life situation, were performed. Mortality within 12 months was investigated. In total, 233 patients mean (SD) age 81(7.64) years were included. A large variation in prevalence of nutritional risk was determined between the screening tools, MNA was 68% vs. MUST, 47% and NRS 54%, p < 0.0001. An overall agreement of 67% was seen (κ 0.52–0.55). Risk factors were associated with nutritional risk, including depressive mood. Only handgrip strength, fungus in mouth, serum albumin, CRP and cognitive function were associated with mortality. Fungus had the strongest association (OR 3.7; CI 1.19–11.30). The overall mortality rate was 27% during 12 months. However, none of the three screening tools predicted 12‐month mortality. The findings show great variation in the prevalence of nutritional risk of under nutrition both between the tools and the settings. The level of agreement between the tools was moderate, and none of the three tools were capable of predicting 12‐month mortality. A functional and psychological evaluation including oral health seems recommendable in elderly patients at nutritional risk.
Endovascular Mycobacterium abscessus infection in a heart transplant recipient: a case report and review of the literature
Authors: Richey L.E. , Bahadorani J. , Mushatt D.
Published: November 2012

Nontuberculous mycobacteria are ubiquitous in the environment. Although rarely a cause of infection in immunocompetent individuals, increased risk and severity of infection are seen in patients who are immunocompromised, such as those with solid organ transplants. In this report, we describe the first case of disseminated endovascular Mycobacterium abscessus in a heart transplant recipient. A review of the literature regarding this infection in heart transplant recipients and its therapeutic options and concerns are summarized.
Delineating cost‐effective wellhead protection zones in a rural area in Greece
Authors: Siarkos I. , Latinopoulos D. , Katirtzidou M.
Published: November 2012

The aim of this study is the protection of groundwater resources from nitrate pollution by regulating land use and by establishing guidelines for agricultural activities within specific wellhead protection areas. Wellhead protection zones are specifically designed in four wells in the municipality of Nea Moudania, an area of intensive agricultural activities in northern Greece. Recent water samples from these wells indicate high levels of nitrates concentrations. Wellhead protection areas are delineated through a geographic information systems (GIS) analysis in order to determine the boundaries of protection zones, as well as to identify the land use patterns and the specific crop types around the contaminated wells. Different land use management techniques for groundwater protection zoning are also examined with respect to their implementation cost. The purpose of this analysis is to identify the least expensive management strategy for wellhead protection. The results show that land use changes are always more expensive than implementing agro‐environmental measures.
Disease Risk Surface for Coxiella burnetii Seroprevalence in White‐Tailed Deer
Authors: Kirchgessner M. S. , Dubovi E. J. , Whipps C. M.
Published: November 2012

Coxiella burnetii is considered a re‐emerging zoonosis in many countries. The bacterium is enzootic in livestock and wildlife in the United States, and environmental contamination is widespread. Despite the potential for exposure, the estimated prevalence of Q fever in humans and animals is not well elucidated, and reported human infections in the United States are relatively rare. Zoonotic transmission of the bacterium is usually associated with abortions in domestic ruminants, but other modes of transmission, such as contact with infected blood and/or milk during field dressing of infected wildlife, have not been thoroughly investigated. Studies of zoonotic pathogen transmission between animal reservoir hosts and humans are usually established in response to documented emergence or re‐emergence of a zoonosis in a particular locale, and, as such, the prevalence of infection in wildlife is largely unknown for many zoonotic pathogens, including C. burnetii. The objective of this study was to create a disease risk surface for C. burnetii seroprevalence in wild white‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in New York State. Blood samples were collected from hunter‐harvested deer from across New York State in 2009 and 2010. The samples were processed and tested for the presence of anti‐C. burnetii antibodies via indirect microimmunofluorescence assays using phase II C. burnetii strain RSA439. Overall, 14.50% of the tested white‐tailed deer were C. burnetii phase II seropositive. The dual Kernel density estimation method was used to create a smoothed disease risk surface, which revealed variation in seroprevalence ranging from 0% to 32.0%. Areas of higher seroprevalence were detected in four discrete areas of Central New York and in one additional area in the southwest corner of the northern part of the state. This suggests certain locales where humans may be at increased risk for exposure to the bacterium secondary to contact with potentially infected deer.
Simultaneous Optimal Design of the Lyapunov-Based Semi-Active Control and the Semi-Active Vibration Control Device: Inverse Lyapunov Approach
Authors: Hiramoto Kazuhiko , Matsuoka Taichi , Sunakoda Katsuaki
Published: November 2012

We address a simultaneous optimal design problem of a semi-active (SA) control law and design parameters in a semi-active control device for civil structures. The vibration control device (VCD) that is being developed by authors is used as the semi-active control device. The VCD is composed of a ball screw with a flywheel for the inertial resistance force and an electric motor with an electric circuit for the damping resistance force. A new bang–bang type semi-active control law referred to as inverse Lyapunov approach is proposed. In the inverse Lyapunov approach, the Lyapunov matrix in the bang–bang type semi-active control based on the Lyapunov function is searched so that the control performance of the semi-active control system is optimized. Design parameters to determine the Lyapunov function and those of the VCD are optimized with the genetic algorithm (GA). The effectiveness of the proposed approach is presented with simulation studies.
Nonaxisymmetric Mechanical and Thermal Stresses in FGPPM Hollow Cylinder
Authors: Jabbari M. , Meshkini M. , Eslami M. R.
Published: November 2012

In this paper, the general solution of steady-state 2D nonaxisymmetric mechanical and thermal stresses and electrical and mechanical displacements of a hollow thick cylinder made of fluid-saturated functionally graded porous piezoelectric material (FGPPM) is presented. The general form of thermal and mechanical boundary conditions is considered on the inside and outside surfaces. A direct method is used to solve the heat conduction equation and the nonhomogenous system of partial differential Navier equations, using the complex Fourier series and the power law functions method. The material properties, except Poisson's ratio, are assumed to depend on the radial variable and they are expressed as power law functions along the radial direction.
Control of Welding Residual Stress and Deformation of the Butt Welded Ultrathick Tube-Sheet: Effect of Applied Load
Authors: Jiang Wenchun , Gong J. M. , Woo Wanchuck , Wang Y. F. , Tu S. T.
Published: November 2012

Residual stresses and deformation in the butt welding of an ultrathick tube-sheet in a large scale reactor are predicted by finite element method. The effect of applied load on residual stress and deformation has been discussed. When the tube-sheet is welded without any constraint and applied load, large angular deformation is generated due to the large amount of heat input, the nonuniform temperature distribution, and shrinkage. In order to decrease the angular deformation, a heavy load is applied at both ends of tube-sheet. With the applied load increase from 5 × 104 to 45 × 104 kg, the deformation decreases but the residual stress increases. When the load is beyond 45 × 104 kg, the deformation mode is changed from angular deformation to arch deformation. An optimized load of 45 × 104 kg is determined. The zone of peak residual stress is increased as the applied load increases. Too heavy a load generates a serious constraint on deformation, which in turn leads to higher residual stress.
Investigation on Influence Factors of Mechanical Properties of Austenitic Stainless Steels for Cold Stretched Pressure Vessels
Authors: Zheng Jinyang , Miao Cunjian , Li Yaxian , Xu Ping , Ma Li , Guo Abin
Published: November 2012

Cold stretched pressure vessels from austenitic stainless steels (ASS) have been widely used all over the world for storage and transportation of cryogenic liquefied gases. Cold stretching (CS) is performed by pressurizing the finished vessels to a specific pressure to produce the required stress which in turn gives an amount of plastic deformation to withstand the pressure load. Nickel equivalent (Nieq) and preloading, which is introduced in welding procedure qualification for cold stretched pressure vessels, are considered to be important factors to mechanical behavior of ASS. During the qualification, welded joint will be preloaded considering the effect of CS on pressure vessels. After unloading, the preloaded welded joint will go through tensile test according to standard requirements. There are two kinds of preloading method. One is to apply required tensile stress σk on specimen and maintain it for a long time (stress-controlled preloading). The other is to stretch specimen to a specific strain of 9% (strain-controlled preloading). Different preloading and preloading rates may lead to differences in mechanical behavior of preloaded welded joint. In order to understand the effects of nickel equivalent, preloading and preloading rate on the mechanical behavior of ASS for cold stretched pressure vessels, a series of tests were conducted on base metal, welded joint, and preloaded welded joint of ASS EN1.4301 (equivalent to S30408 and AISI 304). As regards to the preloaded welded joint, the ultimate tensile strength (UTS) decreased as the nickel equivalent increased, while the elongation to fracture increased. It was more difficult to meet the available mechanical requirements with strain-controlled preloading case than with stress-controlled preloading case. Rates of preloading had some effect on the mechanical properties of welded joint but nearly no effect on the mechanical properties of preloaded welded joint. These results are helpful for choosing appropriate material and determining a proper preloading method for welding procedure qualification.
Effect of Injection Timing on Combustion, NOx, Particulate Matter and Soluble Organic Fraction Composition in a 2-Stroke Tier 0+ Locomotive Engine
Authors: Bohac Stanislav V. , Feiler Eric , Bradbury Ian
Published: November 2012

The effects of injection timing on combustion, NOx, PM mass and composition from a 2-stroke turbocharged Tier 0+ locomotive diesel engine are investigated in this study. Results provide insight into how injection timing affects combustion and emissions in this family of engine and identifies areas of potential future emissions reduction. For a range of injection timings at a medium load (notch 5) operating condition, the majority of PM mass is insolubles (81–89%), while the soluble component of PM (SOF) accounts for a smaller fraction (11–19%) of total PM mass. The SOF is 66–80% oil-like C22-C30+ hydrocarbons, with the remainder being fuel-like C9-C21 hydrocarbons. A heat release analysis is used to calculate mass fraction burned curves and elucidates how injection timing affects combustion. Retarding injection timing retards combustion phasing, decreases peak cylinder pressure and temperature, and increases expansion pressure and temperature. Results show that insolubles and fuel-like hydrocarbons increase, and oil-like hydrocarbons decrease with later injection timing. Analysis suggests that insolubles and fuel-like HC increase due to lower peak combustion temperature, while oil-like HC, which are distributed more widely throughout the cylinder, decrease due to higher expansion temperatures. The net result is that total PM mass increases with retarded combustion phasing, mostly due to increased insolubles. Considering the high fraction of insoluble PM (81–89%) at all injection timings tested at notch 5, steps taken to reduce PM elemental carbon should be the most effective path for future reductions in PM emissions. Further reductions in oil consumption may also reduce PM, but to a smaller extent.
An Expanded Cost of Electricity Model for Highly Flexible Power Plants
Authors: Gülen S. Can , Mazumder Indrajit
Published: November 2012

Cost of electricity (COE) is the most widely used metric to quantify the cost-performance trade-off involved in comparative analysis of competing electric power generation technologies. Unfortunately, the currently accepted formulation of COE is only applicable to comparisons of power plant options with the same annual electric generation (kilowatt-hours) and the same technology as defined by reliability, availability, and operability. Such a formulation does not introduce a big error into the COE analysis when the objective is simply to compare two or more base-loaded power plants of the same technology (e.g., natural gas fired gas turbine simple or combined cycle, coal fired conventional boiler steam turbine, etc.) and the same (or nearly the same) capacity. However, comparing even the same technology class power plants, especially highly flexible advanced gas turbine combined cycle units with cyclic duties, comprising a high number of daily starts and stops in addition to emissions-compliant low-load operation to accommodate the intermittent and uncertain load regimes of renewable power generation (mainly wind and solar) requires a significant overhaul of the basic COE formula. This paper develops an expanded COE formulation by incorporating crucial power plant operability and maintainability characteristics such as reliability, unrecoverable degradation, and maintenance factors as well as emissions into the mix. The core impact of duty cycle on the plant performance is handled via effective output and efficiency utilizing basic performance correction curves. The impact of plant start and load ramps on the effective performance parameters is included. Differences in reliability and total annual energy generation are handled via energy and capacity replacement terms. The resulting expanded formula, while rigorous in development and content, is still simple enough for most feasibility study type of applications. Sample calculations clearly reveal that inclusion (or omission) of one or more of these factors in the COE evaluation, however, can dramatically swing the answer from one extreme to the other in some cases.
Forward Blade Sweep Applied to Low-Speed Axial Fan Rotors of Controlled Vortex Design: An Overview
Authors: Vad János
Published: November 2012

An overview is given on the research maintained by the author about the design aspects of three-dimensional blade passage flow in low-speed axial flow industrial fan rotors, affected by spanwise changing design blade circulation due to controlled vortex design (CVD), blade forward sweep (FSW), and their combination. It was pointed out that, comparing the CVD method to the free vortex design, the fluid in the blade suction side boundary layer has an increased inclination to migrate radially outward, increasing the near-tip blockage and loss. It was concluded that the benefit of FSW, in terms of moderating loss near the tip, can be better utilized for the rotors of the CVD, in comparison to the free vortex design. Compared to the free vortex design, the FSW applied to the blades of the CVD was found to also be especially beneficial in loss reduction away from the endwalls, via shortening the flow paths on the suction side—in any case being elongated by the radially outward flow due to CVD—and thus, reducing the effect of wall skin friction. The necessity of correcting the swept blades was pointed out for matching with the prescribed CVD circulation distribution.
Influence of Sensor Position in Measuring Lateral Vibration Due to Vehicle Groove Wander
Authors: Mooney Michael A. , Rinehart Robert V.
Published: November 2012

The objective of the study presented in this paper was to determine the optimal sensor location to assess human discomfort during vehicle groove wander, a phenomenon whereby vehicle occupants experience uncomfortable lateral vibrations when driving over longitudinally grooved (or tined) Portland cement concrete pavement. Field testing was performed over a 4.8 km stretch of interstate highway using a vehicle known to experience vehicle groove wander. Lateral accelerations were measured during wander and nonwander driving at several sensor positions including the seat frame, seat cushion, seat back, and the passenger's head. The most effective sensor location to capture vibrations due to vehicle wander proved to be the passenger's head. The standard methods for evaluating human exposure to vehicle vibrations did not yield a reliable indication of the occurrence of wander or the discomfort it causes.
Resonance Suppression in Multi-Degree-of-Freedom Rotating Flexible Structures Using Order-Tuned Absorbers
Authors: Gozen Serif , Olson Brian J. , Shaw Steven W. , Pierre Christophe
Published: November 2012

This paper considers the dynamic response and order-tuning of vibration absorbers fitted to a rotating flexible structure under traveling wave (TW) engine order excitation. Of specific interest is the extension of previous results on the so-called no-resonance zone, that is, a region in linear tuning parameter space in which the coupled structure/absorber system does not experience resonance over all rotation speeds. The no-resonance feature was shown to exist for cyclic rotating structures with one structural and one absorber degree of freedom (DOF) per sector. This work uses a higher-fidelity structural model to investigate the effects of higher modes on the cyclically-coupled system. It is shown that the no-resonance zone is replaced by a resonance-suppression zone in which one structural mode is suppressed, but higher-order resonances still exist with the addition of the absorbers. The results are general in the sense that one vibration mode can be eliminated using a set of identically-tuned absorbers on a rotating structure with arbitrarily many DOFs per sector.
Vibro-Acoustic Design Optimization Study to Improve the Sound Pressure Level Inside the Passenger Cabin
Authors: Yuksel Erdem , Kamci Gulsen , Basdogan Ipek
Published: November 2012

The interior noise inside the passenger cabin of automobiles can be classified as structure-borne or airborne. In this study, we investigate the structure-borne noise, which is mainly caused by the vibrating panels enclosing the vehicle. Excitation coming from the engine causes the panels to vibrate at their resonance frequencies. These vibrating panels cause a change in the sound pressure level within the passenger cabin, and consequently generating an undesirable booming noise. It is critical to understand the dynamics of the vehicle, and more importantly, how it interacts with the air inside the cabin. Two methodologies were used by coupling them to predict the sound pressure level inside the passenger cabin of a commercial vehicle. The Finite Element Method (FEM) was used for the structural analysis of the vehicle, and the Boundary Element Method (BEM) was integrated with the results obtained from FEM for the acoustic analysis of the cabin. The adopted FEM-BEM approach can be utilized to predict the sound pressure level inside the passenger cabin, and also to determine the contribution of each radiating panel to the interior noise level. The design parameters of the most influential radiating panels (i.e., thickness) can then be optimized to reduce the interior noise based on the three performance metrics. A structured parametric study, based on techniques from the field of industrial design of experiments (DOE) was employed to understand the relationship between the design parameters and the performance metrics. A DOE study was performed for each metric to identify the components that have the highest contribution to the sound pressure levels inside the cabin. For each run, the vibro-acoustic analysis of the system is performed, the sound pressure levels are calculated as a function of engine speed and then the performance metrics are calculated. The highest contributors (design parameters) to each performance metric are identified and regression models are built to be used for optimization studies. Then, preliminary optimization runs are employed to improve the interior sound pressure levels by finding the optimum configurations for the panel thicknesses. Our results show that the methodology developed in this study can be effectively used for improving the design of the panels to reduce interior noise when the vibro-acoustic response is chosen as the performance criteria.