bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Environmental implication of the Algerian traditional house
Authors: Kacher Sabrina , Zermout Hanane
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– The control of the environmental impacts of buildings and constructions has certainly progressed in recent years in Europe, but very little in Algeria. The purpose of this paper is to identify and to introduce old environmental systems in the Algerian traditional house which could inspire designers to come up with new constructions with enhanced comfort.

Design/methodology/approach

– In this work, the authors used the “HQE” French certification grid to gauge the environmental implication of the vernacular architecture.

Findings

– Environmental systems in the traditional house respect the environment but have to be adapted to the current perception of comfort in order to be applied to the new architecture.

Research limitations/implications

– The main advantage is that the old environmental systems found in the Algerian traditional houses do not require any machinery to enhance the comfort. Thus they do not need any energy to be useful.

Practical implications

– As the Canadian Well inspired and influenced the architecture produced around the world to improve the comfort inside the houses, or as the thatched roof which inspired the vegetative roof used today to improve and regulate the energy consumption, the authors hope that some old systems used in the vernacular architecture will inspire architects or regular people who would like to enhance their comfort and life quality.

Originality/value

– Passive solutions used to improve comfort, with reduced energy consumption in houses, are increasingly sought all around the world. This work can play a part in introducing some environmental solutions used in the vernacular architecture which are nowadays left aside.
Modification of Basic Dye with Clay
Authors: Ke Pey-Shin , Wu Wei-Jang , Huang Kuo-Shien
Published: March 2016

We modified a basic dye, which carries a positive charge, by inducing an exchange with clay, and then analysed the results by using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The intercalation of basic dye into clay modifies the thermal properties of the dye, and the dyes become more stable as more clay is added. The colour of the modified dyes does not change with the addition of more clay, although its absorption decreases, thereby conferring improved sunlight colour fastness on the modified dyes.
Improved Characteristics of Acetic Anhydride and Phthalic Anhydride Modified Jute Fibers
Authors: Mondal Md. Ibrahim H. , Hoque Md. Asadul , Latif Md. Abdul , Islam Md. Khairul
Published: March 2016

The modification of jute fiber with acetic (aliphatic) and phthalic (aromatic) anhydrides has revealed pronounced improvement of the inherent drawbacks (such as breaking strength, thermal stability, color fastness, etc.) of jute fiber. Between the acetic anhydride (AA) and phthalic anhydride (PA) modified fibers, the latter have shown better improvement of the described properties. Modification of jute with anhydrides is carried out in an aqueous medium (solid-liquid system) with potassium persulfate as the initiator under the catalytic influence of ferrous sulfate (FeSO4). At an optimized reaction condition, the percent weight gain and efficiency of the modifying agents are 12.94% and 14.38% for AA respectively and 15.18% and 18.98% for PA respectively. The FT-IR spectra confirm the modification reaction and the TGA shows an improvement in the thermal properties. The mechanical properties are investigated with a tensile tester. Upon prolonged exposure of the modified fibers to sunlight, the color fastness of the modified and unmodified fibers is measured with a grey scale.
Production Outsourcing: Perspectives from Small and Medium-sized Enterprises
Authors: Moon Karen Ka-Leung , Tam Fung-Yi , Lau Mei-Mei , Chang Jimmy M.T.
Published: March 2016

Given the intense international competition brought on by globalisation, an organization's profit is largely determined by how it leverages its internal and external resources. This paper studies the production sourcing strategies adopted by the small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the clothing industry together with their motivations for outsourcing, adoption of buyer-seller relationships, and satisfaction with their production sourcing performance. A conceptual framework was developed from the literature and tested using a questionnaire survey. Quantitative analysis showed that motivational factors (MFs) can affect an SME's satisfaction with its operational achievement; while host-country and location MFs can affect its strategic achievement. In addition, firms adopting a pure transaction approach seemed to be negatively motivated by the total-cost factor; and those adopting a more diverse sourcing strategy were more likely to be motivated by the corporate factor so as to develop appropriate buyer-seller relationships with vendors, and to be satisfied with their operational performance. This paper contributes to a deeper understanding of business networking from the perspectives of SMEs in regard to their pursuit of production sourcing; and demonstrates how clothing SMEs adopt production sourcing strategies to improve their production sourcing performance.
Behavioral Determinants that Drive Luxury Goods Consumption: A Study within the Tourist Context
Authors: Chan Winnie W.Y. , To Chester K.M. , Chu Alice W.C. , Zhang Zhiming
Published: March 2016

Chinese tourists have become the greatest driving force behind global tourism. An increasing number of luxury fashion brands regard these tourists as a potentially significant segment of status-conscious consumers. Yet a limited number of marketing studies have addressed the significance of the intrinsic motivation that drives these tourist consumers to consume luxury goods. This study investigates the significant intrinsic factors that affect the luxury goods buying behavior of tourist consumers. Data are collected from 284 tourist consumers and analyzed by using the exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and cluster analysis. The EFA purified the measurement instruments to four factor attributes, namely, self-satisfaction, possession obsessiveness, status consciousness and personal differentness. The cluster analysis identified three groups of tourist consumers with distinctive behavioral segmentation criteria: ‘shopping hedonists’, ‘ego-defended achievers’ and ‘conspicuous fashionistas’. These findings provide managerial implications for building sustainable luxury businesses and competitive strategies tailored for tourist consumers.
Altering Sound Absorption in Acoustic Fabrics via Different Honeycomb Cell Patterns
Authors: Yasin Sohail , Ahmed Zamir , Chenyang Zhu , Juming Yao
Published: March 2016

This study shows the result of experiments carried out with different weave patterns introduced in honeycombed acoustic fabrics by varying the cell patterns. The designed honeycomb fabrics with regular triangular, hexagonal and kagome lattice woven patterns are introduced into acoustic fabrics. Acoustic fabrics have sandwiched and porous layers for absorbing different sound waves that convert sound energy into thermal energy, thus allowing a minimal number of waves to penetrate. The sound absorption of the prepared samples is tested twice by using the microphone transfer function method according to international standard ISO 10534-2. The results show that regular hexagonal weave patterns have higher noise reduction coefficient (NRC) values at high frequency sound waves. At low frequencies, the kagome lattice weave pattern in fibreglass has high NRC values.
An Experimental Analysis of Stress Relaxation in Nonwoven Fabrics
Authors: Qureshi Sajid Ahmed , Temesgen Alhayat Getu
Published: March 2016

The current research deals with an analysis of stress relaxation in nonwoven fabrics with different gsm values with a view to understand how these nonwovens behave under an applied stress for a given load over a constant period of time. An electronic stress relaxation tester is indigenously designed for this purpose which works on the strain gauge principle of measuring loads applied to the specimen at any given instant of time during the experiment. The respective stress values are calculated for corresponding load values for each specimen with every thirty seconds passage of time. The results obtained are graphically analyzed and it is revealed that the stress relaxation percentage is significantly different for the same nonwoven materials, but with different gsm values. It is observed that nonwovens do possess the property of decaying the stress generated due to external loads and the extent to which this happens depends to a considerable extent on the gsm of the structure along with other factors, like type of fiber and bonding.
An Exploration into Technology Enhanced Learning for Large Cohorts of Apparel Students
Authors: Power E.J.
Published: March 2016

In attempting to balance student satisfaction, individual expectations and the need to produce industry-ready graduates, with the increase in student numbers, a new strategy for teaching and learning was explored within the advanced apparel curriculum. An active learning strategy (enquiry-based learning) using an operational framework was developed and implemented which incorporated blending learning strategies, including the use of an e-forum. This study investigated the effect of e-forums in relation to enhanced student learning and increased student satisfaction within a large cohort of apparel students. Through a combination of content analysis, student satisfaction surveys and tutor reflective practice, overwhelming evidence was found to support the hypothesis that e-forums and continuous e-feedback embedded into units designed for large cohorts of apparel students significantly increased student satisfaction. The findings from this study illustrated that e-forums, with the opportunity for continuous feedback, enhanced learning and engagement, improved team communication, and developed the life skills required for apparel-industry-ready practitioners/graduates. Further to this embedding, an e-forum was found to increase tutor awareness and be an effective mechanism for identifying bottlenecks within the curriculum design and delivery.
Evolution of Residual Bagging Height along Knitted Fabric Lengths
Authors: Gazzah M. , Jaouachi B.
Published: March 2016

This work deals with the evolution of the residual bagging height of knitted samples. In comparing the results after a fabric bagging test, it may be concluded that the behaviour of the sample length is an influential parameter which widely reflects the anisotropy of knitted structures. Hence, it is clear that the sample length does not exhibit the same behaviour in each knitted fabric zone which generally explains the impartial response after stress is applied. With regards to the different height values that the sample length presents in each measured part of the fabric, it may be concluded that there are several types of behaviours in the areas of bagging along the sample length. Moreover, it appears that there is a non uniform distribution of deformation after removing the stress. Therefore, internal stresses and deformations that cause different residual heights in the same sample accurately reflect and explain the anisotropic structure of the investigated knitted fabrics. In knowing that there is this non-uniform distribution of deformation, the input parameters also have considerable effects on the bending behaviour of the residual bagging. Indeed, when the yarn structure is changed, the residual bagging height changes too. Furthermore, our findings prove that elastic knitted fabrics accurately show a more minimal residual bagging height as opposed to non elastic fabrics in spite of the other input parameter values.
The 2010-2015 coalition and criminal justice: continuities and contradictions
Authors: Fox Chris , Bannister Jon , Miszczak Poppy
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– The criminal justice system (CJS) in England and Wales went through extensive reform under the Coalition Government of 2010-2015. In this paper, and through the lens of policing, prisons and probation, the authors set out to identify the direction and qualities of these reforms. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors review key policy documents produced by the Coalition Government as well as relevant critiques. The authors concentrate on policing, prisons and probation on the basis that interrogation of these major aspects of the CJS should enable the principles underpinning the Coalition’s approach to the CJS to be discerned.

Findings

– The authors identify key themes, and their contradictions, that emerged in the Coalition Government’s approach to the CJS, these being: devolution and centralism; marketization with a growing emphasis on payment by results; politicisation and de-politicisation; and, evidence-based policy.

Research limitations/implications

– This is a review of recent government policy and as such some of the implications and outcomes resulting from that policy are not yet clear.

Practical implications

– This paper will be of particular use to those working in or studying UK criminal justice policy. Given that the majority partner in the Coalition went on to form the current government policy trends from the recent Coalition are likely to have some relevance to current government policy making in the CJS.

Originality/value

– To date there have only been limited attempts to identify key policy trends emerging from the Coalition Government.
Investigation of the effect of food and omeprazole on the relative bioavailability of a single oral dose of 240 mg faldaprevir, a selective inhibitor of HCV NS3/4 protease, in an open-label, randomized, three-way cross-over trial in healthy participants
Authors: Wu Jing , Gießmann Thomas , Lang Benjamin , Elgadi Mabrouk , Huang Fenglei
Published: March 2016

Objectives

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of food and coadministration of omeprazole on the relative bioavailability (BA) of faldaprevir (FDV).

Methods

Fifteen healthy participants participated in this open-label, randomized, three-way cross-over study. Faldaprevir was administered as a 240 mg single dose during fasting state, following intake of a high-fat breakfast, or following omeprazole 40 mg q.d. dosing for 5 days. PK samples were collected on the day of faldaprevir administration.

Key findings

We found geometric mean (gMean) AUC0–∞ values for faldaprevir of 48 200, 37 900 and 36 000 ng h/ml under the fed, fasted and omeprazole coadministration conditions respectively. Similarly, gMean Cmax values for faldaprevir were 2600, 2030, 1920 ng/ml under the same respective conditions. The adjusted gMean ratio between the fed and fasted condition was approximately 120% for both AUC0–∞ and Cmax, while the ratio of omeprazole coadministration to fasted condition was approximately 94%. Faldaprevir was safe and well tolerated in the study.

Conclusions

Administration of a single dose of 240 mg faldaprevir after high-fat breakfast led to a modest, clinically irrelevant increase in faldaprevir exposure, while coadministration of omeprazole did not influence faldaprevir exposure.
Synthesis and in vitro evaluation of pH-sensitive PEG-I-dC16 block polymer micelles for anticancer drug delivery
Authors: Rongbin Huang , Lei Xiang , Ying Liu , Xiangping Deng , Xuan Cao , Lanfang Li , Cuiyun Yu , Yanming Chen , Guotao Tang
Published: March 2016

Objectives

To develop an acid trigger release of antitumour drug delivery carriers, pH-sensitive amphiphilic poly (ethyleneglycol)-imine-benzoic-dipalmitate (PEG-I-dC16) polymers were designed and synthesized and the drug-loaded micelles were evaluated in vitro.

Methods

PEG-I-dC16 synthesized by Schiff base synthetic method and characterized by 1H-NMR. To determine the drug-loading capacity, doxorubicin (DOX) was encapsulated in the micelles using membrane dialysis method. Zeta potential, particle size, drug-loading capacity, in vitro drug release in different pH conditions and cytotoxicity evaluation of micelles were carried out comparing with non-acid liable PEG–amide–benzoic–dipalmitate (PEG-A-dC16) polymers micelles. The cellular uptake and intracellular distribution of DOX were detected by flow cytometry and confocal laser scanning microscope.

Key findings

Drug-loading capacity and encapsulation efficiency of micelle (PEG molecular weight 2k) were 12.7 ± 1.1% and 49.8 ± 2.2%, respectively. The average particle size was 72.3 ± 2.5 nm. The DOX release rate of PEG-I-dC16 micelles is much higher at pH 6.5 than at pH 7.4. DOX cellular uptake and nuclear accumulation of PEG-I-dC16 micelles were more efficiency than that of PEG-A-dC16 micelles.

Conclusion

The pH-sensitive PEG-I-dC16 micelles could be a promising drug delivery system for anticancer drugs.
New Approach to Food Difficulty Perception: Food Structure, Food Oral Processing and Individual's Physical Strength
Authors: Laguna Laura , Barrowclough Richard Asensio , Chen Jianshe , Sarkar Anwesha
Published: March 2016

This study aims to study the effect of the interaction between food physics and human physical strengths on food oral processing and difficulty perception in the young population. As the first step in human nutrition is the food oral processing, special emphasis has been given to the oral strengths. Fracture mechanics of fifteen commonly consumed food products of fruits, vegetables and dairy origin were analysed using penetration test. Among the different products studied, six products (carrot, banana, mozzarella, potato, soft cheddar and hard cheddar) were selected and given to 11 young participants (<25 y.o.). Individual physical assessments included measurements of dominant hand grip force, isometric tongue pressure and bite force. Participants ranked the food products in the order of difficulty perceived using a visual analogue scale. Additionally, the number of chews and the time at swallow were analysed from video‐recording for each participant. Food score difficulty showed that high break force of food products were related linearly with difficulty perceived (r = 0.729) and with higher oral processing time (r = 0.816). Other food breakdown characteristics such as number of peaks and gradient of the penetration curves showed linear correlation with mastication time (r = 0.830, r = 0.840) and number of chew cycles (r = 0.903, r = 0.914). However, no relationship could be established between individual physical forces (hand and oral) and food perception difficulty for young participants interviewed. This might be attributed to the selected healthy and young population having higher hand force/tongue force ratio, which might not interfere with their eating process.

Practical Applications

This study investigates the relationship between human physical strength (with special emphasis into oral forces), food difficulty perception of food of different textural properties and their chewing and swallowing behavior. The main hypothesis of this work is that healthy young population with different levels of oral strengths and eating behavior will perceive food difficulty as a function of food textural characteristics and their individual capability of eating. To do that, eating capability measurements has been combined with texture analysis and video‐recording of individual eating process (first bite‐to‐swallowing event). Understanding the interplay of physical, physiological and psychological elements of oral processing is a relative new area of research. Thus, the combination of tools and insights generated in this article could be a bridge between oral physiology and food science, and also could be of interests to new product developers in designing food with just‐right texture.
A TRAVEL SAFETY MODEL FOR WOMEN COMMUTERS
Authors: Sham Rohana , Shah Muhammad Zaly , Ismai Hairul Nizam
Published: March 2016

One of the most serious discussions on the contemporary urban travel in Malaysia is that of the design facilities that have failed to meet the demand of women travelers. This has led to a higher level of concern for a much safer travelling environment for many women travelers within the Kuala Lumpur conurbation. The main aim of this research is to determine the factors of travel safety among women commuter. This empirical research has used the structural fear dimension model as the underpinning theory. A quantitative and personal administered approach through quota sampling was used to conduct the study in Kuala Lumpur urban area. A sample of 312 respondents were selected throughout the survey.  The results indicates that only bus service, infrastructure had significantly affect  the travel safety of women travelers but when comes to moderating variable effects, only the combination of bus service and infrastructure affect the travel safety of a women travelers.
REVIEW OF TRAFFIC DATA COLLECTION METHODS FOR DRIVERS’ CAR – FOLLOWING BEHAVIOUR UNDER VARIOUS WEATHER CONDITIONS
Authors: Shariff Mey , Che Puan Othman , Mashros Nordiana
Published: March 2016

Adverse weather conditions have considerable impact on traffic operation and safety as it affects drivers’ car-following behaviour. However, the quality of traffic data and its related methodologies to address these effects are under continuous enhancement. This paper intends to provide an overview of various empirical traffic data collection methodologies widely used to investigate drivers car-following behaviour under various weather conditions. These methodologies include video cameras, pneumatic tubes, floating car data, instrumented vehicle and driving simulator. Moreover, the advantages and disadvantages related to methodologies have been discussed with emphasis on their suitability to work under adverse weather conditions. Furthermore, conclusion also comprises on table format of comparative review of facilities concerned with the methodologies.
A REVIEW OF CHEMICAL AND PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF COCONUT SHELL IN ASPHALT MIXTURE
Authors: Ting Tay Lay , Jaya Ramadhansyah Putra , Abdul Hassan Norhidayah , Yaacob Haryati , Sri Jayanti Dewi , Mohd Ariffin Mohd Azreen
Published: March 2016

Coconut shell is an agricultural waste which is abundant to the environment and also rise the risk to health as well as environment. Currently, most of the researchers are investigate the use of waste material which can reduce the costof construction and increase the strength. Some of thewaste materials are used in construction for instance palm oil fuel ash, rice husk, fly ash slag, sludge, coconut shell and etc. Hence, coconut shellwas selected for this study. Generally, the chemical and physical properties of coconut shell in road construction was highlighted in this paper and compared with others raw materials. In addition, the chemical and physical characteristics of coconut shell was presented according to X-ray Fluorescence (XRF), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM),Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) Analysis and X-ray Diffraction (XRD). A review of using coconut shell in asphalt mixture has better potential than others raw materials to constribute in construction field.
THE POTENTIAL OF WASTE COOKING OIL AS BIO-ASPHALT FOR ALTERNATIVE BINDER â€“ AN OVERVIEW
Authors: Wan Azahar Wan Nur Aifa , Bujang Mastura , Jaya Ramadhansyah Putra , Hainin Mohd Rosli , Mohamed Azman , Ngad Norzita , Jayanti Dewi Sri
Published: March 2016

Enormous quantity of waste products from by-products of frying activity could cause negative impact if not properly managed and disposed. Therefore, recyclability of Waste Cooking Oil (WCO) in binder modification to produce bio-asphalt can be a sustainable ways to minimize waste dumping while at the same time to reduce the usage of natural resources. Bio-asphalt can be described as alternative asphalt binder which differs from conventional asphalt in terms of strength and durability. This review has highlighted the potential of bio-binder to replace with conventional binder by the addition of waste cooking oil in the mixture
THE EFFECT OF PRESERVATION MAINTENANCE ACTIVITIES IN ASPHALT CONCRETE PAVEMENT SUSTAINABILITY
Authors: Babashamsi Peyman , Md. Yusoff Nur Izzi , Hainin Mohd Rosli
Published: March 2016

Pavement infrastructure is crucial to quality lifestyle and affluence of society. Since the pavement structure deteriorates after a while, appropriate pavement preservation maintenance is essential to attain a superior performing, safety, and economic pavement network for the users. Nowadays, within a modern society resources and budget are restricted that make it necessary for transportation agencies to discover approaches to use the resources to optimize benefits included in daily operation. Simultaneously, focus on the idea of environmental sustainability has increased substantially. Pavement preservation assists environmental sustainability by preserving energy, raw materials, and mitigating greenhouse gases (GHG) by maintaining good roads in the perfect condition. Thereby, a sustainable pavement maintenance program should look into allocating budget and resources to pavement preservation. Various types of pavement preservation treatments use different levels of energy and produce GHG emissions. Preservation treatments considered in this study included thin hot-mix asphalt (HMA) overlay, chip seal, slurry seal and crack seal. This research states the methodology in sustainable pavement preservation maintenance. Its focus is on quantifying and recognizing which of these pavement preservations practices minimize environmental impacts. As the economic is one of the components in triple bottom-line in sustainability, the next step is focusing on cost-benefit of preservation maintenance activity and comparing by rehabilitation activity. This research aims to persuade pavement organization to apply correct perseverance activity on the right time and proper manner to enhance sustainable development.
Kinematic Synthesis and Modeling of a Three Degrees-of-Freedom Hybrid Mechanism for Shoulder and Hip Modules of Humanoid Robots
Authors: Alfayad Samer , Tayba Ahmad M. , Ouezdou Fethi B. , Namoun Faycal
Published: March 2016

This paper deals with a research work that aims to develop a new three degrees-of-freedom (DoF) hybrid mechanism for humanoid robotics application. The proposed hybrid mechanism can be used as a solution not only for several modules in humanoid robots but also for other legged robots such as quadrupeds and hexapods. Hip and shoulder mechanisms are taken as examples in this paper; torso and spine mechanisms, too, can be based on the proposed solutions. In this paper, a detailed analysis of the required performances of the hip and shoulder mechanisms is first carried out. Then, using a kinematic synthesis, a novel solution for the hip mechanism is proposed based on one rotary and two linear actuators. Improving this solution allows us to fulfill the requirements induced by the large motion ranges of the shoulder module, leading to a new management of the linear actuators contributions in the motion/force achievement process. Kinematic and geometrical models of a generic hybrid mechanism are achieved and used to get the optimized solutions of both hybrid mechanisms addressed in this paper.
Multimodal Vibration Control of Photo-Electric Laminated Thin Cylindrical Shells Via Self-Organizing Fuzzy Sliding Mode Control
Authors: He Rongbo , Zheng Shijie , Tong Liyong
Published: March 2016

In this paper, a novel multipiece actuator configuration is first proposed. This configuration exhibits several advantages over the existing ones, such as: (1) the ability to overcome the deficiency of one-way actuation of PbLaZrTi (PLZT) actuators and (2) all of the actuators in this configuration being placed on the inner surfaces of a thin cylindrical shell and the removal of extra electrical wires between the end surfaces of the actuators. A new index of modal control factors is defined, and an optimization method for allocating actuator is proposed. By using the proposed method, the PLZT actuators can be located in an optimum position. Moreover, in view of the nonlinear and time-variant characteristics of photostrictive actuators, a self-organizing fuzzy sliding mode control (SOFSMC) method is established to attenuate multimodal vibration of photo-electric laminated thin cylindrical shells. A multilevel sliding mode surface is defined as fuzzy input and the SOFSMC method is used to infer the applied light intensity. Its control rule bank can be developed and adjusted continuously via online learning. In addition, using fuzzy sliding mode, the chatter inherent in conventional sliding mode control is therefore managed effectively while ensuring sliding mode behavior. Case studies demonstrate that the proposed approach can efficiently suppress multimodal vibration of photo-electric laminated thin cylindrical shells. It is also founded that SOFSMC can achieve better control effect than fuzzy neural network control (FNNC).
Wave Propagation Through a Micropolar Slab Sandwiched by Two Elastic Half-Spaces
Authors: Zhang Peng , Wei Peijun , Li Yueqiu
Published: March 2016

The problem of wave propagation through a micropolar elastic slab sandwiched by two classical elastic half-spaces is studied in this paper. Different from the classical elastic solids, the particle in micropolar solids can bear not only the displacements but also the rotations. The additional kinetic freedom results in four kinds of wave modes, namely, the longitudinal displacement (LD) wave, the longitudinal microrotational (LR) wave, and two coupled transverse (CT) waves. Apart from the LD wave, the other three waves are dispersive. The existence of couple stresses and the microrotations also makes the interface conditions between the micropolar slab and the classic elastic half-spaces different from that between two classic solids. The nontraditional interface conditions lead to a set of algebraic equations from which the amplitude ratios of reflection and transmission waves can be determined. Further, the energy fluxes carried by various waves are evaluated and the energy conservation is checked to validate the numerical results obtained. The influences of the micropolar elastic constants and the thickness of slab are discussed based on the numerical results. Two situations of incident P wave and incident SH wave are both considered.
Experimental Thermal Analysis of a Mechanical Face Seal
Authors: Ayadi K. , Brunetière N. , Tournerie B. , Maoui A.
Published: March 2016

An experimental study quantifying the thermal behavior of a mechanical seal is performed. Temperature measurements are obtained using embedded thermocouples within the stator at different locations, and the tests are carried out at different sealed fluid pressures and rotary shaft speeds. Furthermore, an inverse method is used to calculate the heat transfer from the measured local temperatures. The Nusselt number is calculated along the wetted surface as a function of operating conditions; the obtained values are discussed in comparison to previous works. Our results demonstrate that the amplitude of the thermal effects is highly dependent on the operating conditions. The temperature rise being increased by 600% when the rotating speed is raised from 1000 to 6000 rpm and the fluid pressure from 1 to 5 MPa. Moreover, the temperature can vary by several degrees when the distance from the wetted diameter (cooled by convection) and the friction face (heat source) is varied from less than 2 mm.
A Study of Bulk Modulus, Entrained Air, and Dynamic Pressure Measurements in Liquids
Authors: Hurst Adam M. , VanDeWeert Joe
Published: March 2016

Accurate static and dynamic pressure measurements in liquids, such as fuel, oil, and hydraulic fluid, are critical to the control and health monitoring of turbomachinery and aerospace systems. This work presents a theoretical and experimental study of the frequency response of pressure transducers and pressure measurement systems in liquid media. First, we theoretically predict the frequency response of pressure transducers based upon a lumped-parameter model. We then present a liquid-based dynamic pressure calibration test apparatus that validates this model by performing several critical measurements. This system first uses a vibrating liquid column to dynamically calibrate and experimentally determine the frequency response of a test pressure transducer, measurement system or geometry. Second, this calibration system experimentally extracts the bulk modulus of the fluid and the percent of entrained and/or dissolved air by volume. Bulk modulus is determined by measuring the speed of sound within the liquid and through static pressure loading while measuring the deflection of the liquid column. Bulk modulus and the entrained/dissolved gas content within the liquid greatly impact the observed frequency response of a pressure transducer or geometry. Gases, such as air, mixed or dissolved into a fluid can add substantial damping to the dynamic response of the fluid measurement system, which makes measurement of the bulk modulus and entrained and/or dissolved air critical for accurate measurement of the frequency response of a system when operating with a liquid media. All experimental results are compared to theoretical predictions.
SIMS depth profiling and topography studies of repetitive III–V trenches under low energy oxygen ion beam sputtering
Authors: Gorbenko Viktoriia , Bassani Franck , Merkulov Alexandre , Baron Thierry , Martin Mickael , David Sylvain , Barnes Jean-Paul
Published: March 2016

Chemical depth profiling of III–V trenches containing InGaAs quantum wells with AlAs barriers selectively grown inside SiO2 cavities was studied using magnetic secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS). The authors show that the depth resolution of SIMS profiles of III-As layers degrades under extremely low energy oxygen beam sputtering (<500 eV) due to ripple formation and an increase in surface roughness. Improved SIMS depth resolution was observed by increasing the incident angle (∼50°–65°). Finally, the authors report the effect of sample rotation and orientation of the ion beam with respect to the trenches on depth profiling of III-As layers using time-of-flight SIMS.
Leveraging signaling research to understand and treat disease
Authors: Yaffe Michael B. , Gough Nancy R.
Published: March 2016

Signaling research is revealing the challenges of integrating cellular and molecular information into the complex system of the intact organism.
Controlling glutamine metabolism by acetylation
Authors: Gough Nancy R.
Published: March 2016

Glutamine controls its own synthesis by promoting the acetylation-mediated degradation of glutamine synthetase.
Analysis of β-Lactamase Resistance Determinants in Enterobacteriaceae from Chicago Children: a Multicenter Survey
Authors: Logan Latania K. , Hujer Andrea M. , Marshall Steven H. , Domitrovic T. Nicholas , Rudin Susan D. , Zheng Xiaotian , Qureshi Nadia K. , Hayden Mary K. , Scaggs Felicia A. , Karadkhele Anand , Bonomo Robert A.
Published: March 2016

Multidrug-resistant (MDR)
Enterobacteriaceae
infections are increasing in U.S. children; however, there is a paucity of multicentered analyses of antibiotic resistance genes responsible for MDR phenotypes among pediatric
Enterobacteriaceae
isolates. In this study, 225 isolates phenotypically identified as extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) or carbapenemase producers, recovered from children ages 0 to 18 years hospitalized between January 2011 and April 2015 at three Chicago area hospitals, were analyzed. We used DNA microarray platforms to detect ESBL, plasmid-mediated AmpC (pAmpC), and carbapenemase type β-lactamase (
bla
) genes. Repetitive-sequence-based PCR and multilocus sequence typing (MLST) were performed to assess isolate similarity. Plasmid replicon typing was conducted to classify plasmids. The median patient age was 4.2 years, 56% were female, and 44% presented in the outpatient setting. The majority (60.9%) of isolates were
Escherichia coli
and from urinary sources (69.8%). Of 225 isolates exhibiting ESBL- or carbapenemase-producing phenotypes, 90.7% contained a
bla
gene. The most common genotype was the
bla
CTX-M-1
group (49.8%); 1.8% were carbapenem-resistant
Enterobacteriaceae
(three
bla
KPC
and one
bla
IMP
). Overall, pAmpC (
bla
ACT/MIR
and
bla
CMY
) were present in 14.2%. The predominant
E. coli
phylogenetic group was the virulent B2 group (67.6%) associated with ST43/ST131 (Pasteur/Achtman MLST scheme) containing the
bla
CTX-M-1
group (84%), and plasmid replicon types FIA, FII, and FIB.
K. pneumoniae
harboring
bla
KPC
were non-ST258 with replicon types I1 and A/C.
Enterobacter
spp. carrying
bla
ACT/MIR
contained plasmid replicon FIIA. We found that β-lactam resistance in children is diverse and that certain resistance mechanisms differ from known circulating genotypes in adults in an endemic area. The potential impact of complex molecular types and the silent dissemination of MDR
Enterobacteriaceae
in a vulnerable population needs to be studied further.
Evaluating the Effects of Surotomycin Treatment on Clostridium difficile Toxin A and B Production, Immune Response, and Morphological Changes
Authors: Endres Bradley T. , Bassères Eugénie , Khaleduzzaman Mohammed , Alam M. Jahangir , Chesnel Laurent , Garey Kevin W.
Published: March 2016

Surotomycin is a cyclic lipopeptide in development for
Clostridium difficile
-associated diarrhea. This study aimed to assess the impact of surotomycin exposure on
C. difficile
toxin A and B concentrations and the associated changes in immune response in comparison to vancomycin and metronidazole. Time-kill curve assays were performed using strain R20291 (BI/NAP1/027) at supra-MICs (4× and 40×) and sub-MICs (0.5×) of surotomycin and comparators. Following treatment, CFU counts, toxin A and B concentrations, and cellular morphological changes using scanning electron microscopy were examined. Inflammatory response was determined by measuring interleukin-8 (IL-8) concentrations from polarized Caco-2 cells exposed to antibiotic-treated
C. difficile
growth media. Supra-MICs (4× and 40×) of surotomycin resulted in a reduction of vegetative cells over 72 h (4-log difference,
P
< 0.01) compared to controls. These results correlated with decreases of 77% and 68% in toxin A and B production at 48 h, respectively (
P
< 0.005, each), which resulted in a significant reduction in IL-8 concentration compared to controls. Similar results were observed with comparator antibiotics. Bacterial cell morphology showed that the cell wall was broken apart by surotomycin treatment at supra-MICs while sub-MIC studies showed a “deflated” phenotype plus a rippling effect. These results suggest that surotomycin has potent killing effects on
C. difficile
that results in reduced toxin production and attenuates the immune response similar to comparator antibiotics. The morphological data also confirm observations that surotomycin is a membrane-active antibiotic.
Improvement of the Xpert Carba-R Kit for the Detection of Carbapenemase-Producing Enterobacteriaceae
Authors: Dortet Laurent , Fusaro Mathieu , Naas Thierry
Published: March 2016

The Xpert Carba-R kit, version 2 (v2), which has been improved for the efficient detection of
bla
OXA-181
and
bla
OXA-232
genes, was tested on a collection of 150 well-characterized enterobacterial isolates that had a reduced susceptibility to carbapenems. The performance of the Xpert Carba-R v2 was high, as it was able to detect the five major carbapenemases (NDM, VIM, IMP, KPC, and OXA-48). Thus, it is now well adapted to the carbapenemase-producing
Enterobacteriaceae
epidemiology of many countries worldwide.
Antitubercular Agent Delamanid and Metabolites as Substrates and Inhibitors of ABC and Solute Carrier Transporters
Authors: Sasabe Hiroyuki , Shimokawa Yoshihiko , Shibata Masakazu , Hashizume Kenta , Hamasako Yusuke , Ohzone Yoshihiro , Kashiyama Eiji , Umehara Ken
Published: March 2016

Delamanid (Deltyba, OPC-67683) is the first approved drug in a novel class of nitro-dihydro-imidazooxazoles developed for the treatment of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis. Patients with tuberculosis require treatment with multiple drugs, several of which have known drug-drug interactions. Transporters regulate drug absorption, distribution, and excretion; therefore, the inhibition of transport by one agent may alter the pharmacokinetics of another, leading to unexpected adverse events. Therefore, it is important to understand how delamanid affects transport activity. In the present study, the potencies of delamanid and its main metabolites as the substrates and inhibitors of various transporters were evaluated
in vitro
. Delamanid was not transported by the efflux ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters P-glycoprotein (P-gp; MDR1/ABCB1) and breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP/ABCG2), solute carrier (SLC) transporters, organic anion-transporting polypeptides, or organic cation transporter 1. Similarly, metabolite 1 (M1) was not a substrate for any of these transporters except P-gp. Delamanid showed no inhibitory effect on ABC transporters MDR1, BCRP, and bile salt export pump (BSEP; ABCB11), SLC transporters, or organic anion transporters. M1 and M2 inhibited P-gp- and BCRP-mediated transport but did so only at the 50% inhibitory concentrations (M1, 4.65 and 5.71 μmol/liter, respectively; M2, 7.80 and 6.02 μmol/liter, respectively), well above the corresponding maximum concentration in plasma values observed following the administration of multiple doses in clinical trials. M3 and M4 did not affect the activities of any of the transporters tested. These
in vitro
data suggest that delamanid is unlikely to have clinically relevant interactions with drugs for which absorption and disposition are mediated by this group of transporters.
Potentiation of Aminoglycoside Activity in Pseudomonas aeruginosa by Targeting the AmgRS Envelope Stress-Responsive Two-Component System
Authors: Poole Keith , Gilmour Christie , Farha Maya A. , Mullen Erin , Lau Calvin Ho-Fung , Brown Eric D.
Published: March 2016

A screen for agents that potentiated the activity of paromomycin (PAR), a 4,5-linked aminoglycoside (AG), against wild-type
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
identified the RNA polymerase inhibitor rifampin (RIF). RIF potentiated additional 4,5-linked AGs, such as neomycin and ribostamycin, but not the clinically important 4,6-linked AGs amikacin and gentamicin. Potentiation was absent in a mutant lacking the AmgRS envelope stress response two-component system (TCS), which protects the organism from AG-generated membrane-damaging aberrant polypeptides and, thus, promotes AG resistance, an indication that RIF was acting via this TCS in potentiating 4,5-linked AG activity. Potentiation was also absent in a RIF-resistant RNA polymerase mutant, consistent with its potentiation of AG activity being dependent on RNA polymerase perturbation. PAR-inducible expression of the AmgRS-dependent genes
htpX
and
yccA
was reduced by RIF, suggesting that AG activation of this TCS was compromised by this agent. Still, RIF did not compromise the membrane-protective activity of AmgRS, an indication that it impacted some other function of this TCS. RIF potentiated the activities of 4,5-linked AGs against several AG-resistant clinical isolates, in two cases also potentiating the activity of the 4,6-linked AGs. These cases were, in one instance, explained by an observed AmgRS-dependent expression of the MexXY multidrug efflux system, which accommodates a range of AGs, with RIF targeting of AmgRS undermining
mexXY
expression and its promotion of resistance to 4,5- and 4,6-linked AGs. Given this link between AmgRS, MexXY expression, and pan-AG resistance in
P. aeruginosa
, RIF might be a useful adjuvant in the AG treatment of
P. aeruginosa
infections.
Determination of Active Phagocytosis of Unopsonized Porphyromonas gingivalis by Macrophages and Neutrophils Using the pH-Sensitive Fluorescent Dye pHrodo
Authors: Lenzo Jason C. , O'Brien-Simpson Neil M. , Cecil Jessica , Holden James A. , Reynolds Eric C.
Published: March 2016

Phagocytosis of pathogens is an important component of the innate immune system that is responsible for the removal and degradation of bacteria as well as their presentation via the major histocompatibility complexes to the adaptive immune system. The periodontal pathogen
Porphyromonas gingivalis
exhibits strain heterogeneity, which may affect a phagocyte's ability to recognize and phagocytose the bacterium. In addition,
P. gingivalis
is reported to avoid phagocytosis by antibody and complement degradation and by invading phagocytic cells. Previous studies examining phagocytosis have been confounded by both the techniques employed and the potential of the bacteria to invade the cells. In this study, we used a novel, pH-sensitive dye, pHrodo, to label live
P. gingivalis
strains and examine unopsonized phagocytosis by murine macrophages and neutrophils and human monocytic cells. All host cells examined were able to recognize and phagocytose unopsonized
P. gingivalis
strains. Macrophages had a preference to phagocytose
P. gingivalis
strain ATCC 33277 over other strains and clinical isolates in the study, whereas neutrophils favored
P. gingivalis
W50, ATCC 33277, and one clinical isolate over the other strains. This study revealed that all
P. gingivalis
strains were capable of being phagocytosed without prior opsonization with antibody or complement.
Evolution of Ecological Diversity in Biofilms of Pseudomonas aeruginosa by Altered Cyclic Diguanylate Signaling
Authors: Flynn Kenneth M. , Dowell Gabrielle , Johnson Thomas M. , Koestler Benjamin J. , Waters Christopher M. , Cooper Vaughn S.
Published: March 2016

The ecological and evolutionary forces that promote and maintain diversity in biofilms are not well understood. To quantify these forces, three
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
populations were experimentally evolved from strain PA14 in a daily cycle of attachment, assembly, and dispersal for 600 generations. Each biofilm population evolved diverse colony morphologies and mutator genotypes defective in DNA mismatch repair. This diversity enhanced population fitness and biofilm output, owing partly to rare, early colonizing mutants that enhanced attachment of others. Evolved mutants exhibited various levels of the intracellular signal cyclic-di-GMP, which associated with their timing of adherence. Manipulating cyclic-di-GMP levels within individual mutants revealed a network of interactions in the population that depended on various attachment strategies related to this signal. Diversification in biofilms may therefore arise and be reinforced by initial colonists that enable community assembly.

IMPORTANCE
How biofilm diversity assembles, evolves, and contributes to community function is largely unknown. This presents a major challenge for understanding evolution during chronic infections and during the growth of all surface-associated microbes. We used experimental evolution to probe these dynamics and found that diversity, partly related to altered cyclic-di-GMP levels, arose and persisted due to the emergence of ecological interdependencies related to attachment patterns. Clonal isolates failed to capture population attributes, which points to the need to account for diversity in infections. More broadly, this study offers an experimental framework for linking phenotypic variation to distinct ecological strategies in biofilms and for studying eco-evolutionary interactions.