bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Blood Pressure Reduction Response and Responder Characteristics to Fixed‐Dose Combination Treatment of Amlodipine and Losartan: A Post Hoc Analysis of Pooled Clinical Trials
Authors: Unniachan Sreevalsa , Wu David , Rajagopalan Srinivasan , Hanson Mary E. , Fujita Kenji P.
Published: August 2014

Data from four clinical trials compared reductions in systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) among patients treated with amlodipine/losartan 5/50 mg vs 5/100 mg and amlodipine/losartan 5/50 mg vs amlodipine 5 mg and 10 mg. Response rate was assessed as reduction in SBP or DBP (>20/10 mm Hg) and proportion of patients achieving SBP <140 mm Hg or DBP <90 mm Hg. Patients were grouped into quartiles based on baseline SBP and DBP. Mean SBP and DBP were reduced in amlodipine/losartan 5/50 mg (n=182) and amlodipine/losartan 5/100 mg (n=95) users across all baseline quartiles. Patients using amlodipine/losartan 5/50 mg had significantly greater SBP and DBP reductions vs amlodipine 5 mg (P=.001 and P=.02, respectively). Amlodipine/losartan 5/50 mg users had significantly greater SBP reduction vs amlodipine 10 mg (SBP P=.02; DBP P=not significant). The odds of responding to therapy were significantly greater with amlodipine/losartan 5/50 mg vs amlodipine 5 mg (odds ratio, 5.33; 95% confidence interval, 1.42–25.5) and were similar vs amlodipine 10 mg (odds ratio, 0.67; 95% confidence interval, 0.017–9.51). These results support the use of combination therapy early in the treatment of hypertension.
Callionymus omanensis, a new species of dragonet from Oman, north‐western Indian Ocean (Teleostei: Callionymidae)
Authors: Fricke R. , Jawad L. A. , Al‐Mamry J. M.
Published: August 2014

A new species of deep‐living dragonet Callionymus omanensis from Oman is described on the basis of a single male specimen collected in a trawl from 500 m depth off the coast of Oman. The new species is characterized within the subgenus Bathycallionymus by having a small branchial opening; head short (3·9 in proportion to standard length); eye large (2·4 in proportion to head length); preopercular spine with a long, upcurved main tip, with a small antrorse barb and a larger antrorse spine, and with a strong antrorse spine laterally at the preopercular‐spine base, ventral margin smooth; first dorsal fin slightly higher than second dorsal fin (male); second dorsal fin distally straight; 17 pectoral fin rays; distal end of caudal fin slightly pointed, with two median unbranched rays bearing short filaments; first dorsal fin with basal black spot reaching from first to fourth membranes, third membrane with an ocellated distal black blotch; second dorsal fin with vertical dark grey bars; distal three‐fourths of anal fin black; upper half of caudal fin with oblique dark grey bars; pelvic fin dark grey, second ray basally with a black blotch. The new species is compared with similar species. Revised keys to callionymid species of the western Indian Ocean and the Red Sea, as well as species of the subgenus Bathycallionymus, are presented.
Labeo rosae (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae) in the Congo basin: a relict distribution or a historical introduction?
Authors: Van Steenberge M. , Gajdzik L. , Chilala A. , Snoeks J. , Vreven E.
Published: August 2014

Labeo rosae, a species with a native range in Southern Africa, was discovered in the Congo basin by re‐identification of two museum specimens previously identified as Labeo mesops. The occurrence of this species in the upper Congo implies a range extension of the species of more than 1000 km. Although the species' distribution is mirrored by that of some other Cypriniformes, its occurrence in the Congo might be due to introduction by humans.
Catastrophic Medical Malpractice Payouts in Spain
Authors: Arimany-Manso J. , Gómez-Durán E. L. , Barbería-Marcalain E. , Benet-Travé J. , Martin-Fumadó C.
Published: August 2014

Patient safety and professional liability are major concerns worldwide. Despite the pervasive influence of catastrophic malpractice payouts, little is known about the specific characteristics and the overall relevance and characteristics of these payouts, especially outside U.S. borders. Five hundred fifty claims led to a payout among 2,236 claims from January 1, 2004 to December 31, 2010, in Catalonia (Spain). We analyzed data on patient, provider, and claim characteristics. Accordingly to our sample, Spanish catastrophic payouts (SCP) were defined as payouts over €200,000, which was found in 32 cases (5.8%). Diagnostic errors and patient death were not as relevant as previously reported. However, it is remarkable that the literature emanating from different countries shows similar trends besides contextual differences: patients suffering minor injuries are not likely to receive a catastrophic payout, catastrophic payouts are associated with patient age less than one; SCP are most associated with anesthesiology and resuscitation, general surgery, and obstetrics and gynecology; and SCP were more likely to occur when a case went to trial compared to when a case was settled out of court. Studies, such as this, provide a wider picture of the medical liability worldwide reality and helps avoiding isolated discourses.
Psychological Flexibility as a Framework for Understanding and Improving Family Reintegration Following Military Deployment
Authors: Sandoz Emily K. , Moyer Danielle N. , Armelie Aaron P.
Published: August 2014

Postdeployment reintegration may present an exceptional challenge to service members and their families; yet, overcoming this challenge seems to strengthen family relationships through a shared sense of purpose. Navigating family reintegration may be an important determinant of long‐term psychological well‐being. If the needs of military families are to be answered effectively, it is of critical importance to identify the skills that facilitate positive reintegration following deployment. This article proposes psychological flexibility as a group of interrelated skills that could be directly intervened on to facilitate not only resilience but also positive growth and development. This paper focuses on the conceptualization of family reintegration in terms of psychological flexibility, including common deficits observed in this population and potential goals of treatment.

Video Abstract
Intramedullary spinal cord abscess: The result of a missed congenital dermal sinus
Authors: Kanaheswari Yoganathan , Lai CheeHoe , Raja Lope Raja Juanita , Azizi Abu Bakar , Zulfiqar Muhamed Annuar
Published: August 2014

Congenital dermal sinus (CDS) and occult spinal dysraphism are suspected when a cutaneous marker overlies the spine of a newborn. CDS can have the appearance of a simple dimple and occur within the gluteal cleft without any skin markers. CDS are the commonest cause of intramedullary spinal cord abscess.
Dietary supplementation of β‐hydroxy‐β‐methylbutyrate in animals – a review
Authors: Szcześniak K. A. , Ostaszewski P. , Fuller J. C. , Ciecierska A. , Sadkowski T.
Published: August 2014

The leucine metabolite β‐hydroxy‐β‐methylbutyrate (HMB) has been studied by many researchers over the last two decades. In particular, the utility of HMB supplementation in animals has been shown in numerous studies, which have demonstrated enhanced body weight gain and carcass yield in slaughter animals; positive immunostimulatory effect; decreased mortality; attenuation of sarcopenia in elderly animals; and potential use in pathological conditions such as glucocorticoid‐induced muscle loss. The aim of this study was to summarize the body of research on HMB supplementation in animals and to examine possible mechanisms of HMB action. Furthermore, while the safety of HMB supplementation in animals is well documented, studies demonstrating efficacy are less clear. The possible reasons for differences in these findings will also be examined.
Differing Default Mode Network Activities in Men with Homosexual or Heterosexual Preferences
Authors: Hu Shaohua , Xu Dongrong , Peterson Bradley S. , Wang Qidong , Lai Jianbo , Hu Jianbo , Wei Ning , Zhang Minming , Xu Yi
Published: August 2014

Introduction

Neuroimaging studies have reported differences in brain structure and function between homosexual and heterosexual men. The neural basis for homosexual orientation, however, is still unknown.

Aim

This study characterized the association of homosexual preference with measures of fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (fALFF) and functional connectivity (FC) in the resting state.

Methods

We collected echo planar magnetic resonance imaging data in 26 healthy homosexual men and 26 age-matched heterosexual men in the resting state.

Main Outcome Measures

Sexual orientation was evaluated using the Kinsey scale. We assessed group differences in fALFF and then, taking the identified group differences as seed regions, we compared groups on measures of FC from those seeds. The behavioral significance of the group differences in fALFF and FC was assessed by examining their associations with the Kinsey scores.

Results

Compared with heterosexual participants, homosexual men showed significantly increased fALFF in the right middle frontal gyrus and right anterior cerebellum, and decreased fALFF in the left postcentral gyrus, left lingual gyrus, right pallidum, right postcentral gyrus, left interior parietal gyrus, right superior temporal gyrus, left cuneus, and left inferior frontal gyrus. Additionally, fALFF in the left postcentral gyrus and left cuneus correlated positively with Kinsey scores in the homosexual participants. When the seeds in the left cuneus, left cuneus, and left superior parietal gyrus also had reduced FC in homosexual participants, FC correlated positively with the Kinsey scores.

Conclusions

Differences in fALFF and FC suggest male sexual preference may influence the pattern activity in the default mode network.
Prevalence of Bacteremia in Dairy Cattle with Acute Puerperal Metritis
Authors: Credille B.C. , Woolums A.R. , Giguère S. , Robertson T. , Overton M.W. , Hurley D.J.
Published: August 2014

Background

Acute puerperal metritis (APM) affects 30% of postpartum dairy cattle. Bacteremia negatively impacts survival in cattle with coliform mastitis. However, the prevalence of bacteremia in dairy cattle withAPMis unknown.

Hypothesis

Bacteremia is detectable in a large proportion of cattle withAPM.

Animals

Seventeen dairy cows withAPMand 17 healthy dairy cattle.

Methods

Prospective case‐control study. Cases were identified by daily monitoring of cattle in the first 10 days after calving. Controls were matched to cases by parity and days in milk. Cows were examined at the time of identification ofAPM. A complete blood count, serum biochemical analysis, and bacteriologic culture of blood and lochial fluid were performed on each animal at the time of diagnosis. The same samples were collected from healthy herdmates of a similar parity and days in milk. Blood culture results and clinicopathologic variables were compared between groups. Conditional logistic regression was used to evaluate factors associated withAPM, whereas multivariate logistic regression was used to evaluate factors associated with bacteremia.

Results

Bacteremia occurred in 53% (9/17) of cattle withAPMand 53% (8/15) controls.Bacillusspp. was the organism most commonly isolated from the bloodstream in cattle of both groups. Bacteremic cattle in both groups were significantly less likely to have basophils in the peripheral circulation (P = .02) and more likely to have higher serum globulin concentrations (P = .02).

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Bacteremia is a common occurrence in postpartum dairy cattle. Further study is warranted to investigate the modes by which bacteria colonize the bloodstream in this population of animals and the importance of bacteremia on health and productivity of affected animals.
Residual Wage Inequality and Immigration in the USA and the UK
Authors: Rienzo Cinzia
Published: August 2014

This paper assesses the effects of immigration on the increasing residual wage inequality in the USA and UK from 1994 to 2008. It does so by using an extension of the Lemieux (2006) methodology, whereby counterfactual residual variances are constructed to account not only for composition effects (changes in education‐experience of the workforce), but also for increasing immigration in the labour force. The empirical analysis reveals that residual wage inequality is higher among immigrants than among natives. However, increase in immigration does not seem to represent the major force behind the increase in residual wage inequality for the USA and for the UK.
53Mn‐53Cr dating of aqueously formed carbonates in the CM2 lithology of the Sutter's Mill carbonaceous chondrite
Authors: Jilly Christine E. , Huss Gary R. , Krot Alexander N. , Nagashima Kazuhide , Yin Qing‐Zhu , Sugiura Naoji
Published: August 2014

Radiometric dating of secondary minerals can be used to constrain the timing of aqueous alteration on meteoritic parent bodies. Dolomite is a well‐documented secondary mineral in CM chondrites, and is thought to have formed by precipitation from an aqueous fluid on the CM parent body within several million years of accretion. The petrographic context of crosscutting dolomite veins indicates that aqueous alteration occurred in situ, rather than in the nebular setting. Here, we present 53Mn‐53Cr systematics for dolomite grains in Sutter's Mill section SM51‐1. The Mn‐Cr isotope data show well‐resolved excesses of 53Cr correlated with 55Mn/52Cr ratio, which we interpret as evidence for the in situ decay of radioactive 53Mn. After correcting for the relative sensitivities of Mn and Cr using a synthetic Mn‐ and Cr‐bearing calcite standard, the data yield an isochron with slope corresponding to an initial 53Mn/55Mn ratio of 3.42 ± 0.86 × 10−6. The reported error includes systematic uncertainty from the relative sensitivity factor. When calculated relative to the U‐corrected Pb‐Pb absolute age of the D'Orbigny angrite, Sutter's Mill dolomites give a formation age between 4564.8 and 4562.2 Ma (2.4–5.0 Myr after the birth of the solar system). This age is contemporaneous with previously reported ages for secondary carbonates in CM and CI chondrites. Consistent carbonate precipitation ages between the carbonaceous chondrite groups suggest that aqueous alteration was a common process during the early stages of parent body formation, probably occurring via heating from internal 26Al decay. The high‐precision isochron for Sutter's Mill dolomite indicates that late‐stage processing did not reach temperatures that were high enough to further disturb the Mn‐Cr isochron.
Global analysis of mRNA decay intermediates in Bacillus subtilis wild‐type and polynucleotide phosphorylase‐deletion strains
Authors: Liu Bo , Deikus Gintaras , Bree Anna , Durand Sylvain , Kearns Daniel B. , Bechhofer David H.
Published: August 2014

Messenger RNA decay in Bacillus subtilis is accomplished by a combination of exoribonucleases and endoribonucleases. Intermediates in the decay process have not been readily detectable, and previous studies on mRNA decay have used a handful of highly expressed transcripts as models. Here, we use RNA‐Seq analysis to probe mRNA turnover globally. A significant fraction of messages showed differential accumulation of RNA fragments that mapped near the 5′ or 3′ end of the coding sequence, consistent with initiation of decay from either the 5′ end or from an internal cleavage site. Patterns of mRNA decay in the wild type were compared with patterns in a mutant strain lacking polynucleotide phosphorylase (PNPase), which is considered the major 3′ exonuclease activity in mRNA decay and which is one of four known 3′ exonucleases in B. subtilis. The results showed a striking dependence on PNPase for mRNA turnover in many cases, suggesting specificity in the ability of 3′ exonucleases to degrade from 3′‐hydroxyl termini. RNA‐Seq data demonstrated a sharp decrease in expression of Sigma D in the PNPase‐deletion strain. Reduction in sigD regulon expression explained the chain growth phenotype of the PNPase mutant and also predicted a defect in swarming motility.
Advanced glycation end products increase expression of S100A8 and A9 via RAGE–MAPK in rat dental pulp cells
Authors: Nakajima Y , Inagaki Y , Kido J , Nagata T
Published: August 2014

Objective

Advanced glycation end products (AGE) are involved in the progression of diabetic complications. Although our previous reports show that AGE increased dental pulp calcification, AGE accumulation is also associated with inflammation. This study examined AGE effect on the expression of inflammation factors using rat dental pulp tissues and cell cultures.

Materials and Methods

Receptor for AGE (RAGE), S100A8, S100A9, and interleukin (IL)‐1β were selected as inflammation parameters. Rat dental pulp cells were cultured and treated with AGE, and the effects were determined by real‐time PCR. An anti‐RAGE antibody or MAPK pathway inhibitors (PD98059, SB203580, and SP60012) were used to investigate AGE signaling pathway.

Results

The mRNA levels of RAGE, S100A8, S100A9, and IL‐1β were higher in diabetic pulp tissues. AGE increased mRNA expressions of S100A8, S100A9, and IL‐1β in cultured dental pulp cells. In the presence of anti‐RAGE antibody, AGE did not increase in S100A8 or S100A9 expressions. The AGE‐induced increases in S100A8 and S100A9 were inhibited by PD98059 and SB203580, respectively.

Conclusions

Advanced glycation end products increased mRNA expression of S100A8, S100A9, and IL‐1β under diabetic pulp conditions, and AGE‐induced increases in S100A8 and S100A9 expressions may be associated with the RAGE–MAPK signaling pathway.
Advanced functional polymers for regenerative and therapeutic dentistry
Authors: Lai W‐F , Oka K , Jung H‐S
Published: August 2014

Use of ceramics and polymers continues to dominate clinical procedures in modern dentistry. Polymers have provided the basis for adhesives, tissue void fillers, and artificial replacements for whole teeth. They have been remarkably effective in the clinic at restoration of major dental functions after damage or loss of teeth. With the rapid development of polymer science, dental materials science has significantly lagged behind in harnessing these advanced polymer products. What they offer is new and unique properties superior to traditional polymers and crucially a range of properties that more closely match natural biomaterials. Therefore, we should pursue more vigorously the benefits of advanced polymers in dentistry. In this review, we highlight how the latest generation of advanced polymers will enhance the application of materials in the dental clinic using numerous promising examples. Polymers have a broad range of applications in modern dentistry. Some major applications are to construct frameworks that mimic the precise structure of tissues, to restore tooth organ function, and to deliver bioactive agents to influence cell behavior from the inside. The future of polymers in dentistry must include all these new enhancements to increase biological and clinical effectiveness beyond what can be achieved with traditional biomaterials.
China's Power Politics and Modernization: Implications for Taiwan and the South China Sea
Authors: Karim Mohd Aminul
Published: August 2014

The aim of this article is to analyze the rationale and likely impacts of Chinese military modernization, which seems focused to work as China's instrument of power politics in the Asia–Pacific. Given that China is growing exponentially in the economic field and it has many flashpoints to deal with, its military modernization is understandably a historical inevitability. It primarily has the United States, Japan, and Taiwan to confront over the flashpoints, such as Taiwan, and the South China Sea. Concurrently, the United States' alliance/alignment‐building is going ahead unabated along with its military revamping. The article concludes by projecting the likely ramifications as response to such military re‐vamping and re‐positioning from both sides.
Charity and Error‐Theoretic Nominalism
Authors: Båve Arvid
Published: August 2014

I here investigate whether there is any version of the principle of charity both strong enough to conflict with an error‐theoretic version of nominalism about abstract objects (EN), and supported by the considerations adduced in favour of interpretive charity in the literature. I argue that in order to be strong enough, the principle, which I call “(Charity)”, would have to read, “For all expressions e, an acceptable interpretation must make true a sufficiently high ratio of accepted sentences containing e”. I next consider arguments based on (i) Davidson's intuitive cases for interpretive charity, (ii) the reliability of perceptual beliefs, and (iii) the reliability of “non‐abstractive inference modes”, and conclude that none support (Charity). I then propose a diagnosis of the view that there must be some universal principle of charity ruling out (EN). Finally, I present a reason to think (Charity) is false, namely, that it seems to exclude the possibility of such disagreements as that between nominalists and realists.
Unilateral microphthalmia or anophthalmia in eight pythons (Pythonidae)
Authors: Da Silva Mari‐Ann O. , Bertelsen Mads F. , Wang Tobias , Pedersen Michael , Lauridsen Henrik , Heegaard Steffen
Published: August 2014

Objective

To provide morphological descriptions of microphthalmia or anophthalmia in eight pythons using microcomputerized tomography (μCT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and histopathology.

Animals studied

Seven Burmese pythons (Python bivittatus) and one ball python (P. regius) with clinically normal right eyes and an abnormal or missing left eye.

Procedure

At the time of euthanasia, four of the eight snakes underwent necropsy. Hereafter, the heads of two Burmese pythons and one ball python were examined using μCT, and another Burmese python was subjected to MRI. Following these procedures, the heads of these four pythons along with the heads of an additional three Burmese pythons were prepared for histology.

Results

All eight snakes had left ocular openings seen as dermal invaginations between 0.2 and 2.0 mm in diameter. They also had varying degrees of malformations of the orbital bones and a limited presence of nervous, glandular, and muscle tissue in the posterior orbit. Two individuals had small but identifiable eyes. Furthermore, remnants of the pigmented embryonic framework of the hyaloid vessels were found in the anophthalmic snakes. Necropsies revealed no other macroscopic anomalies.

Conclusions

Eight pythons with unilateral left‐sided microphthalmia or anophthalmia had one normal eye and a left orbit with malformed or incompletely developed ocular structures along with remnants of fetal structures. These cases lend further information to a condition that is often seen in snakes, but infrequently described.
Histopathologic insights into the mechanism of anti‐non‐Gal antibody‐mediated pig cardiac xenograft rejection
Authors: Byrne Guerard W. , Azimzadeh Agnes M. , Ezzelarab Mohamed , Tazelaar Henry D. , Ekser Burcin , Pierson Richard N. , Robson Simon C. , Cooper David K. C. , McGregor Christopher G. A.
Published: August 2014

The histopathology of cardiac xenograft rejection has evolved over the last 20 yr with the development of new modalities for limiting antibody‐mediated injury, advancing regimens for immune suppression, and an ever‐widening variety of new donor genetics. These new technologies have helped us progress from what was once an overwhelming anti‐Gal‐mediated hyperacute rejection to a more protracted anti‐Gal‐mediated vascular rejection to what is now a more complex manifestation of non‐Gal humoral rejection and coagulation dysregulation. This review summarizes the changing histopathology of Gal‐ and non‐Gal‐mediated cardiac xenograft rejection and discusses the contributions of immune‐mediated injury, species‐specific immune‐independent factors, transplant and therapeutic procedures, and donor genetics to the overall mechanism(s) of cardiac xenograft rejection.
Prevalence, Characterization and Antibiotic Resistance of Salmonella Isolates in Large Corvid Species of Europe and North America Between 2010 and 2013
Authors: Janecko N. , Čížek A. , Halová D. , Karpíšková R. , Myšková P. , Literák I.
Published: August 2014

It is well understood that Salmonella is carried by animals and in majority of cases as asymptomatic hosts. Surveillance efforts have focused on the role of agriculture and contamination points along the food chain as the main source of human infection; however, very little attention has been paid to the contribution of wildlife in the dissemination of Salmonella and what effect anthropogenic sources have on the circulation of antibiotic resistant Salmonella serovars in wildlife species. A purposive survey was taken of large corvids roosting yearly between November and March in Europe and North America. Two thousand and seven hundred and seventy‐eight corvid faecal specimens from 11 countries were submitted for Salmonella spp. culture testing. Presumptive positive isolates were further serotyped, susceptibility tested and analysed for antibiotic resistance genes. Overall, 1.40% (39/2778) (CI = 1.01, 1.90) of samples were positive for Salmonella spp. Salmonella Enteritidis was the most prevalent serovar followed by S. Infantis, S. Montevideo and S. Typhimurium. No significant difference (P > 0.05) was found in the proportion of Salmonella recovered in Europe versus North America. The most variability of serovars within a site was in Kansas, USA with five different serovars recovered. European sites were significantly more likely to yield Salmonella resistant to more than one antibiotic (OR 71.5, P < 0.001, CI = 3.77, 1358) than North American sites, where no resistance was found. Resistance to nalidixic acid, a quinolone, was recovered in nine isolates from four serovars in four different sites across Europe. Large corvids contribute to the transmission and dissemination of Salmonella and resistance genes between human and animal populations and across great distances. This information adds to the knowledge base of zoonotic pathogen prevalence and antibiotic resistance ecology in wild birds.
Exploring Automated Text Classification to Improve Keyword Corpus Search Results for Bioinspired Design
Authors: Glier Michael W. , McAdams Daniel A. , Linsey Julie S.
Published: August 2014

Bioinspired design is the adaptation of methods, strategies, or principles found in nature to solve engineering problems. One formalized approach to bioinspired solution seeking is the abstraction of the engineering problem into a functional need and then seeking solutions to this function using a keyword type search method on text based biological knowledge. These function keyword search approaches have shown potential for success, but as with many text based search methods, they produce a large number of results, many of little relevance to the problem in question. In this paper, we develop a method to train a computer to identify text passages more likely to suggest a solution to a human designer. The work presented examines the possibility of filtering biological keyword search results by using text mining algorithms to automatically identify which results are likely to be useful to a designer. The text mining algorithms are trained on a pair of surveys administered to human subjects to empirically identify a large number of sentences that are, or are not, helpful for idea generation. We develop and evaluate three text classification algorithms, namely, a Naïve Bayes (NB) classifier, a k nearest neighbors (kNN) classifier, and a support vector machine (SVM) classifier. Of these methods, the NB classifier generally had the best performance. Based on the analysis of 60 word stems, a NB classifier's precision is 0.87, recall is 0.52, and F score is 0.65. We find that word stem features that describe a physical action or process are correlated with helpful sentences. Similarly, we find biological jargon feature words are correlated with unhelpful sentences.
The Four-Box Method: Problem Formulation and Analogy Evaluation in Biologically Inspired Design
Authors: Helms Michael , Goel Ashok K.
Published: August 2014

Searching for biological analogies appropriate for design problems is a core process of biologically inspired design (BID). Through in situ observations of student BIDs, we discovered that student designers struggle with two issues that bookend the problem of search: design problem formulation, which generates the set of conditions to be used for search; and evaluation of the appropriateness of the retrieved analogies, which depends both on problem formulation and the retrieved analogy. We describe a method for problem formulation and analogy evaluation in BID that we call the Four-Box method. We show that the Four-Box method can be rapidly and accurately used by designers for both problem formulation and analogy evaluation, and that designers find the method valuable for the intended tasks.
Effects of Abstraction on Selecting Relevant Biological Phenomena for Biomimetic Design
Authors: Feng Tao , Cheong Hyunmin , Shu L. H.
Published: August 2014

The natural-language approach to identifying biological analogies exploits the existing format of much biological knowledge, beyond databases created for biomimetic design. However, designers may need to select analogies from search results, during which biases may exist toward: specific words in descriptions of biological phenomena, familiar organisms and scales, and strategies that match preconceived solutions. Therefore, we conducted two experiments to study the effect of abstraction on overcoming these biases and selecting biological phenomena based on analogical similarities. Abstraction in our experiments involved replacing biological nouns with hypernyms. The first experiment asked novice designers to choose between a phenomenon suggesting a highly useful strategy for solving a given problem, and another suggesting a less-useful strategy, but featuring bias elements. The second experiment asked novice designers to evaluate the relevance of two biological phenomena that suggest similarly useful strategies to solve a given problem. Neither experiment demonstrated the anticipated benefits of abstraction. Instead, our abstraction led to: (1) participants associating nonabstracted words to design problems and (2) increased difficulty in understanding descriptions of biological phenomena. We recommend investigating other ways to implement abstraction when developing similar tools or techniques that aim to support biomimetic design.
Development of an Engine Representative Combustor Simulator Dedicated to Hot Streak Generation
Authors: Koupper Charlie , Caciolli Gianluca , Gicquel Laurent , Duchaine Florent , Bonneau Guillaume , Tarchi Lorenzo , Facchini Bruno
Published: August 2014

Nowadays, the lack of confidence in the prediction of combustor-turbine interactions and more specifically our ability to predict the migration of hot spots through this interface leads to the application of extra safety margins, which are detrimental to an optimized turbine design and efficiency. To understand the physics and flow at this interface, a full 360 deg nonreactive combustor simulator (CS) representative of a recent lean burn chamber together with a 1.5 turbine stage is instrumented at DLR in Gottingen (Germany) within the European project FACTOR. The chamber operates with axial swirlers especially designed to reproduce engine-realistic velocity and temperature distortion profiles, allowing the investigation of the hot streaks transport through the high pressure (HP) stage. First, a true scale three injector annular sector of the CS without turbine is assembled and tested at the University of Florence. To generate the hot steaks, the swirlers are fed by an air flow at 531 K, while the liners are cooled by an effusion system fed with air at ambient temperature. In addition to static pressure taps and thermocouples, the test rig will be equipped with an automatic traverse system which allows detailed measurements at the combustor exit by means of a 5-hole probe, a thermocouple, and hot wire anemometers. This paper presents the design process and instrumentation of the trisector CS, with a special focus on large Eddy simulations (LES) which were widely used to validate the design choices. It was indeed decided to take advantage of the ability and maturity of LES to properly capture turbulence and mixing within combustion chambers, despite an increased computational cost as compared to usual Reynolds averaged Navier Stokes (RANS) approaches. For preliminary design, simulations of a single periodic sector (representative of the DLR full annular rig) are compared to simulations of the trisector test rig, showing no difference on the central swirler predictions, comforting the choice for the trisector. In parallel, to allow hot wire anemometry (HWA) measurements, the selection of an isothermal operating point, representative of the nominal point, is assessed and validated by use of LES.
Real-Time Aero-elasticity Simulation of Open Rotors With Slender Blades for the Multidisciplinary Design of Rotorcraft
Authors: Goulos Ioannis , Pachidis Vassilios
Published: August 2014

This paper elaborates on the theoretical development of a mathematical approach, targeting the real-time simulation of aero-elasticity for open rotors with slender blades, as employed in the majority of rotorcraft. A Lagrangian approach is formulated for the rapid estimation of natural vibration characteristics of rotor blades with nonuniform structural properties. Modal characteristics obtained from classical vibration analysis methods are utilized as assumed deformation functions. Closed form integral expressions are incorporated, describing the generalized centrifugal forces and moments acting on the blade. The treatment of three-dimensional elastic blade kinematics in the time-domain is thoroughly discussed. In order to ensure robustness and establish applicability in real time, a novel, second-order accurate, finite-difference scheme is utilized for the temporal discretization of elastic blade motion. The developed mathematical approach is coupled with a finite-state induced flow model, an unsteady blade element aerodynamics model, and a dynamic wake distortion model. The combined formulation is implemented in an existing helicopter flight mechanics code. The aero-elastic behavior of a full-scale hingeless helicopter rotor has been investigated. Results are presented in terms of rotor blade resonant frequencies, rotor trim performance, oscillatory structural blade loads, and transient rotor response to control inputs. Extensive comparisons are carried out with wind tunnel (WT) and flight test (FT) measurements found in the open literature as well as with nonreal-time comprehensive analysis methods. It is shown that the proposed approach exhibits good agreement with measured data regarding trim performance and transient rotor response characteristics. Accurate estimation of structural blade loads is demonstrated, in terms of both amplitude and phase, up to the third harmonic component of oscillatory loading. It is shown that the developed model can be utilized for real-time simulation on a modern personal computer. The proposed methodology essentially constitutes an enabling technology for the multidisciplinary design of rotorcraft, when a compromise between simulation fidelity and computational efficiency has to be sought for in the process of model development.
The Influence of Ship Collision Parameters on the Global Nonlinear Dynamic Response of a North-Sea Jack-Up Platform
Authors: Emami Azadi M. R.
Published: August 2014

In the present study, the influence of ship collision parameters related to vessel impact energy and also the impact scenario on the global nonlinear dynamic behavior of a three-leg jack-up platform is investigated. A North-Sea three-leg jack-up platform is studied as a case which is located in water depth of about 105 m. Nonlinear elastoplastic and hyperelastic type spring models are used for ship bow and broad-side impacts. A nonlinear elastoplastic type spud-can-soil interaction model is also applied. Loose sand to medium dense sand profile is considered at the sea-base. The effects of ship collision parameters such as ship mass and velocity, impact direction, hit point on jack-up as well as the spud-can-soil interaction are studied. For the first time, the supply vessel impact energy level far beyond 14 MJ as conventionally applied for ship-jack-up leg collision analysis (i.e., higher energy impact) has been also considered. The findings of this study indicated that the type of bow or broad-side impact as well as the spud-can-soil interaction may have considerable effects on the nonlinear dynamic behavior of the jack-up platform during ship collision. It is also found that ship collision in the direction of incident waves with mass of 5000 tons and impact velocity of 5 m/s displacement may have more profound effect on global dynamic response of the jack-up platform near ultimate collapse. It is also found in this research work that dynamic postimpact behavior of the jack-up platform may be greatly influenced by the combined action of extreme wave and current.
On the Effect of Latent Heat on the Fracture Toughness of Pseudoelastic Shape Memory Alloys
Authors: Baxevanis Theocharis , Landis Chad M. , Lagoudas Dimitris C.
Published: August 2014

A finite element analysis of steady-state crack growth in pseudoelastic shape memory alloys under the assumption of adiabatic conditions is carried out for plane strain, mode I loading. The crack is assumed to propagate at a critical level of the crack-tip energy release rate and the fracture toughness is obtained as the ratio of the far-field applied energy release rate to the crack-tip critical value. Results related to the influence of latent heat on the near-tip stress field and fracture toughness are presented for a range of parameters related to thermomechanical coupling. The levels of fracture toughness enhancement, associated with the energy dissipated by the transformed material in the wake of the growing crack, are found to be lower under adiabatic conditions than under isothermal conditions [Baxevanis et al., 2014, J. Appl. Mech., 81, 041005]. Given that in real applications of shape memory alloy (SMA) components the processes are usually not adiabatic, which is the case with the lowest energy dissipation during a cyclic loading–unloading process (hysteresis), it is expected that the actual level of transformation toughening would be higher than the one corresponding to the adiabatic case.
Combining Displacement Field and Grip Force Information to Determine Mechanical Properties of Planar Tissue With Complicated Geometry
Authors: Nagel Tina M. , Hadi Mohammad F. , Claeson Amy A. , Nuckley David J. , Barocas Victor H.
Published: August 2014

Performing planar biaxial testing and using nominal stress–strain curves for soft-tissue characterization is most suitable when (1) the test produces homogeneous strain fields, (2) fibers are aligned with the coordinate axes, and (3) strains are measured far from boundaries. Some tissue types [such as lamellae of the annulus fibrosus (AF)] may not allow for these conditions to be met due to their natural geometry and constitution. The objective of this work was to develop and test a method utilizing a surface displacement field, grip force-stretch data, and finite-element (FE) modeling to facilitate analysis of such complex samples. We evaluated the method by regressing a simple structural model to simulated and experimental data. Three different tissues with different characteristics were used: Superficial pectoralis major (SPM) (anisotropic, aligned with axes), facet capsular ligament (FCL) (anisotropic, aligned with axes, bone attached), and a lamella from the AF (anisotropic, aligned off-axis, bone attached). We found that the surface displacement field or the grip force-stretch data information alone is insufficient to determine a unique parameter set. Utilizing both data types provided tight confidence regions (CRs) of the regressed parameters and low parameter sensitivity to initial guess. This combined fitting approach provided robust characterization of tissues with varying fiber orientations and boundaries and is applicable to tissues that are poorly suited to standard biaxial testing. The structural model, a set of C++ finite-element routines, and a Matlab routine to do the fitting based on a set of force/displacement data is provided in the on-line supplementary material.
Experimental Validation of a Mechanistic Multibody Model of a Vertical Piano Action
Authors: Masoudi Ramin , Birkett Stephen
Published: August 2014

The validity and accuracy of a high-fidelity mechanistic multibody model of a vertical piano action mechanism is examined experimentally and through simulation. An overview of the theoretical and computational framework of this previously presented model is given first. A dynamically realistic benchtop prototype mechanism was constructed and driven by a mechanical actuator pressing the key. For simulations, a parameterization based on geometric and dynamic component properties and configuration is used; initial conditions are established by a virtual regulation that mimics a piano technician's procedure. The motion of each component is obtained experimentally by high-speed imaging and automated tracking. Simulated response is shown to accurately represent that of the real action for two different (pressed) key inputs using a single fixed parameterization. Various specialized model features are separately evaluated. Proper simulated dynamic behavior supports the accuracy of the friction representation; this is especially so for softer key inputs which demand a more actively controlled playing technique. The accuracy of the contact model is confirmed by the proper timing and function of the mechanism, as the relationship between components is strongly dependent on the state of compression of the interface between them. The value of including three flexible components is weighed against their significant computational cost. Compared to a rigid fixed ground point target, hammer impact on a compliant string reduces impact force, contact duration, and postimpact hammer velocity to improve accuracy. Flexibility of the backcheck wire and hammer shank also strongly affects postimpact behavior of the mechanism. The sophisticated balance pivot model is seen to be valuable in creating a realistic key response, with compression of felt balance punching and lift-off of the key, very important for achieving the proper key–hammer relationship. Finally, two components unique to the vertical mechanism—the bridle strap and butt spring—are shown to be essential in controlling the hammer for detached key inputs, where the key is released before it has reached the front punching. Accurate postimpact response is important for proper simulation of repeated notes, as well as the “feel” of the action. In general, the results reported can be considered as a validation of the method for constructing and parameterizing a dynamically accurate multibody model of a specific prototype mechanism or system including compliant contacts and flexibility of some components, as well as ad hoc components to cover unusual dynamic behavior.
Multiscale, Heterogeneous Computer Aided Design Representation for Metal Alloy Microstructures
Authors: Rosen David W.
Published: August 2014

Most heterogeneous computer aided design (CAD) representations in the literature represent materials using a volume fraction vector, which may not by physically realizable or meaningful. In contrast, the multiscale, heterogeneous CAD representation presented here models materials using their microstructure. For the specific metal alloys of interest in this work, the material model is a probabilistic model of grain characteristics, represented as cumulative distribution functions (CDFs). Several microstructure reconstruction algorithms are presented that enable different alloy grain structures to be reconstructed in a part model. Reconstructions can be performed at any desired size scale, illustrating the multiscale capability of the representation. A part rendering algorithm is presented for displaying parts with their material microstructures. The multiscale, heterogeneous CAD representation is demonstrated on two Inconel alloys and is shown to be capable of faithfully reconstructing part representations consistent with the probabilistic grain models.
Finite Element Simulation of Localized Electrochemical Deposition for Maskless Electrochemical Additive Manufacturing
Authors: Brant Anne M. , Sundaram Murali M. , Kamaraj Abishek B.
Published: August 2014

Localized electrodeposition (LED) was explored as an additive manufacturing technique with high control over process parameters and output geometry. The effect of variation of process parameters and changing boundary conditions during the deposition process on the output geometry was observed through simulation and experimentation. Trends were found between specific process parameters and output geometries in the simulations; trends varied between linear and nonlinear, and certain process parameters such as voltage and interelectrode gap were found to have a greater influence on the output than others. The simulations were able to predict the output width of deposition of experiments in an error of 8–30%. The information gained from this research allows for greater understanding of LED output, so that it can potentially be applied as an additive manufacturing technique of complex three-dimensional (3D) parts on the microscale.
Mechatronic System for ABO Human Blood Typing
Authors: Moreira Vânia , Machado José , Carvalho Vítor , Soares Filomena , Ferraz Ana
Published: August 2014

In medical emergency situations, when a patient needs a blood transfusion, the universal blood type O− is administered. This procedure may lead to the depletion of stock reserves of O− blood. Nowadays, there is no commercial equipment capable of determining the patient's blood type in situ, in a fast and reliable process. Human blood typing is usually performed through the manual test, which involves a macroscopic observation and interpretation of the results by an analyst. This test, despite of having a fast response time, may lead to human errors, which sometimes can be fatal to the patient. This paper presents the development of an automatic mechatronic prototype for determining human blood typing (ABO and Rh systems) through image processing techniques. The prototype design takes into account the characteristics of reliability of analysis, portability, and response time allowing the system to be used in emergency situations. The developed prototype performs blood and reagents mixture acquires the resultant image and processes the data (based on image processing techniques) to determine the sample blood type. It was tested in a laboratory, using cataloged samples of blood types, provided by the Portuguese Institute of Blood and Transplantation. Hereafter, it is expected to test and validate the prototype in clinical environments.
Prediction of Long-Term Creep Rupture Life of Grade 122 Steel by Multiregion Analysis
Authors: Maruyama K. , Nakamura J. , Yoshimi K.
Published: August 2014

Conventional time-temperature-parameter (TTP) methods often overestimate long-term rupture life of creep strength enhanced ferritic steels. Decrease in activation energy Q for rupture life in long-term creep is the cause of the overestimation, since the TTP methods cannot deal with the change in Q. Creep rupture data of a heat of Gr.122 steel (up to 26,200 h) were divided into several data sets so that Q was unique in each divided data set. Then a TTP method was applied to each divided data set for rupture life prediction. This is the procedure of multiregion analysis of creep rupture data. The predicted rupture lives have been reported in literature. Long-term rupture lives (up to 51,400 h) of the same heat of the steel have been published in 2013. The multiregion analysis of creep rupture life can predict properly the long-term lives reported. Stress and temperature dependences of rupture life show similar behavior among different heats. Therefore, database on results of the multiregion analyses of various heats of the steel is helpful for rupture life estimation of another heat.