bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of the Instability Phenomena Caused by Steam in High-Pressure Turbines
Authors: Pennacchi Paolo , Vania Andrea
Published: January 2014

Instability phenomena in steam turbines may happen as a consequence of certain characteristics of the steam flow as well as of the mechanical and geometrical properties of the seals. This phenomenon can be modeled and the raise of the steam flow and pressure causes the increase of the cross coupled coefficients used to model the seal stiffness. As a consequence, the eigenvalues and eigenmodes of the mathematical model of the machine change. The real part of the eigenvalue associated with the first flexural normal mode of the turbine shaft may become positive causing the conditions for unstable vibrations. The original contribution of the paper is the application of a model-based analysis of the dynamic behavior of a large power unit, affected by steam-whirl instability phenomena. The model proposed by the authors allows studying successfully the experimental case. The threshold level of the steam flow that causes instability conditions is analyzed and used to define the stability margin of the power unit.
Distributed Absorber for Noise and Vibration Control
Authors: Azoulay Michel , Veprik Alexander , Babitsky Vladimir , Halliwell Neil
Published: January 2014

An approach to a wide-band frequency passive vibration attenuation is introduced in this paper. This aims to suppress noise and vibration of extended multimode objects like plates, panels and shells. The absorber is arranged in the form of a single-layer assembly of small inertial bodies (balls) being distributed and moulded within the light visco-elastic media (e.g. silicone resin). The absorber as a whole is embedded into object face covering the critical patches of the system surface. For the purpose of characterization, the authors introduced the complex frequency response function relating the volume velocity produced by the vibrating object surface (response) stimulated by a point-wise force (stimulus) applied to a particular point. The simulation and optimization of the main frequency characteristics has been performed using a full scale 3-dimensional Finite Element model. These revealed some new dynamic features of absorber's structures, which can contribute to vibration attenuation. A full-scale physical experimentation with synthesised absorber's structures confirmed the main results of simulation and has shown significant noise reduction over a staggering 0–20 kHz frequency band. This was achieved with a negligible weight and volume penalty due to the addition of the absorber. The results can find multiple applications in noise and vibration control of different structures. Some examples of such applications are presented.
Cognitive Impairment in Patients with Pseudotumor Cerebri Syndrome
Authors: Kharkar Siddharth , hernandez Robert , Batra Sachin , Metellus Philippe , Hillis Argye , Williams Michael A. , Rigamonti Daniele
Published: January 2014

Introduction:Patients with Pseudotumor Cerebri Syndrome (PTCS) may complain of difficulty in thinking or concentrating; however there has been little formal cognitive evaluation in this population.

Objective:To evaluate the characteristics and nature of cognitive impairment in patients with PTCS.

Methods:We retrospectively reviewed records of 10 patients diagnosed with PTCS who were cognitively tested at presentation. In each cognitive test, “Borderline deficit” (BD) was defined as a score more than 1 standard deviation (SD) below and “Definite Deficit” (DD) as a score more than 2 SD below the mean for age, sex and education. In each cognitive domain, impairment was defined as a single test score more than 2 SD below the mean, or scores of more than 1 SD below the mean for age, sex and education in > 50% of tests.

Results:Mean age of patients was 43.4 ± 13.5 years. 8/10(80%) patients were female. 3/10(30%) had papilledema; 3/10(30%) had significant cerebral venous outflow obstruction. Impairment was most commonly seen and was most severe in the WMS logical memory I (BD44%, DD44%), WMS logical memory II (BD37.5%, DD50%), RAVLT delayed recall (BD30%, DD40%) and RAVLT retention(BD40%, DD30%) tests. Evaluation of cognitive domains revealed impairment in memory and learning (80%), executive function (10%), visuospatial skills (30%), and language (30%).

Conclusion:Our results indicate that patients with PTCS can have significant cognitive impairment, particularly in learning and memory. The prevalence needs to be studied in a larger cohort. The relationship of cognitive impairment with chronically elevated intracranial pressures and its role in contributing to patient morbidity needs to be investigated further.
Consciousness: A Neurological Perspective
Authors: Cavanna Andrea E. , Shah Sachin , Eddy Clare M. , Williams Adrian , Rickards Hugh
Published: January 2014

Consciousness is a state so essentially entwined with human experience, yet so difficult to conceptually define and measure. In this article, we explore how a bidimensional model of consciousness involving both level of arousal and subjective awareness of the contents of consciousness can be used to differentiate a range of healthy and altered conscious states. These include the different sleep stages of healthy individuals and the altered states of consciousness associated with neurological conditions such as epilepsy, vegetative state and coma. In particular, we discuss how arousal and awareness are positively correlated in normal physiological states with the exception of REM sleep, while a disturbance in this relationship is characteristic of vegetative state, minimally conscious state, complex partial seizures and sleepwalking.
Validating Age-Related Functional Imaging Changes in Verbal Working Memory with Acute Stroke
Authors: Meier Timothy B. , Naing Lin , Thomas Lisa E. , Nair Veena A. , Hillis Argye E. , Prabhakaran Vivek
Published: January 2014

Functional imaging studies consistently find that older adults recruit bilateral brain regions in cognitive tasks that are strongly lateralized in younger adults, a characterization known as the Hemispheric Asymmetry Reduction in Older Adults model. While functional imaging displays what brain areas are active during tasks, it cannot demonstrate what brain regions are necessary for task performance. We used behavioral data from acute stroke patients to test the hypothesis that older adults need both hemispheres for a verbal working memory task that is predominantly left-lateralized in younger adults. Right-handed younger (age ≥ 50,n= 7) and older adults (age > 50,n= 21) with acute unilateral stroke, as well as younger (n= 6) and older (n= 13) transient ischemic attack (TIA) patients, performed a self-paced verbal item-recognition task. Older patients with stroke to either hemisphere had a higher frequency of deficits in the verbal working memory task compared to older TIA patients. Additionally, the deficits in older stroke patients were mainly in retrieval time while the deficits in younger stroke patients were mainly in accuracy. These data suggest that bihemispheric activity is necessary for older adults to successfully perform a verbal working memory task.
The Influence of Soil Parameters on the Impulse and Airblast Overpressure Loading above Surface-Laid and Shallow-Buried Explosives
Authors: Ehrgott Jr. John Q. , Akers Stephen A. , Windham Jon E. , Rickman Denis D. , Danielson Kent T.
Published: January 2014

The dynamic airblast, fragmentation, and soil ejecta loading environments produced by the detonation of surface-laid and shallow-buried mines are major threats to lightweight military vehicles. During the past several years, the US Army has focused considerable attention on developing improved methods for predicting the below-vehicle environment from these threats for use by vehicle/armor analysts; thereby, improving the survivability of these platforms. The US Army Engineer Research and Development Center recently completed the first year of a three-year effort to experimentally and numerically quantify the blast and fragment loading environments on vehicles due to surface and subsurface mine and IED detonations. As part of this research effort, a series of experiments was conducted to quantify the effects of soil parameters on the aboveground blast environments produced by the detonation of aboveground bottom-surface-tangent, buried top-surface-tangent, and shallow-buried 2.3-kg (5-lb) Composition C4 charges. The experiments were conducted using three different well characterized soils; 10.8% air-filled-voids (AFV) silty sand, 5.4% AFV clay, and 29.8% AFV poorly graded sand. The combined aboveground loads due to airblast and soil debris were measured by an impulse measurement device. The near-surface airblast overpressure was quantified by a series of side-on measurements above the charges at one elevation and three radial distances. This paper summarizes and compares the results of the experimental program with emphasis on defining the effect of soil parameters on the aboveground blast environment.
Identification of Flap Motion Parameters for Vibration Reduction in Helicopter Rotors with Multiple Active Trailing Edge Flaps
Authors: Dalli Uğbreve;ur , Yüksel Şcedilefaatdin
Published: January 2014

An active control method utilizing the multiple trailing edge flap configuration for rotorcraft vibration suppression and blade loads control is presented. A comprehensive model for rotor blade with active trailing edge flaps is used to calculate the vibration characteristics, natural frequencies and mode shapes of any complex composite helicopter rotor blade. A computer program is developed to calculate the system response, rotor blade root forces and moments under aerodynamic forcing conditions. Rotor blade system response is calculated using the proposed solution method and the developed program depending on any structural and aerodynamic properties of rotor blades, structural properties of trailing edge flaps and properties of trailing edge flap actuator inputs. Rotor blade loads are determined first on a nominal rotor blade without multiple active trailing edge flaps and then the effects of the active flap motions on the existing rotor blade loads are investigated. Multiple active trailing edge flaps are controlled by using open loop controllers to identify the effects of the actuator signal output properties such as frequency, amplitude and phase on the system response. Effects of using multiple trailing edge flaps on controlling rotor blade vibrations are investigated and some design criteria are determined for the design of trailing edge flap controller that will provide actuator signal outputs to minimize the rotor blade root loads. It is calculated that using the developed active trailing edge rotor blade model, helicopter rotor blade vibrations can be reduced up to 36% of the nominal rotor blade vibrations.
The Executive Control of Face Memory
Authors: Rapcsak Steven Z. , Edmonds Emily C.
Published: January 2014

Patients with frontal lobe damage and cognitively normal elderly individuals demonstrate increased susceptibility to false facial recognition. In this paper we review neuropsychological evidence consistent with the notion that the common functional impairment underlying face memory distortions in both subject populations is a context recollection/source monitoring deficit, coupled with excessive reliance on relatively preserved facial familiarity signals in recognition decisions. In particular, we suggest that due to the breakdown of strategic memory retrieval, monitoring, and decision operations, individuals with frontal lobe impairment caused by focal damage or age-related functional decline do not have a reliable mechanism for attributing the experience of familiarity to the correct context or source. Memory illusions are mostly apparent under conditions of uncertainty when the face cue does not directly elicit relevant identity-specific contextual information, leaving the source of familiarity unspecified or ambiguous. Based on these findings, we propose that remembering faces is a constructive process that requires dynamic interactions between temporal lobe memory systems that operate in an automatic or bottom-up fashion and frontal executive systems that provide strategic top-down control of recollection. Executive memory control functions implemented by prefrontal cortex play a critical role in suppressing false facial recognition and related source memory misattributions.
Experimental and Computational Study of Acceleration Response in Layered Cylindrical Structure Considering Impedance Mismatch Effect
Authors: Sueki Sachiko , Ladkany Samaan G. , O’Toole Brendan J.
Published: January 2014

Electronic devices, especially those having high performance capabilities, are sensitive to mechanical shocks and vibrations. Failure of such devices in smart projectiles caused by vibrations has been observed. The currently accepted methodology to protect electronic devices in smart projectiles is use of stiffeners and dampers. However these methods are not effective in protecting the electronic devices from high frequency accelerations in excess of 5,000 Hz. Therefore, it is important to find more effective methods to reduce high frequency vibrations for smart projectiles. In this study, layered cylindrical structures are studied experimentally and computationally to understand the effect of impedance mismatch in axial acceleration response under an impact loading. Experiments are conducted by applying impact forces at one end of cylindrical structures and measuring accelerations at the other end. Experimental results suggest that high frequency accelerations in layered structures could be less compared to those in homogeneous cylinders if a returning wave from the end of the projectile does not interfere with the applied impact force. Computational studies using finite element analysis (FEA) verified the experimental results of our interference hypothesis.
Degradation Assessment and Fault Diagnosis for Roller Bearing Based on AR Model and Fuzzy Cluster Analysis
Authors: Jiang Lingli , Liu Yilun , Li Xuejun , Chen Anhua
Published: January 2014

This paper proposes a new approach combining autoregressive (AR) model and fuzzy cluster analysis for bearing fault diagnosis and degradation assessment. AR model is an effective approach to extract the fault feature, and is generally applied to stationary signals. However, the fault vibration signals of a roller bearing are non-stationary and non-Gaussian. Aiming at this problem, the set of parameters of the AR model is estimated based on higher-order cumulants. Consequently, the AR parameters are taken as the feature vectors, and fuzzy cluster analysis is applied to perform classification and pattern recognition. Experiments analysis results show that the proposed method can be used to identify various types and severities of fault bearings. This study is significant for non-stationary and non-Gaussian signal analysis, fault diagnosis and degradation assessment.
Unified Formulation Applied to Free Vibrations Finite Element Analysis of Beams with Arbitrary Section
Authors: Carrera E. , Petrolo M. , Nali P.
Published: January 2014

This paper presents hierarchical finite elements on the basis of the Carrera Unified Formulation for free vibrations analysis of beam with arbitrary section geometries. The displacement components are expanded in terms of the section coordinates, (x, y), using a set of 1-D generalized displacement variables. N-order Taylor type expansions are employed. N is a free parameter of the formulation, it is supposed to be as high as 4. Linear (2 nodes), quadratic (3 nodes) and cubic (4 nodes) approximations along the beam axis, (z), are introduced to develop finite element matrices. These are obtained in terms of a few fundamental nuclei whose form is independent of both N and the number of element nodes. Natural frequencies and vibration modes are computed. Convergence and assessment with available results is first made considering different type of beam elements and expansion orders. Additional analyses consider different beam sections (square, annular and airfoil shaped) as well as boundary conditions (simply supported and cantilever beams). It has mainly been concluded that the proposed model is capable of detecting 3-D effects on the vibration modes as well as predicting shell-type vibration modes in case of thin walled beam sections.
Free Vibration Analysis of Composite Plates via Refined Theories Accounting for Uncertainties
Authors: Giunta G. , Carrera E. , Belouettar S.
Published: January 2014

The free vibration analysis of composite thin and relatively thick plates accounting for uncertainty is addressed in this work. Classical and refined two-dimensional models derived via Carrera's Unified Formulation (CUF) are considered. Material properties and geometrical parameters are supposed to be random. The fundamental frequency related to the first bending eigenmode is stochastically described in terms of the mean value, the standard deviation, the related confidence intervals and the cumulative distribution function. The Monte Carlo Method is employed to account for uncertainty. Cross-ply, simply supported, orthotropic plates are accounted for. Symmetric and anti-symmetric lay-ups are investigated. Displacements based and mixed two-dimensional theories are adopted. Equivalent single layer and layer wise approaches are considered. A Navier type solution is assumed. The conducted analyses have shown that for the considered cases, the fundamental natural frequency is not very sensitive to the uncertainty in the material parameters, while uncertainty in the geometrical parameters should be accounted for. In the case of thin plates, all the considered models yield statistically matching results. For relatively thick plates, the difference in the mean value of the natural frequency is due to the different number of degrees of freedom in the model.
Analysis of Dynamic Characteristics for a Rotor System with Pedestal Looseness
Authors: Ma Hui , Zhao Xueyan , Teng Yunnan , Wen Bangchun
Published: January 2014

This paper presents a finite element model of a rotor system with pedestal looseness stemming from a loosened bolt and analyzes the effects of the looseness parameters on its dynamic characteristics. When the displacement of the pedestal is less than or equal to the looseness clearance, the motion of the rotor varies from period-one through period-two and period-three to period-five with the decreasing of stiffness of the non-loosened bolts. The similar bifurcation phenomenon can be also observed during the increasing process of the rotational speed. But the rotor motion is from period-six through period-three to period-four with the decreasing of the foundation stiffness. When the stiffness of the foundation is small and the displacement of pedestal is greater than the looseness clearance, the response of the rotor exhibits period-one and high order harmonic components with the decreasing of looseness clearance, such as 2X, 3X etc. However, when the stiffness of the foundation is great, the spectrum of the response of the rotor will be from combined frequency components to the continuous spectrum with the decreasing of the looseness clearance.
Multidisciplinary Assessment and Diagnosis of Conversion Disorder in a Patient with Foreign Accent Syndrome
Authors: Jones Harrison N. , Story Tyler J. , Collins Timothy A. , DeJoy Daniel , Edwards Christopher L.
Published: January 2014

Multiple reports have described patients with disordered articulation and prosody, often following acute aphasia, dysarthria, or apraxia of speech, which results in the perception by listeners of a foreign-like accent. These features led to the term foreign accent syndrome (FAS), a speech disorder with perceptual features that suggest an indistinct, non-native speaking accent. Also correctly known as psuedoforeign accent, the speech does not typically match a specific foreign accent, but is rather a constellation of speech features that result in the perception of a foreign accent by listeners. The primary etiologies of FAS are cerebrovascular accidents or traumatic brain injuries which affect cortical and subcortical regions critical to expressive speech and language production. Far fewer cases of FAS associated with psychiatric conditions have been reported. We will present the clinical history, neurological examination, neuropsychological assessment, cognitive-behavioral and biofeedback assessments, and motor speech examination of a patient with FAS without a known vascular, traumatic, or infectious precipitant. Repeated multidisciplinary examinations of this patient provided convergent evidence in support of FAS secondary to conversion disorder. We discuss these findings and their implications for evaluation and treatment of rare neurological and psychiatric conditions.
Nonlinear Dynamic Analysis of an Inclined Timoshenko Beam Subjected to a Moving Mass/Force with Beam’s Weight Included
Authors: Mamandi Ahmad , Kargarnovin Mohammad H.
Published: January 2014

In this study, the nonlinear vibrations analysis of an inclined pinned-pinned self-weight Timoshenko beam made of linear, homogenous and isotropic material with a constant cross section and finite length subjected to a traveling mass/force with constant velocity is investigated. The nonlinear coupled partial differential equations of motion for the rotation of warped cross section, longitudinal and transverse displacements are derived using the Hamilton's principle. These nonlinear coupled PDEs are solved by applying the Galerkin's method to obtain dynamic responses of the beam. The dynamic magnification factor and normalized time histories of mid-point of the beam are obtained for various load velocity ratios and the outcome results have been compared to the results with those obtained from linear solution. The influence of the large deflections caused by a stretching effect due to the beam's fixed ends is captured. It was seen that existence of quadratic-cubic nonlinear terms in the nonlinear governing coupled PDEs of motion causes stiffening (hardening) behavior of the dynamic responses of the self-weight beam under the act of a traveling mass as well as equivalent concentrated moving force. Furthermore, in a case where the object leaves the beam, its planar motion path is derived and the targeting accuracy is investigated and compared with those from the rigid solution assumption.
Topology Optimization of Constrained Layer Damping on Plates Using Method of Moving Asymptote (MMA) Approach
Authors: Ling Zheng , Ronglu Xie , Yi Wang , El-Sabbagh Adel
Published: January 2014

Damping treatments have been extensively used as a powerful means to damp out structural resonant vibrations. Usually, damping materials are fully covered on the surface of plates. The drawbacks of this conventional treatment are also obvious due to an added mass and excess material consumption. Therefore, it is not always economical and effective from an optimization design view. In this paper, a topology optimization approach is presented to maximize the modal damping ratio of the plate with constrained layer damping treatment. The governing equation of motion of the plate is derived on the basis of energy approach. A finite element model to describe dynamic performances of the plate is developed and used along with an optimization algorithm in order to determine the optimal topologies of constrained layer damping layout on the plate. The damping of visco-elastic layer is modeled by the complex modulus formula. Considering the vibration and energy dissipation mode of the plate with constrained layer damping treatment, damping material density and volume factor are considered as design variable and constraint respectively. Meantime, the modal damping ratio of the plate is assigned as the objective function in the topology optimization approach. The sensitivity of modal damping ratio to design variable is further derived and Method of Moving Asymptote (MMA) is adopted to search the optimized topologies of constrained layer damping layout on the plate. Numerical examples are used to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed topology optimization approach. The results show that vibration energy dissipation of the plates can be enhanced by the optimal constrained layer damping layout. This optimal technology can be further extended to vibration attenuation of sandwich cylindrical shells which constitute the major building block of many critical structures such as cabins of aircrafts, hulls of submarines and bodies of rockets and missiles as an invaluable design tool.
Straightening Regulation Optimization on the Residual Stress Induced by the Compound Roll Straightening in the Heavy Rail
Authors: Song Hua , Wang Peilong , Fu Lihua , Chen Ming , Wang Zhongqiang , Sun Huiyuan
Published: January 2014

Residual stress is very important to the straightened quality of rail, this paper adopts explicit dynamics FEM to study on residual stress. We established compound roller model and calculated the residual value of heavy rail through 9 roller horizontal straightening and 8 roller vertical straightening. The reductions of straightening rollers are taken as the main effective factor to the residual stress in the straightening process. We adopt orthogonal calculation method to obtain the main effective factor to residual stress. On the base of assurance of the straightness, we obtained the optimal regulation in which the residual stress is the smallest, so the paper makes the important theoretical and actual sense to formulate the rational straightening regulation and improve the straightening quality of rail.
Validity Investigation of Random Energy Flow Analysis for Beam Structures
Authors: You Jin , Li Hong-Guang , Meng Guang
Published: January 2014

The validity of the application of energy flow analysis for beam structures under random excitations is investigated in this paper. The approximate solutions of energy density and intensity in a beam subject to random loadings are obtained by solving the governing equation of random energy flow analysis using Fourier transform technique. The formulations of the exact energy density distribution and intensity in the beam are derived using the classical modal analysis method. For a simply supported beam subject to distributed or concentrated random excitations, the validity of random energy flow analysis is investigated through comparisons between solutions obtained from the approximate and exact methods for energy response as well as intensity. The results indicate that, the mode count of the analysis frequency band, which means the number of modes involved in the band, is the key factor affecting the prediction accuracy of random energy flow analysis, and that if the mode count of the band is sufficiently large, random energy flow analysis can provide rather accurate estimates for both energy density and intensity in a wide frequency range.
Analysis of Fly Fishing Rod Casting Dynamics
Authors: Wang Gang , Wereley Norman
Published: January 2014

An analysis of fly fishing rod casting dynamics was developed comprising of a nonlinear finite element representation of the composite fly rod and a lumped parameter model for the fly line. A nonlinear finite element model was used to analyze the transient response of the fly rod, in which fly rod responses were simulated for a forward casting stroke. The lumped parameter method was used to discretize the fly line system. Fly line motions were simulated during a cast based on fly rod tip response, which was used as the initial boundary condition for the fly line. Fly line loop generation, propagation, and line turn-over were simulated numerically. Flexible rod results were compared to the rigid rod case, in which the fly tip path was prescribed by a given fly rod butt input. Our numerical results strongly suggest that nonlinear flexibility effects on the fly rod must be included in order to accurately simulate casting dynamics and associated fly line motion.
Lateral Vibration of Hydroelectric Generating Set with Different Supporting Condition of Thrust Pad
Authors: Si Xiaohui , Lu Wenxiu , Chu Fulei
Published: January 2014

The variations of the supporting condition, which change the stiffness of tilting pad thrust bearing, may alter the dynamic behavior of the rotor system. The effects of supporting condition of thrust pad on the lateral vibration of a hydroelectric generating set are investigated in this paper. The action of a thrust bearing is described as moments acting on the thrust collar, and the tilting stiffness coefficients of thrust bearing are calculated. A model based on typical beam finite element method is established to calculate the dynamic response, and the effects of supporting conditions such as elastic oil tank support, different heights of the thrust pads with rigid support are discussed. The results reveal that the influence of thrust bearing is small when the elastic oil tanks work normally. When the supporting conditions turn to be rigid due to the oil leakage, the differences of thrust pad heights have evident influence on the load distribution of the thrust pads; while the effects on the tilting stiffness of the thrust bearing and the amplitude of the lateral shaft vibration is small when the maximum load on thrust pads is smaller than the allowable value.
How to Assess Ictal Consciousness?
Authors: Johanson Mirja , Valli Katja , Revonsuo Antti
Published: January 2014

Despite the complexity and methodological difficulties in defining the concept of consciousness, it is a central concept in epileptology, and should thus be tractable for scientific analysis. In the present article, a two-dimensional model consisting of concepts related to the level and the contents of consciousness will be presented. This model has been found to be well suited for the description of seizure-induced alterations of consciousness, and is supported both by findings from neuroimaging and electrophysiological studies as well as from phenomenological studies. Further, we will review both traditional introspective methods as well as methods that have recently been developed or utilized in epilepsy research, summarize the main findings concerning first person experiences during epileptic seizures acquired with some of these methods, and discuss their strengths and weaknesses.
Free Vibrations of a Reddy-Bickford Multi-Span Beam Carrying Multiple Spring-Mass Systems
Authors: Yesilce Yusuf
Published: January 2014

The structural elements supporting motors or engines are frequently seen in technological applications. The operation of machine may introduce additional dynamic stresses on the beam. It is important, then, to know the natural frequencies of the coupled beam-mass system, in order to obtain a proper design of the structural elements. The literature regarding the free vibration analysis of Bernoulli-Euler and Timoshenko single-span beams carrying a number of spring-mass system and multi-span beams carrying multiple spring-mass systems are plenty, but the free vibration analysis of Reddy-Bickford multi-span beams carrying multiple spring-mass systems has not been investigated by any of the studies in open literature so far. This paper aims at determining the exact solutions for the natural frequencies and mode shapes of Reddy-Bickford beams. The model allows analyzing the influence of the shear effect and spring-mass systems on the dynamic behavior of the beams by using Reddy-Bickford Beam Theory (RBT). The effects of attached spring-mass systems on the free vibration characteristics of the 1–4 span beams are studied. The natural frequencies of Reddy-Bickford single-span and multi-span beams calculated by using the numerical assembly technique and the secant method are compared with the natural frequencies of single-span and multi-span beams calculated by using Timoshenko Beam Theory (TBT); the mode shapes are presented in graphs.
Synchronization of Two Self-Synchronous Vibrating Machines on an Isolation Frame
Authors: Zhao Chunyu , Zhao Qinghua , Gong Zhaomin , Wen Bangchun
Published: January 2014

This paper investigates synchronization of two self-synchronous vibrating machines on an isolation rigid frame. Using the modified average method of small parameters, we deduce the non-dimensional coupling differential equations of the disturbance parameters for the angular velocities of the four unbalanced rotors. Then the stability problem of synchronization for the four unbalanced rotors is converted into the stability problems of two generalized systems. One is the generalized system of the angular velocity disturbance parameters for the four unbalanced rotors, and the other is the generalized system of three phase disturbance parameters. The condition of implementing synchronization is that the torque of frequency capture between each pair of the unbalanced rotors on a vibrating machine is greater than the absolute values of the output electromagnetic torque difference between each pair of motors, and that the torque of frequency capture between the two vibrating machines is greater than the absolute value of the output electromagnetic torque difference between the two pairs of motors on the two vibrating machines. The stability condition of synchronization of the two vibrating machines is that the inertia coupling matrix is definite positive, and that all the eigenvalues for the generalized system of three phase disturbance parameters have negative real parts. Computer simulations are carried out to verify the results of the theoretical investigation.
Dynamic Stress and Displacement in an Elastic Half-Space with a Cylindrical Cavity
Authors: Coşkun İ. , Engin H. , Özmutlu A.
Published: January 2014

The dynamic response of an elastic half-space with a cylindrical cavity in a circular cross-section is analyzed. The cavity is assumed to be infinitely long, lying parallel to the plane-free surface of the medium at a finite depth and subjected to a uniformly distributed harmonic pressure at the inner surface. The problem considered is one of plain strain, in which it is assumed that the geometry and material properties of the medium and the forcing function are constant along the axis of the cavity. The equations of motion are reduced to two wave equations in polar coordinates with the use of Helmholtz potentials. The method of wave function expansion is used to construct the displacement fields in terms of the potentials. The boundary conditions at the surface of the cavity are satisfied exactly, and they are satisfied approximately at the free surface of the half-space. Thus, the unknown coefficients in the expansions are obtained from the treatment of boundary conditions using a collocation least-square scheme. Numerical results, which are presented in the figures, show that the wave number (i.e., the frequency) and depth of the cavity significantly affect the displacement and stress.
The Default Mode Network and Altered Consciousness in Epilepsy
Authors: Danielson Nathan B. , Guo Jennifer N. , Blumenfeld Hal
Published: January 2014

The default mode network has been hypothesized based on the observation that specific regions of the brain are consistently activated during the resting state and deactivated during engagement with task. The primary nodes of this network, which typically include the precuneus/posterior cingulate, the medial frontal and lateral parietal cortices, are thought to be involved in introspective and social cognitive functions. Interestingly, this same network has been shown to be selectively impaired during epileptic seizures associated with loss of consciousness. Using a wide range of neuroimaging and electrophysiological modalities, decreased activity in the default mode network has been confirmed during complex partial, generalized tonic-clonic, and absence seizures. In this review we will discuss these three seizure types and will focus on possible mechanisms by which decreased default mode network activity occurs. Although the specific mechanisms of onset and propagation differ considerably across these seizure types, we propose that the resulting loss of consciousness in all three types of seizures is due to active inhibition of subcortical arousal systems that normally maintain default mode network activity in the awake state. Further, we suggest that these findings support a general “network inhibition hypothesis”, by which active inhibition of arousal systems by seizures in certain cortical regions leads to cortical deactivation in other cortical areas. This may represent a push-pull mechanism similar to that seen operating between cortical networks under normal conditions.
Mode Calculation and Testing of a Car Body in White
Authors: Yang Ying , Zhao Guangyao , Ma Dongbo , Xu Xiaobin
Published: January 2014

The dynamic parameters of a car body in white (BIW) are important during a new car developing. Based on the finite element method, the model of a BIW is developed in which the welding points are treated specially as a new element type and the vibration modes of it are calculated. In modal testing, a fixed sine-sweeping exciter is used to conduct a single-point input force for the structure, whereas the output responses are picked up at different points to identify modes. The obtained modes are coincided both with the FE results and the practical testing.
Active Control and Energy Cost Assessment of a Rotating Machine
Authors: Mahfoud Jarir , Skladanek Yan , Der Hagopian Johan
Published: January 2014

The performances for controlling a rotating machine by using either an Electromagnetic Actuator or a Piezoelectric Actuator are compared in this work. The aim is to establish selection criteria based on environmental impact. Life Cycle Analysis shows that the operating stage has a considerable impact. In this study, only the operating stage is considered. The energy consumed by the actuators seems to be the appropriate indicator for the same "mechanical" performances. Numerical studies are carried out in order to quantify the energy consumed in each case. Modal control strategy with a fuzzy controller is used. The controller inputs are displacements and velocities. The system studied is modeled by using finite element method and the electrical circuit of each actuator is modeled by using basic electricity and electromagnetism theories. Several configurations are assessed and defined by using the chosen Functional Unit.

The results obtained show that both controllers are efficient and enable recommendations for optimal control procedures design for the energy consumed.
Clustered Natural Frequencies in Multi-Span Beams with Constrained Characteristic Functions
Authors: Saeedi Khodabakhsh , Bhat Rama B.
Published: January 2014

A study of the natural frequencies and mode shapes of a multi-span beam is carried out by introducing constrained beam characteristic functions. The conventional method used for the dynamic analysis of such a beam is to consider span-wise characteristic function solution and then to solve it by using compatibility conditions such as the continuity in the a slope and bending moment at the intermediate supports and boundary conditions at the ends. In the method proposed here, the matrix size is reduced and, if the support conditions are symmetric about the midpoint, the symmetry and anti-symmetry conditions at the midpoint can be conveniently exploited for computational economy. The natural frequencies occur in clusters, each one containing the number of natural frequencies equal to the number of spans. The results are presented and discussed.
Time-Varying Total Stiffness Matrix of a Rigid Machine Spindle-Angular Contact Ball Bearings Assembly: Theory and Analytical/Experimental Verifications
Authors: El-Saeidy Fawzi M.A.
Published: January 2014

A lagrangian formulation is presented for the total dynamic stiffness and damping matrices of a rigid rotor carrying noncentral rigid disk and supported on angular contact ball bearings (ACBBs). The bearing dynamic stiffness/damping marix is derived in terms of the bearing motions (displacements/rotations) and then the principal of virtual work is used to transfer it from the bearing location to the rotor mass center to obtain the total dynamic stiffness/damping matrix. The bearing analyses take into account the bearing nonlinearities, cage rotation and bearing axial preload. The coefficients of these time-dependent matrices are presented analytically. The equations of motion of a rigid rotor-ACBBs assembly are derived using Lagrange's equation. The proposed analyses on deriving the bearing stiffness matrix are verified against existing bearing analyses of SKF researchers that, in turn, were verified using both SKF softwares/experiments and we obtained typical agreements. The presented total stiffness matrix is applied to a typical grinding machine spindle studied experimentally by other researchers and excellent agreements are obtained between our analytical eigenvalues and the experimental ones. The effect of using the total full stiffness matrix versus using the total diagonal stiffness matrix on the natural frequencies and dynamic response of the rigid rotor-bearings system is studied. It is found that using the diagonal matrix affects natural frequencies values (except the axial frequency) and response amplitudes and pattern and causes important vibration tones to be missig from the response spectrum. Therefore it is recommended to use the full total stiffness matrix and not the diagonal matrix in the design/vibration analysis of these rotating machines. For a machine spindle-ACBBs assembly under mass unbalnce and a horizontal force at the spindle cutting nose when the bearing time-varying stiffness matrix (bearing cage rotation is considered) is used, the peak-to-valley variation in time domain of the stiffness matrix elements becomes significant compared to its counterpart when the bearing standard stiffness matrix (bearing cage rotation is neglected) is used. The vibration spectrum of the time-varying matrix case is marked by tones at bearing outer ring ball passing frequency, rotating unbalnce frequency and combination compared to spectrum of the standard stiffness matrix case which is marked by only the rotating unbalnce frequency. Therfore, it is highly recomended to model bearing stiffness matrix to be a time-dependent.
Optimized Control for Dynamical Performance of the Polishing Robot in Unstructured Environment
Authors: Luo Zhong , Yang Shuxian , Sun Yilan , Liu Hongyi
Published: January 2014

In this paper, the dynamical performance of polishing robot working in unstructured environment is investigated. Structure mechanism and operating principle of a polishing robot are introduced firstly, and its dynamical model is established. Then, a S-shaped acceleration-deceleration path planning method and a human-simulated intelligent control (HSIC) strategy are proposed. The S-shaped acceleration-deceleration path planning method is to switch the magnitude and direction of the abrupt velocities between motion sections in order to improve the work efficiency, the smoothness of movement and the processing accuracy. The HSIC control strategy is built based on the unstructured environment information measured by ultrasonic sensors, in which the appropriate programs prepared in advance are determined according to the size and sign of both the control error and its change rate. Simulation results show that the intelligent control strategy combining with optimum path planning method are effective to reduce the structure vibration, to improve the stability and the control accuracy of the polishing robot system.
The Evolution of Alexia in Two Cases of Posterior Cortical Atrophy
Authors: Catricalà Eleonora , Rosa Pasquale A. Della , Ortelli Paola , Ginex Valeria , Marcone Alessandra , Perani Daniela , Cappa Stefano F.
Published: January 2014

Posterior cortical atrophy (PCA) is an uncommon presentation of Alzheimer's disease (AD), characterised by prevalent anatomo-functional involvement of posterior cortical areas. Accordingly, the main clinical features at onset are disorders of high-order visual processing, such as alexia and impairments of visuo-spatial and visuo-constructional abilities. The clinical features in the early stages of disease are variable, and they have been suggested to stem from prevalent ventral or dorsal brain pathology, and/or asymmetric hemispheric involvement. With disease progression, these differences tend to blur with the increasing severity of neuropsychological dysfunction. We report two PCA patients showing different patterns of reading impairment (respectively, letter-by-letter reading and neglect dyslexia). A follow-up study suggested that the qualitative features of alexia remain distinctive with disease evolution. In addition, single photon emission tomography (SPECT) studies revealed different patterns of hypoperfusion, consistent with the alexia types. A careful reading assessment can provide important insights to the pattern of progression of the disease in patients with PCA up to the late stages of the pathology.
Early Signs of Memory Impairment among Multiple Sclerosis Patients with Clinically Isolated Syndrome
Authors: Panou Theodora , Mastorodemos Vasileios , Papadaki Efrosyni , Simos Panagiotis G. , Plaitakis Andreas
Published: January 2014

The study investigates primary and secondary verbal memory and motor/executive functions (response inhibition and strategy shifting ability) in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients with clinically isolated syndrome (CIS). We studied 44 CIS patients and compared them to 49 patients with relapsing remitting MS (RR-MS) displaying mild disability and to a large cohort of age- and education level-matched healthy volunteers (n= 230). Results showed that both CIS and RR-MS patients evidenced a disproportionate impairment in the immediate and delayed recall of the second (as compared to the first) of two short narratives of the Logical Memory WMS-III subtest, and reduced performance on the Memory for Digits-Forward. Performance of either group on the executive tasks was not impaired, showing evidence of a reversed speed-accuracy trade-off. Illness duration emerged as a significant predictor of memory and executive task performance. Clinical, psychoemotional, and brain imaging findings were also examined as potential correlates of memory deficits and disease progression among CIS patients. These findings may signify early-onset decline of specific cognitive functions in CIS, which merits regular follow-up assessments and monitoring of psychoemotional adaptation and everyday functioning.
Suitable Friction Sliding Materials for Base Isolation of Masonry Buildings
Authors: Nanda Radhikesh P. , Agarwal Pankaj , Shrikhande Manish
Published: January 2014

A feasibility study of friction base isolation system for seismic protection has been performed. Four different sliding interfaces, namely, green marble/High Density Poly Ethylene (HDPE), green marble/green marble, green marble/geosynthetic, and green marble/ rubber layers have been studied through experimental and analytical investigations. The experimental investigations show that the coefficient of friction values of these interfaces lies in the desirable range for seismic protection, i.e., 0.05 to 0.15. The analytical investigation reveals that most of these sliding interfaces are effective in reducing spectral accelerations up to 50% and the sliding displacement is restricted within plinth projection of 75 mm (3 in). Green marble and geosynthetic are found to be better alternatives for use in friction isolation system with equal effectiveness of energy dissipation and limiting the earthquake energy transmission to super structure during strong earthquake leading to a low cost, durable solution for earthquake protection of masonry buildings.