bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Late life second move housing choices of international retiree migrants
Authors: Gibler Karen M. , Manuel Casado‐Díaz José , Angeles Casado‐Díaz Mari , Rodríguez Vicente , Taltavull Paloma
Published: May 2009

Purpose

Many international retirement migrants are amenity movers undertaking the first move in the late life course model of migration. The purpose of this paper is to examine second moves within the retirement destination community to test whether the model of late life course migration accurately portrays the motivations and housing choices local movers make after retiring to another country.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper combines secondary data and survey results to examine the composition of the retiree migrant population in the Alicante province of Spain. The socioeconomic characteristics and housing choices of those who have made a second move since retiring to Spain are compared with those who have not moved through a series of t‐tests and chi‐square tests.

Findings

The paper finds that those who have made a second move within Spain are somewhat typical of second movers in the late life course. They are likely to cite mobility or health problems as a reason for moving and appear to recognize the need for a home that provides living area on one floor. Yet, they are choosing to move within an area that does not provide them with access to informal family care givers.

Research limitations/implications

The data are restricted to retirees of two nationalities in one province of Spain. Further research is suggested in other locations and with retirees of other nationalities for comparison.

Practical implications

Because many international retirees do not plan to return to their countries of origin, they will create demand for formal in‐home care services and supportive retiree housing in the near future in their retirement destination countries.

Originality/value

This paper provides understanding of a growing consumer housing segment in retirement destinations.
Testing an explicit and implicit measure of motivation
Authors: Lawrence Sandra , Jordan Peter
Published: May 2009

Purpose

This study aims to examine the relationship between an implicit and an explicit measure of motivation and measures of job and life satisfaction to provide a better understanding of workplace motivation.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey is to be administered to 113 workers from a broad community sample. The survey contains measures of implicit motivation (multi motive grid‐short version, MMG‐S) and explicit motivation (needs assessment questionnaire, NAQ), job satisfaction and life satisfaction, and the core self‐evaluation scale.

Findings

Two types of confirmatory factor analyses allow us to examine the psychometric properties and convergent and discriminant validity between an implicit measure of motivation and an explicit measure of motivation. The data reveals that the implicit motivation variables assessed by the MMG‐S are operationally distinct from those assessed by the explicit NAQ. A more detailed analysis reveals poor discriminant validity originating from the MMG‐S variables. Regression analyses are conducted to assess the concurrent validity of both measures in influencing job and life satisfaction. Results reveal that although explicit motives are significantly linked to changes in satisfaction, implicit motives are not.

Research limitations/implications

The study uses a cross‐sectional design and therefore the results may be affected by common method variance. The study uses a convenience sample of workers.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the understanding of explicit and implicit measures of motivation and encourages managers consider how they assess the motivation of employees at work.
An investigation into extracting and analysing stories
Authors: Ferneley Elaine , Sobreperez Polly
Published: May 2009

Purpose

The use of storytelling as a knowledge elicitation tool has attracted much attention in recent years, yet there is limited literature on how to illicit or stimulate the story. This paper aims to find appropriate research instruments that stimulate storytelling and morph vocalised individual narratives into multifaceted stories that provide an insight into the emotions, politics and “life” of organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses an in depth case‐study approach undertaken within the UK Fire and Rescue emergency service and uses the concept of storytelling as a research instrument to elicit highly contextualized knowledge from knowledge holders. The intention is not to attempt to find an objective truth but rather to stimulate discursive openness.

Findings

The paper demonstrates that the developed story elicitation technique can stimulate storytelling and story creation. The research provides a simple formalism for structuring story elicitation and analysis.

Research limitations/implications

It would be useful if future research explored the use of the story elicitation technique presented here in other domains, particularly those where multiple stakeholders are involved and therefore there is the possibility of multiple “truths.”

Practical implications

The story elicitation will make a practical contribution to the management “toolbox” providing managers with a mechanism for stimulating storytelling, especially in complex situations where multiple perspectives need to be considered.

Originality/value

This paper presents a non‐prescriptive investigative tool for studying the multidimensional nature of storytelling and legitimisation.
Australian and Canadian managerial values: a review
Authors: Wolak Arthur
Published: May 2009

Purpose

Although Australia and English Canada share common British colonial origins, they have not evolved into identical cultures. This is likely because they do not share an identical pattern of cultural values. Research has shown that, while common values certainly exist, each nation's dominant values are neither identical for all values nor are specific common values necessarily shared to the same degree. The purpose of this paper is to compare and contrast seven key values studies and considers their managerial implications.

Design/methodology/approach

This review of comparative values studies helps identify, through analysis and comparison with other cultures, subtle differences between Australian and Canadian cultural values.

Findings

Distinct Australian and Canadian value profiles emerge when each culture is contrasted with other, especially Anglo‐based, cultures. However, the studies in this review do not explore in great detail how such values became prominent cultural markers. This review therefore suggests that the impact of Anglo‐Celtic immigrants during each nation's formative periods may be a primary underlying cause that deserves further study.

Research limitations/implications

The studies rely on various value scales to identify cultural similarities and differences. Such studies are cross‐sectional and do not analyze the results from a longitudinal or historical perspective. Nonetheless, reviewing these values studies contributes to the understanding of contemporary Australia, English Canada, and their respective managerial cultures. This review does not examine French Canadian values studies because of this analysis' focus on Anglo cultures to determine distinctions among dominant values and to suggest reasons for differences among those sharing a common British colonial heritage.

Practical implications

This review informs practicing managers in Australia, Canada, and others considering entering these cultures, which values haven proven culturally important and how local values could impact managerial decision‐making behavior.

Originality/value

Given a lack of research directly comparing Australian and Canadian cultural and/or managerial values, this review of significant comparative values studies helps identify distinctions worthy of further investigation. The critical discussion considers limitations of the current literature, as well as areas for future research that include ethno‐cultural factors in organizational research that are important for domestic enterprises and multinational corporations entering each market.
Rapid prototyping of anatomically shaped, tissue‐engineered implants for restoring congruent articulating surfaces in small joints
Authors: Woodfield T. B. F. , Guggenheim M. , Von Rechenberg B. , Riesle J. , Van Blitterswijk C. A. , Wedler V.
Published: May 2009

Background:  Preliminary studies investigated advanced scaffold design and tissue engineering approaches towards restoring congruent articulating surfaces in small joints.

Materials and methods:  Anatomical femoral and tibial cartilage constructs, fabricated by three‐dimensional fibre deposition (3DF) or compression moulding/particulate leaching (CM), were evaluated in vitro and in vivo in an autologous rabbit model. Effects of scaffold pore architecture on rabbit chondrocyte differentiation and mechanical properties were evaluated following in vitro culture and subcutaneous implantation in nude mice. After femoral and tibial osteotomy and autologous implantation of tissue‐engineered constructs in rabbit knee joints, implant fixation and joint articulation were evaluated.

Results:  Rapid prototyping of 3DF architectures with 100% interconnecting pores promoted homogeneous distribution of viable cells, glycosaminoglycan (GAG) and collagen type II; significantly greater GAG content and differentiation capacity (GAG/DNA) in vitro compared to CM architectures; and higher mechanical equilibrium modulus and dynamic stiffness (at 0.1 Hz). Six weeks after implantation, femoral and tibial constructs had integrated with rabbit bone and knee flexion/extension and partial load bearing were regained. Histology demonstrated articulating surfaces between femoral and tibial constructs for CM and 3DF architectures; however, repair tissue appeared fibrocartilage‐like and did not resemble implanted cartilage.

Conclusions:  Anatomically shaped, tissue‐engineered constructs with designed mechanical properties and internal pore architectures may offer alternatives for reconstruction or restoration of congruent articulating surfaces in small joints.
Conjugated linoleic acid content of milk from buffaloes fed a mustard oil‐based diet
Authors: KATHIRVELAN C , TYAGI A K
Published: May 2009

Fifteen Murrah buffaloes were distributed in groups I, II and III. The group I animals were fed with groundnut cake‐based concentrate, group II animals with mustard cake‐based concentrate and group III with 2% of mustard oil added to the group II feed. Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) estimation in milk was done by using GC. The average total CLA contents (mg/g milk fat) in the three groups were 6.84, 12.12 and 19.50 mg/g of fat respectively. Hence it was concluded that addition of 2% mustard oil resulted in a 185% increase in milk fat total CLA content.
Transgenic inhibition of astroglial NF‐κB leads to increased axonal sparing and sprouting following spinal cord injury
Authors: Brambilla Roberta , Hurtado Andres , Persaud Trikaldarshi , Esham Kim , Pearse Damien D. , Oudega Martin , Bethea John R.
Published: May 2009

We previously showed that Nuclear Factor κB (NF‐κB) inactivation in astrocytes leads to improved functional recovery following spinal cord injury (SCI). This correlated with reduced expression of pro‐inflammatory mediators and chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans, and increased white matter preservation. Hence we hypothesized that inactivation of astrocytic NF‐κB would create a more permissive environment for axonal sprouting and regeneration. We induced both contusive and complete transection SCI in GFAP‐Inhibitor of κB‐dominant negative (GFAP‐IκBα‐dn) and wild‐type (WT) mice and performed retrograde [fluorogold (FG)] and anterograde [biotinylated dextran amine (BDA)] tracing 8 weeks after injury. Following contusive SCI, more FG‐labeled cells were found in motor cortex, reticular formation, and raphe nuclei of transgenic mice. Spared and sprouting BDA‐positive corticospinal axons were found caudal to the lesion in GFAP‐IκBα‐dn mice. Higher numbers of FG‐labeled neurons were detected immediately rostral to the lesion in GFAP‐IκBα‐dn mice, accompanied by increased expression of synaptic and axonal growth‐associated molecules. After transection, however, no FG‐labeled neurons or BDA‐filled axons were found rostral and caudal to the lesion, respectively, in either genotype. These data demonstrated that inhibiting astroglial NF‐κB resulted in a growth‐supporting terrain promoting sparing and sprouting, rather than regeneration, of supraspinal and propriospinal circuitries essential for locomotion, hence contributing to the improved functional recovery observed after SCI in GFAP‐IκBα‐dn mice.
Szt2, a novel gene for seizure threshold in mice
Authors: Frankel W. N. , Yang Y. , Mahaffey C. L. , Beyer B. J. , O'Brien T. P.
Published: May 2009

In a chemical mutagenesis screen we identified Szt2 (seizure threshold 2) as a gene that confers low seizure threshold to mice and may also enhance epileptogenesis. The semidominant phenotype was mapped to Chromosome 4 and narrowed further to a critical interval of approximately 650 kb. A novel large (> 10 kb) transcript in the critical interval was found to have fourfold increased steady‐state expression at the RNA level in Szt2 homozygous mutant brain. The corresponding 72 exon gene encodes a 378‐kD protein with no significant or suggestive sequence similarities to any other protein. The mutant allele of Szt2 contains a splice donor mutation after exon 32, predicting transcriptional read‐through, translational frameshift and premature stop. A second Szt2 allele, containing a gene‐trap mutation in exon 21, also conferred a low seizure threshold and increased RNA expression, but unlike the original allele, some gene‐trap homozygotes died embryonically. Szt2 is transcribed in many tissues, with the highest expression in brain, and it is also expressed during embryonic development. Szt2 is highly conserved in evolution, with a clear, single orthologue found in all land vertebrates and in many invertebrates. Interestingly, in mammals the Szt2 gene resides in a highly conserved head‐to‐head configuration with Med8 (which encodes a Mediator complex subunit), separated by only 91 nt. While the biological function of Szt2 remains unknown, its high conservation, unique structure and effect on seizure threshold suggest that it serves an important role in the central nervous system.
Familial Episodic Ataxia
Authors: Jen Joanna C. , Baloh Robert W.
Published: May 2009

Familial episodic ataxias are inherited channelopathies that manifest as episodes of vertigo and ataxia triggered by emotional stress and physical exertion. Mutations in two neuronal ion‐channel genes KCNA1 and CACNA1A abundantly expressed in the cerebellum account for the majority of the identified cases of episodic ataxia. Overlapping features between episodic ataxia and the more common recurrent vertigo and ataxia syndromes, particularly those associated with migraine, suggest shared underlying mechanisms. Altered neuronal excitability in the brain and inner ear could contribute to the central and peripheral features of migrainous vertigo. Given the familial aggregation of migraine and migrainous vertigo, our objective was to identify predisposing genetic factors. Preliminary findings demonstrate that migrainous vertigo is genetically heterogeneous and complex. Efforts are ongoing to perform genomewide association studies to identify risk alleles for migrainous vertigo, which may also be relevant to migraine in general.
Agouti protein, mahogunin, and attractin in pheomelanogenesis and melanoblast‐like alteration of melanocytes: a cAMP‐independent pathway
Authors: Hida Tokimasa , Wakamatsu Kazumasa , Sviderskaya Elena V. , Donkin Andrew J. , Montoliu Lluis , Lynn Lamoreux M. , Yu Bin , Millhauser Glenn L. , Ito Shosuke , Barsh Gregory S. , Jimbow Kowichi , Bennett Dorothy C.
Published: May 2009

Melanocortin‐1 receptor (MC1R) and its ligands, α‐melanocyte stimulating hormone (αMSH) and agouti signaling protein (ASIP), regulate switching between eumelanin and pheomelanin synthesis in melanocytes. Here we investigated biological effects and signaling pathways of ASIP. Melan‐a non agouti (a/a) mouse melanocytes produce mainly eumelanin, but ASIP combined with phenylthiourea and extra cysteine could induce over 200‐fold increases in the pheomelanin to eumelanin ratio, and a tan‐yellow color in pelletted cells. Moreover, ASIP‐treated cells showed reduced proliferation and a melanoblast‐like appearance, seen also in melanocyte lines from yellow (Ay/a and Mc1re/ Mc1re) mice. However ASIP‐YY, a C‐terminal fragment of ASIP, induced neither biological nor pigmentary changes. As, like ASIP, ASIP‐YY inhibited the cAMP rise induced by αMSH analog NDP‐MSH, and reduced cAMP level without added MSH, the morphological changes and depigmentation seemed independent of cAMP signaling. Melanocytes genetically null for ASIP mediators attractin or mahogunin (Atrnmg‐3J/mg‐3J or Mgrn1md‐nc/md‐nc) also responded to both ASIP and ASIP‐YY in cAMP level, while only ASIP altered their proliferation and (in part) shape. Thus, ASIP–MC1R signaling includes a cAMP‐independent pathway through attractin and mahogunin, while the known cAMP‐dependent component requires neither attractin nor mahogunin.
Cigarette smoking and the microbial flora of the mouth*
Authors: Colman G. , Beighton D. , Chalk A. J. , Wake Susan
Published: May 2009

Abstract— A range of selective media was used to culture the microbial flora of the dental plaque, tongue and palate. The subjects were five young men who smoked more than twenty cigarettes a day and four who did not smoke. Neisseriae were less numerous on the mucosal surfaces of the smokers.
Australian Dental Research Fund Trebitsch Scholarship* Efficacy of antifungal prophylaxis in bone marrow transplantation
Authors: Quirk Paul C. , Osborne Peter J. , Walsh Laurence J.
Published: May 2009

Oral candidal infection is a common problem in bone marrow transplantation. This prospective study compared the effectiveness of antifungal prophylaxis with topical antifungals (nystatin and amphotericin B suspensions) versus oral fluconazole in 196 patients undergoing bone marrow transplantation. Oral candidosis occurred frequently in the group receiving topical antifungals (61/113, 54%), but was rare in the group receiving fluconazole (6/83, 7%). The difference in efficacy between the two groups was highly significant (p<0.00001). There was no difference in the incidence of suspected systemic fungal infection between the two groups. While nausea was a problem with antifungal suspensions, no significant adverse reactions to fluconazole occurred. Because of greater efficacy in preventing oral candidosis and better patient tolerance, oral fluconazole is preferred to antifungal suspensions for prophylactic use in patients undergoing bone marrow transplantation.
The stability of facial osteotomies. 3. Chin advancement
Authors: Hoffman Gary R. , Moloney Frank B.
Published: May 2009

Surgical repositioning of the chin can be used to improve function and aesthetics. The most commonly employed technique involves a sectioning of the lower border of the anterior mandible, thus allowing a sliding movement of the chin. It is generally accepted that the maintenance of a soft tissue attachment provides a clinically stable skeletal and predictable soft tissue change with minimal postoperative osseous resorption.

Part 3 of this series of papers addresses the issues of treatment planning, surgical technique and clinical indications for undertaking advancement genioplasty. These, combined with the surgeon's artistic sense of facial harmony, are pre‐conditions necessary for successful chin surgery.
Serum alkaline phosphatase, calcium, and phosphate levels following clinical use of natural coral
Authors: Alpaslan Gökhan , Alpaslan Cansu , Bilgihan Ayşe , Yamahk Kemal
Published: May 2009

Measurement of alkaline phosphatase enzymatic activity is the most commonly used serum marker to assess bone formation. In this present study serum alkaline phosphatase, calcium, and phosphate were measured in 12 patients where natural coral was implanted in surgical bony defects. Blood samples were obtained preoperatively which served as control, and at 1, 7, 15, and 30 days. No statistically significant increase in serum alkaline phosphatase, calcium, and phosphate was observed.
The stability of facial osteotomies. 1. The evolution of maxillary, mandibular and chin osteotomies
Authors: Hoffman Gary R. , Moloney Frank B.
Published: May 2009

Surgical repositioning of the dento‐skeletal components of the face, combined with appropriate orthodontic treatment, can be used to improve function and aesthetics. An extensive number of osteotomies are performed within the maxillofacial region. The most common of these are the Le Fort I osteotomy of the maxilla, the bilateral sagittal split osteotomy of the mandibular ramus, and the horizontal osteotomy of the anterior mandible. The attainment of three dimensional stability following corrective jaw surgery continues to be a major problem in the post‐surgical period, in spite of the widespread adoption of rigid internal osteosynthesis.

The evolution of these osteotomies to advance dento‐skeletal components is traced from their inception to the present day and the concept of stability is explained (Part I). This serves as a prelude to an investigation into the stability of these procedures, undertaken in isolation or combination, to advance selected segments of the mid‐ and lower face (Parts 2, 3, 4, 5).
Cementation of vented crowns with low deformation
Authors: Wilson Peter R.
Published: May 2009

Crown deformation during cementation was measured with a circumferential strain gauge. The effects of different seating forces (3,10 and 25 N), three different cements (Phosphacap, Ketac‐cem Applicap and Fuji‐cap I) and the presence or absence of venting on deformation and seating discrepancy were investigated. Forty (im of cement space was provided for all experiments. Venting increased deformation and reduced seating discrepancy, whilst increased force increased deformation and decreased seating discrepancy. Ketac‐cem Applicap allowed the lowest seating discrepancy with median crown deformation. It was possible, by using venting, low forces (10 N) and Ketac‐cem Applicap, to achieve a low marginal discrepancy with low crown deformation. Venting also diminished the seating discrepancy to acceptable levels when higher forces (25 N) were used with Phosphacap.
Methadone and caries. Case reports
Authors: Sheedy John J.
Published: May 2009

Several cases of advanced tooth destruction from widespread severe carious lesions are presented where methadone syrup has been used intra‐orally in a drug rehabilitation programme. Aetiological factors are discussed and suggestions made concerning treatment plans and social Implications for these patients.
Application and Investigation of Modified Helical Gears With Several Types of Geometry
Authors: Gonzalez-Perez Ignacio , Fuentes Alfonso , Litvin Faydor L. , Hayasaka Kenichi , Yukishima Kenji
Published: May 2009

Involute helical gears with modified geometry for transformation of rotation between parallel axes are considered. Three types of topology of geometry are considered: (1) crowning of pinion tooth surface is provided only partially by application of a grinding disk; (2) double crowning of pinion tooth surface is obtained applying a grinding disk; (3) concave-convex pinion and gear tooth surfaces are provided (similar to Novikov-Wildhaber gears). Localization of bearing contact is provided for all three types of topology. Computerized TCA (Tooth Contact Analysis) is performed for all three types of topology to obtain: (i) path of contact on pinion and gear tooth surfaces; (ii) negative function of transmission errors for misaligned gear drives (that allows the contact ratio to be increased). Stress analysis is performed for the whole cycle of meshing. Finite element models of pinion and gear with several pairs of teeth are applied. A relative motion is imposed to the pinion model that allows friction between contact surfaces to be considered. Numerical examples have confirmed the advantages and disadvantages of the applied approaches for generation and design.
Adaptive Skyhook Control for Magneto-Rheological Vechicle Suspension Systems
Authors: Song Xubin , Ahmadian Mehdi , Southward Steve
Published: May 2009

This paper presents an application of one model based adaptive mechanism for skyhook controls, which is developed from the gradient search method that can be found out from LMS (least mean square) adaptive filters and other optimization routines. Since plant and operation variations could worsen vibration isolation performance of the traditionally-implemented skyhook controls, the rationale to embed adaptive mechanism into skyhook controls is to achieve more robust and consistent vibration control performance. The adaptation introduced here can help to find out optimal skyhook gains under broadband random vibrations. In this paper, the formulation of this model based adaptive algorithm is derived from a one-DOF base excited vibration system with application of magneto-rheological (MR) dampers. A nonparametric model is adopted to represent the applied MR damper. Based on the dynamic model derived for this studied MR suspension, the algorithm is elaborated. Furthermore, the adaptive semiactive system stability is briefly discussed. Finally the simulation study demonstrates the effectiveness of the adaptive skyhook controls.
Prediction of Kingpin/Fifthwheel Forces for Tractor-Semitrailers During Typical Operating Maneuvers
Authors: Shoffner Brent , Allen James , El-Gindy Moustafa , Evenson Wayne , Scaglione Mario A.
Published: May 2009

Visual inspections of selected semitrailers during routine equipment checks revealed that the kingpin bent in the direction of 180 degrees from the direction that the semitrailer is towed. Confirmation from semitrailer repair facilities found that in some cases the semitrailer’s supporting structure developed unexpected cracks. These cracks were not thought to be age related but were most likely caused by high stresses from unknown high loads. In an effort to determine the forces at the kingpin and fifthwheel, TruckSim® modeling and simulation software was utilized to predict the forces in all three directions during various operating maneuvers. Computer simulations suggest the largest forces are experienced during coupling operations as opposed to severe maneuvering or braking. The development of a Finite Element Analysis (FEA) model of the tractor-semitrailer coupling determined that high coupling speeds would overload the kingpin-fifthwheel structure. The FEA model also allowed researchers to determine that a damping system would lower the forces at the kingpin-fifthwheel interface to the magnitude of forces experienced during normal operations. A literature search found no valid documented tests, and determined the SAE J133 kingpin loading requirements were incorrect.
Modeling Elasto-Mechanical Phenomena Involved in the Motor-Driven Assembly of Nanomaterials
Authors: Barhorst A. A. , Harrison O. P. , Bachand G. D.
Published: May 2009

As the ability to manipulate materials and components at the nanoscale continues to grow, it will become increasingly critical to understand the dynamic interactions that occur among multiple components. For example, the dynamic interactions among proteins (i.e., nanoscale molecular machines) lead to complex, emergent behaviors such as photosynthesis, self-repair, and cell division. Recently, the research group at Sandia National Labs and The Center for Integrated Nanotechnologies (CINT), headed by George Bachand, has developed a molecular transport system capable of transporting and manipulating a wide range of nanoscale components. This system is based on the kinesin motor molecule and cytoskeletal filament microtubules (MTs), in which the kinesin are mounted to a substrate in an inverted fashion, and capable of binding and transporting the MTs across a surface as a molecular shuttle. In the presence of ATP, the kinesins are capable of generating ∼40 pN·nm of work, and transporting MTs along the substrate at velocities of ∼1 micro-m/sec. The MTs may also serve as a transport platform for various inorganic and biological nanoparticles. During transport, the cargo is transferred, via elastic collisions, from one MT to another or to where two MT carry a single cargo. Bending of the MT and various other elasto-dynamic phenomena such as particle ejection, MT sticking, etc are observed via fluorescence microscopy. The interaction observed by the Bachand team is not unlike the interaction of macroscale devices. The kinesin provide motivation to the MT via a hand-over-hand ratchet like motion driven by ATP hydrolysis. As the kinesin motor domains come into contact with and bind the MT, it is not inconceivable to think of this action from the framework of instantly applied constraints in a manner similar to the macroscopic action of devices coming into and out of constrained interaction. The hypothesis of our work is that the elasto-dynamic phenomenon observed can be modeled with the tools of multiple body dynamics modeling. The modeling perspective is based on the lead author’s hybrid parameter multiple body dynamics modeling methodology. This technique is a variational approach based on the projection methods of Gibbs-Appell. The constrained interaction through contact and impact are modeled with the idea of instantly applied non-holonomic constraints, where the interactions on the boundaries and in the domain of elastic continua are modeled via projections of the d’Alembert force deficit along conjugate directions generated via so called pseudo-generalized-speeds. In this paper we present motivation for our approach, the underlying modeling theory, and current results of our efforts at understanding the kinesin/MT shuttle system interaction.
Application of Anand-Type Viscoplastic Solder Material Model for Thermal Stress Analysis/Life Prediction of Concentrating Photovoltaic (CPV) Module
Authors: Cao M. , Butler S. , Benoit J. T. , Jiang Y. , Radhakrishnan R. , Chen Y. , Bendapudi S.
Published: May 2009

Aiming at understanding the structural integrity of a concentrating photovoltaic (CPV) module configuration, Finite Element (FE) thermal stress analysis is carried out in this investigation. Nonlinear viscoplastic analysis using the temperature profile of CPV cell fatigue test, is performed to evaluate the structure strength and subsequently predict the life of a CPV module. The result reveals that the maximum characteristic stresses of the PV cell components and heat sink are below the strength allowable for the corresponding materials under both the steady-state and over-night idle conditions. Critical locations on the solder that are potentially susceptible to structural failure after a few thousand thermal cycles due to excessive shear stress are identified. A rough estimation of the module life is provided and compared with the fatigue test. This investigation provides firsthand understanding of the structural integrity of CPV modules and is thus beneficial for the solar energy community.
Design Factors Influencing Power Reduction in Thermomechanical In-Plane Microactuators
Authors: Harb John N. , Lyon Scott M. , Larsen Jenny , Howell Larry L. , McLain Timothy W.
Published: May 2009

The TIM (Thermomechanical In-plane Microactuator) is a thermal actuator that offers a high output force at a low input voltage, in a design that can be easily modified to match force and displacement requirements of various applications. The purpose of this paper is to examine factors that affect the steady-state power requirements of a TIM. Reducing the power requirements of the TIM is critical for its use in some systems such as autonomous microsystems. The influence of several geometric modifications and one environment change on energy loss and actuator efficiency was investigated. The steady-state deflection of five different TIM designs was measured for various levels of input power in both air and vacuum. The extent of the power reduction for the most efficient design in air varied with deflection from about 40 percent at 4 μm deflection to 20 percent at a deflection of 8 μm. The most significant reduction in power was observed for devices tested under vacuum where conduction from the legs through the air to the substrate was minimal due to reduced heat losses at the low pressure.
Functional Decomposition in Engineering: A Survey
Authors: van Eck Dingmar , McAdams Daniel A. , Vermaas Pieter E.
Published: May 2009

Functional reasoning is regarded as an important asset to the engineering designers’ conceptual toolkit. Yet despite the value of functional reasoning for engineering design, a consensus view is lacking and several distinct proposals have been formulated. In this paper some of the main models for functional reasoning that are currently in use or discussed in engineering are surveyed and some of their differences clarified. The models included the Functional Basis approach by Stone and Wood [1], the Function Behavior State approach by Umeda et al. [2, 3, 4], and the Functional Reasoning approach of Chakrabarti and Bligh [5, 6]. This paper explicates differences between these approaches relating to: (1) representations of function and how they are influenced by design aims and form solutions, and (2) functional decomposition strategies, taken as the reasoning from overall artifact functions to sub-functions, and how these decomposition strategies are influenced by the use of existing engineering design knowledge bases.
Investigating the Affective Force on Creating Shared Understanding
Authors: Kleinsmann Maaike , Dong Andy
Published: May 2009

There is growing psychological research linking affect to the content and process of thinking. This paper deals with one aspect of affect and social cognition, the interaction of affect and shared understanding. It is theorized that affect may have cognitive processing consequences for shared understanding in design. In order to investigate this question, this paper develops a research method that brings together theories and instruments from cognitive science, linguistics, and design studies to study the link between affect and shared understanding in design. First, the paper reviews a framework for analyzing the process of creating shared understanding. Second, the paper presents a linguistic framework and analysis technique for extracting affective content from language based on the explicit, conscious expression of affect through favorable and unfavorable attitudes towards specific subjects. Third, the paper proposes a model of shared understanding that is interdependent, in part, with affective processing. The linguistic analysis and shared understanding analysis framework are applied to a transcript of collaborative design to illustrate how the affective content of designers’ communication shifts design activities. We find that our research method allows affect to be observed concurrently with cognitive processing and that, owing to the motivational consequences of affect, produces an axis of evaluation that could shed light on how affect organizes and drives the outcomes of design thinking.
Traffic Condition-Based Gain Scheduling of Electric Assist Control Strategy for Parallel Hybrid Electric Vehicles
Authors: Poursamad Amir
Published: May 2009

This paper presents gain scheduling of control strategy for parallel hybrid electric vehicles based on the traffic condition. Electric assist control strategy (EACS) is employed with different parameters for different traffic conditions. The parameters of the EACS are optimized and scheduled for different traffic conditions of TEH-CAR driving cycle. TEH-CAR is a driving cycle which is developed based on the experimental data collected from the real traffic condition in the city of Tehran. The objective of the optimization is to minimize the fuel consumption and emissions over the driving cycle, while enhancing or maintaining the driving performance characteristics of the vehicle. Genetic algorithm (GA) is used to solve the optimization problem and the constraints are handled by using penalty functions. The results from the computer simulation show the effectiveness of the approach and reduction in fuel consumption and emissions, while ensuring that the vehicle performance is not sacrificed.
A Novel Chloroplastmimic Photovoltaics With Full Visible Spectrum Operation
Authors: Wang Gou-Jen , Chen Wei-Zheng , Lee Ming-Way
Published: May 2009

A novel and very simple chloroplastmimic photovoltaic scheme, in which water is photolyzed by a new photocatalyst fabricated by depositing a thin film of TiO2 on an array of carbon nanotubes (CNT), has been made. Multiple reflections within the photocatalyst extend the optical response from the ultraviolet range to the full visible range. Hydrogen ions with various concentrations are separated by an artificial thylakoid membrane, resulting in a transmembrane chemiosmotic potential, generating ion-diffusion-induced electricity. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed simple chloroplastmimic photovoltaics can produce a photocurrent directly from visible light.
Measurement Theory and Dimensional Analysis: Methodological Impact on the Comparison and Evaluation Process
Authors: Coatane´a Eric , Yannou Bernard , Honkala Sauli , Saarelainen Tanja , Makkonen Petri , Lajunen Antti
Published: May 2009

Comparison and ranking of solutions are central tasks of the design process. Designers have to deal with decisions simultaneously involving multiple criteria. Those criteria are often inconsistent in the sense that they are expressed according to different types of metrics. This means that usual engineering performance indicators are expressed according to physical quantities (i.e. SI system) and indicators such as preference functions can be “measured” by using other type of qualitative metrics. This aspect limits the scientific consistency of design because a coherent scientific framework will at first require the creation of a unified list of fundamental properties. A combined analysis of the measurement theory, the General Design Theory (GDT) and the dimensional analysis theory give an interesting insight in order to create guidelines for establishing a coherent measurement system. This article establishes a list of fundamental requirements. We expect that these guidelines can help engineers and designers to be more aware of the drawbacks linked with the use of wrong comparison procedures and limitations associated with the use of weak measurement scales. This article makes an analysis of the fundamental aspects available in major scientific publications related to comparison, provides a synthesis of these basic concepts and unifies those concepts together from a designing perspective. A practical design methodology using the fundamental results of this article as prerequisites has been implemented by the authors.
Integral Design: The Reflective Morphological Overview
Authors: Zeiler Wim , Savanovic Perica , Quanjel Emile
Published: May 2009

Integral Building Design is done by multi disciplinary design teams and aims at integrating all aspects from the different disciplines involved in a design for a building such as; archtitecture, construction, building physics and building services. It involves information exchange between participants within the design process in amounts not yet known before. To support this highly complex process an Integral Building Design methods is developed based on the combination of a prescriptive approach, Methodical Design, and a descriptive approach, Reflective practice. Starting from the Methodical Design approach by van den Kroonenberg, a more reflective approach is developed. The use of Integral Design within the design process results in a transparency on the taken design steps and the design decisions. Within the design process, the extended prescriptive methodology is used as a framework for reflection on design process itself. To ensure a good information exchange between different disciplines during the conceptual phase of design a functional structuring technique can be used; Morphological Overviews (MO). Morphology provides a structure to give an overview of the consider functions and their solution alternatives. By using this method it is presumed that it helps to structure the communication between the design team members and a such forms a basis for reflection on the design results by the design team members. This method is used in the education program at the Technische Universiteit Eindhoven and was tested in workshops for students and for professionals from the Royal Institute of Dutch Architects (BNA) and the Dutch Association of Consulting Engineers (ONRI). Over 250 professionals participated in these workshops.
A Study of Manufacturing Micro-Nano Particles of Green Tea by Rapid Expansion of Supercritical Solutions Method
Authors: Sheu Shane-Rong , Jang Ming-Jyi , Wang Cheng-Chi
Published: May 2009

One of the most important areas of research in the material science field is the manufacture of fine particles. Small particles have an improved dissolution rate and are therefore more easily absorbed into biological in-vivo tissue or the skin surface layer. This study investigates the effects of temperature and pressure on the particle size of green tea powder manufactured via the rapid expansion supercritical solution method. The dissolution rate of the green tea extract in the supercritical carbon dioxide solution is enhanced via the addition of a modest quantity of ethyl alcohol. The size of the particles produced under different temperature and pressure conditions is analyzed using a laser particle size analyzer. The results show that under constant temperature conditions, a higher pressure causes the particle size decreased. Meanwhile, for a constant pressure, both the particle size and the volume of powder produced reduce as the temperature is increased. Overall, the results show that a minimum particle size of 58 nm is obtained at a pressure of 2000 psi and a temperature of 45°C.
On the Temperature Compensation of Parallel Piezoresistive Microcantilevers in Biosensors
Authors: Yang S. M. , Chang C. , Yin T. I.
Published: May 2009

Microcantilever with embedded piezoresistor has been applied to in-situ surface stress measurement of biochemical reaction, where parallel microcantilever design by using an active cantilever for biosensing and another reference cantilever for noise cancellation has previously been proposed. This paper shows that the measurement is sensitive to the temperature effect induced by the piezoresistor. The temperature difference between the two cantilevers can reach 40°C at 10V operation because of their difference thermal capacitance. For the microcantilever of 125×65×0.75 μm, the offset voltage of the parallel microcantilever is 1.65 mV and the temperature drift is 0.01 mV/°C. An improved parallel microcantilever design is developed using the stripe pattern design on the immobilized layer and the signal conditioning circuit for temperature compensation in biosensors. Analyses and experiments show that the performance of a CMOS sensor chip can be significantly improved.
A Unified Approach to Solving Graph Based Design Problems
Authors: Campbell Matthew I. , Nair Sandeep , Patel Jay
Published: May 2009

This paper proposes a new perspective of using graph transformation systems as a way of organizing and solving engineering design problems. Using this novel technique the synthesis of optimal solutions in the form of graph topologies for design problems is made possible. Though the concept of graph grammars has existed for several decades in computer science literature, researchers in the field of design have now begun to realize the merit of using them to harness both the knowledge and heuristics of a particular problem domain. This paper examines the fundamental challenges in applying graph transformations in a design context. The paper also presents the first topology optimization method that has been developed specifically for domains representable by a graph grammar schema. This novel approach could also be used in several problems such as network problems (especially in determining the placement of hubs), electric circuit design, neural networks, sheet metal, and product architecture. The abstraction afforded by graphs also enables us to tackle multi-disciplinary problems found throughout engineering design. A few engineering examples are shown in this paper in order to illustrate the power of the approach in automating the design process.
The Affordance Structure Matrix: A Concept Exploration and Attention Directing Tool for Affordance Based Design
Authors: Maier Jonathan R. A. , Ezhilan Thulasiram , Fadel Georges M.
Published: May 2009

The theory of affordances has been adapted by the authors into a high-level approach to design known as affordance based design. One of the features that distinguishes the affordance based approach from function based approaches is that affordances are form dependent whereas functions are form independent. While delaying consideration of form can help maintain design freedom, considering the structure of multiple concept solutions early in the design process can preserve design freedom while allowing the designer to manipulate and refine concept structures and make prototypes early in the design process. In this paper we present a tool, the affordance-structure matrix, that aids the designer in mapping artifact structures to positive and negative affordances for the project. The affordance structure matrix can be used as an attention directing tool, focusing on the correlations within an individual concept architecture, or as a concept exploration tool, comparing the affordance-structure linkages across multiple concepts. The use of the affordance structure matrix is demonstrated using a case study examining two concept architectures for a household vacuum cleaner. The features of the affordance structure matrix are also contrasted with other existing matrix based tools for engineering design.
Vehicle Stability Improvement by Active Front Steering Control
Authors: Chen Deling , Yin Chengliang , Chen Li
Published: May 2009

This paper presents the vehicle stability improvement by active front steering (AFS) control. Firstly, a mathematical model of the steering system incorporating vehicle dynamics is analyzed based on the structure of the AFS system. Then feedback controller with linear quadratic regulator (LQR) optimization is proposed. In the controller, the assisted motor in the system is controlled by the combination of feedforward method and feedback method. And the feedback parameter is the yaw rate together with the sideslip angle. Due to the difficulties associated with the sideslip angle measurement of vehicle, a state observer is designed to provide real time estimation to meet the demands of feedback. In the last, the system is simulated in MATLAB. The results show that the vehicle handling stability is improved with the AFS control, and the effectiveness of the control system is demonstrated.