bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Laser-Assisted Anastomotic Technique: Feasibility on Human Diseased Coronary Arteries
Authors: Stecher David , Bronkers Glenn , Vink Aryan , Homoet-van der Kraak Petra H. , Helthuis Jasper , Pasterkamp Gerard , Buijsrogge Marc P.
Published: March 2016

Objective

Atherosclerotic disease might hamper the efficacy of the Excimer laser-assisted Trinity Clip anastomotic connector in coronary arteries. Therefore, its efficacy was evaluated on human diseased coronary arteries (study 1). In addition, the acute laser effects onto the coronary wall were assessed (study 2).

Methods

Thirty-eight anastomoses were constructed on ex vivo human hearts. Atherosclerosis was histopathologically determined and subsequently related to the success of the technique (ie, connector positioning and laser punching; study 1). In addition, 20 anastomoses were constructed in an ex vivo (porcine, n = 8) and an in vivo [rabbit (n = 9) and porcine (n = 3)] model. Subsequently, the coronary was histologically studied on the presence of laser-induced damage (study 2).

Results

In 13 of 38 anastomoses (study 1), the connector was mal-positioned, 3 because of a severely diseased coronary wall and 10 because of an inner diameter less than the intended target range. The laser-punch success rates on coronary arteries with an early and advanced lesion were 100% (16/16) and 89% (8/9; lesions were located in the inferolateral wall), respectively. In one case, an advanced lesion (ie, fibrocalcified plaque) was located in the superolateral wall and caused a laser-punch failure. No histological signs of laser-induced damage were observed, in case of correct use (study 2).

Conclusions

This study demonstrates the feasibility of an anastomotic connector on human diseased coronary arteries and shows that lasering does not induce coronary wall damage. However, careful selection of the coronary, regarding the target inner diameter and disease status, will prevent construction failures. This connector could facilitate less invasive coronary artery bypass grafting.
Health care providers' judgments in chronic pain: the influence of gender and trustworthiness
Authors: Schäfer Gráinne , Prkachin Kenneth M. , Kaseweter Kimberley A. , Williams Amanda C. de C
Published: March 2016

Estimates of patients' pain, and judgments of their pain expression, are affected by characteristics of the observer and of the patient. In this study, we investigated the impact of high or low trustworthiness, a rapid and automatic decision made about another, and of gender and depression history on judgments made by pain clinicians and by medical students. Judges viewed a video of a patient in pain presented with a brief history and rated his or her pain, and the likelihood that it was being exaggerated, minimized, or hidden. Judges also recommended various medical and treatment options. Contrary to expectations, trustworthiness had no main effect on pain estimates or judgments, but interacted with gender producing pervasive bias. Women, particularly those rated of low trustworthiness, were estimated to have less pain and to be more likely to exaggerate it. Unexpectedly, judgments of exaggeration and pain estimates were independent. Consistent with those judgments, men were more likely to be recommended analgesics, and women to be recommended psychological treatment. Effects of depression history were inconsistent and hard to interpret. Contrary to expectations, clinicians' pain estimates were higher than medical students', and indicated less scepticism. Empathy was unrelated to these judgments. Trustworthiness merits further exploration in healthcare providers' judgments of pain authenticity and how it interacts with other characteristics of patients. Furthermore, systematic disadvantage to women showing pain is of serious concern in healthcare settings.
Role of Procalcitonin and C‐Reactive Protein As Biomarkers of Infection in Children With Liver Disease
Authors: Bolia Rishi , Srivastava Anshu , Marak Rungmei , Yachha Surender K. , Poddar Ujjal
Published: March 2016

Objectives:

Early and accurate identification of infection in patients with liver disease is challenging. The present study evaluated the role of procalcitonin (PCT) and C‐reactive protein (CRP) as biomarkers of bacterial infection in children with liver disease.

Methods:

Demographic and clinical data of consecutive children admitted with acute liver failure (ALF) or decompensated chronic liver disease (DCLD) were collected. PCT and CRP were measured within 24 hours of admission. Blood and urine culture, chest x‐ray, and ascitic fluid analysis were done.

Results:

One hundred sixty‐four children (113 boys, age 76 [0.5–204] months, ALF 69, DCLD 95) were enrolled. Seventy‐seven (47%) had infection. Most common site was ascitic fluid (n = 35), followed by urinary tract (n = 26), pneumonia (n = 22), and blood stream infection (n = 16). Twenty‐one children had multiple‐site infections, 18 had severe sepsis, and 36 had systemic inflammatory response syndrome. PCT and CRP correlated with infection severity, higher in severe sepsis (8.3 [3.5–38] ng/mL and 4.1 [0.3–13.8] mg/dL) than only infection (0.89 [0.1–8] ng/mL and 1.7 [0.32–24] mg/dL) and no infection (0.3 [0.1–6.75] ng/mL and 0.3 [0.1–4.16 mg/dL]). Systemic inflammatory response syndrome was more common in patients with infection (31/77 vs 5/87, P = 0.00). PCT (>0.5 ng/mL) and CRP (>0.6 mg/dL) performed better in DCLD (AUC of 0.90 and 0.83) compared with patients with ALF (AUC of 0.73 and 0.69).

Conclusions

: PCT and CRP are reliable markers of infection and correlate with infection severity in children with liver disease. Their diagnostic accuracy is better in DCLD than ALF cases.
The Development and Preliminary Testing of an Instrument for Assessing Fatigue Self-management Outcomes in Patients With Advanced Cancer
Authors: Chan Raymond Javan , Yates Patsy , McCarthy Alexandra L.
Published: March 2016

Background:

Fatigue is one of the most distressing and commonly experienced symptoms in patients with advanced cancer. Although the self-management (SM) of cancer-related symptoms has received increasing attention, no research instrument assessing fatigue SM outcomes for patients with advanced cancer is available.

Objectives:

The aim of this study was to describe the development and preliminary testing of an interviewer-administered instrument for assessing the frequency and perceived levels of effectiveness and self-efficacy associated with fatigue SM behaviors in patients with advanced cancer.

Methods:

The development and testing of the Self-efficacy in Managing Symptoms Scale–Fatigue Subscale for Patients With Advanced Cancer (SMSFS-A) involved a number of procedures: item generation using a comprehensive literature review and semistructured interviews, content validity evaluation using expert panel reviews, and face validity and test-retest reliability evaluation using pilot testing.

Results:

Initially, 23 items (22 specific behaviors with 1 global item) were generated from the literature review and semistructured interviews. After 2 rounds of expert panel review, the final scale was reduced to 17 items (16 behaviors with 1 global item). Participants in the pilot test (n = 10) confirmed that the questions in this scale were clear and easy to understand. Bland-Altman analysis showed agreement of results over a 1-week interval.

Conclusions:

The SMSFS-A items were generated using multiple sources. This tool demonstrated preliminary validity and reliability.

Implications for Practice:

The SMSFS-A has the potential to be used for clinical and research purposes. Nurses can use this instrument for collecting data to inform the initiation of appropriate fatigue SM support for this population.
The reluctant innovator: orangutans and the phylogeny of creativity
Authors: van Schaik C. P. , Burkart J. , Damerius L. , Forss S. I. F. , Koops K. , van Noordwijk M. A. , Schuppli C.
Published: March 2016

Young orangutans are highly neophobic, avoid independent exploration and show a preference for social learning. Accordingly, they acquire virtually all their learned skills through exploration that is socially induced. Adult exploration rates are also low. Comparisons strongly suggest that major innovations, i.e. behaviours that have originally been brought into the population through individual invention, are made where ecological opportunities to do so are propitious. Most populations nonetheless have large innovation repertoires, because innovations, once made, are retained well through social transmission. Wild orangutans are therefore not innovative. In striking contrast, zoo-living orangutans actively seek novelty and are highly exploratory and innovative, probably because of positive reinforcement, active encouragement by human role models, increased sociality and an expectation of safety. The explanation for this contrast most relevant to hominin evolution is that captive apes generally have a highly reduced cognitive load, in particular owing to the absence of predation risk, which strongly reduces the costs of exploration. If the orangutan results generalize to other great apes, this suggests that our ancestors could have become more curious once they had achieved near-immunity to predation on the eve of the explosive increase in creativity characterizing the Upper Palaeolithic Revolution.
LaSota fusion (F) cleavage motif-mediated fusion activity is affected by other regions of the F protein from different genotype Newcastle disease virus in a chimeric virus: implication for virulence attenuation
Authors: Kim Shin-Hee , Xiao Sa , Collins Peter L. , Samal Siba K.
Published: March 2016

The cleavage site sequence of the fusion (F) protein contributes to a wide range of virulence of Newcastle disease virus (NDV). In this study, we identified other important amino acid sequences of the F protein that affect cleavage and modulation of fusion. We generated chimeric Beaudette C (BC) viruses containing the cleavage site sequence of avirulent strain LaSota (Las-Fc) together with various regions of the F protein of another virulent strain AKO. We found that the F1 subunit is important for cleavage inhibition. Further dissection of the F1 subunit showed that replacement of four amino acids in the BC/Las-Fc protein with their AKO counterparts (T341S, M384I, T385A and I386L) resulted in an increase in fusion and replication in vitro. In contrast, the mutation N403D greatly reduced cleavage and viral replication, and affected protein conformation. These findings will be useful in developing improved live NDV vaccines and vaccine vectors.
A probability distribution over latent causes in the orbitofrontal cortex
Authors: Chan Stephanie C.Y. , Niv Yael , Norman Kenneth A.
Published: March 2016

The orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) has been implicated in both the representation of “state”, in studies of reinforcement learning and decision making, and also in the representation of “schemas”, in studies of episodic memory. Both of these cognitive constructs require a similar inference about the underlying situation or “latent cause” that generates our observations at any given time. The statistically optimal solution to this inference problem is to use Bayes rule to compute a posterior probability distribution over latent causes. To test whether such a posterior probability distribution is represented in the OFC, we tasked human participants with inferring a probability distribution over four possible latent causes, based on their observations. Using fMRI pattern similarity analyses, we found that BOLD activity in OFC is best explained as representing the (log-transformed) posterior distribution over latent causes. Furthermore, this pattern explained OFC activity better than other task-relevant alternatives such as the most probable latent cause, the most recent observation, or the uncertainty over latent causes.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT

Our world is governed by hidden (latent) causes that we cannot observe, but which generate the observations that we do see. A range of high-level cognitive processes require inference of a probability distribution (or “belief distribution”) over the possible latent causes that might be generating our current observations. This is true for reinforcement learning (where the latent cause comprises the true “state” of the task), and for episodic memory (where memories are believed to be organized by the inferred situation or “schema”). Using fMRI, we show that this belief distribution over latent causes is encoded in patterns of brain activity in the orbitofrontal cortex — an area that has been separately implicated in the representations of both states and schemas.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

The authors declare no competing financial interests.
Controlling Genetic Background in Crosses of Mouse Models of Cancer
Authors: Reilly Karlyne M.
Published: March 2016

The design of a mouse cross can affect the distribution of variation in the control and experimental groups. Often, the goal of a study involving mouse cancer models is to determine the effect of a gene or intervention of interest in different mouse groups without the confounding effects of strain background differences. The appropriate procedure for controlling genetic background will depend on the mouse model employed; two examples are provided here. The first example describes a simple model in which a single-mutant allele is followed in crosses on an inbred strain background. The second example describes a more complex cross in which the model is homozygous for a floxed allele of the gene of interest and carries a tissue-specific Cre transgene.
Using the Collaborative Cross to Study the Role of Genetic Diversity in Cancer-Related Phenotypes
Authors: Reilly Karlyne M.
Published: March 2016

Human populations are genetically diverse and often a single mouse model can only represent a small subset of the human population. Studying genetic diversity directly can improve the predictive value of mouse models of cancer biology and research on the effects of carcinogens and therapeutics in humans. The collaborative cross is a panel of inbred mouse lines that captures 90% of the genetic diversity of the Mus musculus strain and can help identify regions of the genome that are responsible for variation in cancer phenotypes across the population. The appropriate procedure will depend on the mouse model used; here, three mouse cross designs are described as examples.
Time-Lapse Imaging of Cell Death
Authors: Wallberg Fredrik , Tenev Tencho , Meier Pascal
Published: March 2016

The best approach to distinguish between necrosis and apoptosis is time-lapse video microscopy. This technique enables a biological process to be photographed at regular intervals over a period, which may last from a few hours to several days, and can be applied to cells in culture or in vivo. We have established two time-lapse microscopy methods based on different ways of calculating cell death: semiautomated and automated. In the semiautomated approach, cell death can be visualized by staining with combinations of Alexa Fluor 647-conjugated Annexin V and Sytox Green (SG), or Annexin VFITC and Propidium iodide (PI). The automated method is similar except that all cells are labeled with dyes. This allows faster quantification of data. To this end Cell Tracker Green is used to label all cells at time zero in combination with PI and Alexa Fluor 647-conjugated Annexin V. Necrotic cell death is accompanied by either simultaneous labeling with Annexin V and PI or SG (double-positive), or direct PI or SG staining. Additionally, necrotic cells display characteristic morphology, such as cytoplasmic swelling. In contrast to necrosis where membrane permeabilization is an early event, cells that die by apoptosis lose their membrane permeability relatively late. Therefore, the time between Annexin V staining and PI or SG uptake (double-positive) can be used to distinguish necrosis from apoptosis. This protocol describes the analysis of cell death by time-lapse imaging of HT1080 and L929 cells stained with these dyes, but it can be readily adapted to other cell types of interest.
Viral Packaging and Cell Culture for CRISPR-Based Screens
Authors: Wang Tim , Lander Eric S. , Sabatini David M.
Published: March 2016

This protocol describes how to perform the tissue culture and high-throughput sequencing library preparation for a CRISPR-based screen. First, pantropic lentivirus is prepared from a single guide RNA (sgRNA) plasmid pool and applied to the target cells. Following antibiotic selection and a harvest of the initial population, cells are then cultured under the desired screening condition(s) for 14 population doublings. The sgRNA barcode sequences integrated in the genomic DNA of each cell population are amplified and subject to high-throughput sequencing. Guidelines for downstream analysis of the sequencing data are also provided.
Proteomic Analysis of Protein Posttranslational Modifications by Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Swaney Danielle L. , Villén Judit
Published: March 2016

The addition of posttranslational modifications (PTMs) to proteins is an influential mechanism to temporally control protein function and ultimately regulate entire cellular processes. Most PTMs are present at low stoichiometry and abundance, which limits their detection when analyzing whole cell lysates. PTM purification methods are thus required to comprehensively characterize the presence and dynamics of PTMs using mass spectrometry-based proteomics approaches. Here we describe several of the most influential PTMs and discuss the fundamentals of proteomics experiments and PTM purification methods.
Large-Scale Single Guide RNA Library Construction and Use for CRISPR–Cas9-Based Genetic Screens
Authors: Wang Tim , Lander Eric S. , Sabatini David M.
Published: March 2016

The ability to systematically disrupt genes serves as a powerful tool for understanding their function. The programmable CRISPR–Cas9 system enables efficient targeting of large numbers of genes through the use of single guide RNA (sgRNA) libraries. In cultured mammalian cells, collections of knockout mutants can be readily generated by means of transduction of Cas9–sgRNA lentiviral pools, screened for a phenotype of interest, and counted using high-throughput DNA sequencing. This technique represents the first general method for undertaking systematic loss-of-function genetic screens in mammalian cells. Here, we introduce the methodology and rationale for conducting CRISPR-based screens, focusing on distinguishing positive and negative selection strategies.
Crystallographic correlation between 5M and 7M martensite in an Ni–Mn–Ga alloy
Authors: Li Zongbin , Li Zhenzhuang , Yang Bo , Zhang Yudong , Esling Claude , Zhao Xiang , Zuo Liang
Published: March 2016

In Ni–Mn–Ga ferromagnetic shape memory alloys, a structural transformation from one type of martensite to another is frequently observed upon cooling or heating. In this work, the microstructural features associated with the transformation from 5M to 7M martensite in an Ni50Mn26Ga22Cu2 alloy were studied. On the basis of the crystallographic orientation determination and an examination of the microstructure by means of the electron backscatter diffraction technique, the 5M to 7M transformation was found to be accompanied by the thickening of martensite plates. The two kinds of martensite (5M and 7M) possess a specific orientation relationship with (001)5M//(001)7M and [100]5M//[100]7M. Through further lattice distortion, four types of 5M variant can evolve into four 7M martensite variants in one variant colony. The present study is expected to provide a deep insight into the crystallographic correlation between 5M and 7M martensite in Ni–Mn–Ga alloys.
Australia-China-Africa investment partnerships
Authors: de Jonge Alice
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– This paper aims to examine the potential for “triangular cooperation” between investment partners from Australia, China and host African nations to contribute to the economic development in Africa.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper discusses a number of complementarities between Australian and Chinese investors in mining, agriculture, energy, research and education and finance – sectors vital to Africa’s future development. These complementarities are examined in light of recent development studies on the benefits of triangular cooperation and recent literature examining links between foreign direct investment (FDI) policy and economic development.

Findings

– The paper concludes that there is much to be gained by making the most of the existing and potential synergies between Australian, Chinese and local investors in African settings.

Research limitations/implications

– The implications of this paper are, first, that African nations should keep the benefits of triangular cooperation in mind when designing FDI policies and, second, that Australian and Chinese investors should be more willing to explore potential investment partner synergies when investing in Africa. The paper also suggests an agenda for future research into how good design of FDI policies might best promote healthy economic development in African nations.

Practical implications

– Australian and Chinese companies should be more willing to explore potential avenues for cooperation when investing in Africa, while African governments should be more mindful of how rules and policies can maximise the local benefits of FDI.

Social implications

– African governments should be more mindful of the quality, rather than the quantity of FDI when drafting relevant laws and policies.

Originality/value

– The value of the paper is in applying the concept of “triangular cooperation” to direct investment. The paper also provides an original focus on Australia-China investment synergies in African settings.
Analysis of thermal comfort properties of jacquard knitted mattress ticking fabrics
Authors: Terliksiz Sena , Kalaoğlu Fatma , Eryürük Selin Hanife
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– Sleep is a vital and a basic activity of human life and it is a physiological need for human body. Sleep quality is directly influenced by the comfort conditions of sleep environment. The purpose of this paper is to define the role of textile materials utilized as bed fabrics on air and mass transfer from the human body.

Design/methodology/approach

– Thermal conductivity, thermal resistance, thickness, water vapour permeability and air permeability properties of fabrics were analyzed and statistically evaluated. Thermal conductivity and resistance measurements were performed in Alambeta test instrument. Water vapour permeability tests were done according to the Rotating Platform method, and air permeability was measured in FX 3300 Textest air permeability tester. Relationships between comfort parameters were statistically evaluated with correlation analysis.

Findings

– Comfort is a major concept in the determination of overall life quality as well as sleep quality of a resting person. Therefore academic studies about thermal comfort prediction of sleep environment and bed surface fabrics are of great importance. This study investigates conventional mattress ticking fabrics in terms of comfort parameters and defines the important fabric properties on comfort parameters.

Originality/value

– Sleep comfort is a promising area in textile comfort studies with its dynamics different from body thermal comfort during daily life. However, in general comfort studies are about garment materials which are in direct contact with the skin. This study tries to define the comfort status of textile materials which have indirect contact with the human body surface during sleep duration.
Women’s petite and regular body measurements compared to current retail sizing conventions
Authors: Kim Youngsook , Song Hwa Kyung , Ashdown Susan P.
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to analyze petite women’s body size and figure and investigate whether current petite sizing charts accurately reflect actual petit size women’s bodies. This study also categorizes petite women’s body shapes and suggests primary body measurements as a base size for each shape. The ultimate goal is to suggest fundamental body measurements for apparel companies to modify and improve their sizing.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study used data from SizeUSA data to compare body measurements of 18-35-year-old petite women to regular women. The authors compared the results to measurement differences between petite and regular sizing charts of 14 apparel companies. Then, using the principal component analysis and cluster analysis, the authors classified petite women’s body shapes. Body measurements for each body type are contrasted with the current petite sizing charts, and then, the authors present differences as suggestions for modification and improvement of petite sizing.

Findings

– Industry sizing system do not generally represent average petite size women preciously except for stature. Within the petite women, four body types were identified (top petite: 30.0 percent, bottom petite: 30.8 percent, regular petite: 23.6 percent, and plus size: 15.4 percent). Of the four groups, the ASTM D7878 generally represented the “top petite” sizing.

Originality/value

– It is the first to analyze the industry petite sizing system utilizing population data and focus petite sizing for women aged 18-35. The authors believe this study could draw attention of the apparel industry, providing companies with ideas of how to improve their petite sizing for young women.
The tribological properties of carbon fiber reinforced polyimide matrix composites under distilled water condition
Authors: Wu Juan , Kou Ziming , Cui Gongjun
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to prepare carbon fiber-reinforced polyimide matrix composites and to investigate the single role of carbon fiber in polyimide composites on tribological performance under distilled water condition.

Design/methodology/approach

– Three carbon fiber-reinforced polyimide matrix composites were fabricated by using a hot press molding technique. The tribological behaviors of carbon fiber-reinforced polyimide matrix composites sliding against steel ball were evaluated with a ball-on-disk tribotester under distilled water condition. Meanwhile, the effect of different length of carbon fiber on the wear resistance of polyimide matrix composites was investigated during the sliding process.

Findings

– The friction coefficients and specific wear rates of polyimide composites containing 100 μm carbon fibers were lower than those of other specimens. The wear mechanism of carbon fiber-reinforced composites was delamination under distilled water condition. The interfacial combination between the carbon fiber and matrix became worse with the increase of length of carbon fiber.

Originality/value

– This paper reported the effect of the different length of carbon fiber on polyimide matrix composites to prepare mechanical parts in mining industrial fields.
NBR surface modification by Ar plasma and its tribological properties
Authors: Segu Dawit Zenebe
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to study the possibility and validity of using radio frequency (RF) power argon (AR) ion plasma treatment to modify the surface of nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) and the change in the chemical structure under various bias voltage. Using wear test, the authors also compared the friction and wear properties of untreated and treated NBR.

Design/methodology/approach

– The hybrid RF-power sputtering system was used to generate RF Ar plasma to modify the surface of NBR specimens. The tribological properties were evaluated by ball-on-disc test using a load cell mounted on the ball holder.

Findings

– It was found that the NBR surface treated by the Ar plasma improved the wettability, friction and wear performance than the untreated NBR. The ATR-IR analysis indicated that the improvement come from the oxygen based functional groups generated on the surface of NBR. The improvement of friction and wear resistance may also come from the formation of nanostructure surface.

Originality/value

– In this study, the authors develop the RF AR ion plasma treatment at different bias voltage, and it has been used to modify the surface of NBR to increase the tribological performance.
Effects of surface texturing on the tribological behavior of piston rings under lubricated conditions
Authors: Zhang Yali , Zhang Xiaogang , Wu Tonghai , Xie You-bai
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– The piston ring-cylinder liner pair is one of the most important tribological systems of an internal combustion engine. The friction loss of the piston ring-cylinder liner pair accounts for the largest portion of total efficiency losses. Therefore, improving the tribological system design of the piston ring-cylinder liner pair can reduce friction losses and bring tremendous economic benefits to society. This paper aims use surface texturing, which is proving to be an effective method, for improving the tribological performance of sliding surfaces.

Design/methodology/approach

– In this paper, an experimental study using a pin-on-disk tribometer was carried out to evaluate the effects of surface texturing on friction reduction of piston rings under various loads and sliding velocities. Rectangular- and circular-shaped textures with different depths and area densities were produced by a Femtosecond laser. Comparison experiments were conducted with un-textured rings.

Findings

– The results indicate that the friction performance of the ring surface was significantly improved by surface texturing, and the running-in stage was also shortened. More specifically, it was found that the rectangular-shaped texture had a better effect on friction reduction than the circular-shaped texture. Results also indicate that an optimum texture density existed for the rectangular-shaped texture. Additionally, it was observed that the average friction coefficient reduction of the textured ring decreased with increasing load and increased with increasing sliding velocity.

Originality/value

– Consequently, these findings provide a more in-depth understanding of the relationship between micro-textures and tribological properties of piston rings in lubricating sliding.
Relationship between arrangement patterns and tribological properties of copper-aluminum-graphite materials
Authors: Gao Fei , Miao Jia , Han Xiaoming , Fu Rong , Chen Jiguang
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– Since the multi-component of powder metallurgy was dispersed, and each component sheared flow and tiered under the action of friction force, it was difficult to disclose the evolution characteristics of each component. Meanwhile, third body mixing with particles of each component covered on the friction surface, which further increased the difficulty of understanding evolution of each component and the corresponding third body in the friction process. To solve this problem, this paper aims to propose a mechanical assembled method which compact several component sheets in order.

Design/methodology/approach

– Pure copper, aluminum and artificial graphite sheets with thickness 0.5, 1 and 2 mm, respectively, were assembled into a jig by mechanical compact method. The relationship between arrangement patterns of the components and its friction coefficient was studied by using fixed speed friction test machine, the speed range from 200 to 2,000 r/min and the pressure range from 0.25 to 0.64 MPa.

Findings

– The testing results showed that when the distribution of same components was congregated, friction coefficient dropped from 0.6 to 0.4. While the distribution of different components was dispersed, friction coefficient dropped from 0.6 to 0.25. The friction coefficient decline was caused by performances changes of third body fluidity. The sufficiently mixed third body made third body adhesion weaker and increased third body fluidity. That provoked friction coefficient decreasing obviously at high speed. On the contrary, with the high congregation of same components, strong third body adhesion led to a rougher surface which contributed to a higher friction coefficient.

Originality/value

– By means of the mechanical-assembled multi-layer components to reveal the influence mechanism of every component on friction properties, will provide a new test approach for tribology.
Convective heat transfer under different jet impingement conditions – optimum design to spray parameters
Authors: Wang Yanzhong , Niu Wentao , Wei Song , Song Guanhua
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– This paper aims to improve the cooling performance of the impinging jet to the machining and power transmissions, and provides more parameters to the design of the cooling system.

Design/methodology/approach

– A multiphase flow model with heat transfer terms is established to calculate the convective heat transfer coefficient. The computational fluid dynamics method is used to simulate the jet flow. The convective heat transfer coefficients with different spray parameters are calculated and their variations are obtained. Temperatures are tested to reflect the cooling performance (convective heat transfer coefficients) with different spray parameters.

Findings

– The results show that the higher convective heat transfer coefficient can be obtained with the same flow rate by decreasing nozzle diameter while increasing either the number of nozzles or the oil supply pressure. The spray distance was found to have little influence on convective heat transfer; however, the more the spray is directed parallel to the surface, the higher the convective heat transfer coefficient. The computational results coincide well with the experimental results.

Originality/value

– The research presented here leads to a design reference guideline that could be used in machining and power transmissions to reduce the temperature, thus improving their quality and efficiency, and preventing failure at high speeds and/or under heavy loads.
Tool wear appearance and failure mechanism of coated carbide tools in micro-milling of Inconel 718 super alloy
Authors: Lu Xiaohong , Jia Zhenyuan , Wang Hua , Si Likun , Liu Yongyun , Wu Wenyi
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– The paper aims to study the wear and breakage characteristics of coated carbide cutting tools through micro-milling slot experiments on superalloy Inconel 718.

Design/methodology/approach

– During the micro-milling process, the wear and breakage appearance on the rake face and flank face of the cutting tools, as well as the failure mechanism, have been studied. Furthermore, the wear and breakage characteristics of the micro-cutting tools have been compared with the traditional milling on Inconel 718.

Findings

– The main failure forms of the micro tool when micro-milling Inconel 718 were tool tip breakage and coating shed on the rake and flank faces of the cutting tool and micro-crack blade. The main causes of tool wear were synthetic action of adhesive abrasion, diffusion wear and oxidation wear, while the causes of abrasive wear were not obvious.

Practical implications

– The changing trend in tool wear during the micro-milling process and the main reasons of the tool wear are studied. The findings will facilitate slowing down the tool wear and prolonging the tool life during micro-milling Inconel718.

Originality/value

– The results of this paper can help slow down the tool wear and realize high efficiency, high precision and economical processing of small workpiece or structure of the nickel-based superalloy.
Numerical simulation research on effect of oil groove forms on thermal behavior of friction pair in hydro-viscous clutch
Authors: Xie Fangwei , Tong Yaowen , Wu Diancheng , Zhang Bing , Dai Kaiyu
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to study the influence of different cross-sectional shapes (rectangular, trapezoidal, oval and triangular) and layout forms of oil grooves (radial, circumferential, inclined, compound, helical and double-helical), and determine the optimal section shape and layout form of oil grooves on the temperature field.

Design/methodology/approach

– Heat conduction theory model was established based on startup characteristics and friction heat principle of hydro-viscous clutch (HVC), and then the theoretical expression of angular velocity of the friction pair and control pressure were deduced, and the heat flux and its distribution on friction disk and separator disk were calculated. Finally, the finite element method was used to solve the temperature field of the friction pair.

Findings

– The studies show that the circumferential oil groove got the highest temperature, and on the surface of all other structures, hot spots appear with different sizes and temperatures, and the maximum temperature difference in the friction zone is about 3°C, and in the oil groove zone is about 16°C, wherein the compound oil groove has the lowest average temperature. This research shows that the compound oil groove with rectangular cross-section is the best choice for the friction pair.

Originality/value

– In this paper, it was found that the compound oil groove with rectangular cross-section is the best choice for the friction pair, and it provided a favorable theory reference and technical support for the structural design of the friction pair and optimized design of the high-power HVC.
Tremors and tenants
Authors: Filippova Olga
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore the changes in commercial office occupiers’ preferences in their building choice as a result of a recent natural disaster which triggered policy changes in building safety.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study follows a qualitative research design comprising semi-structured one-on-one interviews with 24 property professionals (commercial leasing agents and property managers) in Auckland, New Zealand. A thematic analysis was employed for identifying, analysing and reporting themes emerged within data.

Findings

– Tenants across New Zealand now incorporate earthquake issues in their leasing decisions. Most tenants are familiar with the impending policy changes related to earthquake-prone buildings. The degree to which building standards are incorporated into office occupiers’ choice varies with the size of the organisation and their willingness to invest in their corporate social responsibility. A certain level of overreaction was observed in tenants’ behaviour in the face of risk and uncertainty following the earthquakes. However, risk appears to be subsiding and emphasis is placed on availability of space in desirable locations.

Research limitations/implications

– The findings are limited due to a non-random sample selection and a small sample size. Further quantitative research is required to determine if office tenants place a premium on occupying seismically safe buildings since forthcoming regulatory changes have been announced.

Practical/implications

– This study provides evidence that imminent building policy changes are efficient in raising public awareness and informing perceptions of potential losses following a recent natural disaster event. Building owners can potentially capitalise on tenants’ desire to occupy high quality space.

Originality/value

– This is the first study that develops the knowledge base identifying the perceptions of tenants about seismic safety of buildings since the Canterbury earthquakes. The study also contributes to the literature on the market effect of policy changes triggered by a focusing event.
Rent review: dark art or rainy sky?
Authors: Dowden Malcolm John
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to consider the impact on rent review clauses of a recent UK Supreme Court ruling on the interpretation and application of contractual provisions. Although the ruling in Arnold v. Britton (2015) UKSC 36 concerned service charge provisions, the court’s approach has significant implications for rent reviews where a fixed or indexed increase is intended.

Design/methodology/approach

– Review of the Supreme Court’s approach and findings in a case concerning clauses that provided for fixed percentage increases in long leases.

Findings

– It is no part of the court’s function, through the process of contractual interpretation, to rescue a party from a bad bargain.

Research limitations/implications

– Supreme Court ruling in Arnold v. Britton was considered in the context of recent rulings on rent review clauses.

Practical implications

– When drafting for a fixed or stepped increase at rent review, parties must ensure that any formulae or other provisions governing calculation produce results that are fair and in line with the parties’ actual intentions. The court will not use the process of contractual interpretation to rescue a party from a bad bargain, and will not intervene to override clear wording. Although the court has power to decide in favour of commercial common sense where a clause is ambiguous or unclear, there is a limit to the “red ink” that the court can apply, and no room for remedial interpretation where a clause is clear.

Social implications

– Where contract provisions are clear it is not open to the court to intervene, by means of contractual interpretation, to protect or to rescue a party who has been disadvantaged, however seriously, if the clause is clear. Where such cases arise in a contract covered by English law, or in similar common law jurisdictions, any protection must be found in statute.

Originality/value

– Practitioner’s review and comments on recent Supreme Court authority.
Portuguese working group advocacy for intergenerational policies: challenges and results
Authors: Gonçalves Marta , Hattton-Yeo Alan , Branco Carla
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to present the benefits and challenges of the advocacy group for intergenerational policies that was created in Portugal in 2012, the European Year of Active Ageing and solidarity between generations.

Design/methodology/approach

– The group conducted nine closed group meetings scheduled every three months with an average attendance of five members and six public events bringing together researchers, policy makers, practitioners and civil society.

Findings

– The group was established as a response to the various social changes happening in Portugal as a consequence of the ageing population, low-birth rate and migration, leading to the need to explore new responses which are based both on the need to promote active ageing and intergenerational solidarity and also the importance of family and state support to multigenerational families as a building block to strengthen communities.

Research limitations/implications

– The paper sets the context of the changing social situation in Portugal, describes the process used through both closed and public meetings to discuss this and then describes the perspectives of four core groups.

Practical implications

– Only by pooling resources and thinking intergenerationally will we be able to deliver the opportunities and support that the citizens will need to enable them to age well across the life course.

Social implications

– Drawing on this and the strong tradition of the family in Portugal it seeks to make the case that an

i

ntergenerational approach is essential to the countries future social well-being.

Originality/value

– The creation of the advocacy group created a private space for professionals to explore and strengthen their understanding of the impact of these issues and the potential of approaching policy as an intergenerational issue as one solution.
Evaluation of edna: arts and dance for older people
Authors: Skingley Ann , De'Ath Stephanie , Napleton Luci
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the impact on health and well-being of participation in dance and arts activities by older people living in the community.

Design/methodology/approach

– A small-scale, mixed methods research design comprising pretest-posttest evaluation of a three month dance and arts programme. Two groups of older people underwent physical measures and completed a self-report quality of life questionnaire. Written comments and interview data were also gathered.

Findings

– Physical tests (n=14) demonstrated improvements in posture, shoulder mobility and balance in both groups following the intervention, with some measures reaching statistical significance. Quality of life evaluations (n=21) also showed improvement, with the mental health subscale reaching statistical significance. Qualitative data showed that participants enjoyed the programme and felt physical, psychological and social benefits.

Research limitations/implications

– The research involved only a small sample of volunteers and a limited programme length which limits its generalisability. The absence of a control group means that causality cannot be inferred. Future research should extend recruitment to a wider geographical area and a longer intervention which includes a control group.

Practical implications

– Future arts interventions for older people should include consultation prior to, and throughout the project. Commissioners should consider supporting arts for health projects, building in additional funding for evaluative work.

Originality/value

– This study has added to the evidence base through combining art forms within a mixed methods framework, illustrating the interplay between the art forms, the outcomes and the potential role of social context.
Self-awareness of memory impairment in Parkinson’s disease: a review of the literature
Authors: Bloomfield Jacqueline , Woods Damith , Ludington Jason
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to review and provide information on the small but growing body of literature that demonstrates that some people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) are unaware of the memory impairment, and this has clinical implications for how family members care for their loved one, and how clinical staff and others may interact with them on a day-to-day perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

– The approach takes the form of a general review.

Findings

– People with PD experience a variety of cognitive impairment including deficits in memory and higher level executive processes. Impairment in these areas can occur early in the disease course and result in adverse consequences including distractibility, trouble recalling information, and problems remembering to execute planned actions like adhering to medication regimes. The literature also suggests heterogeneity in both the memory performance of people with PD and in the definition of awareness used to investigate this phenomenon.

Practical implications

– Strategies for remembering may be of practical importance for people with PD, and/or caregivers should be introduced and educated to the nature of memory impairment in PD, as well as its likely course and natural progression in a non-threatening way before they are later instructed on “tips” for maximising daily functioning as more severe cognitive deficits begin to appear.

Originality/value

– This paper adds to the small body of literature that investigates patients’ awareness of memory impairment in PD and advocates for ongoing research within the area.